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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:20

Verse 20 20.Go, doubting nothing. The Scripture useth this word often, when it will express of what sort the obedience of faith ought to be. So Paul, in the fourth chapter to the Romans, (Romans 4:19,) when as he commendeth the faith of Abraham, saith, That he doubted not when as the Lord promised him seed, being now aged and past hope of children. And in the fourteenth, (Romans 14:23,) in treating of meats, he condemneth doubting consciences. And it is properly to reason on both sides, (as... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:21

Verse 21 21.Behold, I am he whom ye seek. Luke declareth now how ready Peter was to obey; secondly, that he understood at length, by the messengers, to what end the vision was showed unto him. For he heareth that he is called by Cornelius, a man that is a Gentile, whom he would have counted profane, and unworthy of his company, unless his judgment had been corrected with this voice, “That which God calleth pure, judge not thou to be common.” This is to be wise indeed, when as abandoning all... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:22

Verse 22 22.Cornelius, a just man. Cornelius’ servants commend their master not ambitiously, or to the end they may flatter him, but that Peter may the less abhor his company. (674) And for this cause they say that he was approved of the Jews, that Peter may know that he was not estranged from true and sincere godliness. For even those which were superstitious, though they served idols, did boast that they were worshippers of God. But Cornelius could not have the Jews, who retained the worship... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:23

Verse 23 23.And Peter also, being overcome with the authority of God, deliberateth no longer, but lodgeth the men, that he may go with them forthwith. So we must meekly submit ourselves to God; and there remaineth nothing after that we know his will, but that we run speedily thither whither he calleth us. There is no difficulty in the rest. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:24

Verse 24 The day following he went forth. It should seem that they arrived a little before night (675) because they were not as yet entered the city at noon, and the vision which was showed thrice asked no small time. Therefore, when they had taken their rest all night, they address themselves to return. Again, there was a point of courtesy in that some of the faithful do accompany Peter, who were sent, as it is to be thought, by the whole church, to bring him even to Cesarea. These men journey... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:25

Verse 25 25.Falling down at his feet, he worshipped. Here is the word προσεκυνησεν, which signifieth to testify honor or worship, either by bowing the knee or ducking down the head, or by any other gesture. Now, the question is, whether Peter refuteth this worship for modesty’s sake only, or he disalloweth it as a thing altogether unlawful? It appeareth that Cornelius’ fact displeased Peter, by the reason which is by and by added, Arise, for even I am a man. For we may gather that there was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:1

Now there was (two last words in italics) for there was (in roman), A.V. and T.R.; Cornelius by name for called Cornelius, A.V. A glance at the map will show that Caesarea (see note to Acts 9:30 ) was but a short distance, some thirty miles, from Joppa. It was doubtless with a view to Peter's momentous errand to Caesarea that Luke recorded his previous visit to Lydda and his residence at Joppa, consequent upon the restoring of Dorcas to life: the origines of Gentile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:1-8

Piety, its place, its associations, and its reward. We gather— I. THAT GOD HAS HIS SERVANTS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES . We look for piety in certain quarters where it may be supposed to flourish; in others we do not look to see it; yet in these latter it may be found. Who would have expected that a centurion in a Roman regiment would prove to be a worshipper of God—one that " feared God with all his house"? He and his family must have been living in a way that contrasted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:1-8

The pious centurion. I. THE SCENE OF THE STORY . It was at Caesarea. Hitherto we have heard of Judaea, Samaria, and Galilee. Here the fiery baptism had descended, and here the martyrs had sealed their testimony in blood. Now the second part of the early Church history begins, and the great thought of the gospel, the conversion of the Gentiles to Christ, begins to be an accomplished fact. II. THE GENTILE SUBJECT OF CONVERSION . 1. A centurion; a captain; a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:1-8

The Spirit of God in the Gentile world. Caesarea. Roman spirit there. Philip's visit (see Acts 8:40 ). Herod's influence. Possible contact of Cornelius with gospel truth. Necessity that the entrance of the Church on its new territory should be solemn, authorized, undoubtedly firm, because of the subsequent controversies which would be largely settled by reverting to the facts. I. CORNELIUS , A TYPE of the religious heathen under the influence of the Spirit. 1. Devotion may be... read more

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