Acts 15:28

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:28-29

Reasonable and unreasonable burdens. "To lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things." The precise nature of the things which the council thought essential to Christian standing and life are discussed in the Expository Portion of this Commentary, and materials for the introduction of our subject will be found in it. "The letter does not say why these things were necessary, and the term was probably chosen as covering alike the views of those who held, like the Pharisee... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 15:28

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost - This is a strong and undoubted claim to inspiration. It was with special reference to the organization of the church that the Holy Spirit had been promised to them by the Lord Jesus, Matthew 18:18-20; John 14:26.No greater burden - To impose no greater restraints to enjoin no other observances. See the notes on Acts 15:10.Than these necessary things - Necessary:(1) In order to preserve the peace of the church.(2) To conciliate the minds of the Jewish... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 15:28-29

Acts 15:28-29. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and, consequently, to us This may include the decision which the Holy Spirit had given by his descent on Cornelius and his friends, but seems more directly to express the consciousness which this assembly had of being guided by his influences on their minds in the present determination. It cannot, however, be extended to any ecclesiastical councils that have not inspired apostles to preside, as this here had. To lay upon you no greater... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 15:22-35

Letter from Jerusalem (15:22-35)Acknowledging the wisdom of James’ suggestion, the Antioch representatives were pleased to take back with them two leading men from the Jerusalem church, Judas and Silas, to help create a better understanding between the Jewish and Gentile groups (22).The party also carried a letter from the Jerusalem meeting that expressed regret concerning the Judaisers’ trouble-making and encouraged the Gentiles to be considerate of their Jewish brothers. The letter was not... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 15:28

the Holy Ghost . App-101 . us: i.e. the whole church (Acts 15:22 ). burden . Greek. baros. Occurs here, Mat 20:12 . 2 Corinthians 4:17 . Galatians 1:6 , Galatians 1:2 . 1 Thessalonians 2:6 . Revelation 2:24 . than = except. necessary = compulsory. Greek. epanankes. Only here. Circumcision therefore was not compulsory. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 15:28

Acts 15:28. It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us,— Though this may include the decision which the Spirit had givenby his descent upon Cornelius and his friends, yet it seems more directly to express the consciousness which this assembly had, of beingguidedbyhisinfluencesontheir minds in their present determination. When the apostles call these things necessary, they mean, by a common mode of speaking, necessary for those times and circumstances. They were undoubtedly necessary, in order... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 15:28

28, 29. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, c.—The One, inwardly guiding to and setting His seal on the decision come to: the other, the external ecclesiastical authority devoutly embracing, expressing, and conveying to the churches that decision:—a great principle this for the Church in all time. to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things . . . from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well—The whole language of these prohibitions, and of Acts 15:20 Acts... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 15:1-35

5. The Jerusalem Council 15:1-35The increasing number of Gentiles who were becoming Christians raised a problem within the church. What was the relationship of the church to Judaism? Some Christians, especially the more conservative Jewish believers, argued that Christianity was a party within Judaism, the party of true believers. They assumed that Gentile Christians, therefore, needed to become Jewish proselytes, which involved being circumcised and obeying the Mosaic Law."In truth, there was... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 15:22-29

The official formulation of the decision 15:22-29 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 15:24-29

The men who had come to Antioch from Jerusalem advocating circumcision (Acts 15:1) had no authorization to do so from the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:24). They spoke on their own authority. The church in Jerusalem had reached a unified opinion on the issue at hand (Acts 15:25). The apostles presented Barnabas and Paul as men the saints in Jerusalem held in the highest regard (Acts 15:25-26). The church leaders had sensed the Holy Spirit’s control in the decision they had reached (Acts 15:28).... read more

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