PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1
Arthur Charles Hervey [1808-1894] · 411,060 words · 462 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 181
That life! We invite the people to live the true life, Christ's life, the life that death cannot touch. 2. .Announcement. "Words of this life." We proclaim facts, a Divine Person, a life that c.'tn be described by example, confirmed by testimony, studied in the written pages. Religion no dream of enthusiasts, no mer…
807 wordsSECTION 182The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 182
elHion. 3. Confidenco without fanaticism, peace of mind without inertia and a sense of righteousness without pride. ' II. 'l'm'l DIVINE SALVATION. 1. It ie bum upon facts-a personal history an accumu- lation of historic evidence, an ascent from Bethlehem to the heavenly throne. The supernaturnl absolutely necessary to…
746 wordsSECTION 183The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 183
house is left unto you desolate I" and when Jesus "wept over it, saying, If thou hndat kuo,m, e""en thou, at least in t_his thy day, the things which belong uulo thy peace I but now they are hid from thrne eyes." On the contrary, we are in fact separated only by weeks fro~ the dread solemnities of the Crucifixion, a…
893 wordsSECTION 184The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 184
them" with hearty acclamation for instant and grateful acknowledgrnent, (2) "no umn of the rest" (i.e. presumably of those who would not care to be classified altogether among "tho people," and who would have been quite prepared to snatch at any possible dignity at which they could" dare" to snatch)" durst join himself…
896 wordsSECTION 185The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 185
that belic,cth on me, the works that I do shall h<1 do also; and greater workA than tliesc ~bnll he do: because I go unto my Father" (John xiv. 12).-D. Vel1'. 17-4.0.-A gmnd victory for the tl'uth along the whole line ; all the _post'ti'ons of //,e e11emy taken. The few hours tbnt were coYcrctl by this portion of th…
874 wordsSECTION 186The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 186
end the cnptail:1 of the temple, and tho chie~ priests" found themsel vcs. And perhaps it miuht havo suited them nnd their reputat10n about ns well if all ha.cl ended here. Btit thi~ was not to be. '!'hey had meddled with strife, nay had not "forborne them meddling with God" (2 Chron. xxxv. 21); and they shall' not"…
878 wordsSECTION 187The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 187
the God or 011r fathers, wns he who" raised" Jesus, and who" o:-tl\lted" him, 111e l\l'e ltis •• witncsse~,·• in these glorions wonders, of the history of his Son Jesus. And Peter Rdds, in onc of the most pronounced of the claims of inspiration peculiar to revelation, 1hnt, in i;nyin~ so mnch, he rneA.ns that" the Holy…
890 wordsSECTION 188The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 188
V. LASTLY, TilE INCIDEXT OF A GRATUITOUS BEATING OF' TilE APOSTLES AND A DARRI\N c_oMMAND L'\ID lf PON. Till'.~' Whateve~ i:nay be thought or charita?lY hoper\ of G:unahel, tho aclv1ser Ill this cns1s, very clear 1t 1s that those whom he hacl in fl.11enccrl had no deeper sympathies with tbe /!roundg of his advice, A'.!…
865 wordsSECTION 189The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 189
the pre:iching th:it has been fruitful of influence and has shown changed hcm·te and drnngecl Ii vcs. ll. 'l'llAT "TTIIS LIFE" SHALL BB THB BUIIJECT OF 01-.'IVERSAL APPEAL TO II THE PEOPLE." The distinguishing facts or doctrines of Christianity kno,v no distinction of esoteric nod t!XOteric. They are what may be under…
858 wordsSECTION 190The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 190
hero mny bo so.id to glimmor forth one of the greater moral facts of our nature. To offer to ~hare nnd to be permitted to share the joy and prosperity of another can yield little praise to him who offers, may yield some to the person who permits; but to volunteer to share, while innocent one's self, the i6,nominy and s…
1,082 wordsSECTION 191The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 191
Vers. 3, 4-.-The conviction of Ananias. St. Peter was. by natmal disposition and the general consent, spokesman and interpreter for the Church. He could uot have uttered these words to .Ananias without a painful rec:illing of his own sin in the three- fold denial of his Lord, and his own conviction of his sin at the…
651 wordsSECTION 192The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 192
Vers. 'i-10.-Helpers in win must be sl,arers in Judgment. The share faken by Snpphira was manifestly a prominent and an active one. She and her husband were on. v. l-·12.] 'l'lrn ACTS 01!' nm APOSTLE:-!. --------------------------------- at full !\CC?rd i~ tho matter; and ~er sin is the more agg!:wn.te<l as she b,l n.…
902 wordsSECTION 193The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 193
reference is intended to the "multitude or those who were not yet converted, but whose attc>ntion_ wns at the same time arrested by the spiritual power or Christianity;" or to the "Phamees, who resorted to the portico, but had not the courage to attach themselves to those with whom they really sympathized." It is ev…
815 wordsSECTION 194The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 194
which can ba affocted and relieved by the strong will and -faith of a fcllow-crcatnre. Ilut it is difficult for us to recognize the properly miraculous character of such cures. w· e may consider- I. H1,ALINOB ALONE. God has provi?cd in nature sufficient and efficient healing agents for all man's diseases. He has giv…
512 wordsSECTION 195The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 195
Ver. 19.-.Angel-help. Angels are constantly referred to in Holy Scripture. The angel-Jehovah, or angel of the covenant, who appeared in human form to the patriarchs as a sign and foreshadowing of the Incarnation, must be distinguished from the ordinary angelic appearances, The Old Testament conception of angels is that…
1,117 wordsSECTION 196The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 196
claim of sovereignty is closely joined to the promise of salvation. "If Christ seeks to rule over men it is that ho may save them." It is usual to note the meani □ 0"S of the llesurrection viewed in its relation to the redemptive scheme· but it is not so usual for Cbristi11n teachers to dwell on our Lord's office, d…
830 wordsSECTION 197The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 197
that had reC'ent.ly occurred and argues from tl1em, much as a modern lawyer docs from the "cases" be can cite. Precedents are often very valuable. They are often snd hi11dra.11ce.s to enterprise. They arc always most annoying to thoso who are of impulsive temperament.. They are_ a very doubtful good to men of faith in …
871 wordsSECTION 198The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 198
work, even though it be a work of charity. thought by some that the Greek character They must give themselves to the Word or of a.II seven names is an indication t.lrnt they God and to prELyer. There are Christian were Hellenists. Such a conclusion, how- faity to eervo tables. ever, is not wa.rranted, aB many Jews w…
1,021 wordsSECTION 199The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 199
Jews had each their own synagogue at There were many Jews in Cilioim, e.nd this Jerusalem, ns Chryeostom supposes, where doubtless inff.uenced St. Paul in pree.ohlng men of the some nation e.ttended when they there, ae well as tho fe.ot of its being his ce.me to J cruealem ; for the construction of own native provin…
1,319 wordsSECTION 200The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 200
HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-8.- Wise counsels. The prosperity of the Church was great. The first hypocrisy had been plucked up by the roots and burnt, so to speak, in the presence of the whole congregation. A holy awe had mingled with faith and love to give intense reality to the religion of the disciples. The Spirit of God h…
566 wordsSECTION 201The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 201
oomplainte. The practical ll!Bl!Ona to be learnt are these. 1. Never despise other people's grievances or m&ke light of them beca.use they do not affect you, Especially let no paetor of a flock underrate the temporal and personal vexations of any parishioner who may lay them berore him. To poor people even small losses…
977 wordsSECTION 202The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 202
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-7.-Prosperity and peace within the Ohwrch. These opening verses prove to us that a condition of exceptional virtue may abruptly pass into one of common infirmity. From the height of holy enthusiasm the Church falls down, by steep and quick descent, into the depth of unlovely wrangl…
686 wordsSECTION 203The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 203
AJ\'D EYE?- Hmrmsnm TRIUMPHS, When the apostles were relieved of other more secular duties, and "gave themselves oontinually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word" (ver. 4), then "the Word of God increased" (ver. 7); then came abounding success- " the number of the disciples multiplied greatly ; " surprising su…
840 wordsSECTION 204The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 204
supernatural radiance, It matters little ; but It is of consequence to know that the higher Ohristian graces will write their sign upon our countenance. As sin makes it.~ sad and shameful traces on the frame, so purity, faith, love, devotion, will make the face to be ,wlow with heavenly light. Nothing but a devoted Chr…
828 wordsSECTION 205The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 205
of the Church by the devout ceremony of the imposition or he.nde. 1. The emlnenoe of Stephen. He is specie.Hy mentioned as "full of fe.ith and of the Holy Spirit." Faith, a most comprehensive word in the New Teste.ment, me.y mean here either conste.ncy, fidelity, or the he.bit of the living and strong believer, But …
879 wordsSECTION 206The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 206
except at the fruit-laden tree," saye the proverb. 1. JtB characw: disputatious. School wit and wisdom are brought to bear against him. When facts cannot be denied, nor made the foundation of charges, fancies are found to be convenient as material of attack. 'rhe man who is mighty in deed shall, if possible, be show…
845 wordsSECTION 207The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 207
natural outcome of increase in number of disciples, illustrating the great principle that the life of Christianity develops the organization and not depends upon it. 2. 'l'hc spirit of charity was the underworking cause of the need of more rule. Had there been little to distribute, there would have been no ground of co…
742 wordsSECTION 208The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 208
the prcco<ling description of a prayerful, obedient, spiritually minded Church. How ciilierent the result might have been had the murmuring gone on to increase and become a strife which would have broken up fellowship, dishonoured the Name of Jesus, anrl stopped the mouths of the preachers I I. THE FIELD in which such…
758 wordsSECTION 209The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 209
oan be now no doubt of the signi.ftcance of the symptoms which then appeared. Let us notice in this passage- I. Wh.st may be called TBll: FIRST EFFORT OF THE CIItJ"BOB TO PUT OH FORM, Effort though it was, there can be little doubt that it Wl\8 most unconscious of its nature. The occasion, interesting from a merely…
852 wordsSECTION 210The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 210
only, but to the very nature of the opposing forces. Special mention is made of the triumph of tbe gospel over this "great company of priests," not without good reason. Jn addition to the ueno.l causes of the enmity of the human heart to the" faith" of Jesus Christ, and which must in all cases be triumphed over, oth…
985 wordsSECTION 211The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 211
Ver. 15.-The logic of htave11ly lustre. "And all , , , Efl.W his face ae it bad been the face of an angel." The two occasions of the mention of Stephen have already apprisec. us of an exceptional spirituality marking his character, and it cannot but be that the exceptional splendour and luminousness of his countenan…
759 wordsSECTION 212The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 212
manifestation. The legitimate conclusion would rather lead us to a conviction that restraint is self-imposed on the Spirit, in order that his blessed manifestatinn should neither overpower the individual in whom he largely may dwell, nor supersede moral attraction and moral. evidence for all_ who stand by. How humiliat…
897 wordsSECTION 213The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 213
natural. For certainly (2) the event proved that the occl\Slon waa, in point of fact, one of the most supreme sort. Most remarkable and most fatal was the chill ta.keu by "the people." It had looked 11.11 though Jerusalem would not have been in vain • begun with i_n the" preaching of the gospel. It bad looked as tho…
851 wordsSECTION 214The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 214
to some extent, anrl fH into the order if he is to enjoy the benefits of the communion. As against the ambitious and aggressive man, and as against the man who overpresses his individuality, the Church, as a whole, calls for order. And in view of the practical difficulties that arise when numbers meet, or worship, or d…
821 wordsSECTION 215The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 215
as in the higher and spiritual, offices of the Church. In public esteem they must be blameless. ~ II. AcTIVE PIETY. The persons selected are to be" full of the Holy Ghost," or "full of the Spirit." The Church, to be enabled to judge who had such a baptism, mus{ observe some things which were recoanized sicrns of a …
829 wordsSECTION 216The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 216
also needs the entire devotion of men's time and talents and influence. If apostles needed to step aside from common cares to keep their efficiency for spiritual work, much more do the modem clergy in this busy and anxious age, It should seriously be considered how far the modern ministry has_ become weakened, especial…
832 wordsSECTION 217The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 217
Ver. 6.-The laying on of hand., Thie i1 the first mention of the custom In oonneo- tion with the Christian community. It does not Bppear thBt our Lord set apart hll apostles to their work by any formal ceremony. A little while before his passion he " breathed on them, and eaid, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." The imposi…
866 wordsSECTION 218The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 218
if his word is !mown to be truthful. No man ever needs to persecute if he has the rigbt on his side, and faith in those moral forces which ever uphold the right. As the line of thought is directly based on the incident as narrated in the verses, a brief outline will suffice. We find these advocates of strict Judaism- …
1,227 wordsSECTION 219The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 219
CHAPTER vn value;" "a speech containing mo.ny things which don't seem much to the point;" "a Ver. 1.-.And the hi!}h priest ,aid for then powerful speech;" a speech combining "the gaid the hi.gh priel;t, A. V. The high priest address of the advocate and the boldness of spoke as president of the Sanhedriru (see eh. the…
485 wordsSECTION 220The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 220
with St. PBul's Brgumont (Gal. iii. 16-18); Now, there ie absolutely nothing to forbid and thBt therefore tho blessings of the the supposition that such was his age. It Abmlmmio covonBnt could not be dupendent does not follow tho.t because Abmm is named upon tho Lo.w or the temple. The God of. first he was the eldest. …
1,102 wordsSECTION 221The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 221
Tlrnt God is the sub_ied llppenra from the Israelites had alwaya ill-used their greatest following verbs, "he g11.Ye," "be promised." benefactors, and resisted the leo.ders sent to The verb µ.•-r.: ,mu,•, he removed, is the teoh• 0 them by God. nical word for planting a colony. Wherein, Ver. 10.-Before for in the sig…
1,019 wordsSECTION 222The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 222
(Huppim apparently being now reckoned), Ver. 15.-.And for ao, A.V.; he di-ed, 'him- whioh, added to sixty-six, makes seventy- eelf for died, he, A.V. five; o.nd nccordingly in var. 27 the LXX. Ver. 16.-And th,y were for and v,e,-e, reo.d ,i,vxal l/330µ.111eovn,rlv-r• (" seventy-five A. V. : unto Shechem for into Sychem…
1,008 wordsSECTION 223The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 223
puroho.ee, than tbo.t St.ophen, who shows The exaot meo.ning aeems to be " when he Buch thorough knowl,,dge of the Bible was in the act of completing forty years." history, 11hould hnve me.de e. gross mistake The account in Exod. ii. 11 only ee.ys," When in such a well-known and famone circum- Moses wa11 grown" (µl-…
1,063 wordsSECTION 224The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 224
T1eard, A.V. ; and I am for ctnd am, A.V., I-17; Deut. v. 1-22. Cbryeostom and the ch11nge is In acoordance with the A.V. most commentators seem to understand it of of Exod. iii. 7, B. the angel who g"'ve I.he L1iw; but Whitby, Ver. 35.-Him 11ath God sent for the ,ame not without reason, thinks the reference iH did Go…
1,056 wordsSECTION 225The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 225
and Ohiun in the wilderness, and that struing the words ,,, "fi 1<a:raaxl,m .,.;;;,, sacrifi068 were oontinually offered to the ,9vc»v-(l) as the A.V., taking;,, in the sense Lord, it seems to arise from an entire mis- of ,ls, e.nd making the phrase synonymous conception of the passage in Amos, What with the land of…
1,063 wordsSECTION 226The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 226
ago.lnet Stephen, this muet ho.ve me.de his h_ietrnments or ministers of its promulga- words doubly outling to them. Unoi.roum- t10n. And it is also distinctly referred to in oised in heart; a.1r,pl-rµ1rro, only ocoure here ~en~. xxxiii. 2, where the LXX. read, " On in the New Testament, but it is found in 2 his ngh…
1,303 wordsSECTION 227The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 227
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-60.-The first martyrdom. When we look at the Lord Jesus as our Exemplar, though we are conscious that all his excellences of life and character were strictly human, and within the range of those human faculties which we possess in common with our Lord, yet are we also conscious that the transcende…
615 wordsSECTION 228The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 228
Ill. IlIB MARTYR'S SPIRIT DOES NOT ALLOW HIM TO LEAD A LIFE OF EABE AND INDO- J,EN0F., I-le is rcndy nt the call of the Church to undertake any office or work, however burdensome or responsible, for the good of the whole body and the comfort of the brethren. He does not seek dignity, or emolument, or the praise of men,…
798 wordsSECTION 229The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 229
not merely the acceptance of a creed, or tbe utterance of sacred phrases, or the patronage of religious in~titutions; if it be a living; power in the soul, it will manifest itself in- I. CHEERFUL O!IEDIEN0E. (Vers. 2-4.) God bade Abraham leave his home and kindred, and he left them. He did not know whither ho was go…
822 wordsSECTION 230The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 230
tog<•lhor in the land of the enemy and in the" great and terrible wilderness" and of whicli their descendants sang with such reverence and such rapture ;-by these'common sufferings and common mercies they were welded together as a nation they became rich in, those national memories w~ich are a people'.s strength, th…
889 wordsSECTION 231The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 231
the bodily Beneee in a wondroua form; in such form that Moses felt that, in a very unusual de~ee, be stood nrar to hie Cre&tor. Jesus Christ now manifests himself to ue as he does not unto the world: (1) in the privileges of his house and table; (2) in the inspiration and indwelling of his Spirit; (8) in the spiritu…
892 wordsSECTION 232The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 232
not lends to another and a worse ; one sin to a number or transgressions ; and these to a habit of iniquity; and this to a dark, baneful life and a ,hateful and odious character. Uy far the worst ponnlty which sin has to pay is the spiritual damage and deterioration to which it leads-the blinded eyes of the understan…
829 wordsSECTION 233The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 233
words; we c1mnot resist your influence. We will do the only thing we can do; we will break your bones e.nd draw your blood." Such a fearful sight is sin driven to Its worst, How needful to keep clear of its dominion I III. DIVINE ~A:!.'"l~STA'I';[ONB IN THE HOUR OF TRUL, (Vef!l- 55, 56.) To his devoted servant m this …
876 wordsSECTION 234The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 234
ooneequont eaorificee which accompany God's call to souls at every time. (2) They involve the exercise of faith. Future good, in the shape of e. new home and land, are promised to the patriarch, but the when and the how of their possession are left--as we ■e.y, to Imagination; as the Bible eaye, to faith. "He went out,…
917 wordsSECTION 235The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 235
God works through the evil p:issions of men as well as through the good; nnd all powers in rivalry with love must sooner or later be brought submissively to follow in the wake of her eternal progress of blessing. In humiliation and in exaltation Joseph presents a lively type of Jesus. And the Sanhedrim must have fel…
877 wordsSECTION 236The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 236
who would do cmd be something in the world: "Do the thing that lies nearest to thee; the second will hnve already become clearer. n V. Mo8EB' EXAMPLE WAS THAT 011' LOYALTY tm"DEB MISCONOEPTION. There is much pathos in the simple word that he thought his brethren understood that God was delivering them by his band; but…
856 wordsSECTION 237The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 237
dependence in the presence of the Almighty and the All-holy. The eight of the unspeakable glory is shrunk from, In ordinary life nature and custom conceal God, and mercifully; for bow could one glimpse of absolute truth, of Divine perfection, be endured? But terror passes into reverence which is the blending rf fear…
876 wordsSECTION 238The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 238
Thus did the lines of ancient and recent evidence converge upon the present, and give to it a aolen:in significance. 3, The renewed contrll!t of the divinely accepted and the humanly re;ected. (Vere. 88, 89.) Moeee was the channel of ancient revelation. He received loving words to give to the people. And Jesus had said…
914 wordsSECTION 239The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 239
shippers, or that the minister of religion should fare in poverty while he supplies their spiritu11.l wants. A rich m&n 0&n surely afford to contribute as much to the pastor's necessities &s he pays in stipend to his cook. But there are higher truths. 'l'he taber- n11.cle p11.SBed away; the temple, as S~phen had predic…
893 wordsSECTION 240The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 240
hne been borne. Gou. opens an inner door into heaven to others inaccessihle and speaks of things which cannot be uttered, and offers visions which cannot be desc/iberl. Wo know _little more than the o_utside of others' lives. The bad man in power, the good man m weakness e.nd su:ffermg, each has another side to his lif…
872 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.