Versions of Philip Doddridge and Alexander Campbell Compared, Acts 1-3

Philip Doddridge, 1756

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

THE ACTS OF APOSTLES,

WRITTEN BY LUKE.

[PUBLISHED IN ROME A. D. 64.]

LUKE'S PREFACE,
And Recapitulation of the close of his former Narrative.

I. THE former treatise I composed, O Theophilus, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 even to the day in which he was taken up, after he had by the Holy Spirit given charge to the apostles, whom he had chosen. 3 To whom also he presented himself alive after his sufferings, with many evident testimonials; being seen by them for forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And having assembled them together, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, "Which," said he, "you have heard from me. 5 For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit within these few days." 6 They therefore being come together, asked him, saying, "Lord, wilt thou, at this time, restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 But he said to them, "It is not for you to know those times or seasons which the Father hath reserved in his own power. 8 But you shall receive power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth." 9 And having said these things; while they beheld, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were stedfastly looking up to heaven, as he ascended, behold two men in white raiment stood near them, 11 who also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why do ye stand gazing up to heaven? This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in the same manner, as you have beheld him going into heaven." 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is a sabbath-day's journey from Jerusalem.

13 Now when they were entered into the city, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon the zealot, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all unanimously persevered in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

1—THE former narrative I composed, O Theophilus, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and teach, even to the day in which he was taken up, after he had, by the Holy Spirit, given charge to the Apostles, whom he had chosen. To whom also he presented himself alive after his sufferings, by many infallible proofs; being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. And having assembled them together, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard from me. For John, indeed, immersed in water, but you shall be immersed in the Holy Spirit, within a few days. They, therefore, being assembled together, asked him, saying, Lord, wilt thou, at this time, restore the kingdom to Israel? But he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father has reserved to himself. But you shall receive power by the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth. And, having said these things, while they beheld, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were steadfastly looking up to heaven, as he ascended, behold two men in white raiment stood near them; who also said, Galileans, why do you stand gazing up to heaven? This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall also come in the same manner as you have seen him going to heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem, from the Mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.

13.—And when they were come into the city, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alpheus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas brother of James. These all unanimously persevered in prayer, with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

SECTION I.

The Appointment of an Apostle in room of Judas.

15 And in those days Peter rising up in the midst of the disciples, spake, (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty) 16 "Men and brethren, it was necessary this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before, by the mouth of David, with regard to Judas, who became the guide of those that seized Jesus: 17 for he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry: 18 this man therefore purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling down on his face he burst asunder in the middle, and all his bowels were poured out; 19 and it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that that field is called in their language, Aceldama, that is, the field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, "Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man inhabit it:" and "Let another take his office." 21 It is necessary therefore, that of the men, who have conversed with us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus was going in, and coming out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John, even to the day in which he was taken up from us, one of these should be made a witness with us of his resurrection." 23 And they set up two men, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, saying, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, show which of these two thou hast chosen, 25 that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas is fallen by his transgression, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave out their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

15.—AND in these days Peter, rising up in the midst of the disciples, (now the number of persons assembled, was about a hundred and twenty,) said, Brethren, it was necessary that this scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit formerly spoke, by the mouth of David, with respect to Judas, who became the guide of those who apprehended Jesus: (for he was numbered with us, and had obtained a part of this ministry:) this man, therefore, purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling down on his face, he burst asunder in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out: and it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that that field is called, in their language, Aceldama: that is, The Field of Blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, "Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell in it:" and, "Let another take his office." It is necessary, therefore, that one of the men who have continued with us all the time the Lord Jesus was conversant among us, commencing from his immersion by John, until the day of his assumption, should be constituted a witness with us, of his resurrection. And they set up two men, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, saying, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, show which of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of the ministry and apostleship, from which Judas fell by transgression, that he might go to his own place. And they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

SECTION II.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit and Commencement of the Reign of Messiah.

II. AND when the day of Pentecost was completely arrived, they were all with unanimous affection in the same place: 2 and on a sudden there was a sound from heaven, as of a rushing violent wind; and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them divided tongues, as it were of fire; and it rested upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them a power of expressing themselves. 5 Now there were sojourning in Jerusalem pious men, that were Jews from every nation under heaven: 6 and when this report came abroad, the multitude gathered together, and were confounded; for every one heard them speaking in his own dialect. 7 And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans? 8 and how do we every one hear in his own native language? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those that inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Africa, which are about Cyrene, and the sojourners who are Romans, Jews, and proselytes, 11 those of Crete, and Arabians; we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." 12 And they were all in amazement and perplexity, and said one to another, "What can this mean?" 13 But others mocking, said, " Surely these men are filled with sweet wine."

II.—AND when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all unanimously assembled in the same place: and, on a sudden, there was a sound from heaven, as of a rushing violent wind; and it filled all the house, where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, distinctly separated, and it rested upon each of them: and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were sojourning in Jerusalem pious men, Jews from every nation under heaven: and when this report came abroad, the multitude assembled, and were confounded; for every one heard them speaking in his own dialect. And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another, Behold! are not all these that speak Galileans? And how do we every one hear in his own native language:—Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those that inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Africa which are about Cyrene: Roman strangers also, both Jews and proselytes; Cretes, and Arabians; we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God! And they were all in amazement and perplexity, and said one to another, What can this mean? But others mocking, said, Surely these men are filled with sweet wine.

14 But Peter standing up with the eleven, raised his voice, and said to them, "O ye men of Judea, and all you that inhabit Jerusalem! let this be known unto you, and listen to my words: 15 for these men are not drunk, as you suppose; since it is but the third hour of the day: 16 but this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, 17 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Yea in those days I will pour out of my spirit upon my servants, and upon my handmaids; and they shall prophesy: 19 and I will give prodigies in heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and a cloud of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and illustrious day of the Lord come. 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall invoke the name of the Lord shall be saved." 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man recommended to you by God by powerful operations, and wonders, and signs, which God wrought by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know; 23 him you have seized, being given up by the determinate counsel and prescience of God, and by the hands of sinners have fastened to the cross and slain: 24 whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, as it was impossible that he should be held under it. 25 For David saith concerning him, "I have regarded the Lord as always before me; because he is at my right hand, that I might not be moved: 26 for this reason my heart is glad, and my tongue exulteth; moreover too my flesh shall rest in hope 27 that thou wilt not leave my soul in the unseen world, neither wilt thou permit thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made me to know the ways of life, thou wilt make me full of joy with thy countenance." 29 Men and brethren, permit me to speak freely to you concerning the patriarch David; that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is among us unto this day: 30 therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins he would, according to the flesh, raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne; 31 he foreseeing this, spake of the resurrection of the Messiah, that his soul should not be left in the unseen world, nor his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God hath raised up, of which all we are witnesses: 33 being exalted therefore to the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into heaven, but he saith, "The Lord said unto my Lord, 'Sit thou at my right hand, 35 until I make thine enemies thy footstool.' 36 Let therefore all the house of Israel assuredly know, that God hath made this Jesus, whom you crucified, Lord and Messiah."

14.—But Peter standing up with the eleven, raised his voice, and said to them,—Jews, and all you that sojourn in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and attend to my words; for these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is but the third hour of the day: but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out a portion of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Yes, in those days I will pour out my Spirit upon my servants, and upon my handmaids; and they shall prophesy: and I will give prodigies in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and a cloud of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and illustrious day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whoever shall invoke the name of the Lord, shall be saved." Israelites, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man recommended to you by God by powerful operations, and wonders, and signs, which God wrought by him in the midst of you, (as you yourselves also know:) him you have apprehended, being given up by the declared counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by the hands of sinners have crucified and slain: whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death, as it was impossible that he should be held under it. For David says concerning him, "I have regarded the Lord as always before me; because he is at my right hand, that I might not be moved: for this reason my heart is glad, and my tongue exults; moreover too, my flesh shall rest in hope that thou wilt not leave my soul in the unseen world, neither wilt thou permit thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made me to know the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Brethren, permit me to speak freely to you concerning the patriarch David; that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is among us to this day: therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins he would raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne; he, foreseeing this, spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that his soul should not be left in the unseen world, nor his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God has raised up, of which all we are witnesses: being exalted, therefore, to the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has shed forth this, which you see and hear. For David is not ascended into heaven, but he says, "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thy foes thy footstool." Let, therefore, all the house of Israel assuredly know, that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, Lord and Messiah.

37 Now when they heard these things, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter, and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do ?" 38 And Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be each of you baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call." 40 And with many other words he bore his testimony, and exhorted, saying, "Be ye saved from this perverse generation." 41 They therefore, who received his word with readiness, were baptized: and there were added to the disciples that very day about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfast in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer. 43 And fear fell upon every soul; and many miracles and signs were wrought by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were in the same place; and they had all things in common: 45 and they sold their possessions, and effects, and divided them to all, as every one had necessity. 46 And they continued unanimously in the temple every day; and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their refreshment with joy and simplicity of heart; 47 praising God, and having favour among all the people. And the Lord added daily to the church those who were saved.

37.—Now when they heard these things, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Reform, and be each of you immersed in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off; as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted, saying, Save yourselves from this perverse generation. They, therefore, who received his word in readiness, were immersed: and there were added to the disciples that very day about three thousand souls.

42.—And they continued steadfast in the teaching, in the fellowship, in the breaking of the loaf, and in the prayers of the Apostles. Fear also fell upon every soul, and many miracles and signs were wrought by the Apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common. They also sold their possessions and effects, and distributed them to every one according to his necessity. Moreover, they continued unanimously in the temple every day; and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with joy and simplicity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people: and the Lord daily added the saved to the congregation.

SECTION III.

The Cure of a Man lame from his Birth.

III. Now about that time Peter and John went up to the temple, at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man, who had been lame from his mother's womb, was carried, whom they daily laid at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of those that entered into the temple; 3 who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, begged to receive an alms. 4 But Peter, with John, looking stedfastly upon him, said, "Look upon us." 5 And he fixed his eyes upon them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, "Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up, and walk." 7 And taking him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and ancle-bones were strengthened. 8 And leaping up, he stood, and walked about, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking, and praising God; 10 and they knew him, that this was he who had sat at the beautiful gate of the temple for alms; and they were filled with astonishment and ecstasy at that which had befallen him.

11 And while the lame man, who was healed, kept his hold of Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in amazement to the portico called Solomon's. 12 And Peter seeing this, answered the people, "Ye men of Israel, why do ye wonder at this ? or why do ye fix your eyes on us, as if by our own power, or piety, we had made this man to walk ? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his son Jesus, whom you delivered up and renounced him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to release him; 14 but you renounced the holy and righteous One, and desired a murderer might be granted unto you, 15 and killed the prince of Life; whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses: 16 and now by faith in his name, he hath strengthened this man, whom you see, and know: yea his name, and the faith which is in him, hath given him this perfect soundness before you all. 17 And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers; 18 but God hath thus fulfilled those things, which he foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer. 19 Repent, therefore, and turn to God, that so your sins may be blotted out; that seasons of refreshment may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that he may send unto you Jesus Christ, who was before appointed: 21 whom indeed heaven must receive till the times of the regulation of all things, which God hath spoken of by the mouth of all his holy prophets from the beginning of time. 22 For Moses said to the fathers, "Surely a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear, in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you: 23 and it shall come to pass, that every soul who will not hearken to that prophet shall be cut off from among the people." 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel, and those that follow after, as many as spoke have also foretold these days. 25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant, which God constituted with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' 26 To you first, God having raised up his child Jesus, hath sent him to bless you; every one of you turning from your iniquities."

III.—NOW, about that time, Peter and John went up to the temple, at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man, who had been lame from his birth, was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, begged to receive alms. But Peter, with John, looking steadfastly on him, said, Look on us. And he fixed his eyes on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk. And taking him by the right hand, he raised him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones were strengthened. And leaping up, he stood, and walked about, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking, and praising God; and they knew him to be the same person who had sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple, and were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

11.—And while he kept fast hold of Peter and John, all the people ran together to them, exceedingly astonished, in the portico called Solomon's. And Peter seeing this, answered the people, Israelites, why do you wonder at this? or why fix your eyes on us, as if by our own power, or piety, we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus, whom you delivered up and rejected in the presence of Pilate, when he was desirous to release him: but you rejected the Holy and Righteous One, and desired a murderer to be granted to you; and killed the Prince of Life, whom God has raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses; and his name, through faith in his name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know; yes, the faith which is by him, has given him this perfect soundness, in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers; but those things which God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that the Messiah should suffer, he has thus fulfilled. Reform, therefore, and return to God, that so your sins may be blotted out; that seasons of refreshment may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus Christ, who was before designated for you; whom indeed heaven must retain till the times of the accomplishment of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, from the beginning of time. Moses truly said, to the fathers, "A prophet like me shall the Lord your God raise up for you, from among your brethren; him shall you obey in all things, whatever he shall say to you: and it shall come to pass, that every soul who will not obey that prophet, shall be cut off from among the people." Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel, and those that succeeded, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. You are the children of the prophets, and of the institution which God instituted with our fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." To you first, God having raised up his Son, has sent him to bless you; in turning every one of you from your iniquities.