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Home / Commentaries / Treasury of Knowledge / Acts / Chapter 15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 15

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Introduction

1	Great dissensions arise touching circumcision.
5	The apostles consult about it,
22	and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36	Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brethren together, disagree, and travel different ways.

Verse 1
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Cir: A.M. 4057. A.D. 53.
certain: 21:20; Galatians 2:4,12,13
the brethren
Except: 5; Romans 4:8-12; Galatians 5:1-4; Philippians 3:2,3; Colossians 2:8,11,12,16
after: Genesis 17:10-27; Leviticus 12:3; John 7:22
ye: 24; 1 Corinthians 7:18,19; Galatians 2:1,3; 5:6; 6:13-16

Verse 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.

Paul: 7; Galatians 1:6-10; 2:5; Jude 1:3
they determined: 25; Exodus 18:23; Galatians 2:1,2
certain: 22,27; 10:23; 11:12
should: 4,22,23; 1 Samuel 8:7; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Galatians 2:2; Philemon 1:8,9
the apostles: 6,23; 21:18; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 11:5

Verse 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.

brought: 21:5; 28:15; Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6,11; Titus 3:13; 3 John 1:6-8
passed: 8:14; 11:19
declaring: 12; 14:27; 21:19,20
they caused: 11:18; 13:48,52; Isaiah 60:4,5; 66:12-14; Luke 15:5-10,23,24,32

Verse 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.

received: 18:27; 21:17; Matthew 10:40; Romans 15:7; Colossians 4:10; 2 John 1:10; 3 John 1:8-10
all: 3,12; 14:27; 21:19; Romans 15:18; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 6:1

Verse 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.

rose up certain: or, rose up, said they, certain. the sect.; 21:20; 26:5,6; Philippians 3:5-8
That it: 1,24; Galatians 5:1-3

Verse 6
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

25; 6:2; 21:18; Proverbs 15:22; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 13:7,17

Verse 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.

much: 2,39; Philippians 2:14
ye know: 10:5,6,20,32-48; 11:12-18; Matthew 16:18,19
God: 1:24; 9:15; 13:2; 1 Chronicles 28:4,5; John 3:27; 15:16; Galatians 2:7-9
by my: 1:16; 3:18; 4:25; Exodus 4:12; Jeremiah 1:9; Romans 10:17,18

Verse 8
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

which: 1:24; 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 29:17; Psalms 44:21; 139:1,2; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10; 20:12; John 2:24,25; 21:17; Hebrews 4:13; Revelation 2:23
bare: 14:3; John 5:37; Hebrews 2:4
giving: 2:4; 4:31; 10:44,45; 11:15-17

Verse 9
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

put: 14:1,27; Romans 3:9,22,29,30; 4:11,12; 9:24; 10:11-13; 1 Corinthians 7:18; Galatians 3:28; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:14-22; 3:6; Colossians 3:11
purifying: 10:15,28,43,44; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 9:13,14; 1 Peter 1:22

Verse 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?

Why: Exodus 17:2; Isaiah 7:12; Matthew 4:7; Hebrews 3:9
put: Matthew 11:28-30; 23:4; Galatians 5:1
which: Galatians 4:1-5,9; Hebrews 9:9

Verse 11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

that: Romans 3:24; 5:20,21; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 16:23; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 13:14; Galatians 1:6; 2:16; Ephesians 1:6,7; 2:7-9; Titus 2:11; 3:4-7; Revelation 5:9

Verse 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.

declaring: 4; 14:27; 21:19

Verse 13
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

after: 1 Corinthians 14:30-33; James 1:19
James: 12:17; 21:18; Mark 15:40; Galatians 1:19; 2:9,12; James 1:1
Men: 2:14,22,29; 7:2; 22:1

Verse 14
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Simeon: 2 Peter 1:1; *Gr:
declared: 7-9; Luke 1:68,78; 2:31,32
to take: Isaiah 43:21; 55:11-13; Romans 1:5; 11:36; 1 Peter 2:9,10

Verse 15
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

13:47; Romans 15:8-12

Verse 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:

this: Amos 9:11,12
build again the tabernacle: 2 Samuel 7:11-16; 1 Kings 12:16; Psalms 89:35-49; Isaiah 9:6,7; Jeremiah 33:24-26; Ezekiel 17:22-24; Zechariah 13:8; Matthew 1:20-25; Luke 1:31-33,69,70

Verse 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.

the residue: Genesis 22:18; 49:10; Psalms 22:26,27; 67:1-3; 72:17-19; Isaiah 2:2,3; 11:10; Isaiah 19:23-25; 24:15,16; 49:6,7; 66:18-21; Jeremiah 16:19; Hosea 2:23; Joel 2:32; Micah 4:1,2; 5:7; Zechariah 2:11; 8:20-23; Malachi 1:11
the Gentiles: Genesis 48:16; Numbers 6:27; Isaiah 43:7; 65:1
who: Numbers 24:23; Isaiah 45:7,8; Daniel 4:35

Verse 18
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

17:26; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 41:22,23; 44:7; 46:9,10; Matthew 13:35; 25:34; Ephesians 1:4,11; 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8; 17:8

Verse 19
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

that: 10,24,28; Galatians 1:7-10; 2:4; 5:11,12
turned: 26:20; Isaiah 55:7; Hosea 14:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Verse 20
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

from pollutions: 29; Genesis 35:2; Exodus 20:3-5,23; 34:15,16; Numbers 25:2; Psalms 106:37-39; Ezekiel 20:30,31; 1 Corinthians 8:1,4-13; 10:20-22,28; Revelation 2:14,20; 9:20; 10:2,8
fornication: 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9,13,18; 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 12:16; 13:4; 1 Peter 4:3
things: 21:25; Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17; 7:23-27; 17:10-14; Deuteronomy 12:16,23-25; 14:21; Deuteronomy 15:23; 1 Samuel 14:32; Ezekiel 4:14; 33:25; 1 Timothy 4:4,5

Verse 21
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

sabbath: 13:15,27; Nehemiah 8:1-12; Luke 4:16

Verse 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:

pleased: 23,25; 6:4,5; 2 Samuel 3:36; 2 Chronicles 30:4,12
to send: 27; 8:14; 11:22
Barsabas: 1:23
Silas: 27,32,40; 16:19,25,29; 17:4,10,14; 18:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12
Silvanus

Verse 23
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

The apostles: 4,22
greeting: 23:26; Romans 16:3-16; James 1:1; 2 John 1:3,13; 3 John 1:14
brethren: 11:18; 14:27; 21:25
Syria: 41; 18:18; 21:3; Galatians 1:21

Verse 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:

that certain: Jeremiah 23:16; Galatians 2:4; 5:4,12; 2 Timothy 2:14; Titus 1:10,11; 1 John 2:19
Ye must: 1,9,10; Galatians 2:3,4; 6:12,13

Verse 25
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

seemed: 28; Matthew 11:26; Luke 1:3
being: 6; 1:14; 2:1,46; 1 Corinthians 1:10
to send: 22,27
our: Romans 16:12; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7,9; Philemon 1:16; 2 Peter 3:15
Barnabas: 2,35; Galatians 2:9

Verse 26
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

hazarded: 13:50; 14:19; Judges 5:18; 1 Corinthians 15:30; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27; Philippians 2:29,30

Verse 27
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

Judas
who: 2 John 1:12; 3 John 1:13
mouth: Gr. word.

Verse 28
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

it: John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25,40; 14:37; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; 1 Peter 1:12
greater: Matthew 11:30; 23:4; Revelation 2:24

Verse 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.

ye abstain: 20; 21:25; Leviticus 17:14; Romans 14:14,15,20,21; 1 Corinthians 10:18-20; Revelation 2:14,20
if ye: 2 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Timothy 5:22; James 1:27; 1 John 5:21; Jude 1:20,21,24
Fare: 18:21; 23:30; Luke 9:61; 2 Corinthians 13:11

Verse 30
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

and: 6:2; 21:22
delivered: 16:4; 23:33

Verse 31
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

they rejoiced: 1,10; 16:5; Galatians 2:4,5; 5:1; Philippians 3:3
consolation: or, exhortation.

Verse 32
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

being: 2:17,18; 11:23,27; 13:1; Matthew 23:34; Luke 11:49; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:28,29; 1 Corinthians 14:3,29,32; Ephesians 3:5; 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:20
exhorted: 2:40; 11:23; 14:22; 18:23; 20:2; Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:11; 4:1; 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:6-15; 1 Peter 5:1,12
confirmed: 41; Isaiah 35:3,4; Daniel 11:1; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Ephesians 4:12,13; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Peter 5:10

Verse 33
And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

they were: 16:36; Genesis 26:29; Exodus 4:18; 1 Corinthians 16:11; Hebrews 11:31; 2 John 1:10

Verse 34
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

it pleased: 11:25,26; 18:27; 1 Corinthians 16:12

Verse 35
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

continued: 13:1; 14:28
teaching: 28:31; Matthew 28:19,20; Colossians 1:28; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 4:2

Verse 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.

Cir: A.M. 4058. A.D. 54. Let.; 7:23; Exodus 4:18; Jeremiah 23:2; Matthew 25:36,43
in every: 13:4,13,14,51; 14:1,6,21,24,25
and see: Romans 1:11; 2 Corinthians 11:28; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:17,18; 3:6,10,11; 2 Timothy 1:4

Verse 37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

John: 12:12,25; 13:5,13; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24

Verse 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.

who: 13:13; Psalms 78:9; Proverbs 25:19; Luke 9:61; 14:27-34; James 1:8

Verse 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;

the contention: 2; 6:1; Psalms 106:33; 119:96; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 7:18-21; James 3:2
and sailed: 4:36; 11:20; 13:4-12; 27:4

Verse 40
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

chose: 22,32; 16:1-3
being: 13:3; 14:26; 20:32; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 2 Timothy 4:22; Titus 3:15; 2 John 1:10,11

Verse 41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

through: 23; 18:18; 21:3; Galatians 1:21
confirming: 32; 16:4,5

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Bibliography Information
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Acts 15:24". "The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge". "http://www.studylight.org/com/tsk/view.cgi?book=ac&chapter=15&verse=24".

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