Acts 15:6

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

And the apostles and elders came together - not, however, without "the church," as appears from ; Acts 15:22.

For to consider of this matter. It will be observed that when they had simply to hear from the deputies what God had done among the Gentiles through them, they were received not only by "the apostles and elders," but by "the church" (); but when it became necessary to deliberate and decide on the vital question of circumcising those Gentile converts, it is said, "the apostles and elders came together to consider of this matter." It will be seen, however, from the sequel of this narrative that the apostles and elders did not, like most hierarchical councils in later times, sit 'with closed doors.'

The debate-The address of Peter-The report of the Missionaries-The summing-up and proposal of James (15:7-21)