‏ Acts 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)

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. 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. 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. 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, #Isa 1.7|. 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.