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…

37 Ye know how the word. This sermon of Peter consisteth upon two members principally: for in the former he reciteth an history: secondly he descendeth unto the fruit of the history. For seeing that the coming of Christ into the world, his death and resurrection, are the matter of our salvation, Christ cannot otherwise be set before us to salvation, than if we first know that he hath put on our flesh, that he was in such sort conversant amongst men, that he proved himself by certain testimonies to be the son of God: that he was at length nailed upon the cross, and raised up from the dead by the power of God. Again least the knowledge of the history be unprofitable and cold, we must also show the end, why he came down from his heavenly glory into the world, why he suffered such a death so reproachful amongst men, and accursed by the mouth of God. The cause of his resurrection must be showed, whence the effect and fruit of all these things is gathered: to wit, that Christ was humbled, that he might restore us unto perfect blessedness, who were quite lost:¹ and also that he put on brotherly love together with our flesh: that by taking upon him our infirmities, he unburdened us thereof: that he made satisfaction for our sins by the sacrifice of his death that he might purchase the fathers favour for us: that when as he had gotten the victory of death, he purchased for us eternal life: that he set heaven open for us by his entrance into the same: that all the power of the Spirit was poured out upon him, that he might enrich us with his abundance. This order of teaching doth Peter observe, when he beginneth with the history of the gospel: and afterward showeth, what we have by Christ his descending into the earth, by his death and resurrection. First he saith, that Jesus of Nazareth came abroad after John his Baptism. For because John was appointed to this end, by the counsel of God, that he might lift up the minds of the people to wait for Christ, it was not meet that this point should be omitted. He was counted an excellent Prophet of God: therefore his authority was of great importance to make Christ to be believed, especially amongst the ignorant and those which were but novices. We must note the phrase, that John preached Baptism. For Luke comprehendeth in deed, under the word Baptism, all the whole ministry of John:

37 Ye know howe the word. This sermon of Peter consisteth vppon two members principally: for in the former he reciteth an historie: secondly he discendeth vnto the fruit of the historie. For seing that the comming of Christ into the world, his death and resurrection, are the matter of our saluation, Christ cannot otherwise be set before vs to saluation, than if we first know that hee hath put on our flesh, that hee was in such sort conuersant amongst men, that he proued himselfe by certaine testimonies to be the son of God: that he was at length nailed vpon the crosse, and raised vp from the deade by the power of God. Againe least the knowledge of the historie be vnprofitable and colde, we must also shewe the end, why he came downe from his heauenly glorie into the worlde, why he suffered such a death so reprochfull amongst men, and accursed by the mouth of God. The cause of his resurrection must bee shewed, whence the effect and fruite of all these things is gathered: to wit, that Christ was humbled, that he might restore vs vnto perfite blessednesse, who were quite lost: