John Calvin Commentary Acts 17:2

"and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures," — Acts 17:2 (ASV)

He disputed. Luke first sets down the substance of the disputation—namely, that Jesus, the son of Mary, is Christ, who was promised previously in the Law and the Prophets, who, by the sacrifice of his death, made satisfaction for the sins of the world and brought righteousness and life by his resurrection; and secondly, how he proved what he taught.

Let us handle this second point first. Luke says that he disputed from the Scriptures; therefore, the proofs of faith must be derived from the mouth of God alone.

If we dispute about matters that concern humans, then let human reasons take their place; but in the doctrine of faith, the authority of God alone must reign, and on it we must depend.

All people confess this to be true: that we must rely on God alone; yet there are but a few who hear Him speak in the Scriptures.

But if that maxim is accepted among us—that Scripture comes from God—then the rule for either teaching or learning ought to be taken from nowhere else.

By this it also appears with what devilish fury the Papists are driven when they deny that any certainty can be gathered from the Scriptures; and, therefore, they hold that we must abide by the decrees of men. For I demand of them whether Paul observed a correct order in disputing or not? At least, let them blush for shame that the Word of the Lord was more revered in an unbelieving nation than it is today among them.

The Jews admit Paul and tolerate him when he disputes from the Scriptures. The Pope and all his followers, however, consider it a mere mockery when Scripture is cited, as if God spoke doubtfully there and mocked people with vain tricks.

Furthermore, there is today much more light in the Scriptures, and the truth of God shines there more clearly than in the Law and the Prophets. For in the Gospel, Christ, who is the Sun of Righteousness, sheds His rays upon us with perfect brightness.

For this reason, the blasphemy of the Papists is all the more intolerable while they would make the Word of God still uncertain. But let us understand that, as faith can be grounded nowhere else but in the Word of the Lord, so we must rely solely on its testimony in all controversies.