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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 15:9

And put no difference ... - Though they had not been circumcised, and though they did not conform to the Law of Moses. Thus, God showed that the observance of these rites was not necessary in order to the true conversion of people, and to acceptance with him. He did not give us, who are Jews, any advantage over them, but justified and purified all in the same manner.Purifying their hearts - Thus, giving the best evidence that he had renewed them, and admitted them to favor with him.By faith -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 15:10

Why tempt ye God? - Why provoke him to displeasure? Why, since he has shown his determination to accept them without such rites, do you provoke him by attempting to impose on his own people rites without his authority, and a against his manifest will? The argument is, that God had already accepted them. To attempt to impose these rites would be to provoke him to anger; to introduce observances which he had shown it was his purpose should now be abolished.To put a yoke - That which would be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 15:11

But we believe - We apostles, who have been with them, and have seen the evidences of their acceptance with God.Through the grace ... - By the grace or mercy of Christ alone, without any of the rites and ceremonies of the Jews.We shall be saved, even as they - In the same manner, by the mere grace of Christ. So far from being necessary to their salvation, they are really of no use in ours. We are to be saved, not by these ceremonies, but by the mere mercy of God in the Redeemer. They should... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 15:6-11

Acts 15:6-11. And the apostles, &c., came together to consider of this matter As the apostles commonly resided at Jerusalem, the greater part of them may have come together on this occasion; and the elders likewise, men most respectable for their grace and gifts, having been chosen to the office of elders from among those on whom the Holy Ghost descended on the day of pentecost. Many of the brethren, too, of the church of Jerusalem were present in this assembly. For the decree, which... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 15:2-21

To Jerusalem to discuss the problem (15:2-21)The trouble created by the Judaisers had now spread to the farthermost parts of the church, so the matter needed to be settled quickly and decisively. Because the teaching came from Jerusalem, that was the place to discuss the matter. The church at Antioch therefore appointed Paul, Barnabas and other leaders to go to Jerusalem as its representatives. Along the way and after their arrival in Jerusalem, they reported on the widespread turning to God... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 15:7

disputing . Same as disputation, Acts 15:2 . Much feeling would be exhibited. rose up . Greek. anistimi. App-178 . Men and brethren . See note on Acts 1:16 . know . Greek. epistamai. App-132 . a good while ago . Literally from early (Greek. archaios) days, i.e. about thirteen years before. App-181 . made choice = chose out. Greek. eklegomai, as in Acts 1:2 . by = through. Greek. dia. App-104 .Acts 15:1 . Compare Acts 10:44-48 . word . Greek. logos. App-121 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 15:8

Which knoweth, &c . = the Heart-searcher. See note on Acts 1:24 . bare . . . witness . Greek. martureo. See p. 1511. the Holy Ghost . Both articles are here, but used grammatically, referring back to Acts 2:4 (the same gift). App-101 . even as, &c . = as He did to us also. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 15:9

put no difference = discriminated in nothing. Greek. diakrino. purifying = having cleansed. Greek. katharizo. Compare Acts 10:15 ; Acts 11:9 . The Heartsearcher is the Heart-cleanser. faith = the faith. Greek. pistis. App-150 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 15:10

tempt . Greek. peira, try, put to the test. Always transl "tempt" up to this verse, except John 6:6 (prove). Compare Acts 5:9 . put = lay. yoke . Not circumcision only, but obligation to keep the whole law. neither . . . nor. Greek. oute . . . oute. were able = had strength. Greek. ischuo. Compare App-172 . bear = carry. Greek. bastazo. Compare Matthew 3:11 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 15:11

believe . App-150 . grace . App-184 . Jesus Christ . App-98 . but texts omit "Christ". even as they = according to (Greek. kata. App-104 .) the manner in which they also (will be). These are the last words of Peter recorded in the Acts. See his own argument turned against himself in Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:14-21 . read more

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