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15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
15:30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
15:31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
15:33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
15:34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

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Everything King James Bible:Acts

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 15

Overview:
The dispute raised By Judaizing teachers. (1-6) The Council at
Jerusalem. (7-21) The Letter from the Council. (22-35) Paul and
Barnabas separate. (36-41)

1-6 Some from Judea taught the Gentile converts at Antioch,
that they could not be saved, unless they observed the whole
ceremonial Law as given By Moses; and thus they sought to
destroy Christian liberty. There is a strange proneness in us to
think that all do wrong who do not just as we do. Their doctrine
was very discouraging. Wise and good men desire to avoid
contests and disputes as far as they can; yet when false
teachers oppose the main truths of the Gospel, or bring in
hurtful doctrines, we must not decline to oppose them.

7-21 We see from the words "purifying their hearts By Faith,"
and the address of St. Peter, that Justification By Faith, and
Sanctification By the Holy Ghost, cannot be separated; and that
both are the Gift of God. We have great cause to Bless God that
we have heard the Gospel. May we have that Faith which the great
Searcher of hearts approves, and attests By the Seal of the Holy
Spirit. Then our hearts and consciences will be purified from
the guilt of Sin, and we shall be freed from the burdens some
try to lay upon the disciples of Christ. Paul and Barnabas
showed By Plain matters of fact, that God owned the preaching of
the pure Gospel to the Gentiles without the Law of Moses;
therefore to press that Law upon them, was to undo what God had
done. The opinion of James was, that the Gentile converts ought
not to be troubled about Jewish rites, but that they should
abstain from meats offered to idols, So that they might show
their Hatred of Idolatry. Also, that they should be cautioned
against Fornication, which was not abhorred By the Gentiles as
it should be, and even formed a part of some of their rites.
They were counselled to abstain from things strangled, and from
Eating Blood; this was forbidden By the Law of Moses, and also
here, from reverence to the Blood of the sacrifices, which being
then still offered, it would needlessly grieve the Jewish
converts, and further prejudice the unconverted Jews. But as the
reason has long ceased, we are left free in this, as in the like
matters. Let converts be warned to avoid all appearances of the
evils which they formerly practised, or are likely to be tempted
to; and caution them to use Christian liberty with moderation
and prudence.

22-35 Being warranted to declare themselves directed By the
immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and
disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy
Spirit, as Well as to them, to lay upon the converts No other
Burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary,
either On their own account, or from present circumstances. It
was a comfort to hear that Carnal ordinances were No longer
imposed On them, which perplexed the Conscience, but could not
purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds
were silenced, So that the peace of the Church was restored, and
that which threatened division was removed. All this was
consolation for which they blessed God. Many others were at
Antioch. Where many labour in the Word and doctrine, yet there
may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others
should stir us up, not lay us asleep.

36-41 Here we have a private quarrel between two ministers, No
less than Paul and Barnabas, yet made to End Well. Barnabas
wished his nephew John Mark to go with them. We should suspect
ourselves of being partial, and Guard against this in putting
our relations forward. Paul did not think him worthy of the
honour, nor fit for the service, who had departed from them
without their knowledge, or without their consent: see ch.

13:13. Neither would yield, therefore there was No remedy but
they must part. We see that the best of men are but men, subject
to like passions as we are. Perhaps there were faults On both
sides, as usual in such contentions. Christ's Example alone, is
a copy without a Blot. Yet we are not to think it strange, if
there are differences among Wise and good men. It will be So
while we are in this imperfect state; we shall never be all of
one mind till we come to Heaven. But what mischief the
remainders of pride and Passion which are found even in good
men, do in the world, and do in the Church! Many who dwelt at
Antioch, who had heard but little of the devotedness and Piety
of Paul and Barnabas, heard of their dispute and separation; and
thus it will be with ourselves, if we give way to contention.
Believers must be constant in Prayer, that they may never be led
By the allowance of unholy tempers, to hurt the cause they
really desire to serve. Paul speaks with esteem and Affection
both of Barnabas and Mark, in his Epistles, written after this
event. May all who profess thy name, O loving Saviour, be
thoroughly reconciled By that Love derived from thee which is
not easily provoked, and which soon forgets and buries injuries.

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