Act 10:33-43 | Burkitt

‏ Acts 10:33-43

As if the apostle had said, "I now very plainly perceive, that the partion wall is broken down, and that national prerogatives, or personal excellencies, find no acceptance with God: But that any man, be he of what nation or family soever, if he feareth God, and worketh righteousness, shall find acceptance with him."

Observe here, 1. That no external qualifications, personal privleges and prerogatives, will procure favour and acceptance with God, who neither receives nor rejects men barely for outward respects; I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.

Observe, 2. The true character of a religious man: he is one that feareth God and worketh righteousness; that is, a strict observer of the duties of both tables, of piety towards God, and of justice and charity toward man; and the phrase of working righteousness, implies diligence, and delight, and perserverance in the ways and works of righteousness.

Observe, 3. The privilege of such a religious and truly righteous man: He is accepted with God.

Thence learn, That both the person fearing God, and his works of righteousness are accepted with him, of any nation under heaven, of any calling, sex or condition whatsoever; In every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with him.

Observe here, 1. The antiquity of the gospel, or of the doctrine of reconciliation by Jesus Christ; it was preached to the patriarchs, and by the prophets to the ancient Israelites: The word, which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ.

Thence learn, That there is but one way to salvation, namely, reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ: and this was declared to the children of Israel, as well as unto us: to them more darkly to us more clearly. They went to heaven then the same way that believers do now, namely, by faith in the Lamb of God, who was to be slain; we by faith in him as already slain.

Observe, 2. The dignifying title given to Christ: He is Lord of all.

1. He is Lord of all, as God together with the Father and the Holy Ghost: The absolute and supreme Lord of the whole creation, and unto whom all creatures are subject.

2. He is Lord of all, as Mediator, Lord of all men, whether Jews or Gentiles: He is Lord of his church, Lord over saints and sinners. Hypocrites and sincere Christians, all are his subjects by obedience unto his commands.

Observe, 3. The argument by which the apostle proveth Christ to be Lord of all; As mediator, namely, from his divine unction, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power Acts 10:38; that is, endued the human nature of Christ with the fulness of the graces of his Holy Spirit, and consecrated him to the work and office of a Mediator.

Observe, 4. How Christ faithfully executed this office which he was anointed to: He went about doing good, all the time he was on earth, healing diseases, and casting out devils: for God was with him in the fullness of the Deity, as he was his eternal Son; and in power, grace, and favour, as he was man, and Mediator.

Here note, 1. The great work and business of our Saviour's life; it was to do good, namely, to the souls and the bodies of men, to promote the temporal happiness of the one, the spiritual and eternal happiness of the other.

Note, 2. Our Saviour's diligence and indefatigable industry in this work of doing good; he made it the great business and constant employment of his life: He went about doing good; that is, seeking out all opportunities of being useful and beneficial to mankind.

Observe, 5. The evidence and testimony which the apostle produces for all that he affirmed concerning Christ; We are witnesses of all things which he did in the land of Judea and in Jerusalem.

Christ took the twelve apostles as if it were into his family, that by their familiar converse, and constant conversation with him, they might be enabled to testify of him:

1. Touching his death, that he was slain and hanged on a tree; dying an ignominious and shameful, as well as a dolorous and painful death.

2. Concerning his resurrection, that God raised him from the dead: though he was laid, he was not lost in the dust; God would not suffer the Beloved of his soul to rot in a grave, but raised him up, and shewed him openly.

And, 3. As to the final judgment, the apostles were commanded to preach and testify to the people, that Jesus Christ was ordained of God to be the Judge both of quick and dead; that is, of all that are in their graves, and of all that shall be found alive at his coming.