PART V. INTERVAL BETWEEN PAUL'S FIRST AND SECOND MISSIONARY TOUR. About three years. 28. THE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM. Antioch, Jerusalem.—Autumn, A. D. 50; or perhaps in the Spring A. D. 51. Interval between Paul's First and Second Missionary Journey. ACTS 15: 1–29. GAL. 2: 1-10. JAMES 1: 1. ISA. 45: 21. JER. 12: 15. AMOS 9: 11, 12. (1) Certain men from Judea, or false brethren, come to Antioch, and insist that Gentiles submit to the Law of Moses in order to salvation, Acts 15: 1; Gal. 4. (2) After much discussion the brethren send Paul, Barnabas, and others to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, Acts 15: 2; Gal. 1. (3) Their journey to Jerusalem, Acts 15: 3. (4) At Jerusalem they recount the blessing of God upon their labors, ver. 4; Gal. 2-10. (5) Again some Pharisaic Christians insist on circumcision and the observance of the Law of Moses, Acts 15:5. (6) Much questioning or debate in the assembly, ver. 6, 7. (7) Peter's speech, showing that the question had been settled by Divine authority, ver. 7-10. (8) That they should not therefore try God in putting a needless yoke upon the Gentiles, ver. 10, 11. (9) Paul and Barnabas rehearse the work of God among the Gentiles, ver. 12; Gal. 8, 9. (10) James shows that Peter's account agrees with ancient prophecy, Acts 15: 13-18; Amos 11, 12. (11) And proposes that they trouble not the Gentiles about these matters, only requiring them to abstain from certain practices which would reasonably call forth complaint from Jewish Christians, Acts 15: 19-21. (12) His course is approved by the whole church, ver. 22. (13) Certain brethren chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, ver. 22. (14) The letter conveying the decision of the Council, ver. 23-29. ACTS 15. 1 And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. (a) PARALLELS. (a) GAL. 2: 1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that ACTS 15. 3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused 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 all things that God had done with them. [Ch. 8:5; 11: 19; 21: 7; 14: 27.] 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (a) 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. (b) 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, 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, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. (b) [Ch. 13: 11; 14: 8-10, 20, 27.] PARALLELS. gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. (a) GAL. 2: 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But of those who seemed to be somewhat, whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person: for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles ;) (b) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to ACTS 15. 13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: [Ver. 7-10; ch. 10: 20; 11: 1-18.] 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for 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 tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: (a) 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (a) 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (b) 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. [Ver. 29; 1 Cor. 8: 1, 4-13; 10: 20; Eph. 5: 3.] 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. [1 Thess. 4: 3; Gen. 9: 4.] 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: [Ver. 40; ch. 18: 5; 2 Cor. 1: 19.] 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles and PARALLELS. be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. (a) AMOS 9: 11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. JER. 12: 15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out, I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. (b) Isa. 45: 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? ACTS 15. elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: (a) [Jas. 1: 1.] 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commandment: [Ver. 1; Gal. 2: 4; Tit. 1: 10, 11.] 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Ch. 13: 50; 14: 19.] 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. [Ver. 20; ch. 21: 25; Rev. 2: 20; Lev. 17: 12.] 29. PAUL AND BARNABAS RETURN TO ANTIOCH. THEIR SEPARATION IN MISSIONARY WORK. Antioch.-A. D. 51. ACTS 15: 30-39. (1) The delegates return to Antioch, with the messengers from Jerusalem, and the letter from the Council, Acts 15: 30. (2) How it was received at Antioch, ver. 31. (3) Judas and Silas confirm the brethren, ver. 32. (4) They are dismissed to return to Jerusalem, ver. 33. (5) Paul and Barnabas tarry and preach at Antioch, ver. 35. (6) Paul proposes to Barnabas a second missionary tour, ver. 36. (7) The dispute about taking Mark with them, ver. 37-39. (8) They separate in their missionary work, ver. 39. (9) Barnabas with Mark go to Cyprus, ver. 39. ACTS 15. 30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle : 31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. [Ch. 11:27; 14: 22; 1 Cor. 14: 3.] 33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. PARALLEL. (a] JAS. 1: 1. James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. ACTS 15. 34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. [Ch. 13: 1.] 36 And some days after, Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. [Ch. 13: 4, 13, 14, 50; 14: 1, 6, 24, 25; 2 Cor. 11: 28.] 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. [Ch. 12: 12, 25; 13: 5.] 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. [Ch. 13: 13.] 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. |