John Calvin Commentary Acts 10:37

"that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;" — Acts 10:37 (ASV)

You know how the word. This sermon of Peter consists mainly of two parts: in the first, he recounts a history; secondly, he proceeds to the fruit of the history.

For since the coming of Christ into the world, His death, and resurrection are the matter of our salvation, Christ can only be set before us for salvation if we first know that He put on our flesh, that He lived among men in such a way, that He proved Himself by certain testimonies to be the Son of God, and that He was finally nailed to the cross and raised from the dead by the power of God.

Again, so that the knowledge of the history may not be unprofitable and cold, we must also show the purpose for which He came down from His heavenly glory into the world, why He suffered such a death, so reproachful among men and accursed by the mouth of God. The cause of His resurrection must also be shown, from which the effect and fruit of all these things are gathered:

• That Christ was humbled so that He might restore us to perfect blessedness, we who were completely lost;
• And also that He put on brotherly love together with our flesh;
• That by taking upon Himself our infirmities, He relieved us of them;
• That He made satisfaction for our sins by the sacrifice of His death, so that He might purchase the Father’s favor for us;
• That after He had gained the victory over death, He purchased eternal life for us;
• That He opened heaven for us by His entrance into it;
• That all the power of the Spirit was poured out upon Him, so that He might enrich us with His abundance (Isaiah 61:1).

This order of teaching Peter observes when he begins with the history of the gospel, and afterward shows what we have through Christ’s descent to earth, His death, and His resurrection.

First, he says that Jesus of Nazareth appeared publicly after John’s baptism. For John was appointed for this purpose by the counsel of God, so that he might direct the minds of the people to wait for Christ; therefore, it was not fitting that this point should be omitted.

He was considered an excellent prophet of God; therefore, his authority was of great importance for Christ to be believed, especially among the ignorant and those who were only novices. We must note the phrase that John preached baptism. For Luke indeed includes under the word baptism the entire ministry of John; nevertheless, he shows that it was not a silent sign and devoid of doctrine.

And certainly, this is the chief thing in all sacraments: that the Word of God may appear engraved in them, and that its clear voice may sound. For this reason, that wicked profanation which is seen in Papistry is all the more to be detested because, by burying preaching, they only charm the sacraments with magical enchantment.