Acts 11

2. The second means whereby we escape the curse and wrath due to sin, is by repentance. Acts 11:18: Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humor of sin.

And this company is expressly called the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). This Church thus called and collected out of the Church of the Jews was the rule and pattern of the disposing of all the disciples of Christ into Church societies in obedience to his command throughout the…

Qu. 22. Who are the extraordinary officers or rulers or ministers of the Church appointed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ therein for a season only? An. (1) The Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, with (2) the Evangelists and Prophets endowed with extraordinary gifts of the Holy G…

Fourthly, it is required that these things be testified by them to the Church, with the acknowledgement of the work of God's grace towards them, and their resolution through the power of the same grace to cleave to the Lord Christ with full purpose of heart, and to live in all h…

Quest. 52. Wherein consists the duty of any Church of Christ towards other Churches? Answ. (1) In walking circumspectly, so as to give them no offence. (2) In prayer for their peace and prosperity. (3) In communicating supplyes to their wants according to ability. (4) In receivi…

They walk with God in outward appearance by the performance of duties in their times, course, and order; but they walk at all adventures, as to any especial design of their minds about it. Barnabas exhorted the disciples at Antioch, that with purpose of heart they would cleave t…

The partition wall is broken down, and the gates of the new Jerusalem are set open to all comers upon the Gospel invitation. This is frequently taken notice of in the Scripture; see Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 11:51, 52; John 12:32; Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30; Galatians 5:6; Eph…

From there in the preaching of the Gospel it is said, that God commands all men to repent (Acts 17:30). And when the Gentiles had received the Gospel, the Church at Jerusalem glorified God saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life (Acts 11:18). Again t…

Therefore God rejects them, declares that his soul had no pleasure in them, that he would be at no further cost about them. And twice did our Apostle mind his countrymen in other places, that God would speedily so deal with them (Acts 11:40, 41, 46; chapter 28:25, 26, 27, 28), a…

Fruit 1. One fruit is repentance; and this makes way for, and to holiness of heart and life. Acts 11:18, it is therefore called repentance to life. Repentance (if it be true) and faith go together (Mark 1:15): repent you, and believe, &c.

Answer: It is lawful, indeed a man is bound in good manner to provide for time to come. The apostles provided for the church in Judea against the time of dearth foretold by Agabus (Acts 11:28). And Joseph in Egypt in the years of plenty stored up against the years of famine.

Colossians 4:15, Salute Nymphas and the church in his house. Acts 11:22, the church of Jerusalem. Acts 13:1, the church at Antioch, etc.

And it will do it, among others, these two ways. 1. By keeping up a constancy of design in living to God, and after conformity to Christ, notwithstanding the interposition of surprisals by temptations, and the most urgent solicitations of sin: this is called, cleaving to God, wi…

The Tribes were troubled at the Altar set up upon the banks of Jordan by the two Tribes and a half, till they understood the intent and use of it, and for what purpose it was erected: and then they were satisfied (Joshua 22). And the same may be said of Peter's eating with the G…

Of Joppa it is said, that many believed in the Lord. Of Antioch we read, that a great number believed, and turned to the Lord (Acts 11:21). Of Iconium that a great multitude both of the Jews, and also of the Greeks, believed (Acts 14:1).

Saul being among the Prophets, changes his spirit, and became a Prophet: one that goes fast, makes those that go with him to mend their pace. It is said of Barnabas, being a good man and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, that he added much people to the Lord (Acts 11:23-33).…

Answer. It is lawful, yes, a man is bound in good manner to provide for time to come. (Acts 11:28) The Apostles provide for the Church in Judaea, against the time of dearth, spoken of by Agabus. And Joseph in Egypt, in the years of plenty, stored up against the years of famine.

And now if we will not, not only submit to Diocesan Bishops, but also reverence the grave Metropolitans, standing upon such clear Apostolical institution, it is fit that all the world should count us the arrantest schismatics that ever lived since Pope Boniface his time. The sum…

In the second place, to speak a little for confirmation of the doctrine, we would consider these four or five grounds or reasons, to show that there is such a work of the Spirit wherever faith is begotten, and that most intelligibly in them that are at age. 1. It's clear from th…

(Revelation 22:17) This is called willing, "whoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely"; the soul has a good will to the thing. It is held forth by several other expressions in the Scripture, it is called a cleaving to the Lord, or sticking to him (Joshua 23…

(Galatians 3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse. Then there must be none redeemed under the Old Testament, nor any justified, contrary to express Scriptures: (Psalm 32:1-2; Romans 4:1-6; Galatians 3:14; Acts 15:11; Acts 11:16-17; Romans 10:1-3). N…

Now the Law had a promise of life, if you do this, you live eternally, but God neither did work, nor was tied by the tenor of that Covenant, to work in us to do, to will, to continue, to abide in all written in the Law of God to the end, and therefore it was a broken Covenant. N…

Brethren, faithful (Ephesians 1:1). Christians (Acts 11:26). Some who have hardened their heart, are called men, but something more, reprobate (Jeremiah 6:28, 30).

That is when a man halts between two opinions; when he knows not whether he had better cleave to God or to the world: loath to deny himself, and yet would be somebody: but if a man be of a wavering mind, let not such a man think he shall obtain anything at the hand of God; he mu…

For the faithful which were of the circumcision and came with Peter to Caesarea seeing the gift of the Holy Spirit to be poured out also upon the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius, were amazed. Also they that were at Jerusalem complained of Peter for that he went into men uncir…

Thus Philip a deacon preached in Samaria, Act 8:14. Thus the men of Cyprus, and Cyrene preached among the Gentiles, and the hand of God was with them, though otherwise they were but priuate persons, Act 11:19, 20. Of this kind was the calling of the first preachers of the Gospel.

(Psalm 37:7): be silent to Jehovah. Consider the example of Aaron (Leviticus 10:3), of David (Psalm 39:9), of the Jews (Acts 11:18). The sixth: in all things we do or suffer, we must depend on the goodness, providence, and mercy of God, for the success of our labors, and for eas…

Thus the passion of Christ, is called his baptism (Luke 12:50). Fifthly, it signifies the bestowing of extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, and that by imposition of hands of the Apostles (Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16). Lastly, it signifies the whole Ecclesiastical ministry.

And first, for the preseruing goodnes: we must doe good not onely to our selues, but to others also, in labouring to keepe and preserue them from the contagion of finne, from falling from grace, or backsliding from their holy profession, by all good meanes, as by good example, a…

Luke 15:7, 10: 'There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents,' that is, over one sinner that is converted. Acts 11:18: 'Then has God, also to the Gentiles, granted repentance unto life.' This is said by the Christians of the circumcision at Jerusalem, upon Peter's giving…

So (Matthew 6:16) Upon this Rock will I build my Congregation: was this a Parish only? So (Acts 11) Herod the King stretched out his hands to vex certain of the Congregation: was his malice only parochial? But secondly, you tell us, that in Ephesus, which was one of those Candle…

Moreover, the defense of Lay-Elders out of this present text of Saint Paul is contrary to the signification of the word Presbyter, which when it is used concerning the polity of the New Testament, does always signify the ministers of the word. (Acts 11:30) They sent their collec…

Joshua 23:8. cleave, or adhere unto the Lord your God. The same word is used also in the New testament, Acts 11:23. He exhorted them that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord, or continue stedfast in believing.

Thirdly, marke here the fruit of corrupt doctrine, namely, to corrupt good manners. The Iewes were a people that did much bragge of their Ancestours and priuiledges, and in regard of themselues contemned all forraine Nations; yea, they hated them, and therefore they were []o[]e…

A distrustfull and inordinate care. The godly care is that, whereby a man prouides for in the time present, such things as are needfull in the time to come, & cannot then be prouided: this lawfull care wee may obserue in our Savior Christ, for he had a bag to keepe prouision for…

In this we have, 1. The mean applied and made use of. 2. The manner of application. (For that the worker is the Beloved himself, is clear) The mean in his hand, which in Scripture signifies three things, when attributed to God, 1. His Omnipotence, whereby he does what he pleases…

3. There may be in that one visible Church, many more real converts in one part thereof, than in another; spices in beds are not in every place of the garden. 4. Though Christ has a singular care of, and respect for, his whole Church, and has a peculiar presence there where ever…

2. Comparatively — so godly men are truly good, that is, sincerely, if compared with profane men or Hypocrites. It's said of Barnabas that he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and faith (Acts 11:24). There's also good men, as compared with the froward (1 Peter 2:18), o…

This was begun in the conversion of Cornelius and his family, greatly to the admiration of Peter, who was used as the instrument of it, and of those who were with him, and of those who were informed of it; as you may see, Acts 10 and 11. The next instance of it that we have any…

Thus when a great Number believed and turned to the Lord at Antioch, Barnabas was sent to them; who when he came, and had seen the Grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with Purpose of Heart they should cleave to the Lord. Acts 11:23. See also Acts 13:43, 14:22, 15…

But the place Acts 2. can no more prove that repentance, and a fixed walk in good works, is such a part of the new Covenant, as this, do and live the life of faith, and be pardoned, then that Baptism, which is in the text joyned with repentance, is necessarily required before pa…

The Prophets (Acts 13), Paul and Silas (Acts 16), Philip (Acts 8), accurately observe the command of the spirit, as being as binding as the command of the Father and the Son. The commands of God to the men of God were more legal in the Old Testament; but the commands of the spir…

If this be your case, learn to abhor yourself for it, and to be ashamed: for all is nothing, till we come to a constant and unchangeable resolution: so that we come to set it down with ourselves as an inviolable law: this is a duty, and I will do it, whatever it cost me; this is…

Though therefore the Church, through her weakness, does depart from him, and play the harlot, yet return again to me, says the Lord (Jeremiah 3:1). Learn we by this pattern to cleave close to the Lord, which is a duty most due to Christ who cleaves so close to us, and therefore…

Indeed and even the very Apostles themselves continued still in that gross ignorance, notwithstanding that our Lord Jesus Christ warned them of the things that were at hand. Indeed when he sent them abroad into the country of Jewry, he said to them, Speak not yet to the Gentiles…

This puts an end to many anxious traverses, debates, and delays in the soul. (2) There are weak and wavering purposes, and faint attempts in the soul, that end but in wishes, which are soon broken off; but we are never converted, and thoroughly brought to God till there be a ful…

2. To determine and resolve; practicum dictamen, the taste of the soul is for God, that binds our duty upon us, when there is a decree issued forth in the soul, that after we know our duty there may be a resolvedness of mind never to swerve from it. First the distinguishing work…

So generally all good is to be done, as well as that of bounty and beneficence. Luke 6:45: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things; and it is said of Barnabas, Acts 11:24: He was a good man; and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith. A good man…

Thirdly, there is required a rightly disposed will, or a steadfast purpose to walk with God in all conditions, and to do what is good and acceptable in his sight. (Acts 11:23) He exhorted them with full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord. Many have light inclinations, or wav…

A thing that is not due before, yet when we have promised or dedicated it to God, then it is not in our power, as in the case of Ananias (Acts 5). but now we are not free before the contract, we have bonds upon us; and the business of our promise and resolution is only to make o…