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Acts 11:17

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Acts 11:17 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 11:17

Theological / Devotional

Like. Literally, “equal.” They were, equally with the Christian Jews, recipients of the Holy Spirit.

Who believed. Literally, “having believed,” definitely and finally. The words refer alike to “them” and to “us.” Thus the two cases are made parallel, as in v. 15. For just as the faith of Peter and the apostles existed before the gift of the Spirit, so with Cornelius and his companions there existed, before the gift, a measure of faith (see on ch. 10:35). The measure of faith was sufficient in their case to qualify them for greater gifts, and their acceptability for baptism and for fellowship with the church became evident.

What was I? The clause reads literally, “I, who was I? Able to withstand God?” That is, how was I, being such a one as I am, able to withstand God?

By SdaBc