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…

For Christ doth both find us the enemies of God at the first, and also there are always vices remaining in us, which cause disagreement between him & us: so that he may justly be offended with us, rather than merciful unto us. And therein doeth our righteousness consist, if God do not impute our sins unto us. Therefore this latter grace must never be separated from the former. Yea rather the Gospel shall be lame and corrupt, unless it consist upon these two members, that is, unless men be taught, that they are reconciled to God by Christ, by the free imputation of righteousness, and that they are fashioned again unto newness of life by the Spirit of regeneration. So that we understand briefly how we must obtain salvation in Christ.

For Christe doth both finde vs the enemies of God at the first, and also there are alwayes vices remaining in vs, which cause disagreement between him & vs: so that he may iustly be offended with vs, rather than mercifull vnto vs. And therein doeth our righteousnesse consist, if God doe not impute our sinnes vnto vs. Therefore this latter grace must neuer bee separated from the former. Yea rather the Gospell shall be lame and corrupt, vnlesse it consist vpon these two members, that is, vnlesse men bee taught, that they are reconciled to God by Christe, by the free imputation of righteousnesse, and that they are fashioned againe vnto newnesse of life by the Spirit of regeneration. So that wee vnderstand briefly howe wee must obtaine saluation in Christ.

32 And we are his witnesses. After that they have declared that their doctrine came from god, they descend now unto the other part: that they speak as they were commanded by god, least they seem to attempt any thing unadvisedly. For this also was a necessary defence: as it is for all the ministers of the Gospel: to wit, that they make this openly known to all men, that they teach nothing but that which they have received of God. Secondly, that they are called hereunto, so that they cannot avoid the necessity of teaching unless they will resist God. Luke putteth words in this place in stead of things, according to the Hebrew phrase. Although if any man had rather understand it of the speech it self, I do not deny but that it may be so. The sum is, seeing they are brought forth by God to be witnesses, they may not give back, but they must publish that which he hath commanded.