Death of Ananias and Sapphira.

CHAPTER V.

A, D. 33. Generosity of Barnabas; the sin and death of Ananius and Sapphira his wife; the apostles again imprisoned, but delivered by an angel ; Gamaliel's advice.

36

Now Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which signifies, The son of consolation,) a Levite, of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

1

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sap2 phira his wife, sold a possession, And kept to himself a part of the price, his wife also being privy to it; and brought the other part only, 3 and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep to thyself 4 a part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not only fied unto men but unto God." 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and expired: and great fear came on all those 6 that heard these things. And the younger brethren arose, wound him up, and carried him

Great fear excited.

out, and his friends buried him. And it was 7 about the space of three hours after, when his wife not knowing what had been done, came in. And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether ye 8 sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yea, for so much." Then Peter said to her, 9 "How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of those who have carried out thy husband to bury are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then imme- 10 diately she fell down at his feet, and expired: and the younger brethren came in, and found her dead; and, when they had carried her out, her friends buried her by her husband. And 11 great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.

And they were all with one consent in Solo- 12 mon's porch. And of the rest durst no one join 13 himself to them; but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to 14 the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were wrought among the people;" So that they brought forth the sick into the 15 streets, and laid them on beds and couches,

СНАР. У.

made subservient to his interest and glory. O that those who are called to plead his cause may be enriched with freedom of speech, and aided by the powerful influences of the Holy Spirit.

3. We also learn the power of divine grace, which conquers that selfish temper which reigns in sinful men, and inspires the most noble generosity and distinguished benevolence. Under its constraining influence the disciples sold their possessions, brought the amount into one common stock, and distribution was made according as every one had

abilities, and those gifts of the Spirit whereby he was enabled both to exhort and to comfort.

CHAP. V. 1—4. A certain man, &c. The sin of Ananias was pretending to give up the whole like Barnabas, and yet to keep to himself a part. Peter justly observes that he was under no necessity to act in this manner; he was not obliged to sell, or having sold, to give up the money.— -Satan filled, &c. He had yielded to the suggestions of the tempter; and by his conduct attempted to impose on the Holy Spirit,' with which the apostles were filled, by this vain-glorious and lying deed.Not only lied, &c. For this idiom, see my Reflections on the common version. It has often been urged, that these two verses prove that the Holy Spirit is God; and the argument stands firm and unshaken.

6. And buried him, &c. We are not to suppose that Ananias was actually buried in the space of three hours from the time of his death; but that he was taken to some convenient place, and preparations were made for his burial by his friends. I have supplied, so as to give the sense.

14. from the 12th verse.

need. At that period this might be necessary, as many who had nothing would have been otherwise exposed to great hardships, while labouring in the cause of the Saviour. Though we are not called to imitate them by introducing a community of goods, yet we should possess the same good-will, and be ready to distribute to the necessities of our poorer brethren. God hath given us whatever we possess, and we should be willing to part with a portion of it, or even the whole, when his glory may be thereby promoted.

8. Yea, for so much. This proved that they had agreed to tell this lie; and hence the same judgment befel them both.

11. Buried her by her, &c. Pearce thought that they were buried on the day on which they died; but this does not follow from what is here said. 12. And they were all, &c. All the apostles and believers met together

in the spacious building, called Solomon's porch, and conversed and taught. The first part of this verse I have transposed after the 14th, to avoid the parenthesis.

13. Of the rest, &c. Those unconverted did not venture to join themselves to the christian converts, for any worldly purposes; but on the contrary the people held them in high honour, and kept at an awful distance from them, alarmed by the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. I consider Twy λοιπων as explained by the last clause.

14. And believers, &c. While the unconverted were restrained, those called to believe were led to profess their faith in Jesus, and to join his people. Bishop Sherlock joins this verse to the 11th; and the last clause of the

from these men, and let them go on: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be over39 thrown; But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; beware lest ye be found even to fight 40 against God." And to him they agreed and when they had called the apostles, they beat them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy 42 to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach the glad tidings that Jesus is the Christ.

CHAPTER VI.

A. D. 33. Seven men are chosen by the disciples and appointed to the office of deacons; Stephen, one of them, is falsely accused of blasphemy, &c.

1 AND in those days, when the number of the

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER V. UPON CHAPTER v. 1. Let us contemplate with humble reverence, this awful instance of divine judgment and severity. It was well calculated to impress the minds of these new converts, and to teach them that God requires truth in the inward parts. We learn how hateful falsehood is to the God of truth; and that we should not only carefully avoid a direct lie, but shun all the arts of equivocation. Satan is a liar from the beginning; and how dreadfully does he delude the heart which he fills! leading men to sins which oppose and grieve the Spirit of God. That Spirit rested on the apostles, and taught them to discover the hidden things of darkness, so that they who tempted him fell in the attempt, and became a sign; so that unbelievers were deterred from a hypocritical profession, and the church was kept pure.

2. We see our Lord's words to his apostles fulfilled. “Ye shall be brought before councils for my sake; and it shall be for a testimony unto them." And such was the repeated admonition which those holy men, then at the bar, gave to the judges of Israel. They persist in urging the divine authority of their mission and ministry; still they proclaim Jesus as the head of the church and of the world, whom these judges had so lately, by wicked hands, crucified and slain. They declare him who was nailed to the cross, to be now exalted to

lib. ii. 4. li. Pearce has adopted this opinion; and as it was usual for the Jews to have two names, as we find from the apostles, I consider this the most probable opinion.

37. Judas of Galilee, &c. This is distinguished from the former by the time. He rose up in the days of the 'enrolment,' not that made in the beginning of the reign of Archelaus, Luke ii. 1. Matt. ii. 22.; but one about ten years after.

38-39. If this counsel or, &c. This is the reason of his advice. Lardner supposes that though these men were cut off, and their followers, Gamaliel might think that they, as well as the apostles, were under a divine impulse, and that the doctrine might survive, if the teachers were destroyed.

40-42. And to him they, &c. The conduct of these magistrates was a

Seven Deacons chosen.

disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution of alms. Then the twelve 2 called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, "It is not reasonable that we should leave the word of God, and attend on tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out from among 3 yourselves seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give 4 up ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

And these words pleased the whole multi- 5 tude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles; and when 6

the right hand of God. They preach salvation in his name, and urge their judges to seek repentance and remission of sins from him. Animated by the spirit of wisdom, truth, and. courage, these prisoners spoke with a force and authority which could not but make a deep impression on those who heard them.

3. We see in the conduct of these judges and rulers, to what ends carnal policy leads. By this they had crucified the Lord of glory; and by this they persecuted his humble followers. Instead of repenting of their sin, and believing on Jesus, as the promised Messiah and Saviour, their rage was excited against his followers, and especially against the apostles. They gnashed on them with their teeth, and thus showed how they thirsted for their blood. The mild counsel of Gamaliel at present prevailed; but by scourging the apostles, when they admitted that their message might be divine, they alike violated the laws of justice and humanity. The punishment which these excellent men endured, rendered it glorious. The stripes which they received were not so painful to their flesh, as the opportunity of approving their fidelity and love to Christ, was delightful to their souls. Well might they and all believers triumph in bearing the scourge for him, who bore the cross, and died on it for th m.

violation of every principle of justice; and that' of the apostles was honourable to them as men, and as the ambassadors of Christ.

CHAP. VI. 1. Hellenists. Some suppose that these were proselytes to the Jewish religion; but the best supported opinion is, that they were Jews who spoke the Greek language, and dwelt in various parts of the Greek empire. See Lardner.

2. Attend on tables. That food may be set on them; and the poor of the church supplied; or even providing for the observance of the Lord's

supper.

3. Look ye out from, &c.. The apostles wisely left the choice of these officers to the people, whose contributions they were to distribute for the relief of the indigent. Whom we may, &c. Or, we may set over, &c."

Stephen full of grace.

Vindicates himself.

8

And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and some of the Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing 10 with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they suborned men, who said, "We have "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against 12 Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes ; and they came upon him, and seized him, and 13 brought him to the council, And set up false

witnesses, who said, "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy 14 place, and the laws. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER VI. 1. We hence learn what is the duty of churches and ministers. The former should act with prudence in the choice of their spiritual guides and officers; and the latter should give themselves to the ministry of the word. Those chosen to the office of deacons, and whose duty it is to serve tables, to look after the poor, and distribute the alms of the people, should be men of approved piety, exemplifying the graces of the christian temper and spirit. And such as administer the word should remember that success depends on the influence and the blessing of God, and that it should be watered with fervent prayer. This is necessary to preserve the life and power of religion in the soul; and by living in habitual nearness to God, they will be best qualified to speak in his name, with that spiritual savour and authority which nothing else can impart.

2. We also learn, that while the ministry of the word is crowned

Moses delivered to us." And all that sat in 15 the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

CHAPTER VII.

A. D. 33. Stephen's answer, containing the call of Abraham, the birth of Moses, who foretold the coming of Christ; and he then reprehends them for their rebellion and their murdering of Christ; they stone him to death, while commending his spirit to Christ.

THEN said the high priest, having heard the 1 charge against Stephen, "Are these things so?" And he said, "Brethren, and fathers, hearken. 2 The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, And said to him, 'Depart 3 from thy country, and from thy kindred, and go into the land which I will show to thee.' Then 4 he departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Haran: and when his father was dead, he removed him thence into this land, wherein ye now dwell; But he gave him no 5 inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his

with success, and many become obedient to the faith, men of corrupt minds will be exasperated to oppose and persecute. The vilest charge was fixed on holy Stephen, and has often since been laid against men of a similar spirit. True piety in his case was accounted blasphemy; and the genuine love of his country treason against it. Let us, amidst all such false charges, commit ourselves to Him that judgeth righteously, and be persuaded that he will at length bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noon-day brightness. How dreadful is the progress of sin. These offenders were provoked because they were unable to support their own opinions; and instead of yielding to conviction, they conspire against the reputation and life of Stephen, and by falsehood and perjury endeavour to attain their end. Let us exhort one another daily, lest we should be thus hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

The apostles acted in concert with the people; they chose out the men and the apostles, according to the Jewish rite, prayed for them with imposition of hands, thus commending them to God.

7. Of the priests, &c. At the return from Babylon they were near five thousand, Ezra iii. 36-39; and were probably now ten times that number. Considering the loss they would sustain by embracing the gospel, having no part of the sacrifices, their conversion shows the power of divine grace.

8. Full of grace, &c. Of the gracious influence of the Spirit, and of power to perform the most signal miracles. All the best mss. and the old versions read grace, not faith.

9. Libertines. These are commonly supposed to be such Jews as had been carried captives into Italy, and had been made free by the Romans, or the sons of such. See Lardner. Pearce contends that they were inhabitants

of a city or district of Libya, called Libertina. See his note. I incline to this opinion as most probable.

11-14. Suborned men, &c. Not being able to reply to the reasoning of Stephen, like all wicked and violent men, they resorted to persecution, as the shortest method of silencing him. Force has often been thus employed.

15. His face as it, &c. It is very probable, that his countenance had a splendour resembling that of Moses when he came down from the mount; and that of Christ, when he was transfigured. Exod. xxxiv. 30. Matt. xvii. 2.

CHAP. VII. 2. The God of glory, &c. Newcome thought that this dis. course resembled those which the Jews were accustomed to hear in their synagogues. See Ch. xiii. 17, &c.

4. When his father was dead. See Gen. xi. 32, and note.

5. No inheritance, &c. The history of Abraham proves this; for he