John Calvin Commentary Acts 5:32

"And we are witnesses of these things; and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him." — Acts 5:32 (ASV)

And we are His witnesses. After they have declared that their doctrine came from God, they now turn to the other part: that they speak as they were commanded by God, lest they seem to attempt anything rashly.

For this was also a necessary defense, as it is for all ministers of the gospel—namely, that they make it openly known to everyone that they teach nothing but what they have received from God. Secondly, that they are called to this, so that they cannot avoid the necessity of teaching, unless they wish to resist God.

Luke puts words in this place, instead of things, according to the Hebrew phrase. Although if anyone prefers to understand it of the speech itself, I do not deny that it may be so.

The sum is, since they are brought forth by God to be witnesses, they must not retreat, but they must publish the things which He has commanded.

And also the Spirit. They confirm their calling by the effect, for this was a seal to approve their doctrine, since God gave the Holy Spirit to those who believed. Since it was clearly evident from this that He approved the faith of the gospel, it was also acceptable to Him.

When they say, to those who obey Him, I refer it to Christ, as if they meant to say that those who believe in Christ are plentifully rewarded for their obedience. Therefore, God wills that Christ be obeyed. For this reason, even our ministry pleases Him in this.

Yet a question may be raised here: Since we have faith by the revelation of the Spirit, how is it said in this place that the Spirit is given after faith? I answer that the gifts of tongues, prophecy, interpretation, healing, and the like are spoken of in this place, with which God beautified His Church. As Paul says, when he asks the Galatians whether they received the Spirit by the law or by the hearing of faith (Galatians 3:2).

Therefore, the illumination of the Spirit precedes faith because it is its cause; but other graces follow afterward, so that we may go forward, according to the saying, To him that hath shall be given (Matthew 13:12). And if we wish to be enriched from time to time with new gifts of the Spirit, let us hold out to God the lap of faith.

But the reward with which our lack of faith is rewarded today is very different; for, being for the most part destitute of the Spirit of God, one neither sees nor understands anything.