Bible Commentaries
Acts 15

Verses 1-41

In the work among Gentiles the question of circumcision very naturally arose, and its difficulty is revealed in the calling of a council. That council seems to have opened with much desultory discussion. Then followed the serious contributions. Peter's address is chronicled. In it he faced a supreme fact, that in sending him to the Gentiles God had proved that He made no distinction. The next speakers were Paul and Barnabas, who simply repeated the story of their work. The summing up by James is characterized by wisdom, and his finding was that the Gentiles should not be troubled with anything that was purely Jewish. The difficulty cleared away, the discussion ceased. Remarkable unanimity had been gained, for it is said that the apostles and the elders of the whole Church were in agreement. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, and there was rejoicing when the message was delivered to the church.

A revealing story of sharp division between these two men occurs here. Paul seems to have been afraid of Mark, because he had withdrawn from, them on a previous occasion, whereas Barnabas believed in him, and defended him. It is good to remember that subsequently Mark was restored to Paul's favor, as certain references in his letters clearly show.