Acts 15:28

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:1-41

The Question of Circumcision1-35. The Council of Jerusalem, 49 a.d. The usual view is that Galatians 2:1-10 describes the visit of St. Paul to Jerusalem on the occasion of this Council. Adopting this, the following was the course of events. The baptism of Gentiles by St. Paul on his First Missionary Journey, without requiring them to be circumcised or to keep the Law, was keenly criticised at Jerusalem by the Pharisaic party within the Church. Some of these malcontents even came to Antioch,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 15:28

(28) It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us . . .—The measure was, the Apostles were persuaded, one of wisdom and charity, and they could not ascribe those gifts to any other source than the Spirit who gives a right judgment in all things. The words have since become almost a formula for the decrees of councils and synods, often used most recklessly when those decrees bore most clearly the marks of human policy and passion. Here we may well admit that the claim was founded on a real... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 15:1-41

Self-inquiry in Religion Acts 15:36 This was a proposal made by St. Paul to Barnabas after their first missionary journey; he suggested revisiting the Churches they had founded, to see if their members were continuing steadfast in the faith, growing in grace, advancing in the spiritual life standing still, or falling away. It was both a wise and useful proposal. And we, nineteen centuries after, may apply it to ourselves; let us 'consider our ways,' and find out how things stand between... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 15:1-41

CHAPTER 15 1. The false teachers from Judea. Paul and Barnabas sent to Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-5 ). 2. The Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:6-21 ). 3. The Result made known (Acts 15:22-29 ). 4. The Consolation brought to Antioch (Acts 15:30-35 ). 5. Paul and Barnabas separate (Acts 15:36-41 ). A very critical time had now arrived for the church. An important question had to be settled. That Gentiles can be saved and salvation must be extended to the Gentiles had been fully demonstrated. The... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 15:28

15:28 {11} For it seemed good to the {n} Holy Ghost, and {o} to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these {p} 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... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:1-41

However, here at Antioch a matter arose of deeply serious significance, and it was clearly God's wisdom to have Paul and Barnabas there at the time. Men from Judea, professing the knowledge of Christ, came to Antioch, teaching the Gentile saints that they must be circumcised in order to be saved. Of course, such mixing of Judaism with Christianity would corrupt the whole character of the gospel of the grace of God, and Paul and Barnabas, discerning this, withstood this effort of the enemy. ... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 15:1-35

FIRST GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL This lesson is one of the most important in the whole historical part of the New Testament. It is the record of the first general council of the church, called to settle the fundamental question as to how a man may be just with God. We have become acquainted with “they of the circumcision” who, at chapter 2, objected to Peter’s fellowship with the Gentiles in the case of Cornelius. The party was strong and growing stronger. As Jews of the stricter sort they... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 15:13-29

Chapter 50 Prayer Almighty God, we thank thee that thou hast called us to stand still awhile and talk with thee. This is thy day oh that it might have no night! We would make it a day of elevation of soul, enlargement of faith, and drawing out of our best affections. This is no common time. In the morning of this day we see the Resurrection and the Life. We come to a grave, and find it emptied of the dead. The angels meet us, kind Heaven bows down its arch of light, and, behold,. the earth is... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 15:22-35

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: (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. (24) Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words,... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Acts 15:28

It hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us. To us in these matters, wherein by the promises of Christ, we are directed by the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth, &c. --- Than these necessary things. Necessary at this juncture, and always, if we except that order of abstaining from blood, and things strangled, which was not a perpetual, unchangeable precept, but to last only for a time, as St. John Chrysostom observes. (Witham) --- This is the first general council held in the Church,... read more

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