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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 15:6-21

We have here a council called, not by writ, but by consent, on this occasion (Acts 15:6): The apostles and presbyters came together, to consider this matter. They did not give their judgment separately, but came together to do it, that they might hear one another's sense in this matter; for in the multitude of counsellors there is safety and satisfaction. They did not give their judgment rashly, but considered of this matter. Though they were clear concerning it in their own minds, yet they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 15:6-12

15:6-12 The apostles and elders met together to investigate this question. After a great deal of discussion Peter stood up and said, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made his choice among us, so that through my mouth the Gentiles should hear the good news and believe. And God, who knows men's hearts, bore his own witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he had done to us too. He made no distinction between us and them for he purified their hearts by faith. So why... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:8

And God which knoweth the hearts ,.... Of all men; he being omniscient, the searcher of the hearts, and the trier of the reins of the children of men, knew with what sincerity Cornelius sent for Peter; and with what vehement desire and longing expectation he and his family and friends waited for his coming; and with what earnestness, diligence, and affection they attended to what he said: bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us ; God bore a testimony, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:8

And God which knoweth the hearts - Ο καρδιογνωϚης Θεος . We had this epithet of the Divine Being once before; see Acts 1:24 , and the note there: it occurs no where else in the New Testament. Bare them witness - Considered them as proper or fit to receive the Gospel of Christ. It is properly remarked by learned men, that μαρτυρειν τινι , to bear witness to any person, signifies to approve, to testify in behalf of. Here it signifies that, as God evidently sent the Gospel to the... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:1-35

A great dissension or, the threshold of the Gentile Church, and the apostolic management of it. One subject knits together very firmly the contents of this paragraph. And the subject is one of the greatest importance. Its interest is all of the practical kind; and well had it been for the unconverted world had the Church through all these centuries abided by the suggested lessons that we have here. The one subject is the beginning of ecclesiastical dissension within the Church catholic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:6-21

The council at Jerusalem. The claim of the Judaizers is sharply and absolutely put. Circumcision is a necessity; the Law of Moses must be observed. The whole question is open, and the air is full of debate. I. DISCOURSE OF PETER . 1. The question whether the Mosaic Law is binding upon the heathen or no is referred by him to experience. This is the great guide of all. In no case may it be neglected. In every case recurrence to it as a whole will be found helpful. Now, at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 15:8

Heart for hearts, A.V. ( καρδιογνώστης ). Bare them witness ; i . e. set the mark of his approval upon them, vouched for their sincerity (see the use of the verb μαρτυρέω in Luke 4:22 ; John 3:26 ; Acts 6:3 ; Acts 10:22 , etc.). read more

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