Godbey's Commentary - Acts - Romans - Enter His Rest

esponded, “Neither can she any more say, ‘Arise and walk,’” thus sadly illustrating the loss of
power with the loss of poverty. While the Methodists were poor and despised, they swept this
continent like a tornado, more than a match for earth and hell. Since we have become rich, evacuated
the old log meeting-house for the gorgeous edifice, and exchanged the illiterate pioneer circuit-rider
for the collegiate graduate, we have lost our power and lamentably verified Wesley’s fears expressed
on his death-bed that Methodism would become a dead sect like others.
8. The Greek describes the man leaping out of his place like a frog, and continuing to run round
and round, following Peter and John into the temple, attracting the attention of everybody, because
in forty years he had become better known than the king.
10. So the multitude all “ran to him, filled with astonishment and delight.” The Greek word
which is translated “delight” is ecstasy, a very strong word. Oh, how his old acquaintances are
astounded and thrilled! Why, only look yonder at Ben Israel! Did you ever see the like? How he
leaps, skips and runs around! The news flies on the wings of the wind: “Old Ben Israel is healed —
that man who has not walked a step in more than forty years.” “Oh, you don’t say it!” “I dare you to
go and see for yourself.” The wonderful tidings fly to all parts of Jerusalem. Thousands of people
leap and shout. “If Ben is healed, as you say, I am an out-and-out Nazarene.” Nearly all of them had
ever and anon dropped a penny in his hat. See him leap like a monkey and run like a race-horse!
11. Now the apostles have entered Solomon’s porch, running the entire width of the temple,
fronting eastward. Meanwhile the ecstatic man so miraculously healed at the Beautiful Gate is
holding them by the hand in adoring gratitude, leaping and skipping and shouting aloud, while the
vast multitude running from all directions are gazing with unutterable bewilderment upon the scene,
as the Greek says, “exceedingly excited.”
12. Meanwhile, Peter responded to the people: “Israelitish men, why do ye gaze upon us as that
by our power or holiness we have caused this man to run around?” Remember that the Greek word
here translated “holiness” is simply the noun form of the same word applied to the Jewish delegates
who came from their synagogues in all the Gentile world to represent the God of Abraham at
Pentecost. It is also applied to Cornelius and to Ananias, the good old local preacher in Damascus
sent to comfort the penitent Saul of Tarsus.
13. Here Peter boldly certifies to the multitude that the same Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had
crucified, had so miraculously restored the notable cripple at the Beautiful Gate.
14. He reminds them of their uproarious demand for the release of Barabbas, the robber-chief, as
a substitute for Jesus. Now, reader, if you are ever going to follow Jesus up to heaven, you must
travel the very road He traveled. Just as they preferred Barabbas to Jesus, so will the people of this
wicked world and fallen churches prefer bad men to you, if you get sanctified wholly. Be not
surprised if they actually prefer and honor the saloonkeeper in your town above you, somehow so
deluded by Satan as to believe him a better man than yourself. As in the case of Jesus, Barabbas went
up in the popular estimation and He went down, so you will find it in your own case if you get truly
sanctified and profess it straight and clear.