1 Commentary

1.1 Acts 10:44-48

Acts 10:44 the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word – God sometimes
reverses the order of gifts. This happened in this specific case. The Spirit
was given before baptism. Generally, the church has taught that this is the
exception and not the rule because we believe that baptism also bestows the
Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:45 The circumcised believers – More than likely, this group is composed
of God fearing Greeks along with others who have followed the command-
ments and been circumcised as a requirement of being a follower of Jesus.

Acts 10:46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. – For the
group, these are the signs that the Spirit is present. Most of the mainline
denominations have moved away from this definition.

Acts 10:47 Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing – While Peter asked this
rhetorical question to the group and answered it in the affirmative, we need
to ask ourselves if this rule applies at all times for if it does, notice what
happens next. Peter orders (προστάσσω – to bid) them to be baptized.

Acts 10:48 So he ordered them to be baptized – Peter commands that all who
received the Spirit be baptized.

1.2 Psalm 98
The psalmist tells the assembly to sing out praises because the L ORD’s work is
amazing. By Himself, He has won the battle and the war. All of Israel and the
entire world has seen His love and faithfulness. Grab all of the instruments, tell
the environment to respond, command the population to join in because the world
is being fairly judged by the L ORD.

Psalm 98:1 O sing to the L ORD a new song, for he has done marvellous things. –
Because the L ORD is continually creating, our songs of praise should match
this work of the L ORD.

Psalm 98:2 The L ORD has made known his victory – The works of the L ORD are
visible to the world and its leaders.

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Psalm 98:3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house
of Israel. – The L ORD is keeps His promises.
Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the L ORD – This line just like the first calls
the people to praise the L ORD.
Psalm 98:5
Psalm 98:6
Psalm 98:7 Let the sea roar – Now the psalmist calls on creation itself to praise
the L ORD.
Psalm 98:8
Psalm 98:9 for he is coming to judge the earth – The is a Word of comfort
and fear. Those who know the L ORD realize that He cannot tolerate our
continual disobedience. But these same individuals also trust that the L ORD
is good. Those who do not have this same understanding will fear the day
of judgement.

1.3 1 John 5:1-6

1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God,
and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. – The author of this
passage is setting up two preconditions to the arguments that he is making.
First, those individuals who follow Jesus have the belief that Jesus is God’s
Son. The next argument is from natural law. Those people who have respect
for parents also share that feeling about the parent’s children. There is also
an unspoken third proposition. All followers are children of God.
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God – One logical
conclusion from the previous verse is that all Christians love one another.
obey his commandments – While argument does not follow from 1 John 5:1,
it also comes from the use of natural law. Children obey their parents and it
is good. The same line of reasoning is also applied to the state and here it is
used with God.
1 John 5:3 – his commandments are not burdensome – It appears that this is a
Jewish understanding of the law. It also could arise from the use of natural
law because too harsh laws cause unrest and rebellion.

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 1 John 5:4 whatever is born of God conquers the world. – This ultimately is life
from death.

1 John 5:5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus
is the Son of God? – Since only Jesus has been raised from the dead, no one
else can use the language of conquest.

1 John 5:6 came by water and blood – In other words, this man was truly born
of woman.
And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. – The Spirit,
which only tells what is true, informs us of this fact.

1.4 John 15:9-17

John 15:9 As – Another possibly better translation of καθώς would be to use
“Inasmuch as.”1

John 15:10

John 15:11 your joy may be complete. – Johnson argues this translation of ἡ
χαρὰ ὑμῶν πληρωθῇ is better than “your joy may be full” because this is
the correct state of joy for the disciples.2

John 15:12 that you love one another as I have loved you – This is only possible
because Jesus loved us first.3
This is nothing new since this commandment was already discussed in John
13:34-35.
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – Jesus loves the disciples so much
that He is willing to die for them even though they betray Him and they do
not know what He is doing.

John 15:13

John 15:14
1
Luke Timothy Johnson; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., editor, The Gospel of Luke, Volume 3,
Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991), p. 423.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid., p. 424.

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 John 15:15 I do not call you servants any longer – Never in the Gospel according
to St. John have the disciples been called servants.4 Rather, they have been
presented as followers who are learning.5
Δοῦλος can mean either slave or servant.6 . What is important is the transfor-
mation is due to the love of Jesus who calls them as equals/friends (φίλος).7
because I have made known to you – The disciples state has changed be-
cause of the work done by Jesus.8

John 15:16 You did not choose me but I chose you. – Jesus has chosen the disci-
ples to go out and bear the fruit that abides.9
And I appointed you – The preferred interpretation is that Jesus selects all
His disciples.10

John 15:17

References
Johnson, Luke Timothy; Harrington, S.J., Daniel J., editor, The Gospel of Luke,
Volume 3, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The
Liturgical Press, 1991).

4
Johnson, Luke, p. 425.
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid., p. 426.
7
Ibid., pp. 425, 426-427.
8
Ibid., p. 424.
9
Ibid., p. 425.
10
Ibid., p. 427.