Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/32

26 name of the Lord Jesus," (because the doctrine of Christ was the present truth,) yet we have reason to think that, in baptizing them, the whole form Christ prescribed was used in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Note, Those that receive the christian covenant, ought to receive the christian baptism.

4. Hereby there were added to the disciples to the number of about three thousand souls that same day. All those that had received the Holy Ghost, had their tongues at work to preach, and their hands at work to baptize; for it was time to be busy, when such a harvest was to be gathered in. The conversion of these three thousand with these words, was a greater work than the feeding of four or five thousand with a few loaves. Now Israel began to multiply after the death of our Joseph. They are said to be three thousand souls, which word is generally used for persons when women and children are included with men, as Gen. 44. 21. Give me the souls, (Gen. 14. 27.) seventy souls, which intimates that those that were here baptized, were not so many men, but so many heads of families, as with their children and servants baptized, might make up three thousand souls. These were added to them. Note, They who are joined to, Christ, are added to the disciples of Christ, and join with them. When we take God for our God, we must take his people to be our people.

42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46; And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

We often speak of the primitive church, and appeal to it, and to the history of it; in these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it, its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence.

I. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in all instances of piety and devotion, for Christianity, admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appointed us to meet him, and promised to meet us.

1. They were diligent and constant in their attendance upon the preaching of the word. They continued in the apostles' doctrine, and never disowned or deserted it; or, as it may be read, they continued constant to the apostles' teaching or instructions; by baptism they were discipled to be taught, and they were willing to be taught. Note, Those who have given up their names to Christ, must make conscience of hearing his word; for thereby we give honour to him, and build up ourselves in our most holy faith.

2. They kept up the communion of saints. They continued in fellowship, (v. 42.) and continued daily with one accord in the temple, v. 46. They not only had a mutual affection to each other, but a great deal of mutual conversation with each other; they were much together. When they withdrew from the untoward generation, they did not turn hermits, but were very intimate with one another, and took all occasions to meet; wherever you saw one disciple, you should see more, like birds of a feather. See how these christians love one another. They were concerned for one another, sympathized with one another, and heartily espoused one another's interests. They had fellowship with one another in religious worship; they met in the temple; there was their rendezvous; for joint-fellowship with God is the best fellowship we can have with one another, 1 John 1. 3. Observe, (1.) They were daily in the temple, not only on the days of the sabbaths and solemn feasts, but on other days, every day. Worshipping God is to be our daily work, and where there is opportunity, the oftener it is done publicly the better. God loves the gates of Zion, and so must we. (2.) They were with one accord; not only no discord or strife, but a great deal of holy love among them; and they heartily joined in their public services. Though they met with the Jews in the courts of the temple, yet the Christians kept together by themselves, and were unanimous in their separate devotions.

3. They frequently joined in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; they continued in breaking of bread, in celebrating that memorial of their Master's death, as those that were not ashamed to own their relation to, and their dependence upon, Christ and him crucified. They could not forget the death of Christ, yet they kept up this memorial of it, and made it their constant practice, because it was an institution of Christ, to be transmitted to the succeeding ages of the church. They broke bread from house to house; κατ᾽ οἶκον—house by house; they did not think fit to celebrate the eucharist in the temple, for that was peculiar to the christian institutes, and therefore they administered that ordinance in private houses, choosing such houses of the converted christians as were convenient, to which the neighbours resorted: and they went from one to another of these little synagogues or domestic chapels, houses that had churches in them, and there celebrated the eucharist with those that usually met there to worship God.

4. They continued ''in prayer. After'' the Spirit was poured out, as well as before,, while they were waiting for him, they continued instant in prayer; for prayer will never be superseded till it comes to be swallowed up in everlasting praise. Breaking of bread comes in between the word and prayer, for it has reference to both, and is a help to both. The Lord's supper is a sermon to the eye, and a confirmation of God's word to us; and it is an encouragement to our prayers, and a solemn expression of the ascent of our souls to God.

5. They abounded in thanksgiving; were continually praising God, v. 47. That should have a part in every prayer, and not be crowded into a corner. They that have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, will be much in praise.

II. They were loving one to another, and very kind; their charity was as eminent as their piety and their joining together in holy ordinances knit their hearts to each other, and very much endeared them to one another.

1. They had frequent meetings for christian converse; (v. 44.) All that believed, were together; not all those thousands in one place; (that was impracticable;) but, as Dr. Lightfoot explains it, they kept together in several companies or congregations according as their languages, nations, or other references, brought them and kept them together. And thus joining together, because it was apart from those that believed not, and because it was in the