Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 12, verse 25
24 After his death, the word of God prosperethActs of the Apostles, Chapter 13, verses 1-12
1 Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles, 7 Of Sergius Paulus and Elymas the sorcerer13
13:1 Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod - His foster brother, now freed from the temptations of a court.
13:2 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them - This was not ordaining them. St. Paul was ordained long before, and that not of men, neither by man: it was only inducting him to the province for which our Lord had appointed him from the beginning, and which was now revealed to the prophets and teachers. In consequence of this they fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, a rite which was used not in ordination only, but in blessing, and on many other occasions.
13:3 Then having fasted - Again. Thus they did also, Act 14:23.
13:5 In the synagogues - Using all opportunities that offered.
13:6 Paphos was on the western, Salamis on the eastern part of the island.
13:7 The proconsul - The Roman governor of Cyprus, a prudent man - And therefore not overswayed by Elymas, but desirous to inquire farther.
13:9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul - It is not improbable, that coming now among the Romans, they would naturally adapt his name to their own language, and so called him Paul instead of Saul.Perhaps the family of the proconsul might be the first who addressed to or spoke of him by this name. And from this time, being the apostle of the Gentiles, he himself used the name which was more familiar to them.
13:10 O full of all guile - As a false prophet, and all mischief - As a magician. Thou son of the devil - A title well suited toa magician; and one who not only was himself unrighteous, but laboured to keep others from all goodness. Wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? - Even now thou hast heard the truth of the Gospel.
13:11 And immediately a mist - Or dimness within, and darkness without, fell upon him.
13:12 Being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord - Confirmed by such a miracle.
John, Chapter 8, verses 51-59
33 answereth the Jews that boasted of Abraham, 59 and conveyeth himself from their cruelty8
8:51 If a man keep my word - So will my Father consult my glory.We keep his doctrine by believing, his promises by hoping, his command by obeying. He shall never see death - That is, death eternal. He shall live for ever. Hereby he proves that he was no Samaritan; for the Samaritans in general were Sadducees.
8:54 If I honour myself - Referring to their words, Whom makest thou thyself?
8:56 He saw it - By faith in types, figures, and promises; as particularly in Melchisedec; in the appearance of Jehovah to him in the plains of Mamre, Gen 18:1; and in the promise that in his seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.Possibly he had likewise a peculiar revelation either of Christ's first or second coming.
8:57 Thou art not yet fifty years old - At the most. Perhaps the gravity of our Lord's countenance, together with his afflictions and labours, might make him appear older than he really was.Hast thou seen Abraham - Which they justly supposed must have been, if Abraham had seen him.
8:58 Before Abraham was I AM - Even from everlasting to everlasting.This is a direct answer to the objection of the Jews, and shows how much greater he was than Abraham.
8:59 Then they took up stones - To stone him as a blasphemer; but Jesus concealed himself - Probably by becoming invisible; and so passed on - With the same ease as if none had been there.
12
12:25 Saul returned - To Antioch; taking John, surnamed Mark - The son of Mary, (at whose house the disciples met, to pray for Peter,) who was sister to Barnabas.