The Commendation of That Book Which Contains the Acts of the Apostles

So in the Acts you shall find both expositions, and experience, and the preachings of the Apostles, and also examples for the confirmation of this matter against this obstinate opinion touching the righteousness of the law. And therefore we ought the more to love and the more diligently to read this book, because therein are contained most substantial testimonies, whereby our minds may be comforted and confirmed against the Papists our Jews, whose abominations and colored hypocrisy we resist and condemn by our doctrine, that we may set forth the benefits and glory of Christ. Who, though they have no substantial matter to allege against us (whereas the Jews might have laid against the Apostles that they had received the law and all these ceremonies from God) yet notwithstanding they are no less stubborn in defending their wicked traditions and abominations, than the Jews were in maintaining their law which they had received from God, standing principally upon this ground, that they are called to the place of bishops: that the power and authority of governing the churches is committed to them. This they do to the end that they may bring us into bondage, and that they may wrest from us this article, that we are justified, not by faith formed and adorned with charity (as they say) but by faith alone. But we set before them the book of the Acts, that they may read it and consider the examples contained therein. There shall they find this to be the sum and argument of that book: that we are justified by faith only in Christ without works, and that the Holy Ghost is given by the only hearing of faith at the preaching of the Gospel, and not at the preaching or work of the law.

Therefore thus teach we: O man, although you fast, give alms, honor your parents, obey the magistrate, etc.: yet you are not justified thereby. This voice of the law, honor your parents, or any other else, either heard or fulfilled, does not justify. What then? To hear the voice of the spouse, to hear the word of faith: this word of hearing does justify. Why? Because it brings the Holy Ghost which justifies and makes righteous.

Hereby may we see, what is the difference between the law and the Gospel. The law never brings the Holy Ghost, but only teaches what we ought to do: therefore it does not justify. But the Gospel brings the Holy Ghost, because it teaches what we ought to receive. Therefore the law and the Gospel are two contrary doctrines. To ground righteousness therefore in the law, is nothing else but to fight against the Gospel. For Moses with his law is a severe exactor, requiring of us that we should work and that we should give: briefly, it exacts of us. Contrariwise, the Gospel gives freely and requires of us nothing else but to hold out our hands and to take that which is offered. Now, to exact and to give, to take and to offer are completely contrary and cannot stand together. For that which is given, I take: but that which I give I do not take, but I offer it to another. Therefore if the Gospel be a gift, it requires nothing. Contrariwise, the law gives nothing, but it requires and strictly exacts of us, yes even impossible things.

In the Acts of the Apostles you will find both explanations and firsthand experience — the preaching of the apostles and living examples — all confirming this point against the stubborn view that righteousness comes through the law. We should therefore love this book all the more and read it with greater diligence, because it contains the most solid testimonies for comforting and strengthening our minds against our papist opponents — our modern-day Jews — whose abominations and painted hypocrisy we resist and condemn through our teaching, in order to set forth the benefits and glory of Christ. The ancient Jews could at least claim that they received the law and all its ceremonies from God himself — the papists cannot even say that. Yet they are no less stubborn in defending their corrupt traditions and abominations than the Jews were in defending their God-given law. Their primary argument is that they hold the office of bishops and that the authority to govern the churches is entrusted to them. They use this to bring us into bondage and to tear from us the article that we are justified not by faith 'formed and adorned with charity' (as they say) but by faith alone. But we put the book of Acts before them and invite them to read it and consider the examples it contains. There they will find the core message of that entire book: that we are justified by faith alone in Christ without works, and that the Holy Spirit is given through the hearing of faith at the preaching of the Gospel — not through the preaching or performance of the law.

Therefore we teach this: O man, even if you fast, give to the poor, honor your parents, obey the governing authorities, and so on — you are not justified by any of these things. Hearing the voice of the law — 'honor your parents' or any other command — whether heard or fulfilled, does not justify. What does, then? Hearing the voice of the Bridegroom, hearing the word of faith — this hearing justifies. Why? Because it brings the Holy Spirit, who justifies and makes righteous.

From this we can see the difference between the law and the Gospel. The law never brings the Holy Spirit — it only teaches what we ought to do, and therefore it does not justify. But the Gospel brings the Holy Spirit, because it teaches what we ought to receive. The law and the Gospel are therefore two opposite teachings. To ground righteousness in the law is nothing other than to fight against the Gospel. Moses with his law is a strict creditor who demands that we work and give — in short, it demands from us. The Gospel, by contrast, gives freely and asks nothing from us except to hold out our hands and receive what is offered. Demanding and giving are completely opposite and cannot go together. What is given to me, I receive; what I give, I do not receive but offer to another. Therefore if the Gospel is a gift, it requires nothing from us. The law, on the other hand, gives nothing — it demands and strictly requires from us, even things that are impossible.