The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

Ye shall receive the gift of the Spirit. Because they were touched with wondering, when they saw the Apostles suddenly begin to speak with strange tongues: Peter saith that they shall be partakers of the same gift, if they will pass over unto Christ: Remission of sins, and newness of life were the principal things: and this was as it were an addition, that ⟨p. 74⟩Christ should show forth unto them his power by some visible gift. Neither ought this place to be understood of the grace of sanctification which is given generally to all the Godly. Therefore he promiseth them the gift of the Spirit, whereof they saw a pattern in the diversity of tongues. Therefore this doth not properly appertain unto us. For because Christ meant to set forth the beginning of his kingdom with those miracles, they lasted but for a time: yet because the visible graces which the Lord did distribute to his, did show as it were in a glass that Christ was the giver of the Spirit, therefore that which Peter sayeth, doeth in some respect appertain unto all the whole Church: ye shall receive the gift of the Spirit. For although we do not receive it, that we may speak with tongues:¹ that we may be prophets, that we may cure the sick, that we may work miracles: yet is it given us for a better use, that we may believe with the heart unto righteousness, that our tongues may be framed unto true confession: that we may pass from death to life: that we which are poor and empty, may be made rich: that we may withstand Satan and the world stoutly. Therefore the grace of the Spirit shall always be annexed unto Baptism, unless the let be in our selves.

Yee shall receiue the gift of the Spirit. Because they were touched with wondering, when they saw the Apostles sodainly beginne to speake with strange tongues: Peter saith that they shalbe partakers of the same gift, if they will passe ouer vnto Christ: Remission of sinnes, and newnesse of life were the principall things: and this was as it were an addition, that ⟨p. 74⟩Christ should shew forth vnto them his power by some visible gift. Neither ought this place to bee vnderstoode of the grace of sanctification which is giuen generally to all the Godlie. Therfore he promiseth them the gift of the Spirite, whereof they sawe a paterne in the diuersitie of tongues. Therefore this doth not properly appertaine vnto vs. For because Christ meant to set foorth the beginning of his kingdome with those miracles, they lasted but for a time: yet because the visible graces which the Lord did distribute to his, did shewe as it were in a glasse that Christ was the giuer of the Spirite, therefore that which Peter saieth, doeth in some respect appertaine vnto all the whole Church: yee shall receiue the gift of the Spirit. For although wee doe not receiue it, that we may speak with tongues: