acts-15:2-11-niv

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:7

And when there had been much disputing ,.... Pro and con upon this subject; many had spoken; and much had been said, and a great deal of time had been taken up about the thing in controversy: Peter rose up ; not only out of respect to this venerable assembly, but to signify that he had something to say; and he stood up that he might be the better heard. Beza's ancient copy reads, "rose up in spirit"; and said unto them, men and brethren : an usual form of address with the Jews; Acts... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:9

And put no difference between us and them ,.... Neither in the extraordinary gifts, nor special grace, of the Spirit; giving them the same graces of faith, hope, and love, admitting to the same privileges and immunities of the house of God, and giving them a right and title to the same inheritance of the saints in light, though the one were circumcised, and the other were not. God puts no difference as to matters of religion under the Gospel dispensation between Jews and Gentiles, neither on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:10

Now therefore why tempt ye God ,.... By hesitating about this matter, by disputing upon this point, and by seeking for further proof and evidence of the will of God in this affair; when it is so plain a case, that it has been his will that the Gospel should be preached to Gentiles, without obliging them to circumcision; that he has given his Spirit both in his extraordinary gifts, and special grace, to uncircumcised persons; particularly he has bestowed faith in Christ upon them, whereby... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:11

But we believe ,.... Who are circumcised; the Arabic version adds, "and are sure"; for what follows is a sure and certain article of faith: that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ ; not through circumcision, or by any works of the law, moral or ceremonial; but through the grace of Christ undertaking for them, assuming their nature, and dying in their room and stead; through his redeeming, justifying, and pardoning grace: salvation is by Christ; Jehovah the Father appointed him to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:2

No small dissension and disputation - Paul and Barnabas were fully satisfied that God did not design to bring the converted Gentiles under the yoke of circumcision: they knew that Jesus Christ was the end of the law for righteousness (justification) to every one that believed, and therefore they opposed the Judaizing teachers. This was one of the first controversies in the Christian Church; but, though the difference of sentiment was considerable, it led to no breach of Christian charity nor... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:3

Being brought on their way by the Church - That is; the members of the Church provided them with all necessaries for their journey; for it does not appear that they had any property of their own. Declaring the conversion of the Gentiles - Much stress is laid on this: it was a miracle of God's mercy that the Gentiles should be received into the Church of God; and they had now the fullest proof that the thing was likely to become general, by the conversion of Cornelius, the conversion of... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:5

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees - This verse appears to be part of the declaration made by Paul and Barnabas to this council: for, having stated how God blessed their ministry among the Gentiles, they proceed to declare how all the good work was likely to be destroyed by certain Pharisees, who, having received the Christian faith, came down to Antioch, and began to teach the necessity of circumcision, etc., and thus filled the minds of the young converted Gentiles with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:6

The apostles and elders came together - This was the first council ever held in the Christian Church; and we find that it was composed of the apostles and elders simply. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:7

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 15:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:3

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 15:6

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