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…

39 And we be witnesses. That he may make his words to be believed, he saith that he and his fellows in office saw with their eyes all those things which they spake concerning Christ. Shortly after he taketh the word witness in another sense: when he saith, that they were appointed witnesses by God, and that they are brought forth as it were by God, that they might by their preaching bring men unto the faith of Christ. So Paul in the fifteenth of the first to the Corinthians saith: we, sayeth he should be found false witnesses, unless Christ were risen from the dead. And we have already heard by the mouth of Christ, ye shall be my witnesses in Judea, Samaria and at Jerusalem. And now Peter calleth himself only an historical witness, because he beheld the things which were done. And here he toucheth his death briefly, because it was openly known: he standeth longer upon his resurrection, which was more doubtful, and the knowledge whereof was more available unto faith.

39 And we be witnesses. That he may make his words to be beleeued, he saith that hee and his fellowes in office sawe with their eyes all those things which they spake concerning Christ. Shortly after he taketh the word witnesse in another sense: when he saith, that they were appointed witnesses by God, and that they are brought foorth as it were by God, that they might by their preaching bring men vnto the faith of Christ. So Paule in the fifteenth of the first to the Corinthians saith: we, saieth hee shoulde bee founde false witnesses, vnlesse Christ were risen from the deade. And wee haue alreadie heard by the mouth of Christ, yee shall be my witnesses in Iudea, Samaria and at Ierusalem. And now Peter calleth himselfe onely an historicall witnesse, because he beheld the things which were done. And here he toucheth his death briefely, because it was openly knowne: he standeth longer vpon his resurrection, which was more doubtful, and the knowledge whereof was more auaileable vnto faith.

41 If any man demand here, Why God did not show his son openly to all men after his resurrection: I answer, Although there could no reason be showed, yet ought the counsel of God alone to suffice sober and modest men, that they may assure themselves without all doubt that that is best which God hath thought meet. And yet assuredly God used this moderation to a good end. For the certainty of the resurrection was proved by many and firm testimonies, and this was profitable to exercise the faith of the godly, to believe the Gospel rather than their eyes. As touching the wicked and professed enemies of Christ, seeing that being so often convict they would never yield to God, they were unworthy to have Christ to admit them to behold the glory of his resurrection. Though even they were sufficiently convict with the report of the soldiers, whom they had hired to keep the sepulchre: that I may omit other reasons which we may fetch out of the Harmony. Therefore let us assure our selves of this, that the holy Apostles were chosen by the holy decree of God, that by their testimony the trueth of Christ his resurrection might stand. Whosoever is not content with this approbation, let him take away and overthrow if he can, that inviolable decree of God, which Peter commendeth to us in this place. And as for us if we covet to have God the sure author of our faith, let us learn to be content with the witnesses, whom in due time he hath brought forth as it were by his hand, being ordained by him before the world was made.