Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 3

NOw Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer , being the ninth hour .

Not to communicate with the Iews in their worship, which was now antiquated; but that they might have a larger field to sow the seed of the Gospel into, and therefore it was most probably, upon some Sabbath or Festival-day; and not unlikely in the evening of that great day of Pentecost, (of which in the former Chapter)

That God must be worshipped, and daily prayed [illegible: 1 word]; the Law of Nature, and positive Law of God requires: but says M[illegible: 2 letters] mon, there is no obligation by virtue of any command of God, unto any number of prayers, nor to any certain prayers, nor to any definite time of prayer: Howsoever, they did usually pray thrice a day, and thought each of those three times recommended unto them by one of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob. Howsoever, the time of offering up the morning and evening Sacrifice, was recommended or commanded by God, as a time of prayer. A Sacrifice being an actual prayer, as the other is real or verbal.

About three a clock in the afternoon, the time of the evening Sacrifice.

2 And a certain man lame from his mothers womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple , which is called beautiful , to ask alms of them that entred into the temple:

And not by any casualty, that so the miracle might be the greater, and the Power of the God of Nature appear.

By which it was manifest, that it could not be by any correspondence betwixt the Apostles and the lame man upon this occasion.

Where there must needs be the greater notice taken of him▪ none going in or out, but such as might see him.

For the excellency of the workmanship: It was at the entring into the second Court, or the Court of the Iews from that of the Gentiles. This man out of pride, being unwilling to beg of the Gentiles, tho Proselyted, (whom they did contemn) or out of policy, hoping to receive more of the Iews, whom he is nearer related to.

Poverty is no sign of Gods disfavour; (our blessed Redeemer is in an especi[illegible: 2 letters] manner called Caput pauperum) but lameness in this man, divers miseries, and calamities in others, bring them to the knowledge of Christ, and Salvation through him.

Marginal references: Chap. 14.8.; John. 9.[illegible: 1 letter] ▪

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alms.

Tho lame; every one hath something that is truly valuable, and matter of praise and thanks unto God.

4 And Peter fastning his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

The eye affects the heart, and speaks the compassion he had of this poor man, whom he did not disdain thorowly and [illegible: 1 letter]eriously to behold: he excites the lame mans expectation, and requires his Attention, that he might the more mind the manner and means of his cure, and be the better prepared to give God the glory of it.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

With his eyes and mind too; being intent upon the Apostles, this he was commanded to do, and it succeeds beyond all hopes: Thus we receive of God daily, more than we can ask or think.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none n, but such as I have , give I thee : In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth , rise up and walk.

A power from Christ to heal.

I apply it to thee, and will make it effectual for thee.

In the power, or at the command of Jesus Christ; and trusting unto his▪ promised assistance, who can speak to things that are not, as if they were.

Our Saviour was usually so called, and being known by that name, the Apostle does not decline it, tho it had been by many (without cause) given him by way of reproach.

That is, at hand or about me, neither had he much elsewhere; the Apostles abounded indeed, but in grace, not in riches.

Marginal references: Chap 4.10.

7 And he took him by the right hand , and lift him up; and immediately his feet and ancle-bones received strength.

Not disdaining to take hold of a poor cripple [illegible: 1 word] beggar; as also being fully perswaded of Christs presence with him for his cure: and

that it might the more evidently appear, that this was the work of God, who can without means, and on a suddain, bring ought to perfection.

Whence his lameness did proceed; thus God can say unto the weak, Be strong.

8 And he leaping up , stood, and walked, and entred with them into the temple, walking, and leaping y, and praising God.

Thus was fulfilled that Prophecy of Isaiah, Chap. 35.6. then shall the lame man leap as an hart; and thus the lame man manifested that he was perfectly cured; tho in an instant, walking, and leaping, and praising God, to whom alone he attributed that sudden, and perfect (and therefore) Miraculous cure; nay, he attributes nothing unto the means; the Apostles words he knew did little or nothing, but God i[illegible: 1 letter] all in all unto him: and he to evidence the truth of the Miracle that was wrought upon him, and that his Soul rejoyced in God his Saviour.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

This Miracle was so publickly done, that none could deny the matter of fact; which the enemies of the Gospel are forced to confess, Chap. 4.16.

10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had hapned unto him.

The very same lame beggar, probably, notoriously known to many: which

being so much contrary to what they had seen but a little while before, when he had begged their alms; and as he reasoned well▪ Iohn 9.32. Since the world began, was it not heard, that any opened the eyes of one that was born blind: So it was never heard, that any strengthened thus the feet of him that was born lame.

11 And as the lame man which was healed, held Peter and John , all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomons, greatly wondring.

In an extasy of thankfulness unto them, they having been the instruments of so great a mercy from God towards him; as also out of fear, lest when they were gone, he might relapse: He that found so great a change in himself, could not but be as much surprized, as they that saw the change upon him.

Not that which was built by Solomon, for that was destroyed by the Babylonians, as the rest of the Temple was, 2 Kings 25.9 unless some part of this porch might not be consumed by the fire, when the other parts of the Temple were burned: some morsel often escaping the jaws of that devouring element fire; or it may be it was built in the re-edification of the Temple, in the same place where Solomons porch had stood, and thence called by the former name that was so much renown'd. If any wonder that a porch should hold so many thousands of people, in as much as Chap 4.4. five thousand of them are said to be converted. This porch is thought, not onely to have been the Court of the Gentiles, and that of the Iews, that is, the outward and inward Court; but to have contain'd a great part of the Court of the Gentiles, if the whole Court of the Gentiles might not be so called, as being indeed but a porch, or an entrance into the Court of the Iews.

Marginal references: John 10.23. Chap. 5.12.

12 ¶ And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel , why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness , we had made this man to walk?

For he said, an ordinary Hebraism, tho no question was put unto him; thus the Evangelists tells us, that our Saviour answered and said, when there was no previous question spoken of, Matth. 11.25. Nay, Jesus answered and said unto the fig-tree, Mark 11.14. That is, he spake powerfully unto it.

An ingratiating compellation, they ever valuing themselves and others on that account

Holiness, were it never so real, and great in men, cannot cause the least Miracle, altho it is it self, all things considered, a very great one.

13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom ye delivered up, and denied him the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

The Rulers, at whose command our blessed Saviour was appehended, bound, and delivered unto Pilate, Matth. 27.1, 2.

This is charged upon the common sort of people also, who were earnest in crying, Matth. 27.25. His blood be upon us, and our children. Their sin is here ripped up, and their sore searched to the quick, that they might entertain the word of Salvation with the greater attention and desire.

He mentions them, because the promises of the Messiah was made to them. Hath glorified his Son Jesus, or his servant; for so also he is called, Isaiah 53.11. and that he might redeem us, he took upon him the form of a servant, and was obedient to the death of the Cross, and did that great work of Redemption, which God sent him into the World to do.

Marginal references: Chap. 5.30.; John 17.1.; Mark 15.11. Luke 23.18. John 18.40.

14 But ye denied the Holy One , and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you,

Christ the Anointed; when they cryed out as with one voice, Iohn 19.15. We have no king but Cesar; disclaiming our Redeemer, and his being anointed over them:

To wit, Barabbas crying out, Iohn 18.40. Not this man, but Barabbas, which much aggravated their impiety, when the choice was given unto them of two, so vastly different, the just Jesus, and the murderous Barabbas; they chose the latter to their Destruction and Confusion unto this present day: Where will blindness of mind, and hardness of heart end!

15 And killed the Prince of life , whom God hath raised from the dead ; whereof we are witnesses.

As God, he is the Author of our Temporal life too, in whom we live, and move, &c. and in whose hand is our breath; but Christ as Mediator, is the guide and way to Eternal life, Iohn 14.6. These are said to have killed our Saviour; tho neither Herod, or Pilate, nor probably many (if any) of them that nailed him to the Cross, were present; but it was done for their sakes, and at their desire, and therefore by their means; and 'tis here charged upon them, as done by them.

Marginal references: Or, Author. Heb. 5.9.; Chap. 2.24.; Chap. 2.32.

16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know▪ yea, the faith which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

His power; for by it he is known as men or things are, by their several names; or the Name of Christ is put for Christ himself, as the Name of God is put for God commonly.

Calling by Faith on the Name of Christ; being thorowly perswaded that he could and would heal this cripple.

Not onely Faith, as on Christ as its Object: but by and from Christ as its Author: Faith being twice made mention of in this cure, there being required Faith in Peter to heal, and in the lame man to be healed.

17 And now brethren , I wot that through ignorance ye did it r, as did also your rulers .

Lest the Corrasive in the 13, 14, 15. verses, should pierce too far, to prevent despair in his Auditors, the Apostle useth in this verse a lenitive calling them; yet, Brethren, tho guilty of so great a mistake in their judgment▪ and fault in their practice.

Whatsoever they did against Christ, whom St. Peter Preached, was out of a double error. 1. About the place of Christs Birth, supposing him to have been born at Nazareth. 2. They were ignorant of the nature of this Kingdom.

Whose fault was the greater, as having seduced others, &c. Yet St. Peter opens a door of hope by repentance, even for them also.

Marginal references: Luke 23.34. 1 Cor. 2.[illegible: 1 letter].

18 But those things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled ▪

The Prophets did all speak the same things, as if they had spoken out of one mouth, as they did speak by one Spirit.

God used the ignorance of some, and the malice of others, for his own holy ends: and that it was Prophesied that Christ should suffer, is very plain. Isaiah 50.5, 6, 7.

19 ¶ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out , when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord .

Alluding to the manner of writing upon Tables in those times, and not much disagreeing from what is in use amongst us, who write upon paper or parchment; there is a book of remembrance, and a record of all our sins kept, Ier. 17.1. The sin of Iudah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: when sin is pardoned, it is said to be blotted out, Isa. 44.22. and not to be found any more, tho it should be sought for, Ier 50.20.

Or times of cooling; as afflictions are called a fiery tryal, so deliverance from them, is a season of refreshing or cooling: Such a time of refreshing shall come in this life, commonly from many troubles; but when this life ends, a deliverance comes from all afflictions to them that truly fear and serve God.

Gods presence is the cause and ground, from whence all the refreshment his people take, do arise; Heaven would not be Heaven (a place of bliss and glory) without it: and as God is the object of our beatitude, so he is the giver of all comfort, and his Spirit is the onely Comforter.

This is the true end, use, and application, both of the preceding Miracle and Sermon, to perswade unto Repentance and Conversion.

Marginal references: Chap. 2.38.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ , which before was preached unto you:

To remove all evils and miseries from his people, when that sun shines, all clouds and mists are scattered; this refers especially to Christs second coming, which is here promised to encourage us to do good, and to deter us from doing evil: as also to move us to repentance, and to com [illegible: 1 letter]ort us when penitent.

21 Whom the heaven must receive , until the times of restitution of all things , which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began.

That is, contain after it hath received him, as a real place doth a true body; for such Christs body was, which was received into Heaven: and Heaven is the Palace and Throne of this King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, where he shall reign until he hath put all his enemies under his feet, 1 Cor. 15.25.

Or restauration of all things, when all things shall be restored to that condition from which sin put them: for the fall hath maim'd and disordered the whole Universe; and probably, there is not that excellency in any of the Creatures, which there was at first, before man (for whom they were made) by his sin brought death to himself, and as it were a dead colour over all them; this makes the whole Creation groan and travail in pain until now, Rom. 8.22. But the end of the World will be a time of restitution of all things, unto man especially; who shall be then restored unto God, and to a blessed Immortality: for unless this be granted, all their Preaching and Prophesying was in vain, 1 Cor. 15.14.

22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers , A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me ; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Their Ancestors in the wilderness, Deut. 18.15. as also in the 8. ver. St. Peter names here but one of their Prophets, but a most remarkable one.

1. In Wisdom. 2. In Miracles. 3. In being a Mediator betwixt God and his people. 4. In their being both out of their brethren, (i. e. of the seed of Abraham) 5. In that they were both sent from God after an extraordinary manner.

If any Prophet did come amongst them, and did foretel future things which came to pass, or did work a real miracle, they were bound to believe him, if he did not endeavour to draw them to worship a false God; and by consequence they were bound to have believed our Saviour, who taught them onely to fear that true God, whom the Law and all the Prophets had spoken of.

Marginal references: Chap. 7.37.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that Prophet , shall be destroyed from among the people .

That is, every [illegible: 1 word].

That is, believe and obey him.

As those that disobeyed Moses were destroyed, many perishing by strange and sudden deaths, Namb. 16.3. &c. We read of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and all that belonged to them, swallowed up for this sin. The Apostle demands, Hebr. 2.2. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? For a greater than Moses is here, and God hath undertaken to require it of every one that will not hearken unto him, Deut. 18.19.

24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel , and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

Tho there were some Prophets betwixt Moses and Samuel, yet they were but such as Prophesied in some particular exigences and cases; and in Samuels days the word of the Lord was pretious or rare, 1 Samuel 3.1. but then David, that lively Type of Christ, appearing at the Throne, the Messi[illegible: 1 letter]h began to be more discovered in, and by him: Besides, Samuel was the first who wrote his Prophesies, and erected the Schools of the Prophets, and therefore he is first mentioned; and the date of the Prophets is here begun from him.

25 Ye are the children of the prophets , and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham , And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed .

The Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, are called Prophets, Psal. 105.15. and did Prophesie, foretelling things to come, &c. The Disciples of the Prophets are also called their Children or Sons, 2 Kings 2.3. and so these pretended and desired to be accounted.

Children of the Covenant, are such unto whom the Covenant belong, which God made with Abraham and his seed; hence they are called the children of promise, Rom. 9.8. Gal. 4.28. and the children of the Kingdom, Matth. 8.12. [illegible: 1 letter]nd this Covenant of God with Abraham, was the cause, that notwithstanding all the for[illegible: 1 letter] and heavy calamities of that people, God did always preserve some, and there was a remnant saved.

Families or Nations.

Through Christ who is this seed of Abraham, all mercies in this World, and Eternal Life in the World to come are bestowed; grace, and glory, and every good thing.

Marginal references: Gen. 12.3. and 18.18. [illegible: 1 word] 2[illegible: 1 letter].18. & 26.4.

26 Unto you first , God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities .

The Iews and Inhabitants of Ierusalem, who are the lost sheep of the house of Israel. St. Peter did not yet know that the Gentiles should be called, until he was taught it by the vision, Acts 10. almost throughout; and tho our Saviour had told the Apostles, that they should be his witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth, Acts 1.8. they understood it onely of those of their own Nation, scattered or dispersed abroad, 1 Peter 1.1.

Which word does not onely refer to the Resurrection of Christ, but to his being constituted and appointed to be a Prince and a Saviour; thus 'tis said, a great Prophet is risen up amongst us, Luke 7.16. and God hath raised up a horn of Salvation, Luke 1.69. Howsoever, it is by vertue of Christ[illegible: 1 letter] being raised from the dead, and carried into his Kingdom, that we are blessed.

This is the greatest blessing indeed; hence our Saviour hath his name imposed by God on him, Matth. 1.21. and was called Jesus, because he saves his people from their sins; and without this being saved from our sins, nothing can be a blessing to us, Isaiah 3.11. and 57.21. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked: add to this, that if any be turned from their iniquities, it is through the blessing of God in Christ.

Marginal references: Chap. 13.4[illegible: 1 letter].