Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin of superstition by our amazedness. 174 As, for example, I will acknowledge the power of God in a miracle. If it were wrought by Peter, Satan will by and by put this in my head, and will say thus: 175 Dost thou not see that this is a man of God? 176 therefore thou dost owe unto him divine honor. The same thing had befallen the Jews when they were amazed, unless Peter's sermon had called them back into the right way. But in Popery, where none did call them back or reprove them, 177 the preposterous wondering of men did easily get the upper hand. Wherefore, we must so much the more 178 seek for medicine out of the Word, that doctrine may direct us unto the right end, being lifted up 179 with the miracles.
11. In the porch. It is like that there was a porch built in that place where Solomon's porch was sometimes, and that it took the name therefrom. For the old temple was pulled down, but Zerubbabel and Ezra, ill the reedifying and new building of the same temple, had imitated the same, so nigh as they could possibly devise. Afterward Herod renewed the same, and made it far more gorgeous, but that vain cost which he had bestowed had not yet blotted out the remembrance of Solomon in the hearts of the people. And Luke nameth the same as a most famous place, whereunto the people ran together (by heaps, to celebrate their feasts unto God at the times appointed.)
Acts 3:12-16
Acts 3:12-16
12. And when Peter saw that, he made answer unto the people, Men of Israel, why marvel ye at this, or why look ye so steadfastly on us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk? 13. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom ye have delivered, and whom ye have denied before the face of Pilate, when he had judged him to be loosed. 14. But ye have denied the holy, the just, and have desired to have a murderer given you. 15. But ye have murdered the Prince of life: whom God hath raised up from the dead; whereof we are witnesses: and in the faith of his name, his name hath strengthened this man, whom ye have seen and known. 16. And the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in presence of you all.
12. Men of Israel He beginneth his sermon with a reproving of the people. And yet doth he not simply reprove them because they wonder; for that was altogether profitable and worthy praise; but because they do wickedly ascribe unto men that praise which is due to the work of God. As if he should say,
174"Ex nostro stupore," from our stupor, or stupidity. 175"Suggeret mihi," will suggest to me. 176"Divinum hominem," a divine man. 177"Ubi nullus ecarguebat superstitionem," where none condemned the superstition. 178"Magis sollicite," the more anxiously. 179"Erectos," when we are lifted up, or aroused by.