Part 2 — Chapter 8: The Fourth Argument, Taken from Acts 15

The example of the Apostolical Churches, Acts 15, makes for us. The Churches of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, being troubled with the question about the Jewish Ceremonies, the matter was debated and disputed at Antioch, the chief town of Coelosyria, where Paul and Barnabas were for the time. It is very probable, that some out of the other Churches in that Province, as also out of the Churches of Cilicia, were present in that meeting and conference, for they were troubled with the very same question, no less than the Church of Antioch. However the matter could not be agreed upon in that meeting, but a reference thereof was made to a more general assembly at Jerusalem, and for that effect Paul and Barnabas, and others with them, were sent there. All this is clear by comparing verse 2 with 23. Hereupon the Apostles and Elders did synodically come together at Jerusalem, and decided the question, giving forth decrees to be observed by the particular Churches (Acts 15:6, 28 and 16:4). We will not dispute what sort of Synod this was, only that it was a Synod with authority over many particular Churches and Congregations, and whereunto the meeting at Antioch (whether it was provincial, or Presbyterial only) did refer the determination of the question about Jewish ceremonies.

It is answered by some. 1. That the reason of sending Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, was to know whether these teachers who pressed the observation of the ceremonial Law had any such commission from the Apostles and Elders, as they pretended. 2. That there is here no Synod, nor assembly of the Commissioners of divers Churches, for there were no Commissioners from the rest of the Churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, mentioned (Acts 9:31), nor from the Churches of the Gentiles mentioned (Acts 14:23), neither were Paul and Barnabas, and the rest who went with them, Commissioners to represent the Church of Antioch, but messengers only to make narration of the case. 3. Not only the Apostles and Elders, but the whole Church at Jerusalem met together. 4. If the resolution which was given, be considered, as the judgement of the Church at Jerusalem, it was only her advice to her sister Churches, if otherwise considered, it was a decree absolutely Apostolical, and divine Scripture by infallible direction from the Holy Ghost, and for that reason imposed upon all the Churches of the Gentiles, though they had no Commissioners there.

These answers had need to be stronger, before that so many Fathers, Councils, and Protestant Writers, who have understood the matter otherwise should all be put in an error.

To the first we reply, that the reason of sending Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, was not so much to know, whether these teachers had commission from the Apostles and Elders, to press the keeping of the Law of Moses, as to get a resolution of the question itself, verse 2, about this question. Now the question was not what commission the Apostles had given to those teachers, but whether they should be circumcised, after the manner of Moses, verse 1.

To the second, we say, that if Paul and Barnabas, were messengers to make narration of the case, certainly they were more than sufficient messengers, and there was no need of others to be joined in message with them, so that it appears the rest who were sent with them were Commissioners to represent the Churches which sent them. Neither is it credible, but that all the Churches of Syria and Cilicia, which were in the same case, with the Church of Antioch, did send their Commissioners also to Jerusalem, for otherwise, how could the Apostles and Elders have so certain and perfect intelligence of the case of those Churches, verse 23. Beside it had been a great neglect in those Churches, if they had not sent some to Jerusalem, as the Church of Antioch did, for if it was expedient which Antioch did, they ought no less to have done it, their case being the same. Moreover it may be collected from verse 3, that the other Churches through which Paul and Barnabas passed in their journey, did send some companions along with them, to join with them in their errand, and to give their consent in the meeting at Jerusalem, to that which was to be concluded. This is the observation of Cajetan, Mentzerus, Calvin, Gualther, and other Interpreters upon that place.

Lastly, it is no way probable, that the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, together with those who were sent from the Churches of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, and the other Churches through which Paul and Barnabas did travel, would come together without acquainting the rest of the Churches of Judea, which were so near at hand, and might so easily send their Commissioners to Jerusalem.

To the third we reply, that it cannot be proved from the Text that the body of the Church of Jerusalem was present, but rather it appears from verse 6 that they were not present, as has been said before. And though it were granted that they were present, yet Mr. Robinson says, that they did no more than consent to the decree.

To the last answer, it is maintained that the conclusion of that meeting at Jerusalem, was not a naked counsel and advice, but a decree imposed with authority upon the Churches (Acts 15:28 and 16:4 and 21:25). And whereas it is affirmed, that the decree was merely Apostolical, and that the Elders did no more than consent thereto, even as the brethren did, this is manifestly against the Text, for Acts 16:4, it is said of Paul and Silas as they went through the Cities they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the Apostles & Elders that were at Jerusalem. And Acts 21:25, all the Elders speaking to Paul, say, as touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing. That this was spoken by all the Elders, is plain from verses 18, 19, 20. So then the Elders did decree, ordain, and conclude these things to be imposed upon the Churches of the Gentiles, and not the Apostles only. Now the Elders of the Church of Jerusalem, had no authority to impose their decrees upon all the Churches of the Gentiles, with whom they had nothing to do, as Mr. Robinson says truly. Since therefore these things were imposed upon the Churches of the Gentiles, as the decrees ordained by the Apostles and Elders, at Jerusalem, this does necessarily import that there were in that meeting, delegates and commissioners from the Churches of the Gentiles, which did represent the same.