Acts 15 Acts 15:1–4 Great dissensions arise about circumcising the Gentiles: Paul and Barnabas are sent to consult the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Acts 15:5–6 The matter is debated in a council there, Acts 15:7–11 Peter declareth his opinion.

Certain men; these were such as did pretend to believe, but were false brethren; some think Cerinthus to have been of them. The brethren; the Gentiles who were converted unto the faith of Christ, or Proselytes of the gate (as they were called) who were not circumcised, and now professing the true…

Paul, that meek apostle, who was willing to become all things unto all men, yet he enters into a holy war with them that would introduce circumcision into the Christian church; because, 1.

Brought on their way by the church; the brethren or believers of Antioch, out of respect, went part of the way with them; as also thereby showing, that Paul and Barnabas did not go upon their own business or mind only, and that there was no dissension betwixt them and the church there.

They were received of the church; they were owned with respect and thankfulness, for their great work and labour in the Lord’s vineyard. All things that God had done with them: see Acts 14:27.

If these words be taken for St. Luke’s, the penman of this book, then they declare, that in the church of Jerusalem there were some that did abet the opinion of the necessity of circumcision; but if, (as most probably we may), we take them for the words of St.

The apostles and elders, unto whom Paul and Barnabas were sent about the decision of this question, Acts 15:2, came together for to consider of this matter; they had been informed of it, and now they met to deliberate about it.

Much disputing; they argued on both sides, and considered what might be said for either opinion: some of them that met here seem at first to have been for the retaining of circumcision; for we know but in part, and from the collision of adverse parties such sparks fly out, that many a man hath…

Which knoweth the hearts; God knew the desires of the Gentiles, that they did sincerely desire to please God, and to see this salvation. This great attribute David improved, 1 Chron. 29:17, and highly recommended his son Solomon to consider of, 1 Chron.

God had now broken down the middle wall of partition betwixt Jew and Gentile, Eph. 2:14, and distributed his graces to these also, which was signified by the rending of the veil from the top to the bottom, Matt.

Why tempt ye God? Why would you make a doubt of, and put it to a trial, whether God did in good earnest admit the Gentiles to his favour, and whether he remains firm and constant in such his kindness towards them? They did tempt God also, by disliking the calling of the Gentiles, and would have…

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; all saving grace may be well so called, it being purchased only by Christ, and bestowed upon us from the Father through Christ.

All the multitude; the apostles and elders themselves gave attention to what Barnabas and Paul declared, and by their silence did tacitly approve of what they had said.

After they had held their peace; Barnabas and Paul had finished their narrative. James, who was surnamed the Just, and was the son of Alpheus, and a kinsman to our Saviour, now being president of this council. Answered; that is, began to speak.

Simeon, or Simon, the name of Peter; but St. Luke, being himself a Hebrew, writes it according as they pronounced it, and not so contracted as the Greeks wrote it.

The prophets; in the plural number, though only one cited: it is an ordinary enallage; but it also shows the harmony amongst the prophets, they all speaking by one Spirit; what one said is as if all had said it.

After this; in the days of the Messiah. I will return: the word may be taken in both voices. If actively, it signifies God’s returning uuto the Gentiles, from whom he had departed. If passively, it foreshows their returning unto God, whom they had forsaken.

In the prophet it is the remnant of Edom, Amos 9:12, which is here called the residue of men; for as Jacob, or Israel, shadowed out the church, so Edom, or Esau, (the other son of Isaac), represented those who were rejected, Rom. 9:13.

This the apostle adds, that they might not be offended with the seeming novelty and surprise of the calling of the Gentiles, and abrogation of the ceremonies; for it was no other than what God had before determined to do, and therefore they ought to rest satisfied in the wise and holy appointments…

St. James here gives his opinion, confirming and approving what Peter had done in conversing with and baptizing of the Gentiles; whom he would not have afflicted or disturbed with such things as were not necessary, lest that it should hinder the conversion of the Gentiles, and the church should…

That they abstain from pollutions of idols; eating of meat that was offered to idols, as Acts 15:29 in a case of scandal, and for the present state of the church, was forbid, though afterwards in other cases indulged, 1 Cor. 10:27.

The reason why St. James would not have the ceremonies buried as soon as they were dead, was because the Jews had been so long confirmed in them, and bare such a love unto them; and he would purchase concord between them and the Gentile converts; though the Gentiles should bear with some…

The apostles and elders, with the whole church; a happy concord, all agreeing as one man, by one Spirit. To send chosen men of their own company; that Paul and Barnabas might be the better credited, and that by such as had been of a contrary judgment: so hard it is to remove suspicions, and to root…

The apostles and elders and brethren; the letter was wrote in the name of them all, that it might have the greater force, and better acceptance; that so strong a cord might not be broken by the false apostles.

Certain which went out from us; for these false apostles were such as came from Judea, Acts 15:1, that is, from the church there. It is Satan’s great policy to divide, that he may rule; he will have at least one share where there is more than one.

With one accord; with one mind, as if they had all but one soul, (they had but one Spirit, the Spirit of truth), as Acts 2:1, Acts 5:12; their unanimity adding great strength to the decree they sent.

Because that the false apostles at Antioch had vilified Paul and Barnabas, and opposed their doctrine and practice in admitting of the Gentiles by baptism into the church, the council here at Jerusalem take occasion to vindicate and to commend them, especially for their suffering so much for…

They shall inform you of the truth of what is contained in this epistle, that you may be more assured it is not forged or counterfeited. Of these men, see Acts 15:22.

To the Holy Ghost, and to us; that is, unto us, assisted by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is deservedly first mentioned, that the apostles might testify that they desired to say, write, or do nothing in which they had not the Spirit of God directing of them: and they mention the Spirit, that the…

Of these see more largely, Acts 15:20. From meats offered to idols; they were wont to carry home and feast upon part of the sacrifices they had offered unto their false gods; nay, they did not, without reproach, eat of any greater beasts, (as oxen and sheep), but they always first offered some of…

When they were dismissed; Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas; which two last, were sent with the former. Gathered the multitude together; from whom they were sent, Acts 15:1–2, and that this determination of the council might be more publicly known, as all things concerning our common salvation ought…

It could not but much rejoice the Gentile believers, that they were exempted from circumcision, and the ceremonial law. And it gladdened the believing Jews also, that the controversy was determined, and concord established amongst them.

Prophets; not properly so called, from any gift of foretelling things to come, but as doctors and teachers in the church, Eph. 4:11, expounding Moses and the prophets, and showing how and what they speak concerning Christ; proving out of them, that he was the Messiah, as Philip had done, Acts 8:35.

A space; a competent time; some make this space to be a year. They were let go in peace; they were dismissed with earnest prayers for them; for by peace is meant all kind of good, which they desired for them, as Matt. 10:13.

Though, having performed his message, he was discharged, and might have returned; yet, for the further benefit of that church, he continued at Antioch.

Judas only returned to Jerusalem, to acquaint the apostles with the reception their letter had met with, and what obedience was readily given to their decrees; so that when these went away the church at Antioch was not left destitute of faithful pastors.

It is not enough that they had sown good seed, but they must take care lest it be plucked up, and tares sown in the stead of it, by the wicked one, Matt. 13:19. A husbandman’s work is never at an end, neither is the labourer’s in God’s vineyard.

This John, or Mark, was sister’s son to Barnabas, as Col. 4:10.

This deserting of Paul and Barnabas by John, is mentioned Acts 13:13. To the work; the work unto which the Spirit had called them, Acts 13:2, which was to offer life and salvation unto the Gentiles, and to gather them into the fold of Jesus Christ.

They departed asunder; as Abraham and Lot parted, Gen. 13:9, yet keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; loving of and praying for one another, as we may judge, being both good men.

The favour of God, as Acts 14:26, which the wisest and holiest men stand in need of in all their undertakings; as also his gracious conduct and assistance.

Syria and Cilicia; where there were several brethren by reason of the dispersion that was upon Stephen’s death, Acts 11:19; and unto whom also the before recited letter was written, Acts 15:23.