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…

He maketh mention of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to the end he may declare unto the people, that he meaneth nothing less, than to lead them away from the old and ancient worship of the true God, which they had received of the Fathers. Furthermore, God hath given himself this title, that he might dissever and distinguish himself by some mark from Idols. For we do not comprehend God in his essence which cannot be seen, and which is infinite. Therefore he useth such means as agree best with us, to bring us to the knowledge of him. The Turks do boast that they do worship God, which is the Creator of heaven and earth: but before they come at heaven, they vanish away. Therefore to the end God might keep his people from vain and erroneous inventions, he kept them in his covenant. Therefore when he calleth himself the God of Abraham,¹ he did briefly teach that which Moses declareth more at large: Say not, Who shall ascend into heaven? who shall go down into the depth? Or who shall sail over the Seas? The word is nigh, &c. Furthermore, as amongest the Jews the name of the holy Fathers was in high estimation: so Peter doth closely tell them, that they were no better than other men, without the only begotten son of God. And at this day God will be known by a more evident mark yet, when as he calleth himself the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us now return unto Peter. He saith that he bringeth in no new religion, that he may draw away the people from the law and the Prophets. For if he should attempt this, God had forbidden them to hear him.² Deut. 13. Like as Paul teacheth, that we must retain one foundation in the spiritual building: because so soon as we depart even but a little from Christ, there can nothing ensue but ruin. And hereby also we may easily discern in what sense he calleth God the god of the Fathers. For neither doth he take this for a general maxim: that what manner worship soever the fathers had, we must continue the same: as the Papists do foolishly vaunt, that they do follow the manner of worshipping, which was used amongest the fathers. For Peter doth expressly reckon up Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from whom true religion did proceed, and by whom it was divinely delivered, whereby he doeth signify unto us, that we must not follow all fathers:

He maketh mention of the God of Abraham, Isaach, and Iacob, to the ende he may declare vnto the people, that hee meaneth nothing lesse, than to lead them away from the old and auncient worship of the true God, which they had receiued of the Fathers. Furthermore, God hath giuen himselfe this title, that he might disseuer and distinguish himself by some marke from Idols. For wee doe not comprehend God in his essence which cannot be seen, and which is infinite. Therefore hee vseth such meanes as agree best with vs, to bring vs to the knowledge of him. The Turkes doe boast that they do worship God, which is the Creator of heauen and earth: but before they come at heauen, they vanish away. Therefore to the end God might keepe his people from vaine and erronious inuentions, he kept them in his couenant. Therfore when he calleth himselfe the God of Abraham,