A

PRACTICAL EXPOSITION

OF THE

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES,

IN THE FORM OF

LECTURES,

INTENDED TO ASSIST THE PRACTICE OF DOMESTIC

INSTRUCTION AND DEVOTION.

BY JOHN BIRD SUMNER, D.D.

LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER.

LONDON:

J. HATCHARD AND SON, 187, PICCADILLY.

1838.

927.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY IBOTSON AND PALMER,

SAVOY STREET.

CONTENTS.

LECTURE 1.-i. 1-ll.

Introduction. Ascension of Jesus.

Page 1

LECTURE II.-i. 12--26.

Assembly of the Apostles. Matthias chosen in the room of

Judas. Death of Judas.

6

LECTURE III. ii. 1—21.

Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles. Peter's explana-

tion of the gift of tongues.

11

LECTURE IV.-ii. 22—36.

Peter proclaims to the assembly the resurrection of Jesus, as

proving him both Lord and Christ.

17

LECTURE V.Mi, 37-40.

Peter exhorts the assembly to repent, and be baptized in the

name of Jesus for the remission of sins.

22

LECTURE VI.-ii. 41-47.

Three thousand are baptized, and become a community of be-

lievers in Christ Jesus.

27
LECTURE VII.-iii. 1-16.

Peter heals a cripple, and explains to the people the source of

his miraculous power.

32

LECTURE VIII.-iji. 17–26.

Peter exhorts the people to repentance and faith in Jesus.

37

LECTURE IX.-iv. 1-12.

Peter and John are apprehended and examined, and preach

salvation through Christ Jesus to the chief priests and

elders.

42

LECTURE X.-iv. 13-22.

The Apostles are forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus, but

refuse to obey.

47

LECTURE XI.-iv. 23--37. :

The Apostles, threatened by the rulers, appeal to God in

prayer. Union of interest among the believers.

51

V.

LECTURE XII. Ill.

Deceit and death of Ananias and Sapphira

56

LECTURE XIII.-v. 12–32.

The Apostles are imprisoned, and miraculously set at liberty.

Their resolute answer to the council.

62

LECTURE XIV.--v. 33–42.

Gamaliel's advice to the council. Its reasonableness

67

LECTURE XV.-vi. 1-6.

Difficulty arising out of the common fund from which the bre-

thren were supported. Seven appointed to administer it 72

LECTURE XVI.-vi. 7-15.

Increase of the Church. Stephen is accused of speaking against

the law of Moses.

78
LECTURE XVII.-vii. 1-16.

Stephen's defence. Early history of the Jewish people: especially

Abraham and Joseph

83

LECTURE XVIII.-vii. 17-36.

Continuation of Stephen's discourse. Moses, like Jesus, re-

jected by his countrymen.

89

LECTURE XIX.vii. 37-53.

Stephen's discourse continued. Opposition of the people to

Moses, as afterwards to Jesus.

93

LECTURE XX.-vii. 54-60.

Death of Stephèn. His spirit and that of his enemies com-

pared.

98

LECTURE XXI.-viii. 1-4.

The disciples, driven from Jerusalem, publish the Gospel else-

where.

103

LECTURE XXII.-viii. 5-25.

The Gospel has success in Samaria. Simon the magician re-

buked by Peter.

108

LECTURE XXIII.-yiii. 26-40.

Philip explains the Gospel to a proselyte from Ethiopia, who is

baptized.

113

LECTURE XXIV.-ix. 149.

Saul, journeying to Damascus, is arrested by a vision from

heaven.

118

LECTURE XXV.-ix. 10–22.

Ananias is directed to seek out Saul, who is baptized, and be-

comes a preacher of the gospel.

124

LECTURE XXVI.-ix. 23–31.

Saul, in danger from the Jews, is sent to Tarsus.

The churches

129