Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10, verses 25-26, 34-35, 44-48
15 is taught not to despise the Gentiles, 34 As he preacheth Christ to Cornelius and his company, 44 the holy Ghost falleth on them, and they are baptized1 John, Chapter 4, verses 7-10
7 and by many reasons exhorteth to brotherly love4
4:7 Let us love one another - From the doctrine he has just been defending he draws this exhortation. It is by the Spirit that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. Every one that truly loveth God and his neighbour is born of God.
4:8 God is love - This little sentence brought St. John more sweetness, even in the time he was writing it, than the whole world can bring. God is often styled holy, righteous, wise; but not holiness, righteousness, or wisdom in the abstract, as he is said to be love; intimating that this is his darling, his reigning attribute, the attribute that sheds an amiable glory on all his other perfections.
John, Chapter 15, verses 9-17
1 The consolation and mutual love between Christ and his members, under the parable of the vine15
15:9 Abide ye in my love - Keep your place in my affection. See that ye do not forfeit that invaluable blessing. How needless a caution, if it were impossible for them not to abide therein?
15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love - On these terms, and no other, ye shall remain the objects of my special affection.
15:11 That my joy might remain in you - The same joy which I feel in loving the Father, and keeping his commandments.
15:12 Your joy will be full, if ye so love one another.
15:13 Greater love - To his friends. He here speaks of them only.
15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you - On this condition, not otherwise. A thunderbolt for Antinomianism!Who then dares assert that God's love does not at all depend on man's works?
15:15 All things - Which might be of service to you.
15:16 Ye - My apostles, have not chosen me, but I have chosen you - As clearly appears from the sacred history: and appointed you, that ye may go and bear fruit - I have chosen and appointed you for this end, that ye may go and convert sinners: and that your fruit may remain - That the fruit of your labours may remain to the end of the world; yea, to eternity; that whatsoever ye shall ask - The consequence of your going and bearing fruit will be, that all your prayers will he heard.
10
10:26 I myself also am a man - And not God, who alone ought to be worshipped, Mat 4:10. Have all his pretended successors attended to this?