Acts 15:7

“And when there had been much disputing, etc.] Pro and con upon this subject; many had spoken; and much had been said, and a great deal of time had been taken up about the thing in controversy: Peter rose up; not only out of respect to this venerable assembly, but to signify that he had something to say; and he stood up that he might be the better heard. Beza’s ancient copy reads, “rose up in spirit”; and said unto them, men and brethren: an usual form of address with the Jews; (<440702>Acts 7:2) ye know how that a good while ago; or “from ancient days”; or “from the beginning”, as the Ethiopic version renders it; from the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel, after the ascension of…”

“Peter, &c.--This is the last mention of him in the Acts, and one worthy of his standing, as formally pronouncing, from the divine decision of the matter already in his own case, in favor of the views which all of Paul's labors were devoted to establishing. a good while ago--probably about fifteen years before this. made choice . . . that the Gentiles by my mouth--(See on Act 11:21).”

“Much disputing - Or rather, much inquiry or deliberation. With our word disputing we commonly connect the idea of heat and anger. This is not necessarily implied in the word used here. It might have been calm, solemn, deliberate inquiry; and there is no evidence that it was conducted with undue warmth or anger. Peter rose up and said - Peter was probably the most aged, and was most accustomed to speak, Acts 2:14, etc.; Acts 3:6, Acts 3:12. Besides, there was a particular reason for his speaking here, as he had been engaged in similar scenes, and understood the case, and had had evidence that God had converted sinners without the Mosaic rites, and knew that it would have been inexpedient to…”

“After much debate - It does not appear that this was among the apostles themselves. But if it had, if they themselves had debated at 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 - This is the last time he is mentioned in the Acts. Acts 15:8”

“15:7-11 Peter, no doubt remembering his own experience in the household of Cornelius (ch 10), argued that God had already confirmed his acceptance of the Gentiles without circumcision by giving them the Holy Spirit. The undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus had been made available to all.”

“much: Act 15:2, Act 15:39; Phi 2:14 ye know: Act 10:5, Act 10:6, Act 10:20,32-48, Act 11:12-18; Mat 16:18, Mat 16:19 God: Act 1:24, Act 9:15, Act 13:2; Ch1 28:4, Ch1 28:5; Joh 3:27, Joh 15:16; Gal 2:7-9 by my: Act 1:16, Act 3:18, Act 4:25; Exo 4:12; Jer 1:9; Rom 10:17, Rom 10:18 Acts 15:8”