Commentary on Acts - Volume 1
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Commentary on Acts - Volume 1 Author(s): Calvin, John (1509-1564) (Alternative) (Translator) Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: Commentary on Acts is an impressive commentary, contain- ing some of Calvin©s most important views. Calvin is regarded as one of the Reformation©s best interpreters of scripture. He frequently offers his own translations of a passage, explaining the subtleties and nuances of his translation. He has a pen- chant for incorporating keen pastoral insight into the text as well. He always interacts with other theologians, commentat- ors, and portions of the Bible when interpreting a particular passage. Further, this volume also contains informative notes from the editor. Calvin©s Commentary on Acts should not be ignored by anyone interested in the book of Acts or Calvin himself. Tim Perrine CCEL Staff Writer This volume contains commentary on the first 13 chapters of Acts. Subjects: The Bible Works about the Bible i Contents Commentary on Acts 1-13 1 Editor's Preface 2 Title Page to Featherstone Translation 3 Featherstone Dedication 4 Featherstone's To the Reader 6 Calvin's Dedication 7 The Argument 14 Chapter 1 18 Acts 1:1-2 19 Acts 1:3-5 22 Acts 1:6-8 27 Acts 1:9-11 32 Acts 1:12-14 36 Acts 1:15-22 40 Acts 1:23-26 47 Chapter 2 50 Acts 2:1-4 51 Acts 2: 5-12 55 Acts 2:14-21 58 Acts 2:22-24 66 Acts 2:25-31 71 Acts 2:32-36 78 Acts 2:37-39 82 Acts 2:40-42 88 Acts 2:43-45 92 Acts 2:46-47 95 ii Chapter 3 97 Acts 3:1-11 98 Acts 3:12-16 104 Acts 3:17-21 108 Acts 3:22-24 113 Acts 3:25-26 116 Chapter 4 120 Acts 4:1-4 121 Acts 4: 5-12 123 Acts 4:13-18 129 Acts 4:19-23 131 Acts 4:24-31 135 Acts 4:32-37 141 Chapter 5 144 Acts 5:1-6 145 Acts 5:7-11 149 Acts 5:12-16 152 Acts 5:17-26 155 Acts 5:27-28 160 Acts 5:29-33 161 Acts 5:34-39 166 Acts 5:40-42 169 Chapter 6 171 Acts 6:1-6 172 Acts 6:7-10 180 Acts 6:11-15 183 Chapter 7 187 Acts 7:1-4 188 Acts 7: 5-8 193 Acts 7:9-16 197 Acts 7:17-19 201 Acts 7:20-29 203 iii Acts 7:30-34 208 Acts 7:35-37 214 Acts 7:38-41 216 Acts 7:42-43 222 Acts 7:44-50 225 Acts 7: 51-53 230 Acts 7:54-58 235 Acts 7:58-61 240 Chapter 8 243 Acts 8:1-4 244 Acts 8:5-13 249 Acts 8:14-17 254 Acts 8:18-25 257 Acts 8:26-31 263 Acts 8:32-35 268 Acts 8:36-40 272 Chapter 9 276 Acts 9:1-5 277 Acts 9:6-9 282 Acts 9:10-12 285 Acts 9:13-16 287 Acts 9:17-19 290 Acts 9:19-25 292 Acts 9:26-31 296 Acts 9:32-35 300 Acts 9:36-38 302 Acts 9:39-43 305 Chapter 10 308 Acts 10:1-6 309 Acts 10:7-16 317 Acts 10:17-23 323 Acts 10:23-29 325 iv Acts 10:30-33 330 Acts 10:34-38 333 Acts 10:39-43 339 Acts 10:44-48 344 Chapter 11 347 Acts 11:1-18 348 Acts 11:19-24 355 Acts 11:25-26 359 Acts 11:27-30 361 Chapter 12 364 Acts 12:1-5 365 Acts 12:6-11 369 Acts 12:12-19 372 Acts 12:19-25 375 Chapter 13 380 Acts 13:1-3 381 Acts 13:4-12 387 Acts 13:13-15 393 Acts 13:16-23 395 Acts 13:24-26 400 Acts 13:27-31 402 Acts 13:32-37 407 Acts 13:38-42 414 Acts 13:42-45 419 Acts 13:46-52 422 Indexes 430 Index of Scripture References 431 Index of Scripture Commentary 434 Greek Words and Phrases 435 Hebrew Words and Phrases 437 Latin Words and Phrases 438 v This PDF file is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, www.ccel.org. 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Written permission is required for commercial use. vi Commentary on Acts 1-13 Commentary on Acts 1-13 COMMENTARY UPON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES BY JOHN CALVIN EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF CHRISTOPHER FETHERSTONE, STUDENT IN DIVINITY, BY HENRY BEVERIDGE, ESQ VOLUME FIRST CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARY GRAND RAPIDS, MI http://www.ccel.org 1 Editor©s Preface Editor's Preface EDITORS PREFACE THE present COMMENTARY, necessarily partaking of the character of the Book which it is designed to illustrate, is more historical than doctrinal; and hence does not contain so much profound theological discussion as some of Calvin’s other Commentaries. The leading topic is the progress of the Gospel under the inspired teachers to whom its first propagation was entrusted, and, in immediate connection with this, the Constitution of the Apostolic Church, and the privileges enjoyed by its members. To this latter point the attention of the religious world is now more especially directed; and whatever be the views entertained with regard to it by any reader into whose hands this Commentary may fall, if he feels aright, he will not think that his study of the controversy is complete until he has made himself ac- quainted with what has been said upon it by such a man as Calvin. A work of talent need not be either the less interesting or the less instructive that it ad- vocates views at variance with our own. If our opinions have been deliberately and candidly formed, it is a satisfactory test of their soundness when they continue unshaken by all that the ablest opponent can urge against them. The Translation appears to be well executed. It is, perhaps, not so strictly literal as that of the Commentary on the Romans, which the CALVIN SOCIETY has already published; but any difference, in this respect, is more than compensated by the general superiority of its style. There are occasional obscurities or mistranslations which the Editor has endeavored, as in the Commentary on the Romans, to remove by foot-notes; but, on the whole, it is be- lieved that the present Translation will not suffer by comparison with that of any Theological Translation of the same period. H. B. 2 Title Page to Featherstone Translation Title Page to Featherstone Translation THE COMMENTARIES of M. JOHN CALVIN upon the Actes of the Apostles Faithfully translated out of Latin into English for the great profit of our countrymen, By Christopher Fetherstone student in Divinity. LONDON, Impensis G. Bishop. 1585. 3 Featherstone Dedication Featherstone Dedication TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE LORD HENRY, EARL OF HUNTINGTON, LORD HASTINGS, ETC., Knight Of The Most Honorable Order Of The Garter, And Lord President Of The Queen’s Majesty’s Counsel Established In The North Parts, CHRISTOPHER FETHERSTONE WISHETH INCREASE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, LONG LIFE, AND HAPPY DAYS. If that (Right Honorable) I should prefix any long and tedious preface before this work in commendation of your honor, — I should of some be suspected of flattery; if in praise of these learned Commentaries, — it should seem a thing superfluous, seeing they sufficiently commend themselves; if in excuse of those faults which are by me in translating hereof committed, — some censuring Cato would condemn me, because I would take in hand a work so weighty, being not able to be without fault, and by craving pardon for faults laying open my folly. Omitting, therefore, those things which might carry with them such incon- veniences, I hasten unto that whereof I am chiefly to speak; namely, to lay open the causes moving me to dedicate this my simple translation unto your honor. Your deserts of God’s church, your singular zeal, your unfeigned faith, your sincere profession, your especial care to advance God’s glory, and to root out Papistry, your faith- fulness towards your prince, have been such, that this realm generally, but my countrymen in the north parts, my native soil, specially, have, and shall have, great cause to praise God for you in the day of their visitation, even when it shall please God of his great mercy to behold them with favor-able countenance, and to take from them in greater measure that blindness and superstition, wherein they had been long time nousled, and being fast bred by the bone, is not yet (through want of means) gotten out of the flesh.