On this fresh defcent of the Holy Ghoft, not only the boldness, and the power of working miracles, but the charity, of the difciples is encreased. Thofe of the 5000 who, were laft converted follow the example of the 3000 (after the Holy Acts iv. Ghoft was imparted to 32-34. them), fell their poffeffions, 35. and lay down the price of them at the feet of the apoftles. Among them was Jofes (or Joleph) a Levite of Cyprus, who (either now) or fome time before) was, by the apostles, furnamed Barnabas, fon of confolation (perhaps rather of exhortation, υἱὸς παραλκήσεως), who having land in Cyprus, fold it, and laid the price at the a poftles feet: and thereby, perhaps, became the first in

ftance

But Ananias and Sapphira Acts v. Ikeeping back part of the 10. price of their poffeffion, anc yet delivering it as the whole, are feverely reprimanded by Peter: Ananias firit, who falls down dead; and Sap. phira afterwards, on Peter's foretelling it. An exem plary punishment on the firt: lie made to tempt (or try) the Holy Ghoft in his economy or difpenfation: neceffary to vindicate the ho nour of that difpenfation.

nd of the apoftles, the chief Ver. 13, uinifters of it. After which, 14, 15. though the apostles and bclievers were much magnified by all, yet durft none join themfelves unto them, in or der to partake of the benefit of the community of goods, purely with that view; left they fhould fhare the fate of hofe notorious diffemblers Great numbers are conerted, and ftrange cures vrought by Peter's fhadow.

The high priest, and they Ver. 18that were with him (which 20.

vas the feet of the Sad ucees), being filled with in ignation at thefe extraordi nary cures, and the growing Lumber of converts, proceed] C

fo far as to cast all the apo tles into the common prifon. They are delivered by an angel, and, according to his direction, go into the Temple, and fpeak all the words of this life (or of the doctrine of the refurrection, which had fo enraged the Sadducees, as to occafion their being im prifoned before, A&s iv. 2. as well as now). They speak again boldly to the council, on being brought before them, and reprimanded by them; "and declare them-Ver. 29felves witneffes" of Chritt's 32. death, refurrection, and exaltation; and alfo the "Holy Ghoft, given to all

that obey him :" but yet, on account of the strange power and protection of God, that vifibly attended them, and of their refolution and fuccefs, they are released, by the advice of Gamaliel : the Acts vi. meaning of whofe fpeech 1-6. feems to be this: "That "they fhould not at this "time go about to kill the

apofles and difciples of "Jefus; for that if the kingdom they preached "fhould at last prove a tem"poral kingdom, it would be the bufinefs of the "Romans to contend with "them, and not theirs; that "if the principles they went!

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diftribution of the community of goods to those that lacked among the Helenits (perhaps becaufe al the land that had been hiherto fold for the fund of the poor was land in Paleftine, or very near it, till Barnabas now fells his in Cyprus); and the apofles not being able to manage and duely diftribute this fund without neglecting their more neceffary work feven deacons, at the recommendation of the twelve, are chofen by the multitude, lor "brethren" (who are firft called fo here, verse 3.), whom the apoftles appoint, with prayer, and laying on their hands.

The apoftles having by Acts vi this means more leifure to preach, the number of converts was fill encreafed; many of which were priests. Stephen, the first of the Acts xvi. deacons, and full of zeal,g, 10. having confounded fome of Chap. vii. them who difputed with him, is accufed by them of having faid, that Jefus of Nazareth fhall deftroy this place (Jerufalem), and fhal change the cultoms which Mofes had delivered. To the first of which he feems to make his defence (the Lecond being falfe perhaps,