Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/836



OME disciples  who  came  from  Jerusalem  to  Antioch  said to the  Christians  there:  “Unless  you  be  circumcised  after the manner  of  Moses,  you  cannot  be  saved.”  Paul  and  Barnabas opposed this  doctrine;  but  in  order  to  settle  the  question,  they went up  to  Jerusalem,  to  consult  with  Peter  and  the  other  apostles.

When Paul  and  Barnabas  arrived  in  Jerusalem,  the  apostles and elders  or  priests assembled  in  council  to  consider  the  matter. After much  discussion,  Peter  rose  up  and  said:

“Men, brethren,  you  know  that  in  former  days  God  made choice among  us,  that  the  Gentiles,  by  my  mouth,  should  hear the word  of  the  Gospel,  and  believe. And God,  who  knoweth the hearts,  gave  them  testimony,  giving  to  them  the  Holy  Ghost as well  as  to  us,  and  made  no  difference  between  us and  them , purifying their  hearts  by  faith. Now, therefore,  why  tempt -you God to  put  a yoke  upon  the  necks  of  the  disciples,  which  neither our fathers  nor  we  were  able  to  bear. But by  the  grace  of  the Lord Jesus  Christ  we  believe  to  be  saved,  even  as  they.”  When