Acts 15:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 15:1-5

Even when things go on very smoothly and pleasantly in a state or in a church, it is folly to be secure, and to think the mountain stands strong and cannot be moved; some uneasiness or other will arise, which is not foreseen, cannot be prevented, but must be prepared for. If ever there was a heaven upon earth, surely it was in the church at Antioch at this time, when there were so many excellent ministers there, and blessed Paul among them, building up that church in her most holy faith. But... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 15:1-5

The influx of Gentiles into the Church produced a problem which had to be solved. The mental background of the Jew was founded on the fact that he belonged to the chosen people. In effect they believed that not only were the Jews the peculiar possession of God but also that God was the peculiar possession of the Jews. The problem was this. Before a Gentile became a member of the Christian Church was it necessary that he should be circumcised and take upon himself the Law of Moses? In other... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 15:1-5

15:1-5 Some men came down from Judaea and tried to teach the brethren, "If you are not circumcised according to the practice of Moses you cannot be saved." When Paul and Barnabas had a great dispute and argument with them, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to get this question settled. So they were sent on their way by the Church, and they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling the story of the conversion of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:4

And when they were come to Jerusalem ,.... Paul and Barnabas, and the rest that came from Antioch with them: they were received of the church ; that is, that was at Jerusalem, in a very kind and respectful manner; they were received into their houses, and accommodated with everything convenient for them: and of the apostles ; particularly James, and Cephas, and John, who gave to Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, in token of their approbation of them, affection for them,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:4

They were received of the Church - The whole body of Christian believers. The apostles - Either the whole or part of the twelve; though we read of none but John, Peter, and James. See Galatians 2:9 . And elders - Those who were officers in the Church, under the apostles. They declared - To this council they gave a succinct account of the great work which God had wrought by them among the Gentiles. This was St. Paul's third journey to Jerusalem after his conversion. See an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:4

Verse 4− 4.They were received of the Church. By this word Church he meaneth the multitude itself and the whole body; that done, he assigneth a peculiar place to the apostles and elders, by whom Paul and Barnabas were specially received. Furthermore, because the apostles had no certain place of abode at Jerusalem, but went ever now and then sometimes to one place and sometimes to another, whithersoever occasion did call them, that church had elders to whom the ordinary government of the Church... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:1-5

The Judaizers at Antioch. There must needs be heresies, that is, divisions and separations of opinion, in order that that which is approved may be made manifest. In conflicts of this kind, the chaff of falsehood is sifted from the genuine wheat of truth. I. THE POSITION OF THE JUDAIZERS . 1. It was a reactionary position. It aimed at the re-establishment of circumcision as the condition of salvation. This was going back from the "spirit" to the "flesh," from the principle... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:1-11

A grave crisis in the kingdom of God: more lessons. The crisis of the kingdom will be found in the life of the Divine Leader of the faith. In those hours when all that was human in him shrank from the sufferings and sorrows which were before him, or from the agony which was upon him, or from the darkness which enshrouded him, then was "the crisis of the world" and of the kingdom of God on earth. But this also was a crisis, grave and serious. If the Church at Antioch had yielded to these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:1-21

The first council: spiritual liberty established. The controversy between a corrupt Judaism and the gospel of Christ certain to be brought to a crisis. The conversion of Saul, taken in connection with his special mission to the Gentiles, forced the matter on the attention of the Church. The scene of the controversy was Antioch, where Paul would have many supporters. But Jerusalem was the proper place for a settlement—not because any authority was assigned to the spot, but because there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:1-35

The controversy. The apprehension of truth, full, pure, and unmixed with error, should be the desire of all good men. And it is a great help towards attaining truth when we are able to love it and to seek it absolutely for its own sake, without reference to its consequences, without regard to the wishes of others or undue submission to their opinions. It is also necessary for a man in pursuit of truth to divest himself of prejudices, and the influence of false opinions which he has adopted... read more

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