Horae Homileticae, Volume 14: John XIII to Acts
Overview
Charles Simeon's brilliant and timeless examination of the New Testament shines through in volume fourteen of the Horae Homileticae Collection. The outline format that is employed by Simeon makes it easy for the reader to glean each chapters major concepts. The author pays great attention to each small section of John and Acts, and the application of his work is still remarkably relevant after 150 years.
These expository outlines (or "skeletons") are not a verse-by-verse explanation of the English Bible. Rather, they are a chapter-by-chapter study with explanations of the most important and instructive verses in each chapter. Simeon's aim with this commentary is "Instruction relative to the Composition of Sermons." To this end, his exposition of the Scriptures is designed to maintain a focus on the more general aspects of a passage over and above possible treatments of particulars. His test for a sermon, as he teaches in Horae Homileticae, is threefold: does it humble the sinner, exalt the Saviour and promote holiness?
Opposing all human systems of divinity, Simeon's commentary is also marked by an avoidance of any possible systemization of God's Word and entanglement with theological controversies. A self-described "moderate Calvinist" or, more plainly, a "Biblical Christian," Simeon believed that the Bible should speak for itself. "Be Bible Christians, not systems Christians" was his maxim; "My endeavor is to bring out of Scripture what is there, and not to thrust in what I think might be there. I have a great jealousy on this head; never to speak more or less than I believe to be the mind of the Spirit in the passage I am expounding." With Horae Homileticae this conviction is soundly applied.
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Top Highlights
“They sold their estate therefore; but not being able to trust God for their future support, or not choosing to relinquish all their temporal comforts, they agreed to keep back a part of the price, and to present only a certain portion of it to the Apostles. Wishing however to appear as eminent as others, they professed to give the whole produce; thus endeavouring to obtain the full credit of others, without making their sacrifice. This was their sin; a mixture of ostentation, of covetousness, of unbelief; a seeking of credit which they did not deserve, and a pretending to virtue which they did not possess.” (Page 312)
“His justice was to be honoured, and a way was to be opened for the free exercise of his mercy” (Page 113)
“But, if God be omnipotent, prayer, which interests God for us, may be called omnipotent also. What has it not done? It has opened and shut the heavens; vanquished armies; saved kingdoms; raised the dead;—and it has an express promise from God, that, whatever the subject of it be, (provided it be agreeable to his will,) the requests urged by two or three, with united faith and fervour, shall certainly be granted.” (Page 404)
“Now, if we reflect how difficult it is even for men of learning to attain a new language, and how much time and study are necessary to acquire any proficiency in speaking it, we shall see how stupendous a miracle this was, which enabled a number of illiterate fishermen to address foreigners of different nations, whose language they had never so much as heard.” (Page 241)
“When, under great agony of mind, they cried, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ did he say, ‘I, I Peter, forgive you?’ No: he assumed no such power to himself; but said, ‘Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sinsp.’” (Page 216)
Praise for the Print Edition
[Horae Homileticae] is the best place to go for researching Simeon's theology. You can find his views on almost every key text in the Bible … What Simeon experienced in the word was remarkable. And it is so utterly different from the counsel that we receive today that it is worth looking at …
—John Piper
If Wilberforce is the most famous evangelical layman in the Church of England, then Simeon is the most famous evangelical clergyman.
—Who's Who in Christian History
[The volumes of Horae Homileticae] have been called 'a valley of dry bones': be a prophet and they will live.
—Charles Spurgeon
Product Details
- Title: Horae Homileticae, Volume 14: John XIII to Acts
- Author: Charles Simeon
- Series: Horae Homileticae
- Publisher: Holdsworth and Ball
- Publication Date: 1832
- Pages: 604
Charles Simeon (1759–1836) was a leader among evangelical churchmen. He studied at Eton College and King’s College. After becoming a fellow of King’s College, the position of benefice of Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge became vacant and Simeon petitioned for and was appointed to the position.
Simeon was one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society and the London Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews.
After reading An Essay on the Composition of a Sermon by Jean Claude, Simeon was inspired and began writing his chief work, Horae Homileticae. Simeon also published hundreds of sermons and sermon outlines.