The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
Acts Chapter 15
Phenice
Phoenicia.
my mouth
See (Mat 16:19).
Peter used the keys first for the Jews on the day of Pentecost; secondly, in the house of Cornelius for the Gentiles, (Act 15:14); But Paul was distinctively the apostle to the Gentiles. (Gal 2:7); (Gal 2:8).
Men and brethren
dispensationally, this is the most important passage in the New Testament It gives the divine purpose for this age, and for the beginning of the next.
(1) The taking out from among the Gentiles of a people for His name, the distinctive work of the present, or church-age. The church is the ecclesia -- the "called-out assembly." Precisely this has been in progress since Pentecost. The Gospel has never anywhere converted all, but everywhere has called out some.
(2) "After this namely, the out-calling I will return." James quotes from (Amo 9:11); (Amo 9:12). The verses which follow in Amos describe the final regathering of Israel, which the other prophets invariably connect with the fulfilment of the Davidic Covenant (for example); (Isa 11:1); (Isa 11:10-12); (Jer 23:5-8).
(3) "And will build again the tabernacle of David," that is, re-establish the Davidic rule over Israel (Sa2 7:8-17); (Luk 1:31-33).
(4) "That the residue of men Israelites may seek after the Lord" Compare (Zac 12:7); (Zac 12:8); (Zac 13:1); (Zac 13:2).
(5) "And all the Gentiles," etc.
Compare (Mic 4:2); (Zac 8:21); (Zac 8:22).
This is also the order of (Rom 11:24-27).
at the first
Literally, for the first time, that is, in the house of Cornelius. (Act 15:8-11); (Act 10:34-48); (Act 10:11); (Act 10:12-18).
tabernacle of David
Kingdom (New Testament); (Act 15:14-17); (Rev 3:21); (Luk 1:31-33); (Co1 15:34).
Lord
Jehovah. (Act 15:16); (Act 15:17); (Amo 9:11); (Amo 9:12).
Wherefore
The scope of the decision goes far beyond the mere question of circumcision. The whole question of the relation of the law to Gentile believers had been put in issue (Act 15:5), and their exemption is declared in the decision (Act 15:19); (Act 15:24). The decision might be otherwise stated in the terms of (Rom 6:14). "Ye are not under the law, but under grace." Gentile believers were to show grace by abstaining from the practices offensive to godly Jews;
(Act 15:20); (Act 15:21); (Act 15:28); (Act 15:29).
Compare (Rom 14:12-17); (Co1 8:1-13).
prophets
See (Co1 14:3) defines the New Testament gift of prophecy.
Barnabas
And is heard of no more in the Bible story.