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Acts 15:8

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 15:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;
Acts 15:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
6And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.
7And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;
9and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
← Acts 15:7Acts 15:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And God which knoweth the hearts, etc.] Of all men; he being omniscient, the searcher of the hearts, and the trier of the reins of the children of men, knew with what sincerity Cornelius sent for Peter; and with what vehement desire and longing expectation he and his family and friends waited for his coming; and with what earnestness, diligence, and affection they attended to what he said: bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; God bore a testimony, and showed his well pleasedness in the whole of this affair, by bestowing upon them not only the regenerating and sanctifying grace of the Spirit; but his extraordinary gifts, such as speaking with divers tongues,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God, which knoweth the hearts--implying that the real question for admission to full standing in the visible Church is the state of the heart. Hence, though that cannot be known by men, no principle of admission to church privileges which reverses this can be sound.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And God, which knoweth the hearts - Acts 1:24. God thus knew whether they were true converts or not, and gave a demonstration that he acknowledged them as his. Giving them the Holy Ghost ... - Acts 10:45-46. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“God bare them witness - That he had accepted them, by giving them the Holy Ghost. Acts 15:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“which: Act 1:24; Sa1 16:7; Kg1 8:39; Ch1 28:9, Ch1 29:17; Psa 44:21, Psa 139:1, Psa 139:2; Jer 11:20, Jer 17:10, Jer 20:12; Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25, Joh 21:17; Heb 4:13; Rev 2:23 bare: Act 14:3; Joh 5:37; Heb 2:4 giving: Act 2:4, Act 4:31, Act 10:44, Act 10:45, Act 11:15-17 Acts 15:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification