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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:10

Verse 10− 10.Being fully persuaded. Hence we gather, that is was not bare vision, but that it was also confirmed by the testimony of the Spirit. For Satan doth oftentimes abuse ghosts and visures [masks] to deceive withal, that he may mock and cozen the unbelievers. Whereby it cometh to pass, that the bare vision leaveth man’s mind in doubt; but such as are divine indeed, those doth the Spirit seal by a certain mark, that those may not doubt nor waver whom the Lord will have certainly addicted... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:11

Verse 11− 11.This history doth, as it were in a glass, show how sharply the Lord did exercise the faith and patience of his, by bringing them in great straits which they could not have overcome unless they had been endued with singular constancy; for the entrance of Paul into Macedonia is reported to be such, as that it might have cause him to give but small credence to the vision. These holy men, leaving the work which they had in hand, did cross the seas with great haste, as if the whole... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

The call of God and the appeal of man: a missionary sermon. Christian life, when it has any strength and vigor, is an expansive thing. It pushes out in all directions. It asks what it can do to extend the kingdom of God, what is the sphere in which it can best exercise its missionary zeal. It must be guided by two things— I. THE CALL OF GOD . Paul and Silas went whithersoever they were directed. They forebore to go to some places because the way was closed by the Divine hand ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

A true epoch in the history of the gospel: advance from Asia to Europe. I. SUPERNATURAL GUIDANCE LED THE WAY . 1. The messengers naturally inclined to continue their work within narrower limits. Much against advancing West. Unknown region. Great demands in the more educated heathenism of Europe. Possibly the Jewish element was powerful in Asia, and therefore some religious basis to work upon. But all such considerations put aside when the mind of the Spirit manifested. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

The leadings of the Holy Ghost. Apart from any doctrine of the personality and work of the Holy Spirit, there is a practical realization of his presence, and gracious working in us and by us, which is a source of continuous strength and comfort to the believer. It is this which we find illustrated in the passage now before us. The apostolic conception of the Holy Ghost has not been adequately studied apart from doctrinal theories. It is forgotten that the apostles were Jews, and that help... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-12

The Spirit's course. It may be laid down as a canon, that the facts marking periods of special gifts and special inspiration and special "dispensations" point to principles available for other periods in the whole history of the Church and the world. What might otherwise seem among the driest historical or sometimes almost geographical statements are accordingly threaded together by an invisible bond of connection, which lends them abundant interest. And here, from the apparently bare... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-15

The call. The great difference between sacred and profane history is not so much that the events are different, or the human motives of the actors are different, or even that God's providence works differently, but that the secret springs of the will of God, directing, controlling, and overruling, are in sacred history laid bare to view by that Holy Spirit of God who knows the things of God. In ordinary life the servant of God believes that his steps are ordered of God, and that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:9

There was a man … standing, beseeching him, and saying for there stood a man … and prayed him, saying, A.V. Thus was ushered in the most momentous event in the history of Europe, the going forth of the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem to enlighten the nations of the West, and bring them into the fold of Jesus Christ. Paul saw dud heard this in a vision in the night. It is net called a dream (Bengel), but was like the vision seen by Ananias ( Acts 9:10 ), and those seen by Paul ( Acts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:9

The cry of a perishing world after Christ. "And a vision," etc. I. HUMANITY WITHOUT THE GOSPEL . The Macedonian life representative. 1. The social failure of Rome. The corrupt state of society. The loss of liberty. The lack of real advancement. Help required in every department of men's lives. 2. The intellectual failure of Greece. Contradictions of philosophy. Neglect of the poor and ignorant. Follies of heathenism. Worship of human nature itself. Awful vices by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:9-15

The journey to -Macedonia: the happy beginning. The transplantation of the gospel into Europe was a great epoch. We see the seed-corn of the kingdom germinating and growing from small beginnings. I. THE PROVIDENTIAL INDICATIONS . It came, as on many occasions to prophets and men called and sent of God, in a vision of the night. The Macedonian appears and cries, "Cross into Macedonia, and come to our aid!" From the 'Confessions' of St. Patrick, the evangelist of Ireland, a dream... read more

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