Acts 15:1-31
Phenice Phoenicia. my mouth See, Matthew 16:19. Peter used the keys first for the Jews on the day of Pentecost; secondly, in the house of Cornelius for the Gentiles, Acts 15:14, But Paul was distinctively the apostle to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:7,8. Men and brethren Dispensationally, this is the most important passage in the N.T. 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 viz. the out-calling I will return." James quotes from Amos 9:11,12. 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 (e.g.) ; Isaiah 11:1,10-12; Jeremiah 23:5-8.
- (3) "And will build again the tabernacle of David," i.e. re-establish the Davidic rule over Israel 2 Samuel 7:8-17; Luke 1:31-33.
- (4) "That the residue of men Israelites may seek after the Lord" cf Zechariah 12:7,8; 13:1,2.
- (5) "And all the Gentiles," etc. cf Micah 4:2; Zechariah 8:21,22. This is also the order of Romans 11:24-27.
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