Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 10
Overview:
Cornelius directed to send for
Peter.
(1-8) Peter's
Vision.
(9-18) He goes to
Cornelius.
(19-33) His discourse to
Cornelius.
(34-43) The
Gifts of the Holy
Spirit poured out.
(44-48)
1-8 Hitherto none had been baptized into the
Christian Church
but Jews,
Samaritans, and those converts who had been
circumcised and observed the ceremonial
Law; but now the
Gentiles were to be called to partake all the privileges of
God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pure and undefiled
religion is sometimes found where we least expect it. Wherever
the fear of
God rules in the
Heart, it will appear both in
Works
of
Charity and of
Piety, neither will excuse from the other.
Doubtless
Cornelius had true
Faith in
God's
Word, as far as he
understood it, though not as yet clear
Faith in
Christ. This was
the work of the
Spirit of
God, through the mediation of
Jesus,
even before
Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when
we, who before were dead in
Sin, are made alive. Through
Christ
also his prayers and
Alms were accepted, which otherwise would
have been rejected. Without dispute or delay
Cornelius was
obedient to the heavenly
Vision. In the affairs of our souls,
let us not lose time.
9-18 The prejudices of
Peter against the
Gentiles, would have
prevented his going to
Cornelius, unless the
Lord had prepared
him for this service. To tell a
Jew that
God had directed those
animals to be reckoned
Clean which were hitherto deemed unclean,
was in effect saying, that the
Law of
Moses was done away.
Peter
was soon made to know the meaning of it.
God knows what services
are before us, and how to prepare us; and we know the meaning of
what he has taught us, when we find what occasion we have to
make use of it.
19-33 When we see our
Call clear to any service, we should not
be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or
former ideas.
Cornelius had called together his friends, to
partake with him of the heavenly
Wisdom he expected from
Peter.
We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought
to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our
kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious
exercises.
Cornelius declared the direction
God gave him to send
for
Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a
Gospel
ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment
requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers
are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which
it may be said that they are all present in the sight of
God, to
hear all things that are commanded of
God! But these were ready
to hear what
Peter was commanded of
God to say.
34-43 Acceptance cannot be obtained
On any other ground than
that of the
Covenant of
Mercy, through the
Atonement of
Christ;
but wherever true religion is found,
God will accept it without
regarding names or sects. The fear of
God and
Works of
Righteousness are the substance of true religion, the effects of
special
Grace. Though these are not the cause of a
Man's
acceptance, yet they show it; and whatever may be wanting in
knowledge or
Faith, will in due time be given
By Him who has
begun it. They knew in general the
Word, that is, the
Gospel,
which
God sent to the children of
Israel. The purport of this
Word was, that
God By it published the good tidings of peace
By
Jesus Christ. They knew the several matters of fact relating to
the
Gospel. They knew the
Baptism of
Repentance which
John
preached. Let them know that this
Jesus Christ,
By whom peace is
made between
God and
Man, is
Lord of all; not only as over all,
God blessed for evermore, but as
Mediator. All power, both in
Heaven and in
Earth, is
Put into his
Hand, and all
Judgment
committed to him.
God will go with those whom he anoints; he
will be with those to whom he has given his
Spirit.
Peter then
declares
Christ's resurrection from the dead, and the proofs of
it.
Faith has reference to a
Testimony, and the
Christian Faith
is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
On
the
Testimony given
By them. See what must be believed
concerning him. That we are all accountable to
Christ as our
Judge;
So every one must seek his favour, and to have him as our
Friend. And if we believe in him, we shall all be justified
By
him as our
Righteousness. The remission of sins lays a
foundation for all other favours and blessings,
By taking that
out of the way which hinders the bestowing of them. If
Sin be
pardoned, all is
Well, and shall
End Well for ever.
44-48 The
Holy Ghost fell upon others after they were baptized,
to confirm them in the
Faith; but upon these
Gentiles before
they were baptized, to show that
God does not confine himself to
outward signs. The
Holy Ghost fell upon those who were neither
circumcised nor baptized; it is the
Spirit that quickeneth, the
Flesh profiteth nothing. They magnified
God, and spake of
Christ
and the benefits of
Redemption. Whatever
Gift we are endued
with, we ought to honour
God with it. The believing Jews who
were present, were astonished that the
Gift of the
Holy Ghost
was poured out upon the
Gentiles also.
By mistaken notions of
things, we make difficulties for ourselves as to the methods of
Divine
Providence and
Grace. As they were undeniably baptized
with the
Holy Ghost,
Peter concluded they were not to be refused
the
Baptism of water, and the ordinance was administered. The
argument is conclusive; can we deny the sign to those who have
received the things signified? Those who have some acquaintance
with
Christ, cannot but desire more. Even those who have
received the
Holy Ghost, must see their need of daily learning
more of the
Truth.