{"author":null,"canonical_references":[],"database_sha256":"8cfbe7284c6936871d57c02dc6aa63ebbdfd4722422d539dd9f716e46e91112e","date_end":null,"date_start":null,"edition_year":null,"id":"sermonindex-ecf-3131","native_reference":{"book_number":510,"chapter_from":4,"chapter_to":4,"system":"MyBible module coordinates (mapping unverified)","verse_from":24,"verse_to":24},"public_import_allowed":false,"record_kind":"verse-keyed-module-record","review_required":["English edition and exact text","author/work attribution","dating","verse mapping and citation kind","reuse and attribution","split author quotations and deduplicate"],"review_status":"unreviewed","source_html":"<p><b>Bede</b>: Lord, you who made the heaven and the earth, etc. Hearing the threats of the persecutors, they ask for the confidence to resist through the signs of virtues.<br/><i>— Commentary on Acts</i></p><p><b>Didymus the Blind</b>: Many of those with heretical views divide the Godhead, saying that the demiurge is one God and the Father of Christ another. From this they go on to divide the Scripture and say that the old covenant is of the demiurge and the new covenant of the Father of Christ. In accordance with their blasphemous view, they say that these gods are in opposition to each other, and their scriptures as well; that those who seek refuge in the Lord are enemies of the demiurge and better people obtain the latter; that people of the demiurge have been accused by Christ and his teaching. The present Scripture passage exposes their impiety by bringing in the apostles. After their release from the plot of the high priests and elders, they went to their friends, that is, to those who shared their faith. Together with them they sent up a hymn of thanks to the Creator of heaven and earth, mentioning that he spoke through the mouth of David (in the Holy Spirit, naturally) what is the second psalm, which begins, \"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?\" After all this it is clear that the demiurge and the Father of the Savior is the same God and that both covenants are given by him.<br/><i>— CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 4.25</i></p><p><b>Irenaeus</b>: The whole Church, it is then said, \"when they had heard that, lifted up the voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is; who, through the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David, Thy servant, hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For of a truth, in this city, against Thy holy Son Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.\" These [are the] voices of the Church from which every Church had its origin; these are the voices of the metropolis of the citizens of the new covenant; these are the voices of the apostles; these are voices of the disciples of the Lord, the truly perfect, who, after the assumption of the Lord, were perfected by the Spirit, and called upon the God who made heaven, and earth, and the sea,-who was announced by the prophets,-and Jesus Christ His Son, whom God anointed, and who knew no other [God]. For at that time and place there was neither Valentinus, nor Marcion, nor the rest of these subverters [of the truth], and their adherents.<br/><i>— Against Heresies Book 3.12.5</i></p><p><b>Irenaeus</b>: These [are the] voices of the Church from which every Church had its origin; these are the voices of the metropolis of the citizens of the new covenant; these are the voices of the apostles; these are voices of the disciples of the Lord, the truly perfect, who, after the assumption of the Lord, were perfected by the Spirit, and called upon the God who made heaven, and earth, and the sea,-who was announced by the prophets,-and Jesus Christ His Son, whom God anointed, and who knew no other [God]. For at that time and place there was neither Valentinus, nor Marcion, nor the rest of these subverters [of the truth], and their adherents.<br/><i>— Against Heresies Book 3.12.5</i></p><p><b>John Chrysostom</b>: \"And when they heard that,\" it is said, \"with one accord they lifted up their voice to God, and said:\" and with great earnestness, for it is no prayer made at random. Observe with what exquisite propriety their prayers are framed: thus, when they besought to be shown who was meet for the Apostleship, they said, \"Thou, Lord, which knowest the heart of all men, show:\" for it was a subject for Prescience there: but here, where the thing needed was that the mouths of their adversaries should be stopped, they speak of lordship; wherefore they begin thus: Lord, \"the God that madest heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.\"<br/><i>— Homily on Acts 11</i></p><p><b>John Chrysostom</b>: That shout proceeded from delight and great emotion. Such indeed are the prayers which do their work, prayers replete with true philosophy, prayers offered up for such objects, by such persons, on such occasions, in such a manner; whereas all others are abominable and profane. \"Lord, Thou the God that madest heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.\" Observe how they say nothing idle, no old wives' talk and fables, but speak of His power. Just as Christ Himself said to the Jews, \"If I by the Spirit of God do cast out devils: behold the Father also speaks by the Spirit.\"<br/><i>— Homily on Acts 11</i></p><p><b>Oecumenius</b>: See how complete is this prayer and how fitting to the occasions of the times. For when they said, \"You, Lord, knower of all hearts,\" (Acts 1:24) there was indeed a need of foreknowledge. But here, since it was necessary to stop the mouths of adversaries, they cry out, \"Lord.\" And, as if demanding the fidelity of a covenant from him, they put forward prophecy; at the same time consoling themselves that their enemies were striving against them without cause and in vain. Consider also their modesty: for they do not desire to tear apart or to destroy, but, they say, \"look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,\" (Acts 4:29) by stretching out your hand, that is, prizing us with your invincible power. For here \"hand\" signifies that. For it wishes to signify invincible power, just as when he says, \"Your hand destroyed the nations.\" (Ps. 44:2) In the earlier words, however, \"Your hand and your counsel had long before decreed.\" (Ps. 38:3) \"Hand\" signifies that all things be ordered by God decently and with reason, since the combination and rational nature alone, which is none other than man, is for the most part accustomed to accomplish by the hand those things which are most useful. [CHRYSOSTOM]<br/><i>— Commentary on Acts</i></p><p><b>Origen of Alexandria</b>: Let us, however, touch briefly on the Acts of the Apostles, where Stephen and the apostles direct their prayers to that God \"who made heaven and earth\" and who \"spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets,\" calling him \"the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,\" the God who led his people out of the land of Egypt. These expressions undoubtedly direct our minds to faith in the Creator and implant an affection for him in those who have piously and faithfully accepted this truth in him.<br/><i>— ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.4.2</i></p>","source_html_sha256":"7d0c11faf74bc484d5c7f810ac9ae93bd9ebf46a7807afc3ddb768fa6aa13e74","source_module":"ECF","source_row_id":3131,"source_url":"https://www.sermonindex.net/commentary/ecf/","text_sha256":"17b77ed6c5ffbdfd78d8125a1de4666a9b0134e5a64ce9596aa15ed2f66885d7","translator":null,"work":null}