Bible Commentaries
Acts 15

Verse 3

Phenice

Phoenicia.

Verse 7

my mouth

See, Matthew 16:19. Peter used the keys first for the Jews on the day of Pentecost; secondly, in the house of Cornelius for the Gentiles, Acts 15:14; Acts 15:14 But Paul was distinctively the apostle to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:7; Galatians 2:8.

Verse 13

Men and brethren

Dispensationally, this is the most important passage in the N.T. It gives the divine purpose for this age, and for the beginning of the next.

(1) The taking out from among the Gentiles of a people for His name, the distinctive work of the present, or church-age. The church is the ecclesia--the "called-out assembly." Precisely this has been in progress since Pentecost. The Gospel has never anywhere converted all, but everywhere has called out some.

(2) "After this viz. the out-calling I will return." James quotes from Amos 9:11; Amos 9:12. The verses which follow in Amos describe the final regathering of Israel, which the other prophets invariably connect with the fulfilment of the Davidic Covenant (e.g.) ; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 11:10-12; Jeremiah 23:5-8.

(3) "And will build again the tabernacle of David," i.e. re-establish the Davidic rule over Israel 2 Samuel 7:8-17; Luke 1:31-33.

(4) "That the residue of men Israelites may seek after the Lord" cf Zechariah 12:7; Zechariah 12:8; Zechariah 13:1; Zechariah 13:2.

(5) "And all the Gentiles," etc. cf Micah 4:2; Zechariah 8:21; Zechariah 8:22. This is also the order of Romans 11:24-27.

Verse 14

at the first

Lit. for the first time, i.e. in the house of Cornelius. Acts 15:8-11; Acts 10:34-48 Acts 10:12-18.

Verse 16

tabernacle of David

Kingdom (N.T.) vs. Acts 15:14-17; Revelation 3:21; Luke 1:31-33; 1 Corinthians 15:34.

Verse 17

Lord

Jehovah. vs. Acts 15:16; Acts 15:17; Amos 9:11; Amos 9:12.

Verse 19

Wherefore

The scope of the decision goes far beyond the mere question of circumcision. The whole question of the relation of the law to Gentile believers had been put in issue (Acts 15:5), and their exemption is declared in the decision (Acts 15:19; Acts 15:24). The decision might be otherwise stated in the terms of Romans 6:14. "Ye are not under the law, but under grace." Gentile believers were to show grace by abstaining from the practices offensive to godly Jews.

Acts 15:20; Acts 15:21; Acts 15:28; Acts 15:29 cf ; Romans 14:12-17; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Verse 32

prophets

See, 1 Corinthians 14:3 defines the N.T. gift of prophecy.

Verse 39

Barnabas

And is heard of no more in the Bible story.