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 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.

22 By this argument he proueth, that hee goeth not about to cause them to reuolt from Moses, because it is a part of the law to take heed to and obey this chief teacher. Here might a dout arise, why Peter thought it more conuenient to cite this testimonie of Moses than others, seeing there were many other in readinesse far more plain: but he did this for this cause, because hee intreateth in this place of the authoritie of doctrine. And this was the best way to bring the Iewes to be Christ his disciples. For he should haue preached in vaine of all other things, vnlesse they had been perswaded, that his doctrine was reuerently to be receiued. This is therfore the thing which Peter aimeth at, to bring them to heare Christ willinglie, as the master whō God hath appointed to teach them. But here ariseth a question which hath in it great difficultie: too wit, in that Peter applieth that vnto the person of Christ, which Moses spake generally of the prophets. For althogh he make mention of a prophet in the singular number, yet the text doth plainley declare, that he speaketh not of one alone: but that this worde is put indefinitely. For after that Moses had forbiddē the people to giue them selues vnto the superstitions of the Gentiles, by turning aside vnto enchaunters & soothsayers, he sheweth them therwithall a remedie, whereby they may auoid all vanitie: to wit, if they depend wholie vpon the word of God alone. By this meanes he promiseth that God will be carefull at all times to sende them prophets, that they may teach thē aright. As if he should say, God will neuer suffer you to be destitute of prophets, of whom you may learn whatsoeuer shalbe profitable for you to know. And Moses saith expresly, of thy brethren, to the end the Iewes may know that the oracles of God are to bee sought and fet no where els, seeing that God had appointed vnto them teachers of the kinred of Abraham. Hee addeth further, like vnto me: that they may know that they were not to heare God onely at one time, or by the mouth of one man: but as God proceedeth to teache vs by diuers ministers, throughout the cōtinuall course of times, so must we hold on in the obedience of the word. Nowe the Iewes were wont to reuerence Moses: therefore he will haue them to giue like honour to the prophets. I know that many would faine restraine it vnto Christe.