For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord.
A good man is —
I. A CONVERTED MAN. “In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.” “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” These statements are not inconsistent with the fact, that there is a natural conscience in man, and that there are amicable feelings urging to noble and generous actions; nor can it be denied that, apart from the power of Divine grace, there is often a striking superiority of one man above another. But the qualities of unconverted men come far short of goodness; nay, they serve to show more strongly the wickedness of the human heart, which resists the dictates of natural conscience, and the admonitions of the Word of God. We must, therefore, be “transformed, by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” The eyes of our understanding must be enlightened, our affections must be fixed supremely on God. We must be dead to sin, that we may live unto righteousness. Till then, sin must have dominion over us.
