Acts 15:6

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. AND THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS CAME TOGETHER - not, however, without "the church," as appears from ; Acts 15:22. FOR TO CONSIDER OF THIS MATTER. It will be observed that when they had simply to hear from the deputies what God had done among the Gentiles through them, they were received not only by "the apostles and elders," but by "the church" (); but when it became necessary to deliberate and decide on the vital question of circumcising those Gentile converts, it is said, "the apostles and elders came together to consider of this matter." It will be seen, however, from the sequel of t...

− 6._The apostles and elders met together. _Luke saith, not that all the whole Church was gathered together, but those who did excel in doctrine and judgment, and those who, according to their office, were competent − (91) judges in this matter. It may be, indeed, that the disputation was had in presence of the people. But lest any man should think that the common people were suffered hand over head to handle the matter, Luke doth plainly make mention of the apostles and elders, as it was more meet that they should hear the matter and to decide it. − (92) But let us know, that here is prescribed by God a form and an order in assembling synods, when there ariseth any controversy which cannot otherwise be decided. For seeing that many did daily gainstand Paul, this disputation alone, by reason whereof there was great ruin like to ensue, and which was already come to hot

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....

Verse 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....

AND THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS ... - They came together in accordance with the authority in Matthew 18:19. It would seem, also, that the whole church was convened on this occasion, and that the church concurred, at least, in the judgment expressed in this case. See Acts 15:12, Acts 15:22. FOR TO CONSIDER OF THIS MATTER - Not to decide it arbitrarily, or even by authority, without deliberation; but to compare their views, and to express the result of the whole to the church at Antioch. It was a grave and difficult question, deeply affecting the entire constitution of the Christian church, and they therefore solemnly engaged in deliberation on the subject

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.;...

AND THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS CAME TOGETHER,.... And also the brethren, or private members of the church, even the whole church, as appears from Acts 15:22. Whether all the apostles were here present, is not certain; Peter, James, and John were; but who else, cannot be said: these met together FOR TO CONSIDER OF THIS MATTER; to hear what was to be said on both sides of the question, and then to judge what advice was proper to be given to the Gentiles....

ACTS 15:6 presbu,teroi {A} After presbu,teroi 614 1799 2412 syrh add the words su.n tw|/ plh,qei (“with the congregation”). The gloss was probably suggested by verses Acts 15:12 and Acts 15:22, where reference is made to “the assembly” and “the whole church.”...

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

THE DELIBERATION. The meeting is a public one (see Acts 15:12 and Acts 15:22). In Galatians 2 Paul says he laid his manner of preaching before those of reputation, in private. Peter comes forward (D says, in the Spirit) in the character of apostle of the Uncircumcision, rehearsing the facts given in chs. 10 f. But in Galatians 2, Peter accepts the character of apostle of the Circumcision, leaving the Gentiles to Paul's province. God's giving them the Spirit is narrated in Acts 11:15. Acts 15:10. Why tempt ye God? _ i.e._ ask for a further miracle? Peter speaks of the Law, as if he had studied under Paul (_cf._...