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…

22 Moses truly said unto the fathers: The Lord your God shall raise up a prophet unto you of your brethren: him shall ye hear according to all things which ⟨p. 79⟩he shall speak unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass that every soul which shall not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed of the people. 24 And all the prophets from Samuel, & thenceforth as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold these days.

22 Moses truly said vnto the fathers: The Lord your God shall raise vp a prophet vnto you of your brethren: him shall ye heare according to al things which ⟨p. 79⟩hee shall speake vnto you. 23 And it shall come to passe that euerie soule which shall not heare that prophet, shalbe destroyed of the people. 24 And al the prophets from Samuel, & thencefoorth as many as haue spoken, haue likewise foretolde these dayes.

22 By this argument he proveth, that he goeth not about to cause them to revolt from Moses, because it is a part of the law to take heed to and obey this chief teacher. Here might a doubt arise, why Peter thought it more convenient to cite this testimony of Moses than others, seeing there were many other in readiness far more plain: but he did this for this cause, because he entreateth in this place of the authority of doctrine. And this was the best way to bring the Jews to be Christ his disciples. For he should have preached in vain of all other things, unless they had been persuaded, that his doctrine was reverently to be received. This is therefore the thing which Peter aimeth at, to bring them to hear Christ willingly, as the master whom God hath appointed to teach them. But here ariseth a question which hath in it great difficulty: too wit, in that Peter applieth that unto the person of Christ, which Moses spake generally of the prophets. For although he make mention of a prophet in the singular number, yet the text doth plainly declare, that he speaketh not of one alone: but that this word is put indefinitely. For after that Moses had forbidden the people to give them selves unto the superstitions of the Gentiles, by turning aside unto enchanters & soothsayers, he showeth them therewithal a remedy, whereby they may avoid all vanity: to wit, if they depend wholly upon the word of God alone. By this means he promiseth that God will be careful at all times to send them prophets, that they may teach them aright. As if he should say, God will never suffer you to be destitute of prophets, of whom you may learn whatsoever shall be profitable for you to know. And Moses saith expressly, of thy brethren, to the end the Jews may know that the oracles of God are to be sought and fet no where else, seeing that God had appointed unto them teachers of the kindred of Abraham. He addeth further, like unto me: that they may know that they were not to hear God only at one time, or by the mouth of one man: but as God proceedeth to teach us by divers ministers, throughout the continual course of times, so must we hold on in the obedience of the word. Now the Jews were wont to reverence Moses: therefore he will have them to give like honour to the prophets. I know that many would fain restrain it unto Christ.