Acts 15:6-11 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And the apostles, &c., came together to consider of this matter As the apostles commonly resided at Jerusalem, the greater part of them may have come together on this occasion; and the elders likewise, men most respectable for their grace and gifts, having been chosen to the office of elders from among those on whom the Holy Ghost descended on the day of pentecost. Many of the brethren, too, of the church of Jerusalem were present in this assembly. For the decree, which was passed on the question, runs in the name of the whole church. And when there had been much disputing Occasioned by those of the sect of the Pharisees, who maintained the necessity of circumcision. It does not appear that this debate was among the apostles themselves; but if it was, if they themselves really debated the matter first, yet might their final decision be from an unerring direction. For how really soever they were inspired, we need not suppose their inspiration was always so instantaneous and express, as to supersede any deliberation in their own minds, or any consultation with each other. Peter rose up And put the assembly in mind, how he had been ordered by God to preach the gospel to Cornelius and the other Gentiles who were with him; and how God, who knoweth the hearts of men, bare them witness That he accepted them without circumcision, having given them the Holy Ghost, even as to the Jews, and put no difference between them And the Jews; purifying their hearts Not by the rites and ceremonies of the law, but by faith. Now therefore Said he, why do ye not acquiesce in such a determination? Why tempt ye God to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples So grievous and burdensome, that neither our fathers nor we were able to bear it? Why provoke ye God by making circumcision necessary to the salvation of the Gentiles, contrary to his declared will in this matter, and contrary to your own conviction. For we Who have been educated in the Jewish religion, and especially we who are apostles, believe, that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ And not through obedience to the law of Moses, we Jews, shall be saved even as they The Gentiles, are to be saved; in one and the same way, namely, through the grace of Christ alone.