THE EXTENSION OF THE CHURCH TO JUDÆA AND SAMARIA (ACTS 8:4 TO ACTS 11:18) The Christians, scattered by persecution, preach everywhere through Judaea and Samaria. The places specially mentioned are Samaria, Azotus, Caesarea, Lydda, the Sharon valley, and Joppa.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST GENTILE CHURCH 1-18. The baptism of Cornelius discussed and approved at Jerusalem. Those Christians who maintained the need of observing the Ceremonial Law did not attack the baptism itself because, although they disliked it, our Lord's command to baptise all nations was too definite to be... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT WERE OF THE CIRCUMCISION] This may either mean the whole Church of Jerusalem in contrast with Cornelius and his friends, or the Judaising party in that Church which, perhaps, already existed, as it certainly did some years later (Acts 15:1; Acts 15:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
The Church of Jerusalem unanimously endorsed Peter's action, doubtless because the case was an exceptional one, and was not likely to become a precedent. When St. Paul made a practice of doing what St. Peter had only done as a rare exception, the controversy was revived (Acts 15).... [ Continue Reading ]
The narrative goes back to Acts 8:1, to trace the chain of causation which led to the foundation of the first great Gentile Church. Christianity, it will be seen, spread along the great trade routes both by land and sea. PHENICE] i.e. Phœnicia.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH, 35-47 A.D. (ACTS 11:19 TO ACTS 13:3) 19-26. Extension of the Church to Antioch. Admission of Gentile members. Antioch in N. Syria ranked next to Alexandria, as the third city in the Roman empire. It was beautifully situated on the Orontes, about 15 m. from the sea. Its port wa... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN OF CYPRUS AND CYRENE] these would be Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews), and therefore presumably more liberal in their views than Hebrews. To these unnamed Cyprians and Cyrenians belongs the credit of first preaching systematically to Gentiles. SPAKE UNTO THE GRECIANS] i.e. to the Greek-speaking... [ Continue Reading ]
The Church of Jerusalem on hearing the news acted with commendable self-restraint. They did not hastily condemn the new departure, little as they liked it, but sent a trustworthy person, Barnabas, to examine into the circumstances upon the spot, and to report.... [ Continue Reading ]
Barnabas, after carefully observing the results of the policy, approved it (WAS GLAD), and EXHORTED THEM all (i.e. both Jews and Gentiles) to persevere in their profession of faith, and to form one united Church. Barnabas thus anticipated Paul in sanctioning the principle of Gentile equality, which... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRISTIANS] The giving of this name marked the recognition of the fact that 'the Way' was something more than a new Jewish sect. The inclusion of numerous Gentiles within the Church, and that without their becoming Jews, and the preaching of Jesus as one whose authority was superior to that of Moses... [ Continue Reading ]
The Church of Antioch succours the Church of Jerusalem in time of famine. 27. Friendly-relations clearly prevailed between Jerusalem and Antioch, the former Church sending accredited prophets and teachers to Antioch to assist in the work of evangelisation. Prophets] The gift of prophecy specially di... [ Continue Reading ]
AGABUS] see Acts 21:10. GREAT DEARTH THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD] There was a severe famine in the fourth year of Claudius, 45 a.d., which affected both Judæa and Greece. To this St. Luke probably refers. CLAUDIUS] reigned from 41-54 a.d. The prophecy of Agabus was perhaps delivered in 44 a.d.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDERS] lit. 'presbyters.' These officers are here mentioned for the first time. All the Apostolic Churches were governed by presbyters (Acts 14:23), or, as they were sometimes called at first, bishops (Acts 20:28 : cp. Philippians 1:1). The presbyters ranked next to the apostles and above the d... [ Continue Reading ]