Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 1

▪ THe former trea[illegible: 1 letter]ise have I made , O Theophilus , of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

This refers unto the Gospel Wrote by this Evangelist:

St. Luke, who was undoubtedly the pen-man of this Book; which bears Testimony unto, and confirms (if need were) that other.

Esteemed the same name with Iedidiah, signifying beloved of God, or one that loved God: who he was, is not certain; some have taken the name appellatively. It is evident by the Epithete given unto him, Luke 1.3. that he was one of great Authority, having the same Title which Tertullus gives unto Festus, Acts 24.3. and the chief Captain unto Felix, Acts 23.26. Altho not many noble are called, 1 Cor. 1.26. yet God extends his grace unto some of all conditions.

This is the sum of the Gospel, viz. A History of the Life, Doctrine, and Death of our blessed Saviour; altho every particular word or deed of our Saviours, could not be expressed, Iohn 21. ult. yet the Evangelist was faithful in withholding nothing which was necessary for the Church to know; and leaving no room for unwritten Traditions.

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.

That is, the day of his Ascension. This is a Translation from the former Book (his Gospel) unto this, shewing how far he had proceeded in setting down the Doctrine of our Salvation.

Which words may be referred, either to the commandments he gave, or the choice he made of the Apostles; both being by the Holy Ghost. The Apostles had their Doctrine from God, and were appointed to publish it by God. Especially to publish the Gospel to the whole World, Matth. 28.19. And to continue at Ierusalem till the coming of the Holy Ghost, Luke 24.49.

Marginal references: Mar. 16.19. Luke 9.51. 1 Tim. 3.16.; Mar. 16.15. John 20.21.

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

the Apostles,

eating, drinking, speaking, walking with them, nay shewing them his very wounds, and permitting them to be touched. God suffering Thomas his infidelity to contribute to the strengthning of our Faith.

Not continually, but upon occasion as he pleased; it was so long from his Resurrection to his Ascension: and the same place in which God shewed himself unto Moses in mount Sina. So long also he was pleased to stay with them, that he might more abundantly testifie the truth of his Humanity, and of his Resurrection.

Either his Kingdom in Heaven, the Church Triumphant, or his Kingdom on Earth, the Church Militant. What future bliss and happiness he was going to prepare; And what means they ought to use towards the obtaining of it.

i. e.

Marginal references: Ma[illegible: 1 letter]. 16.14. John 20.19. and [illegible: 1 letter]1.1. 1 Cor. 15.5.

4 And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father , which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

By his order, or Conversing frequently with them, as those that Table together.

Otherwise the Apostles would have abhor'd Ierusalem, as reaking afresh in the blood of our Lord: and there Christ chose to pour out his Spirit, that he might shew forth his glory in the same place where he suffered Ignominy. There Christ would have his Apostles to abide, that they might be nigher to Mount Olivet, from whence he was to Ascend; as also that both his Ascension, and the coming of the Holy Ghost, might more publickly be manifest; and that that Prophecy Isaiah 2.3. might be fulfilled.

If my Father, Luke 24.49. That is, the holy Spirit promised by our Saviour in his Fathers name, Iohn 14.26. and may well be called the promise; without which all other promises would be of no value unto us.

Marginal references: Or, Eating together.; John 14.16. and 15.26. and 16.7.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost , not many days hence.

Matth. 3.11. Water being of a purifying Nature, plentiful, and easie to come by.

His Gifts and Graces, which were (as water on Baptized persons) largely bestowed upon them on the day of Pentecost. 1. That the Apostles and all others might be assured of the Doctrine of the Gospel. 2. That they might be enabled to fulfil their Ministry, and obey our Saviours commands left with them. It

was but ten days after his Ascension; but our Saviour would not prefix a certain day, that they might watch every day.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]oel 3.18. Chap. 2.4. and 11.15.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him saying , Lord , wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

Either the 120. mentioned ver 15. or the 500. mentioned 1 Cor. 15.6. That they might more readily obtain an Answer, they joyn in the Question:

Which was taken away by the Romans, and by Herod; and they expected should be restored to them by the Messiah; understanding the Prophecy Dan. 7.27. to this purpose.

Marginal references: Mat. 24.3.

7 And he said unto them , It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Our Saviour blames their curiosity about such things as are not necessary to be known; and yet tho our Saviour does not in his Answer tell them what they desired to know, he tells them what is more expedient for them to know. The petition of wicked men, nay, of Devils (as when they crave to go into the Swine) is some time granted according to their will. But the prayer of the Disciples of Christ is answered to their best advantage, (tho it does not seem to agree to the matter of their desire.)

How long any mercy shall be deferred; when it shall be given:

Who is, fons & origo Deitatis: to whom Christ, especially as Mediator, and in our stead, refers all things.

Marginal references: Mat. 24.36.

8 But ye shall receive power after that the holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Not till then, not of their own strength, but of Gods grace, as appeared by Peter's denying, and the others leaving of our Saviour,

and that I am indeed the promised Messiah: my Doctrine, Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension, which ye shall testifie to all the World by your Preaching, and holy living, working miracles.

P[illegible: 1 letter]aces where your testimony shall be most opposed. These words are both a command, to tell the Apostles what they ought to do, and a prediction of what they should be enabled to do.

Marginal references: Chap. 2.1, 4.; Or, The power of the holy Ghost coming upon you.; Luke 24.48. John 15.27. Chap. 2.32.

9 And when he had spoken these things ▪ while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Mark 16.19. Luke 24.51. As he did actually give up his life till all was fulfilled, so he did not leave the World till all was revealed by him, that was necessary for us:

that they might be eye-witnesses, and most unexceptionable.

Not by an external help of Angels, but by his own power, and the agility of his (now) glorious body.

This, tho a true cloud, yet was a more than ordinarily glorious one; suitable to the Majesty of him that used it.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold , two men stood by them in white apparel;

Christs ascent was the more leasurely, that he might delight their eyes and mind; but especially confirm their Faith the more. Behold,

Angels in the shape of men;

which Angels ordinarily appeared in, to shew they retained their native purity; as also to represent the joyfulness of the errand they were usually sent upon.

Marginal references: Mat. 28.3.

11 Which also said , Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The two Angels (in the form of men) before mentioned:

That is, the Apostles who were of that Country.

They are rouz'd out of their extasie they were in, at that glorious sight; to learn what was so much to their and our advantage.

1 Visibly. 2. In a cloud. 3. By his own Power. 4. With the like Majesty. 5 With the same Soul and Body.

Marginal references: Dan 7.13. Matth. 24.30. Mark 13.36. Luke 21.27. 1 Thes. 1.10. 2 Thes. 1.10. Rev. 1.7.

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem, from the mount called Oliver, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath-days journey.

About a mile or two, or such a space; as by Gods appointment was betwixt the Ark and the people, Iohn 3.4.

Marginal references: Which Bethany was a part of, as scituate towards the bottom of it, remoter from Ierusalem. Hence Luke 24.50. differs not from this place; from hence the rather our Lord Ascended, that he might receive his glory, nigh the place where he began his suffering; (in the garden where he endured his agony, and was betrayed) and in the view of Ierusalem, where he had been condemned and scorn'd.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter , and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

To the City, and to the House:

The same probably where they had kept the Passover, and partook of the Lords Supper: howsoever for its largeness, capable to receive so many.

As Elder, and first called to the Apostleship, is generally first named; and here especially his name first; and their names are repeated, to shew, that tho they fall in forsaking of Christ, they did rise again in professing of him; and that notwithstanding their Apostacy, they were continued after their recovery, in their former Office and Dignity.

Marginal references: Mat. 10.3.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren .

With great resolution, notwithstanding all opposition and contradiction they met with: Prayer and Supplications for mercies they wanted, or preventing of the evils they feared.

Their Wives, or such women especially, as we read of Matth. 27.55, 56.

That is, his Relations and Kinswomen, which frequently in Scripture are called Brethren.

Marginal references: Chap. 2.1.

15 ¶ And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, ( the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty.)

Betwixt our Saviours Ascension and Pentecost.

As generally spake for, and amongst the Apostles; but now especially, to express his zeal and faithfulness to our Saviour, whom he had so lately denied; he being also designed the Minister of the Circumcision, which place he began now to execute.

Or persons about an hundred and twenty; probably, Christ had converted many men, but these might be either men of name or quality; or mean[illegible: 1 letter]t of such as, ver. 21. had accompanied with Christ and his Apostles, and were design'd for the Ministry.

16 Men and brethren , this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas , which was guide to them that took Jesus.

An ordinary compellation; Speaker and Auditors were Hebrews of the Hebrews.

viz. Psal. 41.9. must needs be fulfilled: yet God's foreknowledg and prediction, excused not Iudas his sin:

not onely leading them in the way when they took our Saviour, but being director of their Counsels against him. This the Apostle premises to abate the offence that the horrible fall of Iudas might have occasioned.

Marginal references: John 13.18. and 18.3.

17 For he was numbred with us, and had obtained part of this ministery .

Being one of the twelve Apostles.

[non-Latin text not transcribed], not as if Iudas was made an Apostle by lot, as Matthias afterwards; but by the Providence of God, by which every lot and casual matter is governed: and to shew that the dignity did not befall him, or any of the other Apostles, because of their descent, (from Aaron) or from nature, or from any desert whatsoever, but meerly from Gods good will and pleasure.

Then the Apostles Office is Ministerial, and they were not Lords over Gods heritage.

Marginal references: Luke 6.16.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

which Iudas might have agreed for at that price; and yet the chief Priests bought (as Matth. 27.7.) by a strange providence, leading of them to that purchase; howsoever eventually he bought it, as throwing back to them their money which payed for it, Matth 27 5.

It is said he hanged himself, which implying onely his death by sufforation; whether he dyed out of horror of his fact, or laying violent hands on himself in such circumstances as may agree with this relation, it is not material to determine.

Purchased a field;

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue , Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood .

The Syriack Language then in use after the Babylonish Captivity.

As bought with the price of Christ's blood, and sprinkled with his own blood.

20 For it is written in the book of psalms , Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and His bishoprick let another take.

viz. Psal. 69.25. What there is in general spoken by David concerning his enemies, is here applyed, particularly to Iudas, who betrayed our Saviour; whose Type David was, as Doeg was of Iudas. His

Charge or Office, or Prefecture; as of a shepherd over his flock.

Marginal references: Psal. 109 8.; Or, Office, or charge.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.

There were to be twelve Apostles in the Christian Church, to answer unto the twelve Patriarchs, and twelve Tribes in the Iewish Church; accompanied with us in ordinary conversation.

In discharge of his Ministry, and gathering of Disciples among us.

22 Beginning from the baptism of John , unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

When Christ was Baptized by him, and by that Consecration began the Ministery, and publishing of the Gospel, (which the history of his Immaculate Conception did preface to.)

All other things being consummated in that, it being the most difficult to be believed; and therefore God was pleased to attest it by so many eye-witnesses.

Marginal references: Ver 9.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus , and Matthias .

Or Ioses, the same name called Barsabas in their common tongue; and

(probably for his integrity) amongst the Romans, who then ruled over them.

Some think the same with Nathaneel.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord , which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

The other Apo[illegible: 1 letter]tles being chosen by God immediately, it was necessary that he who was to act in the same Office, should be chosen after the same manner. Knowest the hearts, which is Gods Prerogative onely; all others may be, and often are mistaken by outward appearances.

Marginal references: 1 Sam. 16.7. 1 Chro. 28.9. and 29.17. Jer. 11.20. and 17.10. Chap. 15.8. Rev. 2.23.

25 That he may take part of this Ministery and Apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

[non-Latin text not transcribed], Or every ones Station in the World, is ordered by the Providence of God, and their part or portion is assigned to them; and so the Apostleship was unto the Apostles.

Hell or Destruction, not intended by Iudas, but righteously by God appointed for him, whilest he was in the World, (especially after his betraying of our Saviour) he was an Usurper in it; and as bad as the World was, it was too good for him. That these words should be understood of Matthias's succeeding into the Apostleship of Iudas as into his own place, is the less probable, because as yet he was not chosen into it.

26 And they gave forth their lots ; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbred with the eleven Apostles .

The manner is not so certain, as necessary to be known; but the whole disposing of the lot being from the Lord, as Prov. 16. ult. they were thus as it were immediately chosen by God, and were Consecrated by Christ himself; no Apostle ordaining another, but all of them being called and ordained by Christ.

Marginal references: The rest of the Apostles, and the whole Church, agreeing with that Divine choice which was made.