rd

Acts 15

1 Variance about circumcision. 22 The Apostles send their determination to the Churches. 35 Paul and Barnabas preach at Antiochia, 39 And separate company because of John Mark.
1.Then came down acertain from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, *Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye can not be saved.
2.And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question.
3.Thus being sent forth by the Church, they passed through Phenice, and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they brought great joy unto all the brethren.
4.And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them.
5.But said they, certain of the sect of the bPharisees, which did believe, rose up, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
6.Then the Apostles and Elders came together to look to this matter.
7.And when there had been great disputation, Peter rose up, and said unto them, *Ye men and brethren, ye know that a good while ago, among us God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe.
8.And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, in giving unto them the holie Ghost, even as he did unto us.
9.And he put no cdifferences between us and them, after that by faith he dhad *purified their hearts.
10.Now therefore, why etempt ye God, to *lay a yoke on the disciples necks, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to bear?
11.But we believe, through the fgrace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, even as they do.
12.Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.
13.And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, harken unto me.
14.*Simeon hath declared, how God first did visit the Gentiles, to take of them a people unto his Name.
15.And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written,
16.*After this I will return, and will build again the gtabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and the ruins thereof will I build again, and I will set it up,
17.That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the hGentiles upon whom my Name is called, saith the Lord which doeth all these things.
18.From the beginning of the world God knoweth all his works.
19.Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,
20.But that we write unto them, that they abstain them selves from ifilthiness of idols, and kfornication, and that that is strangled, and from blood || .
21.For lMoses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day.
22.Then it seemed good to the Apostles & Elders with the whole Church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antiochia with Paul and Barnabas: to wit, Judas whose surname was Barsabas and Silas, which were chief men among the brethren,
23.And wrote letters by them after this manner, THE APOSTLES, AND The Elders, and the brethren, unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antiochia, & in Syria, & in Cilicia, send greeting.
24.Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which departed from us, have troubled you with words, and cumbered your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law: to whom we gave no such commandment,
25.It seemed therefore good to us, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26.Men that have given up their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27.We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28.For it seemed good to the holie Ghost, and mto us, to lay no more burden upon you, then these necessary things,
29.That is, that ye abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and that that is strangled, and from fornication: || from which if ye keep your selves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30.Now when they were departed, they came to Antiochia, and after that they had assembled the multitude, they delivered the epistle.
31.And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32.And Judas and Silas being Prophets, ^exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.
33.And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in npeace of the brethren unto the Apostles.
34.Notwithstanding oSilas thought good to abide there still ||.
35.Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antiochia, teaching and preaching with many other the word of the Lord.
36.¶ But after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return, and visit our brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37.And Barnabas || counseled to take with them John, called Marke.
38.But Paul thought it not mete to take him unto their company, which departed from them from Pamphilia, and went not with them to the work.
39.Then were they so stirred that they pdeparted a sunder one from the other, so that Barnabas took Marke, and sailed unto Cyprus.
40.And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended of the brethren unto the grace of God.
41.And he went through Syria & Cilicia, stablishing the Churches.

Notes

1-*.
Gal 5.2.
1-a.
As Cerinth and others: so writes Epiphanius against the Cerinthians: also the fame of the place whence they came, did much prevail to persuade abroad.
5-b.
Which were factious, and given to dissension.
7-*.
Chap 10.20.
9-*.
1 Cor 1.2, Chap. 10.43.
9-c.
As touching adoption, and eternal life.
9-d.
By faith God purifies the heart.
10-*.
Mat 23.4.
10-e.
They purposely tempt God which lay greater charges on men’s consciences, then they are able to bear.
11-f.
And not by the Law: for it is a clog to the conscience, and we can not be delivered thereby.
14-*.
2 Pet. 1.1.
16-*.
Amos 9.11.
16-g.
That is, the Church whereof the Temple was a figure.
17-h.
Which are gathered into one family with the Jews to the intent they should acknowledge all one God, and one Saviour Christ Jesus.
20-||.
And what soever they would not should be done to themselves, that they should not do it to others
20-i.
For some thought it none offence to be present in the idol’s temples, and there to banquet: which S Paul says, is to drink the cup of the devils, 1 Cor 10.21.
20-k.
The heathen thought this no vice, but made it a common custom. As touching a strangled thing and blood, they were not unlawful of themselves, and therefore were observed but for a time.
21-l.
Therefore the ceremonies commanded by God could not so soon be abolished, till the liberty of the Gospel were better known.
28-m.
Whom the holie Ghost has moved and directed to ordain, and write these things, not as the authors of this doctrine, but as the ministers of God’s ordinance, Exod 14.31, Judg 7.20, Hag 1.12.
29-||.
and whatsoever ye would not that men should do unto you, do not to others
32-^.
Or, comforted.
33-n.
Having desired leave of the Church, the brethren prayed God to prosper their journey.
34-||.
and only Judas went
34-o.
Who for just causes, changed his mind.
37-||.
would take John, &c
39-p.
God suffers the most perfect to fall, and yet turns their infirmities to the setting forth of his glory, as this breach of company caused the word to be preached in more places.