Acts 15

Mystery of faith in a pure conscience. Faith is in the soul as fire among metals, it refines and purifies: morality may wash the outside, faith washes the inside (Acts 15:9). Having purified their hearts by faith.

Moses could not plead perfection. Paul was an elect vessel; but there fell out a sharp contention between him and Barnabas; and they grew so hot in their words, that they parted each from other; and we do not read that they had any more friendly visits (Acts 15:39). Paul himself…

All this moderation is commendable, and shows the wisdom of the serpent; but remember to join the dove with the serpent: we must so exercise moderation as also to cherish zeal. Saint Paul in some things was moderate, he did not press circumcision (Acts 15:25). He was tender of l…

The Word is both a glass to show us the spots of our soul, and a laver to wash them away; the Word has a transforming virtue in it, it irradiates the mind, and consecrates the heart. 2. Get faith in Christ's blood (Acts 15:9). Having purified their hearts by faith.

Moral virtue may wash the outside, faith washes the inside. Acts 15:9. Having purified their hearts by faith. Faith makes the heart a sanctuary or temple, with this inscription, Holiness to the Lord.

What is the meaning of Satan's sowing tares in the parable (Matthew 13:25), but Satan sowing error instead of truth? How quickly had the Devil broached false doctrine in the Apostles' times — that it was necessary to be circumcised (Acts 15:1), that angel-worship was lawful, and…

Fifthly, excommunications dispensed upon weighty occasions, and with great reverence, and with good successe. Sixthly, synods imposing no other but necessary things, either in themselves, or for the present use of the Church (Acts 15:26). This comely frame and order of the Churc…

Question 2. By what means do we come to know that God will thus be worshipped? That God is to be worshipped, and that according to his own will and appointment, is a principal branch of the law of our creation, written in our hearts (Romans 1:21; Romans 2:14-15; Acts 15:16-17; A…

First, To consider, try, and make a judgment, in and about all persons, things, and causes, in reference whereunto it is to be exercised. Thus the Brethren at Jerusalem joined in the consideration of the observation of Mosaic ceremonies with the Apostles and Elders (Acts 15:23),…

And this he did virtually in the sacrifice of himself, or the blood of his Cross, fulfilling and finishing of them all (John 19:30), breaking down the middle wall of partition, abolishing in his flesh the enmity, even the Law of Commandments contained in ordinances, blotting out…

Quest. 52. Wherein consists the duty of any Church of Christ towards other Churches? Answ. (1) In walking circumspectly, so as to give them no offence. (2) In prayer for their peace and prosperity. (3) In communicating supplyes to their wants according to ability. (4) In receivi…

But (3.) This was a Standing Rule for agreement and Uniformity in Practice in Church order and Worship, which the Apostles had given and delivered to them. (4.) That this Rule they did not give only as Apostles, but as Governours of the Church; as appears from Acts 15. Therefore…

Q. Was the covenant of grace revealed and dispensed in the times before Christ's Incarnation, or only since his coming in the flesh? A. There has been the same covenant of grace for substance, in all times and ages of the Church, since the fall of man till this day (Genesis 3:15…

Q. Do you say that God's decree reaches to all things whatever comes to pass in time? A. Yes, all things whatever have been, are, or that shall be hereafter, were before decreed, and determined by God (Ephesians 1:11; Acts 15:18). Q. What are some of the principal things that ar…

And hence such excellent things are spoken of faith: it is called the victory that overcometh the world: 1. John 5.4. And God is said by faith to purify the heart: faith strengtheneth the heart: Acts 15.9: And through faith we are kept by the power of God unto salvation. 1. Pete…

Secondly, the remembrance of God's promises serves to be a means to keep a man from sin: for man's nature is as ready and prone to sin, as fire is to burn when fuel is put to it. But when by faith he calls to mind God's merciful promises, especially those which are made unto him…

And it is as impossible to be otherwise, as it is for fire having fuel not to burn. Acts 15.9. Faith purifies the heart; namely, from careless disobedience to God's word: for if from any corruption at all, then from it especially, because it is most contrary to the pureness of t…

Now, if we would die in faith, we must live in faith; else it is not to be expected: For, so these holy Patriarchs lived long in this faith, wherein they died. For, their holy lives showed plainly, that they lived in that faith, which (the Apostle says) does purify our hearts, A…

Reason 1: Because two cannot walk together unless they be agreed (Amos 3:3), neither can the heart of two believers truly consent to pray together, unless they be agreed touching the things they will ask of the Father of glory. Reason 2: Difference of opinion causes difference o…

And it seems so to be, if there be the same reason of the law or command in all these seasons, for otherwise it is not so. For instance it is supposed that the eating of blood was forbidden before the Law, and assuredly it was so under the Law, and is so in the New Testament (Ac…

The Gospel they were resolved to embrace, but were very unwilling to take on them the yoke of the Law. Therefore the Holy Ghost in the Apostles, at length puts an issue to this difference also, and lets the Church know, that indeed the wall of partition was broken down, the Law…

So were they brought to the faith and obedience of the Gospel without any respect to the law, as that wherein they were not concerned, now it had received its accomplishment. But some of the Jews who believed, being yet persuaded that the law was to be continued in force, and it…

This error was in the patience of God for a while tolerated among them, because the time of their full conviction was not yet come. But those who were possessed with it, began after a while to be very troublesome to the Church, and would not be content to observe the Law themsel…

Then was the whole Church absolved from any duty with respect to the Old Covenant, and the worship of it, though it were not manifest as yet in their consciences. The question being stated about the continuance of the obligatory force of the Old Covenant, the contrary was solemn…

For this cause God saw it necessary, and it pleased him to put a grievous and heavy yoke upon them, to subdue the pride of their spirits, and to cause them to breathe after deliverance. This the Apostle Peter calls a yoke that neither they nor their fathers were able to bear (Ac…

The word is properly, incumbentia, lying on them, that is, as a burden. There was a weight in all these legal rites and ceremonies, which is called a yoke, and too heavy for the people to bear (Acts 15:10). And if the imposition of them be principally intended, as we render the…

But the inheriting of the promises here intended, is a real participation of the grace and mercy proposed in them with eternal glory. This they all received, being saved by faith even as we (Acts 15:10, 11; Hebrews 4:2). Concerning these persons he proposes to them the way that…

(1.) Because commands were so multiplied therein, that the whole law was denominated from them. Hence it became [in non-Latin alphabet], a yoke hardly to be born, if not altogether intolerable (Acts 15:10). (2.) Because of that severity wherewith obedience was exacted.

Therefore Moses is said to do what he appointed to be done, what the law required which was given by him. So Moses is frequently used for the law given by him (Acts 15:21): For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-d…

Provocation is commonly used in an ill sense, namely, for the embittering of the spirit of another, moving anger, sorrow, and disquietment, and impatience of mind; so (1 Samuel 1:6, 7) to provoke one is to embitter his spirit, and to stir him up to anger. And when any provocatio…

4. It was burdensome and heavy work to attain relief against sin and settled peace of conscience under the old Priesthood, attended with so many weaknesses and infirmities. Herein lies the greatest part of that yoke which the Apostle Peter affirms that neither they nor their Fat…

That it is in the very nature of a justifying faith, to put a man upon the doing of good works. Faith is a purifier of the heart (Acts 15:9), and so, it cannot but be a purifier of the life. The same faith, which embraces the Lord Jesus Christ, as a Priest, for atonement, (and a…

If we love him, we shall love them that are his, because they are his: and they are one, as God and Christ are one (John 17:11, 21, 22). 2. The second fruit to be considered of (by way of trial) is mortification of sin, or the purifying of the soul from it, which is a fruit of f…

That the Patriarchs and the Prophets were not justified by the works of the Law, but by faith. That the custom of sin has so prevailed, that none now can fulfill the Law: as the Apostle Peter says (Acts 15:10), "Which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear." But if th…

But in the times of the Gospel grace being more fully delivered, that was also added and expressed in the forms of salutation: but yet in the times of the Gospel there is some variety and difference. Sometimes you shall meet with a salutation meerly civil; as (James 1:1) To the…

Let us hear but two witnesses of the Apostles themselves applying those prophecies to the calling of the Gentiles; the one is Paul (2 Corinthians 6:16), For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said, I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and…

Might not the Nestorians have made the same exception against Cyrill, because he was under an engagement against them, before he came to the Councell of Ephesus? Nay, had not the Jewish Zealots, the very same objection to make against Paul and Barnabas, who were ingaged (not in…

Oh! Know it; that will prove a miserable, rusty faith at death, that was not made use of in the time of life. No; but if you have any faith; use it: use it to sanctify your heart (Acts 15:9). Use it to overcome the world.

3. That faith is sound and effectual, that purifies the heart, and is fruitful in the course of one's life. A purifying and a working faith, such a faith as is accompanied with repentance, and followed with new obedience (Acts 15:9; James 2:18; Galatians 5:6). That faith is effe…

He that created the heart knows all the wards of it, and has only the skill to turn it, and incline it as he pleases; he must needs know all the inclinations of the creatures and their proper activities since he alone conferred all those several principles and qualities upon the…

The Professors of Leyden have noted this consensus Ecclesiae per [illegible] in the election of Matthias (Cens. in Confess. cap. 21). In the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) we find that beside the Apostles the Elders were present, and voiced definitively, for they by whom the Dec…

Paget answers that though the Eldership sit apart to judge, yet before any sentence be given for the cutting off of any offender, or for any other thing which concerns all, matters are first propounded to the whole Church, and their prayers and consent required. And surely this…

Now before I make an end, I must answer yet other two objections which have beene lately made. There is one who objecteth that the Assembly of the Apostles, Acts 15. can bee no president nor patterne for succeeding ages: First, because the Apostles were inspired with the holy Gh…

He has given us in the New Testament, express warrant for Ecclesiastical Courts and Assemblies in general, that such there ought to be, for the right government of the Church (Matthew 18:20): "Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them."…

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 f…

But now it is not ordinary, for when there is already a settled ecclesiastical republic, or a Church with officers, the officers for the time being ought by their suffrages to elect the officers that are wanting, with the knowledge and consent of the Church. Somewhat he demurs u…

The passage mentioned by the Doctor, concerning the Epistle of Dionysius to the Church of [reconstructed: Gortyna] in Crete, is very little to his purpose: neither does he call [reconstructed: Philip] the Bishop of that Church, the Bishop of all the other Churches in Crete, as t…

It is not the words nor plea of them who were in disorder, there is not any reprehension given to the body of the Church, the multitude or people who are supposed to tumultuate, to quiet them, but a direction given (as was said) by the Church of Rome to the persons that occasion…

VIII. Furthermore: the same truth teaches that all and every thing ordained by God in His worship — however absurd, difficult, or useless they may seem to reason — are to be observed and kept with the utmost religion and submission of soul, on account of the supreme authority of…

For throughout that entire Epistle to the Hebrews, the apostle assumes that the Jewish church existed at that time, and that its solemn worship had been so pleasing to God in His forbearance that no one was made worse by the observance of it, nor was any less accepted or pleasin…