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…

Moreover, there can be no greater injury done to them, then when the honour which is taken from God is given to them: which must needs be when any divine thing is ascribed and given them. Whereas Luke saith, that Paul and Barnabas did rent their garments, it appeareth by other places of scripture, that this rite & custom was used among the men of the East country, so often as they would by external gesture express either great sorrow, or detesting of any thing. When Luke calleth Barnabas an apostle together with Paul, he extendeth the signification of the word farther then unto the chief order which Christ appointed in his Church: like as Paul maketh Andronicus and Junias excellent among the Apostles. But if we should speak properly they were Evangelists and not Apostles: unless peradventure because Barnabas was made Paul his fellow in office, we place them both in like degree of office, so may he be truly called an Apostle.

Moreouer, there can bee no greater iniurie done to them, then when the honor which is taken from God is giuen to them: which must needes be when any diuine thing is ascribed and giuen them. Whereas Luke saith, that Paul and Barnabas did rent their garments, it appeareth by other places of scripture, that this rite & custome was vsed among the men of the East countrie, so often as they would by externall gesture expresse either great sorrow, or detesting of any thing. When Luke calleth Barnabas an apostle together with Paul, he extendeth the signification of the word farther then vnto the chiefe order which Christ appointed in his Church: like as Paul maketh Andronicus and Iunias excellent among the Apostles. But if wee shoulde speake properly they were Euangelistes and not Apostles: vnlesse peraduenture because Barnabas was made Paul his fellowe in office, wee place them both in like degree of office, so may hee be truly called an Apostle.

15 Men why do ye those things. They begin with a reprehension, as the matter did require: that done, they show to what end they were sent. Afterward they preach concerning the only God, and show that he was unknown to the world. Lastly, that they may more strongly pluck out of their hearts the deceits and sleights of the Devil, they teach that this ignorance was without excuse. Therefore the first part of the sermon is a reprehension, wherein the men of Lystra are condemned, for worshipping mortal men preposterously in steed of God. Though the reason which they allege seemeth to be cold. For it were an easy matter to gather thence, that it is not unlawful to worship those who are delivered from humane miseries by death. By this means all the superstitions of the Gentiles should stand untouched which were wont to count none gods but those who were dead. With the same colour also have the Papists coloured their idolatry, who worship rather the dead mens bones, stones and wood, then living men in whose nose thrills is breath. I answer that Paul and Barnabas drew this argument from the matter which was now in hand, We be miserable men: therefore you do falsely and filthily imagine us to be Gods, & worship us as gods. If idolatry be handled generally, this shall be a perpetual reason to condemn it, & shall alone be sufficient enough, that the perfect and whole worship of godliness is due to god alone, & that therefore it is profaned, so soon as it is in any point given to creatures, whether they be angels, or men, or stars.