A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Acts · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
ANd certain men which came down from Judea, taught the brethren, and ſaid, Except ye be circumciſed after the manner of Moſes, ye cannot be ſaved.
1. Some Chriſtian Jews thought and taught, that Circumciſion and keeping the Law of Moſes is neceſſary to Salvation, both to Jew and Gentile Chriſtians.
Note, 1. The ſound Doctrine of Chriſtianity was quickly corrupted be erring Teachers. 2. The threatning of damnation, and making error ſeem neceſſary to ſalvation, was uſed to affright timerous Chriſtians into falſe ways.
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.
2. Note, To be Diſſenters and Diſputants againſt errors and tyrannical impoſitions upon conſcience, is no fault but a great duty.
2. Its but a groundleſs fiction of ſome that tell us that this was an appeal to Jeruſalem, becauſe it was the Metropolis of Syria and Antioch: As if Metropolitan Church Power had been then ſettled: When long after, when it was deviſed indeed, Antioch was above Jeruſalem: And its as vain a fiction that this was an appeal to a general Council; as if the Apoſtles and Elders at Jeruſalem had been a general Council, when none of the Biſhops of the Gentile Churches were there, or called thither. It is notorius that it was an appeal to the Apoſtles (taking in the Elders) as thoſe that had the certaineſt notice of Chriſts mind, having converſed with him, and being entruſted to teach all Nations whatever he commanded them, and had the greateſt meaſure of the ſpirit; and alſo being Jews themſelves, were ſuch as the Judaizing Chriſtians had no reaſon to ſuſpect or reject.
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.
3. Note, By the Church that brought them on, is neither meant a Dioceſs of Churches, nor the meer Clergy; but the chief Men of the Congregation of Antioch. 2. The Gentiles converſation was joyful news.
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. 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.
4. They firſt told them of their ſucceſs on the Gentiles, and then of the Doctrine of theſe Chriſtians Phariſees.
Note, The error, as to the Jews, had a fair religious pretence; for Moſes Law was Gods own Law, and delivered by Angels, and confirmed be miracles; and Chriſt had ſaid that he came not to deſtroy it, &c. Therefore had not, Apoſtolick Teſtimony, and the Authority of the Holy Ghoſt by miracles, proved the abrogation, it would more hardly have been believed by good men, than the ſubſtitute Canons of Biſhops that have no ſuch pretence. But the Gentiles were never under Moſes Law as ſuch.
6. And the Apoſtles and Elders came together, for to conſider of this matter.
6. Note, Gods inſpiration made not conſultation needleſs to themſelves, or to convince Gainſayers.
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. 8. And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witneſs, giving them the holy Ghoſt, even as he did unto us: 9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
7. Thoſe of the Phariſees way that came with Paul and Barnabas, were heard diſputing for their cauſe, and then Peter ſaid, &c.
10. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoak upon the neck of the Diſciples, which neither our Fathers nor we were able to bear?
10. God never put this yoke on the Gentiles, and we Jews have found it a heavy burden.
11. But we believe that through the Grace of the▪ Lord Jeſus Chriſt, we ſhall be ſaved even as they.
11. And it is not by the works of Moſes Law, that we Jews are juſtified and ſaved, but in the ſame way that is common to the Gentiles with us, even by the Grace of Jeſus Chriſt.
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.
12. The miracles and converſion of the Gentiles, was Gods approving Teſtimony in the caſe.
13. And after they had held their peace, James anſwered, ſaying,
13. Note, They were not like the proud Magiſterial Talkers, ſo full of themſelves, that they have not patience to reſtrain their liſt of ſpeaking till another hath done, but ſtop and ſilence him by rude uncivil interruption, on pretence that he is too long.
13, 14. Men and brethren, hearken unto me. 14. Simon hath declared how God at the firſt did viſit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15. And to this agree the words of the Prophets; as it is written, 16. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: and I will build again the ruines thereof, and I will ſet it up: 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.
13, 14. Note, Some think James meaneth the prophecy of Simeon, Luke 2.32. A Light to lighten the Gentiles: but its liker, (though not certain) that its Peter here that he meaneth.
18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
18. God that hath prophecyed of this calling of the Gentiles, decreed and foreknew it. They are his works as well as we, and he is merciful to all.
19. Wherefore my ſentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are returned to God: 20. But that we write unto them, that they abſtain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things ſtrangled, and from bloud.
19. Note, It is not agreed by expoſitors what theſe words mean, whether it be only things indifferent that are here determined (as Beza and ſome other think, and that only to avoid offence for a time: Or whether it be the precepts of Noah impoſed on the Proſelites of the Gate as ſuch, (as Doctor Hammond thought) They that go the firſt way, think, that by [Fornication] here is meant Idolatry, that is, the countenancing of it by the uſe of things in themſelves indifferent: But moſt think, that by [Fornication] is meant ſome controverted ſorts of it, as marrying within ſome prohibited degrees, or uſing Concubines, or ſecond Wives, which the Jews ſcrupled not. And others think that the ignorance of Jews and Gentiles of the evil of Fornication, and ſome Hereticks pleading for it, made it, though not indifferent joyned with the reſt.
Thoſe that go the ſecond way, ſay, that to the Proſelites of the Gate, the ſeven precepts of Noah were neceſſary, and therefore, when they turned Chriſtians, not to be caſt off: And by [Blood] they think is meant [Bloodſhed or Murder:] ſo the two firſt precepts (ſaith Dr. Hammond) are, for worſhipping the true God: 2. And not Idols; both theſe are included in [Abſtaining from Meats offered to Idols.] 3. Abſtaining from Blood, is the fifth of thoſe precepts againſt Murder. 4. From things ſtrangled is the ſeventh. 5. From Fornication was the fourth. 6. And many ancient Greek copies add here [Thou ſhalt not do to another what thou wouldſt not have done to thee] and that containeth that againſt theft and injuſtice, &c. Which ever of theſe be right it maketh no difference as to our obligation. By eating things ſtrangled and blood, can be meant no more than ſuch beaſtly devouring, either of the blood it ſelf, or the blood in the ſtrangled Creature, which ſignifyeth a bloody mind, and may harden men in cruelty, and eaſilyer diſpoſe them to ſhed Mans blood. And if there be any more that is ceremonious in it, it was temporary to avoid the Jews offence: But if any think any more to be unlawful, its lawful to forbear it.
21. For Moſes of old time hath in every city them that Preach him, being read in the Synagogues every ſabbath-day.
21. As for the Jews, the Law of Moſes belongs to them, and we leave them to it, till God ſhall diſſolve their State and Policy (it is preached by the reading of it in the Synagogues every Sabbath day.)
22. Then pleaſed it the Apoſtles and Elders, with the whole Church, to ſend choſen men of their own company of Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas ſurnamed Barſabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.
22. Though the Apoſtles were the infallible Deciders, the Elders and the whole Church were unanimous Conſenters, and to ſhew the neceſſity of concord, and that even infallible and miraculous Teachers, yet guide only Volunteers; They ſent ſome of their own Company (of the College that guided the Church at Jeruſalem; or as Doctor Hammond thinketh Biſhops of ſome ſingle Congregations in Judea) that contending parties might not be the only reporters of their ſentence.
23. And 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 and Cilicia. 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:
23, 24. Note, 1. If Falſe Teachers pretended Apoſtolick Authority or miſſion when they were neer them, no wonder if they do it now when they are not ſo ehſily confutted. 2. Tyrannical impoſitions on Conſcience, do but trouble the Church and ſubvert Souls, by pious pretences.
25. It ſeemed good unto us, being aſſembled with one accord, to ſend choſen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul; 26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 27. We have ſent therefore Judas and Silas, who ſhall alſo tell you the ſame things by mouth.
25. Thus far their Letters are Credential, to tell them that they may believe the Meſſengers.
28. For it ſeemed good to the holy Ghoſt, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden then theſe neceſſary things;
28. Note, 1. It is prophaneneſs for any Biſhops or Councells to uſe theſe words, who neither have aſſurance, nor can give any proof that the Holy Ghoſt guideth them. 2. The Holy Ghoſt is againſt impoſing unneceſſary things as neceſſary. Theſe things here impoſed were neceſſary, at leaſt all to thoſe Perſons, and at the time, and moſt (if not all) continually.
29. That ye abſtain from meats offered to idols, and from bloud, and from things ſtrangled, and from fornication, from which if ye keep your ſelves, ye ſhall do well. Fare ye well.
29. It is not Moſes's Law that ye are bound to keep, but theſe commoner precepts. Do nothing that ſcandalouſly favoureth Idolatry, or ſavoreth of cruelty and bloodineſs, not eating ſtrangled Creatures in the gore blood, avoid defilement, by any ſort of forbidden fleſhly luſt and filthineſs.
30. So when they were diſmiſſed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the Epiſtle
30. Note, The Multitude was one Aſſembly, not a Dioceſs, nor only the Clergy.
31. Which when they had read, they rejoyced for the conſolation.
31. Note, Liberty from toylſome Ceremonies (tho God firſt inſtituted them) was matter of joy to the Churches: But alaſs few Churches are allowed that joy, by their Lordly Paſtors.
32. And Judas and Silas being Prophets alſo themſelves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
32. Note, By [Prophets] is meant ſuch as were inſpir…ed by the Holy Ghoſt, either by Revelation of any new thing, or by ability to explain and apply known truth.
33. And after they had tarried there a ſpace, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the Apoſtles. 34. Notwithſtanding it pleaſed Silas to abide there ſtill. 35. Paul alſo and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and Preaching the word of the Lord, with many others alſo.
33. Note, The Church of Antioch had many excellent Teachers, and it is not intimated, that any one was Biſhop over the reſt, or that Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, &c. were ſubjects to any one.
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.
36. Note, Converted Souls and Planted Churches, muſt be further viſited, obſerved and watered.
37. And Barnabas determined to take with them John whoſe ſurname was Mark. 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. 39. And the contention was ſo ſharp bttween them, that they departed aſunder one from the other: and ſo Barnabas took Mark, and ſailed unto Cyprus; 40. And Paul choſe Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the Grace of God. 41. And he went through Syria, and Cilicia, confirming the Churches.
37. Note, Apoſtles were not infallible in all things, even about the fitneſs of their Helpers. 2. Small differences even to ſharpen contention, may ſtand with Chriſtian Love and Unity. 3. There was then no Judge of ſuch controverſies, either Biſhop or Synod to avoid and end them. 4. But God turned this to good, for the better ſpreading of the Goſpel.