1 Peter, Chapter 5, verses 1-4
1 He exhorteth the elders to feed their flocksMark, Chapter 16, verses 13-19
12 to two going into the country, 14 then, to the apostles, 15 whom he sendeth forth to preach the gospel, 19 and ascendeth into heaven16
16:13 Neither believed they them - They were moved a little by the testimony of these, added to that of St. Peter, Luk 24:34; but they did not yet fully believe it.
16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature - Our Lord speaks without any limitation or restriction.If therefore every creature in every age hath not heard it, either those who should have preached, or those who should have heard it, or both, made void the counsel of God herein. Mat 28:19.
16:16 And is baptized - In token thereof. Every one that believed was baptized. But he that believeth not - Whether baptized or unbaptized, shall perish everlastingly.
16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe - An eminent author sub - joins, "That believe with that very faith mentioned in the preceding verse." (Though it is certain that a man may work miracles, and not have saving faith, Mat 7:22-23.) "It was not one faith by which St. Paul was saved, another bywhich he wrought miracles. Even at this day in every believer faith has a latent miraculous power; (every effect of prayer being really miraculous;) although in many, both because of their own littleness of faith, and because the world is unworthy, that power is not exerted. Miracles, in the beginning, were helps to faith; now also they are the object of it.At Leonberg, in the memory of our fathers, a cripple that could hardly move with crutches, while the dean was preaching on this very text, was in a moment made whole." Shall follow - The word and faith must go before. In my name - By my authority committed to them. Raising the dead is not mentioned. So our Lord performed even more than he promised.
16:18 If they drink any deadly thing - But not by their own choice.God never calls us to try any such experiments.
16:19 The Lord - How seasonable is he called by this title! After he had spoken to them - For forty days. Luk 24:50.
5
5:1 I who am a fellow - elder - So the first though not the head of the apostles appositely and modestly styles himself.And a witness of the sufferings of Christ - Having seen him suffer, and now suffering for him.
5:2 Feed the flock - Both by doctrine and discipline.Not by constraint - Unwillingly, as a burden. Not for filthy gain - Which, if it be the motive of acting, is filthy beyond expression. O consider this, ye that leave one flock and go to another, merely because there is more gain, a large salary!Is it not astonishing that men can see no harm in this? that it is not only practised, but avowed, all over the nation?
5:3 Neither as lording over the heritage - Behaving in a haughty, domineering manner, as though you had dominion over their conscience. The word translated heritage, is, literally, the portions. There is one flock under the one chief Shepherd; but many portions of this, under many pastors. But being examples to the flock - This procures the most ready and free obedience.