Acts 4

1 loquentibus autem illis ad populum supervenerunt sacerdotes et magistratus templi et Sadducaei

2 dolentes quod docerent populum et adnuntiarent in Iesu resurrectionem ex mortuis

3 et iniecerunt in eis manus et posuerunt eos in custodiam in crastinum erat enim iam vespera

4 multi autem eorum qui audierant verbum crediderunt et factus est numerus virorum quinque milia

5 factum est autem in crastinum ut congregarentur principes eorum et seniores et scribae in Hierusalem

6 et Annas princeps sacerdotum et Caiphas et Iohannes et Alexander et quotquot erant de genere sacerdotali

7 et statuentes eos in medio interrogabant in qua virtute aut in quo nomine fecistis hoc vos

8 tunc Petrus repletus Spiritu Sancto dixit ad eos principes populi et seniores

9 si nos hodie diiudicamur in benefacto hominis infirmi in quo iste salvus factus est

10 notum sit omnibus vobis et omni plebi Israhel quia in nomine Iesu Christi Nazareni quem vos crucifixistis quem Deus suscitavit a mortuis in hoc iste adstat coram vobis sanus

11 hic est lapis qui reprobatus est a vobis aedificantibus qui factus est in caput anguli

12 et non est in alio aliquo salus nec enim nomen aliud est sub caelo datum hominibus in quo oportet nos salvos fieri

13 videntes autem Petri constantiam et Iohannis conperto quod homines essent sine litteris et idiotae admirabantur et cognoscebant eos quoniam cum Iesu fuerant

14 hominem quoque videntes stantem cum eis qui curatus fuerat nihil poterant contradicere

15 iusserunt autem eos foras extra concilium secedere et conferebant ad invicem

16 dicentes quid faciemus hominibus istis quoniam quidem notum signum factum est per eos omnibus habitantibus in Hierusalem manifestum et non possumus negare

17 sed ne amplius divulgetur in populum comminemur eis ne ultra loquantur in nomine hoc ulli hominum

18 et vocantes eos denuntiaverunt ne omnino loquerentur neque docerent in nomine Iesu

19 Petrus vero et Iohannes respondentes dixerunt ad eos si iustum est in conspectu Dei vos potius audire quam Deum iudicate

20 non enim possumus quae vidimus et audivimus non loqui

21 at illi comminantes dimiserunt eos non invenientes quomodo punirent eos propter populum quia omnes clarificabant Deum in eo quod acciderat

22 annorum enim erat amplius quadraginta homo in quo factum erat signum istud sanitatis

23 dimissi autem venerunt ad suos et adnuntiaverunt eis quanta ad eos principes sacerdotum et seniores dixissent

24 qui cum audissent unianimiter levaverunt vocem ad Deum et dixerunt Domine tu qui fecisti caelum et terram et mare et omnia quae in eis sunt

25 qui Spiritu Sancto per os patris nostri David pueri tui dixisti quare fremuerunt gentes et populi meditati sunt inania

26 adstiterunt reges terrae et principes convenerunt in unum adversus Dominum et adversus Christum eius

27 convenerunt enim vere in civitate ista adversus sanctum puerum tuum Iesum quem unxisti Herodes et Pontius Pilatus cum gentibus et populis Israhel

28 facere quae manus tua et consilium decreverunt fieri

29 et nunc Domine respice in minas eorum et da servis tuis cum omni fiducia loqui verbum tuum

30 in eo cum manum tuam extendas sanitates et signa et prodigia fieri per nomen sancti Filii tui Iesu

31 et cum orassent motus est locus in quo erant congregati et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sancto et loquebantur verbum Dei cum fiducia

32 multitudinis autem credentium erat cor et anima una nec quisquam eorum quae possidebant aliquid suum esse dicebat sed erant illis omnia communia

33 et virtute magna reddebant apostoli testimonium resurrectionis Iesu Christi Domini et gratia magna erat in omnibus illis

34 neque enim quisquam egens erat inter illos quotquot enim possessores agrorum aut domorum erant vendentes adferebant pretia eorum quae vendebant

35 et ponebant ante pedes apostolorum dividebantur autem singulis prout cuique opus erat

36 Ioseph autem qui cognominatus est Barnabas ab apostolis quod est interpretatum Filius consolationis Levites Cyprius genere

37 cum haberet agrum vendidit illum et adtulit pretium et posuit ante pedes apostolorum

Acts 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

Peter and John imprisoned. (1-4) The apostles boldly testify to Christ. (5-14) Peter and John refuse to be silenced. (15-22) The believers unite in prayer and praise. (23-31) The holy charity of the Christians. (32-37)

Verses 1-4 The apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. It includes all the happiness of the future state; this they preached through Jesus Christ, to be had through him only. Miserable is their case, to whom the glory of Christ's kingdom is a grief; for since the glory of that kingdom is everlasting, their grief will be everlasting also. The harmless and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often been troubled for their work of faith and labour of love, when wicked men have escaped. And to this day instances are not wanting, in which reading the Scriptures, social prayer, and religious conversation meet with frowns and checks. But if we obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us.

Verses 5-14 Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises them above this world.

Verses 15-22 All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed to own the true reason; that it testifies against their hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve neither fully.

Verses 23-31 Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all things, and therefore has the disposal of all events; and the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus was anointed to be a Saviour, therefore it was determined he should be a sacrifice, to make atonement for sin. But sin is not the less evil for God's bringing good out of it. In threatening times, our care should not be so much that troubles may be prevented, as that we may go on with cheerfulness and courage in our work and duty. They do not pray, Lord let us go away from our work, now that it is become dangerous, but, Lord, give us thy grace to go on stedfastly in our work, and not to fear the face of man. Those who desire Divine aid and encouragement, may depend upon having them, and they ought to go forth, and go on, in the strength of the Lord God. God gave a sign of acceptance of their prayers. The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and unshaken. God gave them greater degrees of his Spirit; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; by which they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word of God with boldness. When they find the Lord God help them by his Spirit, they know they shall not be confounded, ( Isaiah 1.7 ) .

Verses 32-37 The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high. The doctrine preached was the resurrection of Christ; a matter of fact, which being duly explained, was a summary of all the duties, privileges, and comforts of Christians. There were evident fruits of Christ's grace in all they said and did. They were dead to this world. This was a great evidence of the grace of God in them. They did not take away others' property, but they were indifferent to it. They did not call it their own; because they had, in affection, forsaken all for Christ, and were expecting to be stripped of all for cleaving to him. No marvel that they were of one heart and soul, when they sat so loose to the wealth of this world. In effect, they had all things common; for there was not any among them who lacked, care was taken for their supply. The money was laid at the apostles' feet. Great care ought to be taken in the distribution of public charity, that it be given to such as have need, such as are not able to procure a maintenance for themselves; those who are reduced to want for well-doing, and for the testimony of a good conscience, ought to be provided for. Here is one in particular mentioned, remarkable for this generous charity; it was Barnabas. As one designed to be a preacher of the gospel, he disentangled himself from the affairs of this life. When such dispositions prevail, and are exercised according to the circumstances of the times, the testimony will have very great power upon others.