Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 1
Overview:
Proofs of
Christ's resurrection.
(1-5) Christ's
Ascension.
(6-11) The apostles unite in
Prayer.
(12-14) Matthias Chosen in
the place of
Judas.
(15-26)
1-5 Our
Lord told the disciples the work they were to do. The
apostles met together at
Jerusalem;
Christ having ordered them
not to depart thence, but to wait for the pouring out of the
Holy
Spirit. This would be a
Baptism By the
Holy Ghost, giving
them power to work miracles, and enlightening and sanctifying
their souls. This confirms the Divine promise, and encourages us
to depend upon it, that we have heard it from
Christ; for in Him
all the promises of
God are yea and
Amen.
6-11 They were
Earnest in asking about that which their Master
never had directed or encouraged them to seek. Our
Lord knew
that his
Ascension and the teaching of the Holy
Spirit would
soon
End these expectations, and therefore only gave them a
rebuke; but it is a caution to his
Church in all ages, to take
heed of a desire of forbidden knowledge. He had given his
disciples instructions for the discharge of their duty, both
before his
Death and since his resurrection, and this knowledge
is enough for a
Christian. It is enough that He has engaged to
give believers strength equal to their trials and services; that
under the influence of the Holy
Spirit they may, in one way or
other, be witnesses for
Christ On Earth, while in
Heaven he
manages their concerns with perfect
Wisdom,
Truth, and
Love.
When we stand gazing and trifling, the thoughts of our Master's
second coming should quicken and awaken us: when we stand gazing
and trembling, they should comfort and encourage us. May our
expectation of it be stedfast and joyful, giving diligence to be
found of him blameless.
12-14 God can find hiding-places for his people. They made
supplication. All
God's people are praying people. It was now a
time of trouble and danger with the disciples of
Christ; but if
any is afflicted, let him pray; that will silence cares and
fears. They had now a great work to do, and before they entered
upon it, they were
Earnest in
Prayer to
God for his presence.
They were waiting for the descent of the
Spirit, and abounded in
Prayer. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual
blessings, who are in a praying frame.
Christ had promised
shortly to send the
Holy Ghost; that promise was not to do away
Prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. A little company united
in
Love, exemplary in their conduct, fervent in
Prayer, and
wisely zealous to promote the cause of
Christ, are likely to
increase rapidly.
15-26 The great thing the apostles were to attest to the world,
was,
Christ's resurrection; for that was the great proof of his
being the
Messiah, and the foundation of our
Hope in him. The
apostles were ordained, not to worldly dignity and dominion, but
to preach
Christ, and the power of his resurrection. An
Appeal
was made to
God; "Thou,
Lord, who knowest the hearts of all
men," which we do not; and better than they know their own. It
is fit that
God should choose his own servants; and
So far as
he,
By the disposals of his
Providence, or the
Gifts of his
Spirit, shows whom he was
Chosen, or what he has
Chosen for us,
we ought to fall in with his will. Let us own his
Hand in the
determining everything which befalls us, especially in those
By
which any trust may be committed to us.