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…

23 And when by voices they had ordained them Elders through all Churches, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And passing over through Pisidia, they came to Pamphilia. 25 And when they had spoken the word at Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 And thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they were commended to the grace of God, unto the work which they had fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, when the Church was gathered together, they showed what great things God had done by them, and that he had opened to the Gentiles the door of faith. 28 And they were there no small time with the disciples.

23 And when by voices they had ordained them Elders through all Churches, hauing prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lorde in whom they had beleeued. 24 And passing ouer through Pisidia, they came to Pamphilia. 25 And when they had spoken the worde at Perga, they went downe to Attalia. 26 And thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they were commended to the grace of God, vnto the worke which they had fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, when the Church was gathered togither, they shewed what great things God had done by them, and that he had opened to the Gentiles the doore of faith. 28 And they were there no small time with the disciples.

23 When they had ordained Elders. By this it appeareth sufficiently, that it is not enough if men have bin once taught the doctrine of godliness, and to have the sum of faith, unless they go forward continually. Therefore Christ did not only send his Apostles to preach the gospel, but he commanded also that there should be Pastors appointed that the preaching of the Gospel might be perpetual and in daily use. Paul and Barnabas do mark that this order was set down by Christ, when they assigned Pastors to every Church, least after their departure doctrine should cease and be whisht. Furthermore this place teacheth that the Church cannot want an ordinary ministry: neither can ⟨p. 346⟩any be counted christians before God, but those who during their whole life are willing to learn. I take it that those are called Elders in this place, who had the office of teaching enjoined them. For it appeareth by Paul that some were only Censors of manners and such as had authority to punish enormities. Now forasmuch as Luke saith, that they were set over every Church,