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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 2:37-41

We have seen the wonderful effect of the pouring out of the Spirit, in its influence upon the preachers of the gospel. Peter, in all his life, never spoke at the rate that he had done now, with such fulness, perspicuity, and power. We are now to see another blessed fruit of the pouring out of the Spirit in its influence upon the hearers of the gospel. From the first delivery of that divine message, it appeared that there was a divine power going along with it, and it was mighty, through God,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 2:14-41

(i) There was kerugma ( Greek #2782 ). Kerugma ( Greek #2782 ) literally means a herald's announcement and is the plain statement of the facts of the Christian message, about which, as the early preachers saw it, there can be no argument or doubt. (ii) There was didache ( Greek #1322 ). Didache ( Greek #1322 ) literally means teaching and elucidated the meaning of the facts which had been proclaimed. (iii) There was paraklesis ( Greek #3874 ) which literally means... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word ,.... The Syriac version adds, "and believed"; what Peter said concerning repentance and baptism, and especially concerning remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost; and concerning the promise of Christ, and salvation by him, of the pardon of sin, and of the Holy Spirit; which doctrine they received with great joy and gladness, it being suitable to their case; and very "readily", and "willingly", as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:41

They that gladly received his word - The word ασμενως , which signifies joyfully, readily, willingly, implies that they approved of the doctrine delivered; that they were glad to hear of this way of salvation; and that they began immediately to act according to its dictates. This last sense is well expressed in a similar phrase by Josephus: when speaking of the young Israelites enticing the Midianitish women to sin, by fair speeches, he says, αἱ δε ασμενως δεξαμεναι τους λογους συνῃεσαν... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:41

Verse 41 41.They, therefore, which willingly. Luke showeth more plainly how fruitful this one sermon which Peter made was: to wit, that it gained unto Christ about three thousand men. And therewithal he declareth the nature and force of faith when he saith, that with a prompt and ready (136) mind they embraced his word. Therefore, faith must begin with this readiness and willing desire to obey. And because many do show themselves at the first very willing, who afterward have in themselves no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1-41

The day of Pentecost, and its immediate gifts. " And when the day of Pentecost … And the same day there were added about three thousand souls." The day of Pentecost is emphatically the complement of the great days of the New Testament. The visible glories of this day are the fitting sequel, the almost natural sequel, of the more veiled glories of certain days that had preceded it. The heavenly luster and music of the day of incarnation, unique as they were, reached the eye and ear of but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:37-42

The day of spiritual wonders. I. WROUGHT IN THE HEART . Repentance. Anxious inquiry. Submission to Divine teaching. Separation from the old life. Depth of the work revealed in progressive steadfastness. II. The fruit of HUMAN AGENCY accompanied by Divine power. Preaching, the testimony of believers, the sight of wonders, the open gate of the Church. III. SEALED with the appointed sign of the Spirit. Baptism, both selective and consecrative in meaning. It was to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:37-47

Holy baptism. As the sermon preached by St. Peter on the day of Pentecost was the first sermon preached in the Church of God, so the baptism of which we have here an account was the first ministration of that sacrament. Our Lord's last command to his apostles was, "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost", and now for the first time that command was carried out. A few points of special interest and importance are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:37-47

Effects of the Divine power upon the heart. I. COMPUNCTION . Fear is awakened by every drawing near of God to man. And with fear is closely connected the sense of sin. Stated from the other side, the truth is: behind the power of God lies his holiness, which is as a consuming fire. The deepest seat of fear is not in our physical but in our moral instincts. Thus the fear awakened by the revelation of the All-holy is itself a witness to the fact that conscience is the central unity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:38-41

The first practice of baptism as a Christian rite. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized … the Holy Ghost." "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized … three thousand souls." The sun of the day of Pentecost did not set without marking the moment of the inauguration of the rite of Christian baptism—a rite which has never ceased to prove the occasion of stir and difference of opinion down the history of the Church. Baptism, and the baptism of water, was of course a... read more

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