Acts Chapter 15

From The Open Bible Project

15:1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved."

• (1) The Church is at length troubled with dissension within itself, and the trouble rises from the proud and stubborn intellects of certain evil men. The first strife was concerning the office of Christ, whether we are saved only by his righteousness apprehended by faith, or if we also have need to observe the Law.
• (a) Epiphanius is of the opinion that this was Cerinthus.

15:2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

• (2) Meetings of congregations were instituted to suppress heresies, to which certain were sent by common consent on behalf of all.

15:3 They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the [59] brothers. [See Acts Footnotes 59]

• (b) Courteously and lovingly brought on their way by the Church, that is, by certain ones appointed by the Church.

15:4 When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.

15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."

15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

• (3) The matter is first handled, both parts being heard, in the assembly of the apostles and elders, and after is communicated to the people.

15:7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.

• (4) God himself, in the calling of the Gentiles who are uncircumcised, taught that our salvation consists in faith, without the worship appointed by the Law.
• (c) Literally, "of old time", that is, even from the first time that we were commanded to preach the Gospel, and immediately after that the Holy Spirit came down upon us.

15:8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.

15:9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

• (d) He put no difference between us and them, with regard to the benefit of his free favour.
• (e) Christ proclaims those blessed who are pure of heart: and here we are plainly taught that men are made pure of heart by faith.

15:10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

• (5) Peter, passing from the ceremonies to the Law itself in general, shows that no one could be saved, if salvation were to be sought for by the Law, and not by grace alone in Jesus Christ; and this is because no man could ever fulfil the Law, neither the patriarch nor the apostle.
• (f) Why do you tempt God, as though he could not save by faith?

15:11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,[60] just as they are."

15:12 All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

• (6) A true pattern of a lawful council, where God’s truth alone reigns.

15:13 After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me.

• (g) The son of Alphaeus, who is also called the Lord’s brother.

15:14 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.

• (7) James confirms the calling of the Gentiles out of the word of God, in this agreeing with Peter.

15:15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

15:16 'After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,

15:17 That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.[61]

15:18 All his works are known to God from eternity.'

• (h) And therefore nothing comes to pass by chance, but only by God’s appointment.

15:19 "Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

• (8) In indifferent matters, we may be patient with the weakness of our brethren with the end in view that they may have time to be instructed.

15:20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

• (i) From sacrifices, or from feasts which were kept in idol’s temples.

15:21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the [62] brothers. [See Acts Footnotes 62]

• (9) In a lawful synod, neither those who are appointed and chosen judges, appoint and determine anything tyrannously or upon a lordly superiority, neither do the common multitude stir up disorder against those who sit as judges by the word of God: and the like manner of doing things is also used in proclaiming and ratifying those things which have been so determined and agreed upon.

15:23 They wrote these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

15:24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law,' to whom we gave no commandment;

• (10) The council of Jerusalem concludes that the ones who trouble men’s consciences are they who teach us to seek salvation in any other means than in Christ alone, apprehended by faith, no matter where they come from, and whoever they pretend to be the author of their calling.
• (k) From our congregation.
• (l) A borrowed type of speech taken of those who pull down that which was built up: and it is a very common metaphor in the scriptures, to say "the Church is built", for "the Church is planted and established".

15:25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

15:26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.

15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:

• (11) That is a lawful council, which the Holy Spirit rules.
• (n) First they made mention of the Holy Spirit, so that it may not seem to be any man’s work.
• (o) Not that men have any authority of themselves, but to show the faithfulness that they used in their ministry and labour.
• (p) This was no absolute necessity, but in respect of the state of that time, so that the Gentiles and the Jews might live together more peaceably, with less occasion to quarrel.

15:29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."

• (12) Charity is required even in indifferent matters.

15:30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

• (13) It is required for all people to know certainly what to hold in matters of faith and religion, and not that the Church by ignorance and knowing nothing, should depend upon the pleasure of a few.

15:31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.

15:32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.

15:33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.

• (q) This is a Hebrew idiom, which is the same as saying, "as the brethren wished them all prosperous success, and the church dismissed them with good leave."

15:34 [63]

15:35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

15:36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing."

• (14) Congregations or churches easily degenerate unless they are diligently watched over, and therefore these apostles went to oversee the churches they had planted, and for this reason also synods were instituted and appointed.

15:37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.

• (15) A lamentable example of discord between excellent men and very great friends, yet not because of profane matters or their own private affairs, neither yet because of doctrine.

15:38 But Paul didn't think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do the work.

15:39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,

• (16) God uses the faults of his servants to the profit and building of the Church: yet we have to take heed, even in the best matters, that we do not let our anger overflow.
• (r) They were in great heat: but in this we have to consider the power of God’s counsel, for by this means it came to pass that the doctrine of the Gospel was spread into many places.

15:40 but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

15:41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.