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…

Luke setteth forth again the increasing of the Church, to the end he may the better declare the power of God and his grace in the continual going forward thereof. This was an excellent work of God that the church should suddenly, and as it were in a moment be raised up: but this ⟨p. 131⟩is worthy no less admiration, in that he furthereth that work which he had begun amidst so many lets, in that the number of those is increased, whom to diminish, and so consequently to destroy the whole stock, the world doeth so greatly labour. In that he sayeth that the word of God did grow: his meaning is, that it was spread further abroad. The word of God is said to grow two manner of ways, either when new disciples are brought to obey the same, or as every one of us profiteth and goeth forward therein. Luke speaketh in this place of the former sort of increasing, for he expoundeth himself by and by, when he speaketh of the number of the disciples. Notwithstanding he restraineth this so great an increasing of faith, unto one City. For although it be to be thought, that the disciples were scattered abroad elsewhere, yet was there no certain body save only at Jerusalem.

Luke setteth forth againe the encreasing of the Church, to the ende he may the better declare the power of God and his grace in the continual going forward thereof. This was an excellent work of God that the church should sodainly, and as it were in a moment be raised vp: but this ⟨p. 131⟩is worthy no lesse admiration, in that he furthereth that work which he had begun amidst so many lets, in that the number of those is encreased, whom to diminish, and so consequently to destroy the whole stocke, the world doeth so greatly labour. In that he saieth that the worde of God did grow: his meaning is, that it was spread further abroade. The worde of God is saide to grow two manner of wayes, either when newe disciples are brought to obey the same, or as euery one of vs profiteth and goeth forwarde therein. Luke speaketh in this place of the former sort of encreasing, for hee expoundeth himselfe by and by, when hee speaketh of the number of the disciples. Notwithstanding hee restreineth this so great an encreasing of faith, vnto one Cittie. For although it bee to bee thought, that the disciples were scattered abroad elsewhere, yet was there no certaine bodie saue onely at Ierusalem.