A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond.

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Annotations on The Acts of the holy Apostles.

[ a] * 1.1 V. 1. Graecians] The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is by the Sy∣riack rendred Jewes that understand Greek; and by S. Chrysostome, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 those that speak Greek, in opposition to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the profound, or deep, Hebrews: so saith Phavorinus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to Hellenize is to speak Greek and to have skill in the Greek learning. So saith Scaliger, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 non est habitare in Grae∣cia, sed linguâ Graecâ uti, It is not to dwell in Greece, but to use the Greek language. And so those here that used the Septuagints translation of the Bible, are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hellenists. And so are differenced here from the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hebrews, which used the Jerusalem-para∣phrase. Thus are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Act. 11. 20. differenced from the Jewes in generall v. 19. not that those Hel∣lenists were not Jewes (for there v. 20. 'tis said that they preached to them, whereas v. 19. 'tis clear that they preached to none but Jewes) but that these Jewes understood Greek, and used the Greek Bible, and there∣fore are called Hellenists. And thus ch. 9. 28. when the other Jewes, those of the profounder sort, had such an aversion to S. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles, that they would not see him, saith S. Chrysostome, he was yet admitted to speak and discourse with the Hel∣lenists. See Note on Joh. 7. d.

[ b] * 1.2 V. 2. The multitude of the disciples] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, multitude of disciples here are the commu∣nity or society of Christians, called sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the All, 1 Tim. 5. 20. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the many, 2 Cor. 2. 6. answerable to the multitude here, and sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Christians, or followers of Christ, in respect of whom as their Doctor, or Master, they are here called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 disciples;* 1.3 and both ordinarily united together in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Church,* 1.4 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the brethren: see c. 15. 3, & 4, & 23. & Mat. 18. 17. Now what power the Church, or brethren, considered in this no∣tion, the society of Christians doe here appear to have, may be considerable. The choice of the persons of the Deacons is here committed to them: But that first by the appointment of the Apostles declared to them. The twelve called to them the multitude, and said, Look out, &c. v. 2, 3. Secondly, they had by the A∣postles these bounds set them, 1. to take seven, the number specified by the Apostles, not left arbitrary to them; 2^ly, to pitch on 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, men gene∣rally known and well reputed of; 3^dly, with these qua∣lifications, 1. faith, supposed in the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 some of you, that is, believers, Christians; 2^dly, fulnesse of the holy Ghost, extraordinary gifts; 3^dly, fulnesse of wisdome, fitted by all these for this employment. And when by the Apostles appointment, together with the observa∣tion of these prescribed rules, the multitude have sought out the persons,* 1.5 then still the Apostles reserve the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Ordination, or Constitution of them to them∣selves, v. 3. In the nomination of Bishops and Dea∣cons in other Churches, the like may be concluded from the Epistles to Timothy and Titus, viz. that somewhat was referred to the Church, particularly their testimo∣ny concerning the qualifications of the Persons. For the Bishop that was to ordain is by S. Pauls direction first to enquire, as it were upon Articles, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, if, or whether, he be blamelesse, &c.) which concerning a Bishop are fifteen, Tit. 1. 6. seventeen, 1 Tim. 3. 1. fewer concerning a Deacon: And all of them being matters of fact and manners, Timothy, which was newly entred upon his province, and Titus lately left in Crete, could not possibly be instructed sufficiently from their own experience, and therefore must be supposed to have it by enquiry of the Church. So in the Censures of the Church, the offender must be rebuked before the many.* 1.6 2 Cor. 2. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, before the Ch••rch Mat. 18. 17. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, before all, 1 Tim. 5. 20. Where yet it is Timo∣thy the Bishop, that must 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rebuke the offenders, onely in the presence, and with the notice of the Church, to make the rebuke more considerable, to produce shame and reformation. Lastly, in the the Councel at Je∣rusalem, with the Apostles and Elders, or Bishops of Judaea,* 1.7 is joyned 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the whole Church, ch. 15. 22. in the choosing, and sending messengers to Antioch; but that with a most discernible distinction, The Apostles and Elders, as they, whole decree or ap∣pointment it was,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.8 it pleased or seemed good to the Apostles and Elders to send chosen men, the choice and mission belonging to them,* 1.9 and the persons sent 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, men of them, Bishops of the Councel, but this with the knowledge and approbation of the whole Church (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) joyned w^th them, as of those that were acces∣sories, not principalls in the sending. So in the Inscri∣ption of the Epistle of the Councel v. 23. The Apo∣stles and Elders and brethren send greeting: Not that any but the Apostles and Elders, that is, Bishops of Judaea, were members of the Councel, or had voices in it, (for that is cleared v. 6. at the first mention of their conventing, The Apostles and Elders came together to consider of this matter, the debate of the question, and the decision, belonging only to them) but that the whole Church joyned with the Apostles and Bishops, shew∣ing their consent and approbation, and submission to the decree of the Councel. And thus in following times have Lay-men subscribed the Acts of Councels in this form, Consentiens subscripsi, I have subscribed consent∣ing, or testified my consent under my hand. As for the decree of the Councel, though that be in the style of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, us, v. 28. which may be conceived to referre to all those that are named in the front, and so to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.10 Brethren, yet 'tis apparent by v. 25. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it seemed good to us being assembled together, that that belongs onely to those that were assembled or sat in the Councel, that is, the Apostles and Elders, v. 6. and so it is expresly set, c. 16. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the decrees ordained by the Apostles and Elders.

[ c] * 1.11 V. 3. Full of the holy Ghost] What is meant by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, full of the holy Ghost in this place, may perhaps be best collected by a farther con∣sideration of the words of Christ, Mar. 16. 17, 18. But signes shall attend them which believe these things (so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be rendred) or these signes shall attend,* 1.12 or follow, them that believe. These words seem to contain a pro∣mise of extraordinary gifts (of casting out Devils, speaking strange languages, healing, &c. v. 17, 18.) to others (beside the Apostles) under the name of be∣lievers.* 1.13 For the believers there 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are all one with the he that believeth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and is baptized v. 16. and that is those that upon the Apostles preach∣ing shall believe, and enter into the Church, or be added to it. But this not so unlimitedly on one side, as that all that did believe should have those gifts bestow'd upon them, (see Note on ch. 2. d.) for then here would have been no choice; all being full of the holy Ghost, they could not look out men that were full; nor yet with such restrictions on the other side, as that none had these gifts, but those that were ordained to sacred functions, for then these, who were not yet so ordain∣ed, could not thus be full. But I suppose the truth is in the middle. At the Apostles preaching and mens receiving the Gospel, many of them that believed had extraordinary gifts, miraculous powers bestowed upon them, for the testifying to themselves and others the truth of the Gospel in those first times, and to qualifie them for the services of the Church, when they should be called to it. And agreeably those that were

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thus endowed, were generally chosen to such imploy∣ments, (before others who had them not,) as there was need of them; And such I suppose are here meant un∣der the phrase of Full of the holy Ghost, and that phrase mention'd by the Apostles, as a qualification required in those whom they would appoint Deacons here, and, beside the care of the poor, communicate the power of preaching and baptizing to them, which 'tis evident Philip had. This may most probably be it, which is affirmed of Cornelius's family Act. 10. 44. The holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word, and the gift of the holy Ghost was powr'd upon them, 45. for they spake with tongues, &c. 46. So again ch. 19. 6. the Ephesian disciples being newly baptized in the name of Jesus, v. 5. by the Apostles benediction, and impo∣sition of hands, the holy Ghost came upon them, and they spake with tongues, and prophefied. And so ch. 2. 38. when Peter tells them, that upon their Repentance and Baptisme, they should receive 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the gift of the holy Ghost,* 1.14 (the very phrase which is used of Cornelius's family) it follows accordingly ch. 4. 31. the place was shaken, and they were filled with the holy Ghost, and so, beside the inward gifts and graces of the Spirit, they were, many of them, endowed with those extraordi∣nary gifts, which c. 2. 1. had fall'n upon the Apostles and were usefull for the confirming them in the faith, and to testifie to them and others the truth of what was preach'd to them. And of them that were at that time converted, they are now to choose some here, for the office of Deacons, men full of the Spirit, &c.