Acts 1
SIBLuke i—xx.r. Rom. 15. 8. ch. 10. 38. (1) Briefly reviews the history of Christ after his death; 1—8: and relates his ascension to heaven from mount Olivet
Acts 1:9-11
(2) Represents the disciples’ return to Jerusalem, and their employing themselves in social prayer
Acts 1:12-14
(3) After Peter had related the history of Judas’ wickedness and ruin, Matthias is chosen by lot to be an apostle in his stead
Acts 1:15-26
Mark 16. 19. Luke 24. 51. ver. 9. Heb. 1. 3. 1 Tim. 3. 16. THE former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, —4. & 61. 1—3. 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Mat. 28. 19. 20. Mark 16. 15—18. Luke 24. 45—49. John 20. 21 —23. & 21. 15—17. ch. 10. 41. 42. 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Mat. xxviii. xxi. ch. 10. 40— 42. 1 Cor. 15. 5—8. 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Mat. 3. 2. & 4. 17. & 15. 24. 31, 33, 41 —49. 6 When they therefore were come together they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Or eating together with them. 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Luke 24. 49. John 14. 16. 26. & 15. 26. & 16. 7. & 20. 22. Acts 2. 4. 33. & 4. 8. Mat. 3. 11. ch. 2. 4. & 11. 15. 16. & 19. 4. & 20. 21. Luke 17. 20. & 22. 30. 8 But ye shall receive † power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 ¶ And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in “white apparel; 11 Who also said, Ye ‘men of Galilee, ‘why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, ‘shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12 ¶ Then returned they unto Jerusalem from “the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem ‘a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And, when they were come in, they went up into an ‘upper room, where abode both ‘Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 ‘These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 15 ¶ And in those days ‘Peter stood 56. ch. 2. 1. 42. 46. John 10. 27. & 21. 15-17. Anno Domini cir. 33. Ch. 2. 1-4. 33. Luke 24. 49. & 3. 16. Joel 2. 22. † Or the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you. Luke 24. 47. 48. Mark 16. 15. Mat. 28. 19. ver. 22. ch. 2. 32. & 3. 15. & 4. 33. & 10. 39. 41. John 15. 27. Rom. 10. 18. & 15. 19. ch. li-xiii. Mark 16. 19. Luke 24. 50. 51. John 6. 62. Mat. 17. 3. Mat. 17. 2. & 28. 3. Luke 24. 4. John 20. 12. Ch. 2. 7. & 13. 31. with Mat. 25. 31. 1 Thes. 4. 16. 2 Thes. 1. 7. 8. 10. & 26. 30. Zech. 14. 4. Luke 21. 37. & 24. 52. About a mile, or perhaps more. Luke 21. 50. John 11. 16. Ch. 20. 9. & 9. 32. 39. Luke 22. 12. & 24. 53. John 20. 19. 26. Mat. 10. 24. Mark 6. 16-19. Luke 6. 14-16. Jude 1. Luke 5. 35. & 24. 53. & 23. 49. John 20. 28. Mat. 13. 55. & 27. 86. 3
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. I.—The most glorious and uncontrollable evidence is given us of the resurrection and exaltation of our once crucified Redeemer, that through him our faith and hope might be in God. Great numbers of disciples had frequent opportunities of seeing and conversing with him after his death, and could not possibly mistake him for any another. Yea, saw him ascend, in our nature, to heaven, and heard the angels’ attestation concerning him. Most gladdening truth! He has carried our nature to the right hand of God, and will, in due time, return, for our salvation, to judge the quick and the dead. And infinite is the mercy that, in his absence, he has, by promise and fulfilment, secured for us the presence and influence of the Holy Ghost to supply his room, and to own, assist, and comfort, us in his work. Let us then, in an humble dependance on, and patient waiting for, him, avoid all carnal views of his kingdom or curious prying into God’s secrets. For there is need of great activity in his honourable work, and of preparation for his second coming, at which we must give our account. While the world rages in wickedness, let united devotions be the delight of our souls. The joint effectual fervent prayers of righteous men avail much. But, O the inexpressibly terrible end of treacherous ministers! Their honour or wealth avail them but little in the day of God’s wrath. Happy is it when God, even by terrible things in righteousness, degrades and punishes them for the confirmation of his truths,—and supplies their room with such as are qualified and faithful. And great care ought to be taken that none but such be admitted. But, if God testify his call and approbation, all ought to receive and regard them as his ambassadors. Ever solicitous for the welfare of the church, we ought to commit all her matters to Jesus, as her kind Head and sovereign disposer of all things. And never let us by lot appeal to God in matters ludicrous or trifling; but only in cases of great importance, which cannot be otherwise decided; and that with solemn prayer for his direction, and a ready submission to his decision. 4