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…

25 And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. And it happened that they lived a whole year in the church, & did teach a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first called christians.

25 And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seeke Saul. 26 And when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. And it hapned that they liued a whole yeere in the church, & did teach a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first called christians.

25 Barnabas his simplicity is commended to us now the second time, that whereas he might have borne the chiefest swing at Antioch yet went he into Cilicia, that he might fetch Paul thence, who he knew should be preferred before him. Therefore we see how, forgetting himself he respecteth nothing, but that Christ may be chief, how he setteth before his eyes the edifying of the church alone, how he is content with the prosperous success of the Gospel. Therefore Barnabas is no whit afraid least Paul do any whit debase him by his coming, so he glorify Christ.

25 Barnabas his simplicitie is commended to vs nowe the seconde time, that whereas he might haue borne the chiefest swinge at Antioch yet went he into Cilicia, that he might fet Paull thence, who hee knewe should be preferred before him. Therfore we see how, forgetting himselfe he respecteth nothing, but that Christ may be chiefe, how hee setteth before his eyes the edifying of the church alone, how he is content with the prosperous successe of the Gospel. Therefore Barnabas is no whit afraid least Paul doe any whit debase him by his comming, so hee glorifie Christ.

26 He addeth afterward, that such a holy concord was blessed from heaven: for this was no small honour, that the holy name of christians began there for all the whole world. Though the Apostles had been long time at Jerusalem, yet god had not vouchsafed to bestow upon his church which was there, this excellent title of his son: whether it were because at Antioch much people was grown together into one body, as well of Jews, as of Gentiles: or whether it were because the church might be better ordered in time of peace: or because they were more bold to confess their faith. There were in very deed christians both at Jerusalem and also in Samaria before that time: and we know that Jerusalem was the first fountain from which christianity did flow. And what is it else to be a disciple of Christ, but to be a christian? But when they began plainly to be called that which they were, the use of the name served greatly to set forth the glory of Christ, because by this means they referred all their religion unto Christ alone. This was therefore a most excellent worship for the city of Antioch, that Christ brought forth his name thence like a standard, whereby it might be made known to all the world that there was some people whose Captain was Christ, and which did glory in his name. But and if Rome had such a colour of pride, who were able to suffer the proud boastings of the Pope and his adherents? They would then not without cause thunder out, that Rome is the mother and head of all churches: but it is well, that seeing they challenge to themselves whatsoever, when they come to the matter, they are found altogether vain, yea Antioch it self doth plainly prove, that the estate of one place is not continual, Admit we grant the Romans these plausible titles. We have been sometimes: shall they yet be so bold as to take one half of that which belongeth to Antioch? And is the dignity of Antioch the greater now, because the Christians had their name thence? Yea it is rather a manifest mirror of the horrible vengeance of God. For seeing there is nothing to be seen there but evil favoured wastinesse, it remaineth that we learn to humble our selves under the mighty hand of God, and that we know, that unthankful