Acts 15:30

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: SO WHEN THEY WERE DISMISSED, THEY CAME TO ANTIOCH: AND WHEN THEY HAD GATHERED THE MULTITUDE TOGETHER, THEY DELIVERED THE LETTER:...

− 30._When the multitude was gathered. _This was the most lawful kind of dealing to admit the whole multitude unto the reading of the epistle. For if there fall out any controversy in the doctrine of faith, it is meet that the judgment be referred over unto the learned and godly, and to such as are exercised in the Scripture; and, chiefly, to the pastors rightly ordained. Notwithstanding, because it belongeth to all alike to know for a surety what they must hold, the godly and learned teachers must make known − (153) to the whole Church what they have set down out of the word of God. For there is nothing more unfitting for holy and Christian order than to drive away the body of the people from common doctrine, as if it were a herd of swine, as they use to do under the tyranny of Popery. For because the Pope and the horned bishops did think that the people would never be obedient enough u...

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....

EXPOSITION ACTS 15:1 _Came down … and taught _for _which came down_ …_ taught, _A.V.; _saying _for _and said, _A.V._; custom _(ἔθος) for _manner, _A.V. EXCEPT YE BE CIRCUMCISED, etc. The question thus raised nearly effected the disruption of the Church, and was the most serious controversy that had yet arisen. If the views broached by these Judaean Christians had prevailed, the whole character of Christianity would have been changed, and its existence probably cut short. How great the danger was appears from even Peter and Barnabas having wavered in their opinion. (For St. Paul's treatment of the subject, see Romans 2:25, etc.; 4.;...

SO WHEN THEY WERE DISMISSED,.... That is, Paul and Barnabas, with Judas and Silas, by the apostles, elders, and church at Jerusalem: THEY CAME TO ANTIOCH; or "came down to Antioch", as the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions read, agreeably to Acts 15:1 AND WHEN THEY HAD GATHERED THE MULTITUDE TOGETHER; the whole church, which consisted of many members; the company, or congregation of the faithful, as the Arabic version renders it: and as Paul and Barnabas were sent by the church at Antioch; and as the letter, which they, with Judas and Silas, brought from Jerusalem, was directed and sent to the brethren at Antioch, it was highly reasonable, and necessary, that they should be called together, and an account of the business they were sent upon be given them, and the letter be delivered to them, as it accordingly was:...

ACTS 15:30 avpoluqe,ntej After avpoluqe,ntej Dgr* itd add evn h`me,raij ovli,gaij, which Blass, followed by Belser, takes to reflect the joyous speed with which they carry the letter to Antioch, in contrast to the more leisurely journey from Antioch to Jerusalem (ver. Acts 15:3). On the other hand, however, Weiss interprets it not of the time consumed in the journey, but of the time of their departure, i.e. shortly after the close of the council they returned to put an end to the troubles at Antioch (compare ver. Acts 15:24)....

CHAPTER 15 _ 1. The false teachers from Judea. Paul and Barnabas sent to Jerusalem (Acts 15:1)._ 2. The Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:6). 3. The Result made known (Acts 15:22). 4. The Consolation brought to Antioch (Acts 15:30). 5. Paul and Barnabas separate (Acts 15:36). 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 Apostle of the circumcision, Peter, had been used to prea

EVENTS AT ANTIOCH. At Antioch on the arrival of the party, everything is quiet and decorous: there is no mention of the disturbers of Acts 15:1; the impression is given that the authority of the Mother Church was decisive to all. They rejoiced apparently on account of the freedom given from unnecessary restrictions to the Gentile members. The prophets held long discourses, as prophets were expected to do (_Didaché,_ 10:7, 11, 1 Thessalonians 5:19 f.). The prophets are sent back to Jerusalem; D and other authorities in Acts 15:34 (omitted in RV) account for the inconsistency with Acts 15:40 by saying that Silas chose to stay there and

THE CRUCIAL PROBLEM (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 words--must the Gentile, before he became a Christian, first become a Jew? Or, could a Gentile be received into the Church as such? Even were that question settled there arose another problem. The strict Jew could have no intercourse with a Gentile. He could not have him as guest nor be his guest. He would not, as far as possible, even do business with him. So

WHEN THEY, &C. = having then been dismissed, i.e. let go. Greek. _apoluo,_ as in Acts 15:33. App-174. WHEN THEY HAD. having....