Proofs of the Acts xi. 1. Their moft remarkable Transactions. Tranfactions. perceiving now indeed, that God was no refpecter of perfons;" declares that he and the other apoftles were "witneffes of Acts x. Chrift's miracles, death, 34-47• and refurrection; that they were chofen witneffes, and commanded to preach the word to the "people, and testify that God had ordained Him to be judge of the quick and of the dead.' Whilft he is fpeaking, the Holy Ghoft "fell" on them, Acts xi. as on the hundred and twen 15.xv.18. ty at the beginning, and they peak with tongues, and magnify God. Peter bap tizes them. They that were of the circumcifion were aftonifhed, when they faw that on the Gentiles was poured out" the gift of the Holy Ghoft. 1 On Peter's return to Jerufalem, they that were of the circumcifion contended with him on his converfing with profelytes of the gate: but on his account of the matter, they are satisfied aying, "Then hath God) alfo unto the Gentiles" (that is, the profelytes of the gate)" granted repentance unto life." This was the first controverfy, in the Chritian church; and from! other, it was never free af terwards. On the difperfion that a-Acts xi. rofe on the death of Ste-19,20,21, phen, the word was not only preached at Samaria by Philip; but by others, who were scattered abroad by that perfecution, even as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch; who preached the word, but ftill to the Jews only: fome of which were men of Cyprus and Cyrene. But on hearing of the converfion of Cornelius, fpake now unto the Grecians (it fhould be Gentiles, i. e. pro felytes of the gate; for tho' fome copies have it Ελληνικάς, which our tranflators render Grecians; yet others, and among them the Alexan drian, has "Exλnvas, Gentiles: and which is undoubtedly the true reading, "Eλanvas being here fet in oppofition to Jews (See Effay IV.). at Antioch in Syria; and a great number believed, and "turned unto the Lord." Here was the first conver fion of profelytes of the gate, out of Paleftine, to the Chritian religion. Tidings of this great con- Acts xi. verfion of the profelytes of 23, 24. the gate coming to the ears of the church at Jerufalem, they fent forth Barnabas, that he fhould go as far as Antioch; where the great number of these profelytes were: he confirmed them in the grace of God, and converted many others; "much people" (not as butoxλ ixavòs) being added unto the Lord. For he was himfelf a good man (of a gentle and fweet difpofition, not likely to lay unequal burdens upon them, and therefore proper to work upon profelytes of the gate), as well as full of the Holy Ghoft, and of faith. There being fo many converts already made, and fuch a happy profpect of more, and Barnabas wanting a fellow-labourer, goes from Antioch to Tarfus, to find Saul; who was now returned to that city. Barnabas brings Saul to Acts xi, Antioch; they taught much 25. people (many profelytes of the gate), and taught there for a whole year; and there the difciples were firft called Chriftians. And here was the great harveft of profelytes of the gate, and chiefly made by Barnabas and Saul. And this jeems to be the first time that Saul ever preached to the profelytes of the gate, Herod Proofs of the Their most remarkable Tranfactions. Transactices Herod Agrippa kills James Acts xii. the brother of John, and 1-24. proceeded to take Peter and put him in prifon, intending to put him to death after Eafter. But prayer being made in the church for him, an angel opens the door, and delivers him. Herod dies foon after in extreme torment. Agabus, one of the prophets that came in thofe days from Jerufalem to Antioch, foretold a dearth: on Acts xi. which the difciples deter-27-30. The gospel having now Acts xxii. been preached not only to 16-19. the Jews for about eight years, but to the Jews and devout Gentiles for about three years more; God faw fit to prepare things for its being preached to the idolatrous Gentiles. While Sau! therefore faw no apostle here! D4 (Jeru 44 Antioch in Syria. Proofs of How often Acts xii. A&ts xiii. 1. Jerufalem), that there might be no room to fufpect that. e had the gofpel that he was to pre.ch to the Geniles, from any of the apoles; yet, according to the prediction of Ananias, recited Acts xxii. 14. (he being in the Temple), tell into a trance; faw Chrift, and heard him, faying, " Depart, Proofs of the for I will fend thee far 2 Cor. xii. hence to the Gentiles." I. He was at this time caught up into the third heaven; Gal. i. 12, lytes of the gate, as he was A&s xii. From Jerufalem Paul goes Acts xiii. In this church, full of Chriftian profelytes of the gate, but where there was no apoftle, he and Barnabas (both born on Gentile ground, one at Cyprus, thel other |