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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 3:19

Verse 19 19.Repent We must note, that when he exhorteth unto repentance, he doth also declare that there is remission of sins prepared for them before the face of God. For, as I said of late, no man can be stirred up to repentance, unless he have salvation set before him; but he which doth despair of pardon, being, as it were, given over unto destruction already, doth not ‘fear to run headlong against God obstinately. Hereby it cometh to pass that the Papists cannot deliver the doctrine of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:11-21

The human and the Divine. Human and Divine elements are here crowded together, as indeed they are in most if not all of the events of our life. We look at— I. THE HUMAN ELEMENT , 1. Excitement. The man who had been lame, in the excitement of joy and gratitude, "held Peter and John" (verse 11), and "all the people ran together … greatly wondering" (verse 11). In the region of the Divine is calmness, serenity, peace; in that of the human is agitation, disturbance, excitement.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:11-26

Witness of Peter to Jesus. A great congregation, in the mood of wonder and prepared to listen, is before him. He who had once denied his Master in a moment of weakness, is now enabled with great power to give testimony of him. I. A DISCLAIMER OF INDEPENDENT POWER OR MERIT IN THE APOSTLES . The note of a genuine mission. The false prophet and the magician neglect nothing that will enhance their supposed supernatural character. The apostles insist that they are but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:11-26

A great sermon to a wondering multitude. I. The AUDIENCE . 1. Different from that previously gathered, which was made up of devout men chiefly, who were interested in the strange phenomenon of the tongues. This was a mingled multitude, partly of temple worshippers, partly of passers-by, including, therefore, many who were present, at the Crucifixion, who had shouted "Crucify him!" 2. Their state of mind. Greatly wondering, ready to be taught, gazing inquiringly at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:12-26

The two judgments. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart ( 1 Samuel 16:7 )." That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" ( Luke 16:15 ). "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner ( Luke 20:17 ). The above passages, with many others, call our particular attention to the frequent contrariety between the judgment of men and the judgment of God.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:17

In for through, A.V. I wot that in ignorance , etc. Mark the inimitable skill and tenderness with which he who had just wounded by his sharp rebuke now binds up the wound. All sternness and uncompromising severity before, he is all gentleness and indulgence now. They were only "men of Israel" in verse 12, now they are "brethren." He has an excuse for their grievous sin. They did it in ignorance (comp. Luke 23:1-56 . 33; 1 Timothy 1:13 ). Only let them see their error and repent of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:17-18

Man's ruling and God's overruling. St. Peter admits that the rejection of Christ was done through ignorance, but he does not allow that this is a sufficient excuse. Ignorance has many degrees, and may arise from many causes. It may be willful. It may be a consequence of cherished prejudices, and then it is guilty ignorance. "The Jewish multitude were ignorant from want of teaching, their rulers from mental perverseness in looking only on one part of the prophecies concerning the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:18

The things for those things, A.V.; foreshowed or before had showed, A.V.; the prophets for his prophets, A.V. and T.R.; his Christ for Christ, A.V. and T.R.; he thus fulfilled for he hath so fulfilled, A.V. He even excuses their ignorance by showing how the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God was brought about through it (comp. Gem 45:5, and see above, Acts 1:23 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:19

Turn again for be converted, A.V., with no difference in sense; that so there may come seasons of refreshing for when the times of refreshing shall come, A.V. Turn again . The turning to God is the consequence of the change of mind ( μετάνοια ). That so there may come ; rightly for the A.V. "when," etc., which the Greek cannot mean. What Peter conceives is that if Israel turns to God at once in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, then there will come at once those times of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 3:19

Conversion. "Repent ye therefore," etc. The universal requirement. Rulers and people. Ignorant and educated. Near the kingdom, or far off. The end to be aimed at by all Christian effort and enterprise. The application of all mighty displays of Divine power. The real beginning of individual spiritual life, and of a true Church. I. THE NATURE OF TRUE CONVERSION . 1. Spiritual change. Not a mere ritualistic sensation, or educational development of the character, but being... read more

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