151 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren , "Unless e you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses , you cannot e be saved ." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great e dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue . 3 Therefore , being sent on their way by the church , they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria , describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles , and were bringing great joy to all the brethren . 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem , they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders , and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying , "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses ."
6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter . 7 After there had been much debate , Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren e , you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe . 8 "And God , who knows the heart , testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit , just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith . 10 "Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear ? 11 "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus , in the same way as they also are." 12 All the people kept silent , and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles . 13 After they had stopped speaking , James answered , saying , "Brethren e , listen to me. 14 " Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name . 15 "With this the words of the Prophets agree , just as it is written , 16 ' AFTER THESE THINGS I will return , AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN , AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS , AND I WILL RESTORE IT, 17 SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE Lord , AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME ,' 18 SAYS THE Lord , WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO . 19 "Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles , 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood . 21 "For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath ."
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders , with the whole church , to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas -Judas called Barsabbas , and Silas , leading men among the brethren , 23 and they sent this letter by them, " The apostles and the brethren who are elders , to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles , greetings . 24 "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words , unsettling your souls , 25 it seemed good to us, having become of one mind , to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul , 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . 27 "Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas , who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials : 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication ; if you keep yourselves free from such things , you will do well . Farewell ." 30 So when they were sent away , they went down to Antioch ; and having gathered the congregation together , they delivered the letter . 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement . 32 Judas and Silas , also being prophets themselves , encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message . 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 [But it seemed good to Silas to remain there .] 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch , teaching and preaching with many others also , the word of the Lord .
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas , "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord , and see how they are." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John , called Mark , along with them also . 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work . 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another , and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus . 40 But Paul chose Silas and left , being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord . 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia , strengthening the churches .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 15:1-48
Commentary on Acts 15:1-6
(Read Acts 15:1-6)
Some from Judea taught the Gentile converts at Antioch, that they could not be saved, unless they observed the whole ceremonial law as given by Moses; and thus they sought to destroy Christian liberty. There is a strange proneness in us to think that all do wrong who do not just as we do. Their doctrine was very discouraging. Wise and good men desire to avoid contests and disputes as far as they can; yet when false teachers oppose the main truths of the gospel, or bring in hurtful doctrines, we must not decline to oppose them.
Commentary on Acts 15:7-21
(Read Acts 15:7-21)
We see from the words "purifying their hearts by faith," and the address of St. Peter, that justification by faith, and sanctification by the Holy Ghost, cannot be separated; and that both are the gift of God. We have great cause to bless God that we have heard the gospel. May we have that faith which the great Searcher of hearts approves, and attests by the seal of the Holy Spirit. Then our hearts and consciences will be purified from the guilt of sin, and we shall be freed from the burdens some try to lay upon the disciples of Christ. Paul and Barnabas showed by plain matters of fact, that God owned the preaching of the pure gospel to the Gentiles without the law of Moses; therefore to press that law upon them, was to undo what God had done. The opinion of James was, that the Gentile converts ought not to be troubled about Jewish rites, but that they should abstain from meats offered to idols, so that they might show their hatred of idolatry. Also, that they should be cautioned against fornication, which was not abhorred by the Gentiles as it should be, and even formed a part of some of their rites. They were counselled to abstain from things strangled, and from eating blood; this was forbidden by the law of Moses, and also here, from reverence to the blood of the sacrifices, which being then still offered, it would needlessly grieve the Jewish converts, and further prejudice the unconverted Jews. But as the reason has long ceased, we are left free in this, as in the like matters. Let converts be warned to avoid all appearances of the evils which they formerly practised, or are likely to be tempted to; and caution them to use Christian liberty with moderation and prudence.
Commentary on Acts 15:22-35
(Read Acts 15:22-35)
Being warranted to declare themselves directed by the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy Spirit, as well as to them, to lay upon the converts no other burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary, either on their own account, or from present circumstances. It was a comfort to hear that carnal ordinances were no longer imposed on them, which perplexed the conscience, but could not purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds were silenced, so that the peace of the church was restored, and that which threatened division was removed. All this was consolation for which they blessed God. Many others were at Antioch. Where many labour in the word and doctrine, yet there may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others should stir us up, not lay us asleep.
Commentary on Acts 15:36-41
(Read Acts 15:36-41)
Here we have a private quarrel between two ministers, no less than Paul and Barnabas, yet made to end well. Barnabas wished his nephew John Mark to go with them. We should suspect ourselves of being partial, and guard against this in putting our relations forward. Paul did not think him worthy of the honour, nor fit for the service, who had departed from them without their knowledge, or without their consent: see 13. Neither would yield, therefore there was no remedy but they must part. We see that the best of men are but men, subject to like passions as we are. Perhaps there were faults on both sides, as usual in such contentions. Christ's example alone, is a copy without a blot. Yet we are not to think it strange, if there are differences among wise and good men. It will be so while we are in this imperfect state; we shall never be all of one mind till we come to heaven. But what mischief the remainders of pride and passion which are found even in good men, do in the world, and do in the church! Many who dwelt at Antioch, who had heard but little of the devotedness and piety of Paul and Barnabas, heard of their dispute and separation; and thus it will be with ourselves, if we give way to contention. Believers must be constant in prayer, that they may never be led by the allowance of unholy tempers, to hurt the cause they really desire to serve. Paul speaks with esteem and affection both of Barnabas and Mark, in his epistles, written after this event. May all who profess thy name, O loving Saviour, be thoroughly reconciled by that love derived from thee which is not easily provoked, and which soon forgets and buries injuries.