THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL In the Apostolic age, as at the present day, only a minority even of the preachers, who were many, had clear and cloudless light on the pure and immaterial spirituality of the gracious economy. While the apostles, their evangelistic comrades and many others were walking in clou... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter certifies before the council that this question had been settled by the heavenly vision at Joppa and the descension of the Holy Ghost on the Gentiles at Caesarea, seven years ago, none of whom had ever received any of the Jewish ordinances, thus God Himself clearly confirming his acceptance of... [ Continue Reading ]
_“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”_ This Scripture settles forever the fact that the hearts of the apostles on the day of Pentecost were purified by faith, in order to be filled with the Holy Ghost. It also settles the matter beyond the possibility of cavi... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Peter pleads with them to put no yoke on the necks of the disciples, whether Gentiles or Jews, assuring them that all are saved by the free grace of God through faith, without works, legal obedience or ritual ceremonies. Of course, true saving faith is in its very nature always obedient, yet th... [ Continue Reading ]
Now James, the brother of our Lord and pastor of the Apostolic church at Jerusalem, rises after Peter and proceeds, delivering a number of focalized statements, which speak volumes appertaining to the gospel, church and human destiny.... [ Continue Reading ]
_“Simeon hath expounded how God in the first place interposed to take a people from the Gentiles in his name.”_ It is a great mistake to suppose that the gospel is to save the world. They will not have it, though it is free for them. This old fallen world is like a ship in mid-ocean, unseaworthy, ir... [ Continue Reading ]
_“To this correspond the words of the prophets, as has been written:_... [ Continue Reading ]
_“After these things I will return and build again the dynasty of David which has fallen into decay, and will build again the ruins of the same and set it up”_ (Amos 9:11-12). James quotes this prophecy in the Jerusalem council, of course giving it full New Testament endorsement, plainly and positiv... [ Continue Reading ]
_“In order that the remainders of men may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles, on whom my name has been called, upon the same, saith the Lord, who doeth all things known from the beginning.”_ Here we see the great and glorious harvest of souls, all saved during the preceding dark ages of Satan'... [ Continue Reading ]
_“Therefore I judge that we trouble not those from the Gentiles turning unto God,_... [ Continue Reading ]
_“But to command them to abstain from things offered to idols, from fornication, strangulation, and blood.”_ We see here that the Jerusalem council of apostles and elders, _i. e_., the highest tribunal this side of heaven, eliminated everything out of the gospel dispensation but pure spirituality; n... [ Continue Reading ]
_“For Moses from ancient generations has those preaching him in every city, being read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”_ At that time the Jews had synagogues in all the prominent cities of the known world. Those apostles expected to fulfill this commission and remain on the earth till the gospel wa... [ Continue Reading ]
The decrees proposed by James, their presiding bishop, receive a unanimous vote of the apostles, elders and brethren. In view of securing for the decrees all possible endorsement and availability, they appoint Judas and Silas, both of them prophets, eminent for their wisdom and piety, to accompany P... [ Continue Reading ]
Great is the delectation thrilling all of the Gentile churches upon the reading of the decrees, corroborated by the faithful testimonies and fervent exhortations of Judas and Silas, thus abundantly corroborating and impregnably fortifying the glorious doctrine of free grace already preached by Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
DISRUPTION AND FINAL SEPARATION OF BARNABAS AND PAUL 35-39. The Greek word for _“contention”_ is paroxysm, which now means an earthquake shock, which, you see, has a superlative signification. Paul and Barnabas were both sanctified wholly, and filled with the Holy Ghost. Perfect love is the bravest... [ Continue Reading ]