XV: 1. At this point in the narrative our historian makes a sudden transition from the conflicts of the disciples with the unbelieving world to one almost as serious among themselves. There never was a national antipathy more intense than that felt by the Jews to the whole Gentile world. It was the... [ Continue Reading ]
XV: 1. At this point in the narrative our historian makes a sudden transition from the conflicts of the disciples with the unbelieving world to one almost as serious among themselves. There never was a national antipathy more intense than that felt by the Jews to the whole Gentile world. It was the... [ Continue Reading ]
2. If Paul and Barnabas had ever been, since their conversion, blinded by these narrow views, their labors among the Gentiles would have wrought a change in their feelings, and prepared them to see the subject in a better light. They opposed the new propositions with all their powers; and though the... [ Continue Reading ]
3. Their journey to Jerusalem, which was accomplished by land, lay through two sections of country which had already been evangelized to a considerable extent. (3) "_ Being sent forward by the Church, they passed through Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused... [ Continue Reading ]
4. After a pleasant journey among rejoicing Churches, they reached Jerusalem. (4) "_ And when they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the Church, and by the apostles and elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. " They proceeded, in Jerusalem, as they had upon their return... [ Continue Reading ]
5. The Judaizers did not hesitate to declare fully their own position. (5) " But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, rose up, saying, It was necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses. " This party is here identified as converts from the old sect of the Pha... [ Continue Reading ]
6. After the Pharisees had stated their position, distinctly affirming that the Gentiles should be circumcised and keep the law, it seems that the assembly adjourned to meet up again at another hour. The next meeting is then announced in these words: (6) "_ Now the apostles and elders came together... [ Continue Reading ]
7-11. Luke does not report all that was said, but only those speeches that were decisive, and that brought the controversy to a close. Merely alluding, therefore, to the first part of the discussion, he says: (7) "_ And when there had been much discussion, Peter arose and said to them, Brethren, you... [ Continue Reading ]
12. This brief statement of facts had so good an effect upon the multitude, that Barnabas and Paul determined to follow it by a rehearsal of similar facts in the history of their own labors among the Gentiles. (12) "_ Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul relating wh... [ Continue Reading ]
13-21. So far as recent indications of God's will were concerned, the argument was now complete and unanswerable; but the Jewish mind was prone to an underestimate of passing events, while they looked back with superior reverence to the law and the prophets. The Apostle James, knowing that they woul... [ Continue Reading ]
22-29. The speech of James brought the discussion to a close. The will of God upon the subject was now so clearly exhibited that the opposition was totally silenced, and it remained only to determine the best method of practically carrying out the proposition submitted by James. (22) "_ Then it plea... [ Continue Reading ]
30, 31. The object of sending Judas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas was doubtless that they, having been entirely unconnected with the conversion of Gentiles, and above suspicion of undue partiality toward them, might use their personal influence with the Jewish brethren to induce them to accept th... [ Continue Reading ]
32-34. We have said above, that the purpose for which Judas and Silas were sent to Antioch was to enforce, by their personal influence, the authority of the epistle. We find this statement confirmed by the further account of their labors. (32) "_ And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets,... [ Continue Reading ]
35. The city of Antioch still continued to be a profitable field for apostolic labor, and the scene of interesting events. (35) "_ Paul and Barnabas also continued in Antioch, with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. " It is during this period that the most judicious commentato... [ Continue Reading ]
36-41. We have lingered long upon the interval spent by Paul and Barnabas in Antioch. We are now to follow the former upon his second missionary tour. (36) "_ But after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return and visit our brethren in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]