Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 8
Overview:
Saul persecutes the
Church.
(1-4) Philip's success at
Samaria.
Simon the
Sorcerer baptized.
(5-13) The hypocrisy of
Simon
detected.
(14-25) Philip and the Ethiopian.
(26-40)
1-4 Though
Persecution must not drive us from our work, yet it
may send us to work elsewhere. Wherever the established believer
is driven, he carries the knowledge of the
Gospel, and makes
known the preciousness of
Christ in every place. Where a simple
desire of doing good influences the
Heart, it will be found
impossible to shut a
Man out from all opportunities of
usefulness.
5-13 As far as the
Gospel prevails, evil spirits are dislodged,
particularly unclean spirits. All inclinations to the lusts of
the
Flesh which
War against the soul are such. Distempers are
here named, the most difficult to be cured
By the course of
nature, and most expressive of the disease of
Sin. Pride,
ambition, and desire after grandeur have always caused abundance
of mischief, both to the world and to the
Church. The people
said of
Simon, This
Man is the great power of
God. See how
ignorant and thoughtless people mistake. But how strong is the
power of Divine
Grace,
By which they were brought to
Christ, who
is
Truth itself! The people not only gave heed to what
Philip
said, but were fully convinced that it was of
God, and not of
men, and gave up themselves to be directed thereby. Even bad
men, and those whose hearts still go after
Covetousness, may
come before
God as his people come, and for a time continue with
them. And many wonder at the proofs of Divine truths, who never
experience their power. The
Gospel preached may have a common
operation upon a soul, where it never produced inward
Holiness.
All are not savingly converted who profess to believe the
Gospel.
14-25 The
Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these
converts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed
By the descent of
the
Spirit upon the
Day of
Pentecost. We may take encouragement
from this
Example, in praying to
God to give the renewing graces
of the
Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are
concerned; for that includes all blessings.
No Man can give the
Holy
Spirit By the laying
On of his hands; but we should use our
best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray.
Simon Magus
was ambitious to have the honour of an
Apostle, but cared not at
all to have the
Spirit and disposition of a
Christian. He was
more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to
others.
Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of
this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the
other
Life, and would purchase the
Pardon of
Sin, the
Gift of
the
Holy Ghost, and eternal
Life. This was such a condemning
error as could
By No means consist with a state of
Grace. Our
hearts are what they are in the sight of
God, who cannot be
deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion
is vain, and will stand us in
No stead. A proud and covetous
Heart cannot be right with
God. It is possible for a
Man to
continue under the power of
Sin, yet to
Put On a form of
Godliness. When tempted with
Money to do evil, see what a
perishing thing
Money is, and scorn it. Think not that
Christianity is a trade to live
By in this world. There is much
wickedness in the thought of the
Heart, its false notions, and
corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented
of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our
Repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of
Simon's
Repentance, not of his
Pardon, if his
Repentance was sincere.
Grant us,
Lord, another sort of
Faith than that which made
Simon
wonder only, and did not sanctify his
Heart. May we abhor all
thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or
ambition. And keep us from that subtle
Poison of spiritual
pride, which seeks
Glory to itself even from
Humility. May we
seek only the honour which cometh from
God.
26-40 Philip was directed to go to a
Desert. Sometimes
God
opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely
places. We should study to do good to those we come into company
with
By travelling. We should not be
So shy of all strangers as
some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we
know this, that they have souls. It is
Wisdom for men of
business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill up every minute
with something which will turn to a good account. In reading the
Word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom and of
what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts
should be employed about the
Redeemer. The Ethiopian was
convinced
By the teaching of the Holy
Spirit, of the exact
fulfilment of the
Scripture, was made to understand the nature
of the
Messiah's kingdom and
Salvation, and desired to be
numbered among the disciples of
Christ. Those who seek the
Truth, and employ their time in searching the Scriptures, will
be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the Ethiopian must be
understood as expressing simple reliance
On Christ for
Salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be
satisfied till we get
Faith, as the Ethiopian did,
By diligent
study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the
Spirit of
God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle
in our hearts. As soon as he was baptized, the
Spirit of
God
took
Philip from him,
So that he saw him
No more; but this
tended to confirm his
Faith. When the inquirer after
Salvation
becomes acquainted with
Jesus and his
Gospel, he will go
On his
way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, and
discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner
than heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the
Father, Son,
and
Holy Ghost, with water, it is not enough without the
Baptism
of the
Holy Ghost.
Lord, grant this to every one of us; then
shall we go
On our way rejoicing.