Acts 4

2. One in affection. They should have one heart (Acts 4:32): The multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul. As in music, though there be several strings of a viol, yet all make one sweet harmony, so though there are several Christians, yet there should b…

He shall save his people from their sins. There is no other savior (Acts 4:12). 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, neither is there salvation in any other.

He saves from sin (Matthew 1:21), from wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). To save is a flower that belongs only to his crown (Acts 4:12). [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Neither is there salvation in any other.

While the wicked resist the will of God's precept, they fulfil the will of his permissive decree. Judas betrays Christ, Pilate condemns him, the soldiers crucify him; while they resisted the will of God's precept, they fulfilled the will of his permissive decree (Acts 4:28). Suc…

The fire by an Antiperistasis burns hottest in the coldest season. Peter's courage increased by the opposition of the High Priest and the Rulers (Acts 4:8, 11). The martyrs' zeal was increased by persecution: here was grace of the first magnitude.

He puts down one, and sets up another: Nothing stirs in the world, but God has a hand in it; He sets every wheel a working; He humbles the proud, and raises the poor out of the dust, to set them among princes (1 Samuel 2:8). The kingdom of God's providence rules over all; kings…

Luke 12:8: Whoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God. Peter openly confessed Christ crucified (Acts 4:10). Cyprian, a man of a brave spirit, was like a rock, whom no waves could shake; like an adamant, whom no sword could…

Answer. Because faith looks at Christ in every duty, it touches the hem of his garment, and through Christ both the person and the offering are accepted (Ephesians 1:6). 2. We do God's will acceptably when we prefer his will before all other; if God wills one thing, and man will…

Here then first we may learn, how far forth we must obey superiors and magistrates; we must obey them, not simply, but in the Lord: Ephesians 6.1. that is, in all their lawful commands: but when they command things evil and unlawful, then we must stay ourselves, lest obeying the…

First, as it was necessary for them that should be saved in the flood, to be in the Ark; and out of the Ark no possibility to escape: So is it for them that will have their souls saved, to be in Christ, and of his Church; they must be mystical members of Christ, and visible memb…

They seem as nothing in his eye. It was a sign the Primitive Christians did love God, their money did not lie near their heart, but they laid down their money at the Apostles' feet, Acts 4.35. Try by this your love to God.

Thus prayed David against Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31): Lord I pray you bring the counsel of Ahithophel to foolishness. And thus did the apostles pray against their persecutors (Acts 4:29): O Lord behold their threatenings, and grant to your servants with all boldness to speak yo…

Now that came to pass not only by the foreknowledge of God, but also by his determinate counsel. And therefore as the church of Jerusalem says, Herod and Pontius Pilate with the gentiles and the people of Israel gathered themselves together to do whatever your hand and your coun…

When we make him to be the only Savior, we exclude all that men can do with their penance, prayers, good works, and all that angels can do. Neither man nor angel could satisfy divine justice, and make our peace with God, and therefore it's said (Acts 4:12): Neither is there salv…

2. From these words. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he has put him to grief; Observe, That the Lord Jehovah had the main and principal hand, in all the sufferings of this innocent Mediator: It was not the Jews, nor the Scribes and Pharisees, nor Pilate; but it pleased th…

The second and next thing implied here is that, though men be naturally under sin, and obnoxious to the wrath and curse of God by reason of sin, yet there is nothing that can take away that sin and free them from wrath but Christ Jesus — his offering up of himself a sacrifice fo…

If we would enumerate all things imaginable, and invent ways and means without number to remove sin, or to make a sinner's peace with God; there is no other means but this, that will do it. As we have it in Hebrews 10, Christ Jesus by his once offering up of himself, perfects fo…

5. All within the visible Church, have means sufficient in their kind, in genere mediorum externorum, to save them. 6. As none can be saved by the light of nature, nor ever any used, or could use it so far forth, as to improve it for their sufficient preparation, to receive the…

As their knowledge grows, so grows their zeal; so that if you have that life in Christ which accompanies salvation, your eyes are like a flame of fire, full of burning light, as well as bright knowledge. Is your knowledge such as suffers you to sit down barren, and though you kn…

Act 3. Thirdly, a man asks in humility, when he puts up his petitions with submission to God's will, he desires not that God would satisfy him in any lust, but only grant him the things that are expedient for him, so far as may stand with the good pleasure of his heavenly Father…

3. Though we owe this religious friendship to all that fear God, yet some few may be chosen for our intimacy and spiritual solace. We owe it in some respects to all that fear God and must dispense the general acts of friendship to them (Acts 4:32): The multitude of them that bel…

While Peter went up to the house top to pray, then he had the heavenly vision; so when Paul was in prayer Ananias was sent to him (Acts 9:11). Behold he prays, and then God takes care of him, so (Acts 4:31). When they had prayed, the house was shaken, and they were all filled wi…

1. His mediatorial duty, with a respect to God's ordination, and decree declared in the prophecies of the Old Testament, which when they are fulfilled are said to be accomplished. Whatever Christ did in the work of redemption was with respect to God's will and eternal decree (Ac…

Two things persuade this dependence. That nothing can be done without Christ (Acts 4:12): neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Nothing can be done without Christ, that may be effectual to our…

Rom 3:25. Ioh. 3. 14. and Act 4:12. In this giving there are fiue things to be cōsidered.

Christ was delivered by the will and foreknowledge of God, Act 2:23. and the Iewes for their parts did nothing in the crucifying of Christ, but that which the hand, and counsell of God had determined to be done. Act 4:28. Neither is God by this doctrine made the author of sinne.

Againe, that all the workes of mediation stand alone by themselues, and admit nothing to be added and adioyned to them, There is no other name whereby we can be saved beside the name of Christ. Act 4:12. Christ saues them perfectly that come to him, Heb 7:25.

If those of the kingdom of darkness combine themselves together, as it is (Psalm 2:2): The kings of the earth band themselves, and the princes are assembled together, against the Lord, and against his Christ. (Acts 4:27) Doubtless against your holy son Jesus, whom you have anoin…

For where Matthew and Mark quote Scripture, Luke leads us direct to the heavenly decree, saying, according to what was determined; as also in the Acts of the Apostles, he shows that Christ was delivered not only by the foreknowledge, but likewise by the fixed purpose of God, (Ac…

Here again he alleges a place out of Psalm 118 of the Prophet David: The same stone which the builders refused, is become the head stone of the corner, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Which place Christ himself also cites in Matthew 21: and is repeated in Acts 4: The stone whic…

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, a little before he was crucified! And after Christ's ascension, when the apostles had healed the impotent man, we are told, that all men glorified God for that which was done, Acts 4:21. When the Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia,…

The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul: The Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the Simple: The Statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the Heart: The Commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the Eyes: The Fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: T…

So is it in the Works of the Old Creation and so in the New, and in all particulars of them. Thus the Creation of the World is distinctly ascribed to the Father as his Work, Acts 4. 24. And to the Son as his, John 1. 3. and also to the Holy Spirit, Job 33. 4. but by the way of e…

Job 33. 24. Acts 4. 12. (2.) That the Foundation of these Wayes lies in an Atonement made by Jesus Christ to the Justice of God, and Satisfaction to his Law for Sin, Rom. 3. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Gal. 3. 13. (3.) That God is well-pleased with this Atonement, and his Will is that we…

There is a sending forth the hand in a way of mercy. And so Acts 4:30, there Peter prays that Christ would stretch forth his hand to heal. So that stretching forth, or sending forth, or putting forth the hand (for the words are all used in common to the same sense) signify to do…

John was the first that preached Jesus Christ, that we for him only have the forgiveness of sins, by the faith in him. Neither is there any other way to obtain the true salvation, than by the faith in Christ Jesus, nor yet also is there given to men any other name, wherein we be…

The second point of this wisdom, is to choose a foundatiō to lay our salvation upon; & that is the rocke Christ Jesus himselfe alone, God and man, he is the chiefe corner stone, on which the whole building is coupled. Eph. 2. 20, 21. neither is their saluatiō in any other: for…

9. Another Evidence, that such as are taken into the Church, ought to be in the Eye of a Christian Judgment truly gracious or pious Persons, is his, that the Scripture represents the visible Church of Christ, as a Society having its several Members united by the Bond of christia…

When men have one King, give themselves up to the will of Christ, and have one Shepherd guided by the Spirit of Christ, and have one Law-giver, are willing their opinions should stand or fall at the appointments of Christ, then will there be a sweet and happy agreement. 3. The l…

Thus, if ever we would enter into the kingdom of heaven, must we be converted from pride, envy, ambition and strife for precedency, and must become like little children. So our Savior has told us (who, even after his resurrection, is called, the Holy Child Jesus (Acts 4:27)) (Ma…

It was looked upon as nearly allied to Judaism, because it was so much supported by the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and nothing was more despicable among the Romans than the Jews, and their religion. The professors of Christianity were looked upon as unlearned and ignorant…

Fourthly, or if you shall be taken off for a while, and put into an afflicted condition; in which it shall not appear that you are of any great use, (although sometimes sufferings are the greatest services) yet your afflictions shall but prepare you for higher service afterwards…

He that believed [on the Son] has life. 1 Corinthians 1:30. And of him are you in Christ Iesus, who of God is made to us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. Acts 4. 12. Neither is there Salvation in any other, &c.

Observe Peter's dastardliness, when he ventures without a call into the priest's hall; a question of the damsels overturns him. He that was so cowardly when he was out of his way, look upon his boldness when he was in his work (Acts 4:7-13): when they saw the boldness of Peter a…

Let us see if we can find ourselves there. For the Scripture assures us, that there is no salvation but only in Christ Jesus (Acts 4:12), nor no damnation to them that are in him (Romans 8:1). Now therefore, just as to know the original cause of our death and damnation, we must…

Now upon this, Saint Paul adds, that Jesus Christ has obtained a name, (that is to say, a majesty) which is above all names, as well in heaven as in earth. Here Saint Paul shows us briefly, that all our wisdom is to know the benefits that are brought to us by the Son of God, and…

They meet together, and plot the ruin of Christ and his Kingdom; and they were those that were of chief authority in the place. Another instance (Acts 4:27-28): For of a truth against your holy Child Jesus whom you have anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles…

This is life eternal to know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent: there's the sum of what is necessary to life eternal; that there is one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be known, loved, obeyed, worshipped, and enjoyed; and the Lord Jesus Christ to be…

He gives to will, that is, the first inclination (1 Kings 8:58): that he may incline our hearts to him to walk in all his ways, etc. And then the deed, the outward expression of our obedience, is still from God (Acts 4:29). The Apostle goes to God for that: Grant to your servant…

2. Gracious wisdom to discern the due occasion when God is glorified and our neighbor edified: rash, arrogant, and presumptuous spirits are heady, high-minded, and disgrace religion more than honor it. 3. With boldness to do it freely and without fear of men (Acts 4:13). When th…