Acts 2

— strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes.] That is, Jews and proselytes, who were by birth or habitation Romans, but now sojourned at Jerusalem. It is evident from various Roman authors, that there were great multitudes of Jews who dwelt at Rome; and also that there were not a few in that great city, proselyted to the Jewish religion. Bieose.

—to the church] Meaning here, the body of believers, in the Gospel, in general. Bp. Tomline.

—such as should be saved.] Or, “such as are saved,” as the word may be rendered. But the sense is much the same: for our salvation plainly begins in this life, although it is perfected only in the other. They and they only, who are saved from their sins upon earth, can ever attain to the salvation of their souls in heaven. By the expression, therefore, “such as are or should be saved,” we are to understand those, who, being pricked in their hearts, and convinced of their former errors in opinion and practice, do heartily repent them, and gladly receive the word, and embrace the terms propounded in the Gospel, for the pardon of their sins, and for the assistance of God’s grace and Spirit, that they may so serve Him here, as to enjoy His presence for ever hereafter. Bp. Beveridge.

Or the words may signify here, “such as were saved;” for we find the converts, who upon their repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ were baptized, often spoken of in the New Testament as persons already saved; that is, rescued from that eternal misery, to which they stood exposed, till they were baptized. For instance, St. Paul (in Ephes. ii. 8.) says, “By grace ye are saved,” or rather, “ye are those who have been saved.” So in Titus, chap. iii. 5, the same Apostle says, “According to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration.” See also 1 Cor. i. 18; and xv. 2. But it should be here remembered, that this description of the Christian converts only considers the state into which baptism brought them; and does not here (though it does elsewhere) point out to them, that, when they were added to the church, eternal life was not to be obtained without the practice of all manner of good works. Bp. Pearce.

The lives and manners of the new converts were of a description truly according with the new profession of religion. We need not recur to any history, but that which is now before us, and where else can we expect to find a more pleasing picture of all that is amiable, of all that is instructive, in Christianity? As charity, in the true sense of the word, as the love of mankind founded on the love of God through Christ, as a perfect and more exalted holiness, animated their whole conduct, we behold nothing but that happy community of sentiments which is the ornament and perfection of the Christian covenant. Nor shall we wonder that such a proof of their religious principles captivated even those who were unwilling to imitate their conduct. They saw them daily frequenting the temple, the appointed place of publick worship; they saw them associating together “with gladness and singleness of heart;” they saw them praise God with that devotion, which hypocrisy cannot offer; and therefore they were disposed to regard them with a favourable eye. A faith so pure, and a conduct so irreproachable, were likely to produce the most beneficial effects to the Christian Church; and such, St. Luke informs us, was immediately the case. Brewster.

Anno DOMINI 33. Or, al homo.

Acts 2:3

3. — there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire.] By these was represented the power given to the Apostles to speak so many languages as to make themselves understood by persons of all nations. The diversity of the languages was intimated by the tongues being cloven, as the readiness and aptness of their arguments was by the tongues themselves. These tongues had the resemblance of fire—a fit representation of the light these disciples received by the accession of the Holy Spirit; the clear unerring knowledge they obtained of all things which it concerned persons in that high character and weighty trust perfectly to understand. Dean Stanhope.

— and it sat upon each] And a tongue sat upon each. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 2:4

4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.] Thus did our Lord fulfil His promise to His disciples of sending to them another Comforter, “even the Spirit of truth,” John xiv. 16. The extraordinary gifts of the Spirit now conferred upon the Apostles were that of inspiration, whereby they were clearly and fully instructed in all manner of heavenly truth, and infallibly assisted in delivering the said truth entire to others; also that of miracles, which enabled them to prove to others, with the most convincing evidence, those things which God had revealed to them. Nelson.

— to speak with other tongues.] That is, in different languages, which they had never learnt. Pyle.

The Apostles were thus endowed with different languages, to enable them to spread and diffuse the knowledge of Christianity over the world; the Gospel thereby making a greater progress in a few years, than it could have done, in human probability, without it, in many ages. Nelson. This miracle was of such a nature, that the like was never known in the world, either before or since the first ages of Christianity, upon any occasion whatsoever: nor can we well imagine any other sort of miracle that could probably affect men more, and strike them with greater wonder and admiration, or which could demonstrate more sensibly a Divine power and presence accompanying the Apostles, than to see and hear them, all on a sudden, perfectly to speak so many languages, which they had never before learnt. Abp. Tillotson.

Acts 2:5

5. — there were dwelling at Jerusalem] Some perhaps were constantly dwelling there, but the greater part

probably were drawn thither by the feast of Pentecost, and that of the passover which preceded it. Bp. Pearce.

— Jews, — out of every nation] Jews by nation and by proselytism, ver. 10; out of every nation where the Jews dwelt. Dr. Whitby.

— devout men.] Worshippers of the true God. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 2:7

7. — are not all these which speak Galileans?] The persons who thus spake were all Galileans; natives of a country held in great contempt among the Jews, and considered as ignorant and unpolished. These individuals in particular were known to be such, bred up to mean trades, and destitute both of capacity and opportunity to acquire any degree of those abilities which they now exerted in the utmost perfection. And what could be a greater proof of God speaking in them and by them, than their being able to do that in an instant, which the study of a whole life could hardly, if at all, qualify any man to do? Here was no room for delusion where every hearer was a judge for himself, and where those that heard were so numerous, of regions so distant, and of languages so very different from each other. Dean Stanhope.

Acts 2:9

9. — and Elamites.] Meaning, the Persians. Elymais was a province of Persia, not far from the gulph of Persia. Beausobre.

— and in Judea.] A different dialect was spoken in Judea from that spoken in Galilee. Beausobre.

— Cappadocia, — Pontus, &c.] These are provinces of Asia Minor. See the map for their respective situations.

— Asia.] Asia in its largest acceptation denotes the whole Asiatick continent. In this sense it is distinguished from Asia Minor, or the Lesser, denoting so much of it as lies between the Euxine or Black sea northward, and the Mediterranean sea southward; and Asia the Greater, denoting all the rest of the Asiatick continent. As Asia Minor contains many of the provinces here mentioned, it cannot be denoted by the word “Asia” in this passage. It is commonly supposed by the most judicious writers, that by Asia in the New Testament is to be understood Lydia in its largest acceptation, or taken so as to include Ionia and Æolis, within which compass lay the seven cities, the churches of which are called the churches of Asia by the sacred writers. Dr. Wells.

Acts 2:10

10. — Libya about Cyrene.] We learn from Josephus, that Ptolemy Lagus planted a number of captive Jews in Cyrene and other parts of Libya. Bp. Pearce.

admired by some, and derided by others. CHAP. II. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost.

Anno DOMINI 33. about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Acts 2:11

11. — do hear them speak — the wonderful works of God.] Probably the Apostles had disconced to them respecting Jesus’s resurrection and ascension into heaven. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 2:13

13. Others mocking said.] These must have been natives of Judea, who, hearing the Apostles speak in foreign tongues, thought it a mere unmeaning noise. Dr. Lightfoot.

Of all the miracles recorded in Scripture, none are more clear from any possible imputation of being the effect of an enthusiastic imagination, than this of the disciples’ speaking in languages they had never learnt; for how could any man think he possessed this faculty when he possessed it not; or, if he did think so, how could he fail to be undeceived when he came to put his gift to the proof? Lord Lyttleton.

The gift of tongues was a miracle in which there could be no deceit or illusion. The Apostles were well known; they had always dwelt in Judea; their manner of life, the circumstances of their education, the meanness of their condition, were notorious. Several things concurred to shew that they could not have acquired this knowledge in an ordinary way. If they had learned the languages by the help of men, that would surely have been discovered; if we should say they learned them by their own sagacity and industry, that is too improbable to be supposed; and, whether with or without the assistance of others, the labour of some years would scarcely have been sufficient. This was also a miracle new and singular in its kind, and therefore adapted to affect the Jews in a particular manner. The miracle consisted, moreover, not only in speaking new languages, but in teaching sacred truths in a new and effectual manner. We hear them speak, the multitude say, the wonderful works of God. This doubled the miracle, and was all that a reasonable person could desire for his satisfaction and conviction. The gift of tongues was of particular service to Christianity. It increased the number of believers at Jerusalem, and engaged the admiration and favour of the people so much, that the enemies of Christ could not accomplish

Acts 2:14

14. — lifted up his voice, and said] The Apostles had given no proofs of courage in the first part of their history. They all deserted our Saviour as soon as He was apprehended; one of them was terrified into a direct denial of Him; and after His resurrection they kept their assemblies very private, “for fear of the Jews,” John xx. 19. What then was it which changed them into such different persons, within the space of a few days? What could it be else than the completion, here recorded, of our Saviour’s promise, that they should “receive power, after that the Holy Ghost was come” upon them, chap. i. 8. With what surprising boldness, in particular, does St. Peter, so lately an apostate, lift up his voice immediately after the effusion of the Holy Ghost, and testify that Jesus is “Lord and Christ,” ver. 36. Abp. Secker.

Acts 2:15

15. — but the third hour] Only nine o’clock in the morning; being the hour of temple service, which the pious and devout attended fasting. Dr. Hales. In these solemn festival days some of the people used not to eat or drink any thing till high noon. Dr. Lightfoot.

Acts 2:17

17. — it shall come to pass &c.] The plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit is mentioned by the Prophets as the peculiar character of the gospel state; and it is elsewhere compared to the pouring out of waters on a thirsty land, whereby it becomes fruitful. See Isai. xliv. 3; liv. 18; Jer. xxxii. W. Lowth.

— in the last days.] Meaning, the times of the Messiah. Pyle. — upon all flesh:] On the heathens as well as the Anno DOMINI 33. Joel 2. 28. Isai. 44. 5. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. Asso DOMINI 35. before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

Acts 2:20

20. — before that great and notable day] Before the terrible destruction that is coming on Jerusalem. Bp. Mann.

Acts 2:21

21. — whosoever shall call on the name of &c.] Implying, that they who embrace and obey the religion of Christ shall escape and be saved from the common destruction, Matt. xxiv. 13. Bp. Mann.

Acts 2:23

23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel &c.] We should observe, that a thing is said in Scripture to be done by the determinate counsel of God, when it is done according to what He had written and declared in His word, Matt. xxvi. 24; Luke xxii. 22; also that, in order to the completion of the particular prophecies concerning the death of Christ, it was necessary that God should suffer Him to fall into the hands of wicked men, and should not restrain them from executing their malicious designs. Dr. Whitby. It was the intention of God from the beginning that Christ should suffer; but this necessity of His suffering did not impose on the Jews the necessity of putting Him to death. God decreed that He should be delivered up; the blind passions of wicked men did the rest.

Acts 2:24

24. — having loosed the pains of death.] Having delivered Him from the power of death. Dr. Hammond.

— it was not possible that he should be holden of it.] It was impossible in itself, and contrary to the tenour of prophecy, that the Lord of life should be holden by death. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 2:27

27. — in hell.] By “hell” is meant here, as in many other passages, not the place where the wicked are to suffer torment, but the invisible place, where the departed souls of the deceased remain, till the appointed

Acts 2:29

29—31. — let me freely speak unto you &c.] It is very evident, St. Peter says, that this expression of not leaving His soul in hell, &c. could never be meant of, nor is in any way fulfilled in, David’s own person, who, as you all know, long since died, and lies yet in his grave, which you can shew to this day. And therefore, as David was an eminent Prophet, a type of the Messiah, and had an express promise from God that Christ should be born of his seed and family, it cannot but be concluded that he was, as a Prophet, acquainted beforehand with the resurrection of Christ, and so designed this of Christ only. Pyle.

Acts 2:32

32. — whereof we all are witnesses.] We stand here before you, and are ready to undergo any trial of our sincerity in this matter; we do not tell you of witnesses that live at a great distance, but we, whom you see and hear, testify what we have seen and heard. If you are dissatisfied, search the sepulchre, examine the soldiers, go to the council, and let them search into the bottom of it; here we stand and are ready to give our utmost testimony to the truth of it. Bp. Stillingfleet.

Acts 2:34

34. For David is not ascended &c.] His argument is this; David spake of a Lord who was to be at God’s

Many are converted by it, and are baptized. Anno DOMINI 23.

Acts 2:36

36.—hath made that same Jesus,—both Lord and Christ.] Hath raised the same Jesus whom ye crucified to His own right hand, and, placing Him there as head of the Church, hath instated Him in the kingly office of the Messiah. Dr. Hammond.

Acts 2:38

38.—Repent, and be baptized] He exhorts them, with true contrition and acknowledgment of their sins, to quit their infidelity, and with true faith to receive that baptism from the Apostles, in which Christ enabled them to convey remission of sins to all true penitents; further promising that they should be made partakers also of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which were poured upon the Church, and some among them of those miraculous powers which they now saw with astonishment in the Apostles, chap. iv. 31; xix. 6. Dr. Hammond.

—in the name of Jesus Christ] It sufficiently appears, from this and other passages where the expression occurs of baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus, (Acts viii. 16; x. 48; xix. 6,) that it is not meant to signify that persons were baptized merely in the name of Jesus; but undoubtedly this is an abbreviate way of speaking, putting a part for the whole. Baptizing unto Jesus Christ was well known by all Christians to signify baptizing in that form, which our Lord Jesus had appointed, that is, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and, wherever a part of this form is expressed, it is understood that the whole is implied. Dr. S. Clarke.

—ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.] It is certain that the gift of the Spirit, spoken of in this and other passages, must be common to all Christians, and cannot merely mean the extraordinary and miraculous communications, which were the portion of a few, and continued in the church only for a short time. Hence therefore we derive this comfortable and important assurance, that the Spirit of God co-operates with our sincere endeavours after righteousness, and assists us in all our virtuous exertions. Bp. Tomlins.

It is the Holy Spirit of God which is the sole author and spring of all true delight, of all real content within us; of that unspeakable joy in believing, that confidence of hope, that satisfaction in well doing. And since such are the unspeakable benefits accruing to us from this most excellent gift of God, by Him graciously conferred on all good Christians, we should correspondingly endeavour to make grateful and worthy returns for this gift, by using it to those good purposes for which it is bestowed. Let us then earnestly invite this Holy guest

unto us by our prayers, and willingly receive Him in our hearts. Let us not exclude Him by supine neglect and rude resistance; let us not grieve Him by our perverse and froward behaviour; let us not tempt Him by our fond presumptions or base treacheries; let us not quench His heavenly light and heat by our foul lusts and passions; but let us ever hearken gladly to His faithful suggestions, and comply with His kindly motions. Dr. I. Barrow.

Acts 2:39

39.—and to all that are afar off.] That is, the Gentiles. Dr. Whitby.

Acts 2:40

40.—from this untoward generation.] Lest ye be involved in their temporal and eternal destruction. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 2:41

41.—there were added unto them about three thousand souls.] Observe how justly the Gospel state is compared to a grain of mustard seed, Matt. xiii. 32; there having been an increase of 3000 souls, besides the 120 mentioned at chap. i. 15, and a daily addition of more, ver. 47; so that at chap. iv. 4, the number is said to be 5000. Bp. Mann.

This was a quick and plentiful harvest; the late sufferings of our Saviour, as yet fresh bleeding in their memories, the present miraculous powers of the Holy Ghost, the zeal of the Apostles’ auditors, though heretofore misplaced and misguided, and, above all, the efficacy of Divine grace, contributing to this miraculous conversion. Dr. Cave.

Here was an effect proportionable to the greatness and strangeness of the cause; a mighty victory gained over the prejudices of men, and the powers of darkness, by the light and conviction of the miracle of tongues, which our Lord seems to have kept in reserve for this great occasion. Here was a large portion of first-fruits, and a great earnest of that spiritual harvest, which the Apostles had begun to reap. Abp. Tillotson.

Acts 2:42

42.—in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, &c.] That is, in hearing the Apostles teach, and in “fellowship” with them and one another, 1 John i. 3, 7, and in eating the Lord’s supper, and in praying together. Drs. Hammond and Whitby.

The “doctrine” here means, no doubt, the Gospel doctrine, the forgiveness of sins by the redemption through Christ Jesus; and the worship here mentioned is prayer, and the sacrament of the Lord’s supper signified by the communion and breaking of bread. Dr. H. Stebbing.

—and in breaking of bread.] In this, and a few other passages, (ver. 46; chap. xx. 7,) the breaking of bread is mentioned with reference to the Lord’s supper, without any notice being taken of the wine. This arises from the conciseness with which the writers of the New Testament sometimes express themselves; and it by no

The apostles work many miracles. The church is daily increased. Anno DOMINI 33.

Acts 2:43

43. And fear came upon every soul: ] A general astonishment seized upon all when they saw these wonderful operations of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Hammond.

Acts 2:44

44.—and had all things common; ] Their intercommunity of goods shewed their mutual confidence and affection; but it is no precedent for future ages in very dissimilar circumstances. Those who sold their goods and divided them were willing to be perfect in dedicating themselves to the service of the Gospel; as Christ exhorted the rich young man, Matt. xix. 21. Abp. Newcome.

The voluntary resignation of private property to the publick stock was probably necessary, at that early time, when all charity ceased towards Christians, except among themselves, and when they scrupled to partake of the temple sacrifices, which were a great relief to the poor. It certainly was not meant to be permanent, because, throughout the New Testament as well as the Old, there is always a distinction supposed to subsist between the rich and the poor; nor indeed could the affairs of the world possibly be carried on without such inequality of ranks and stations. Dr. Hales.

Acts 2:46

46.—daily with one accord in the temple.] Meaning, that they resorted thither to the duties of religion, at the hours of prayer, as they had done before. Dr. Lightfoot.

—and breaking bread from house to house.] It should rather be translated “in the house.” The meaning is, meeting together in their private assembly to receive the holy communion amongst themselves, after they had prayed in publick with the Jews. Dr. S. Clarke.

Acts 2:47

47.—and having favour with all the people.] That is, by their liberality, innocency, and simplicity of manners,