John Calvin Commentary Acts 15:1

"And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, [saying], Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved." — Acts 15:1 (ASV)

When Paul and Barnabas had endured many conflicts against the professed enemies of the gospel, Luke now begins to declare that they were tested by internal conflict, so that it was fitting that their doctrine and ministry should be proven by all means, in order that it might more clearly appear that they were equipped by God and armed against all the assaults of the world and Satan.

For that was no small confirmation for their doctrine, in that being shaken and battered with so many assaults, it nevertheless stood firm, nor could its course be stopped by so many obstacles. Therefore, for this reason Paul boasts that he suffered fights without and terrors within (2 Corinthians 7:5). This history is most worthy of note; for though we naturally abhor the cross and every kind of persecution, yet civil and internal discord is more dangerous, lest perhaps it discourages us.

When tyrants exert their force and violently attack people, flesh indeed is afraid; and all those who are not endowed with the spirit of fortitude tremble with all their heart. But then their consciences are not properly touched with any temptation, for this is known to be, as it were, the inevitable condition of the Church.

But when it happens that believers are at odds with each other, and that the Church is in an uproar within itself, it is inevitable that weak minds will be troubled and also grow faint. This is especially true when the controversy is about doctrine, which alone is the holy bond of brotherly unity.

Finally, there is nothing which does more damage to the gospel than internal discord, because it not only pierces and wounds weak consciences, but also provides an opportunity for the wicked to slander.

Therefore, we must diligently note this history, so that we may know that it is no new example if, among those who profess the same gospel, there arise some disputes and strife about doctrine, when proud men can make a name for themselves (which they so furiously desire) by no other means than by introducing their own inventions.

It is certain that, as there is but one God, so there is but one truth of this God. Therefore, when Paul seeks to exhort the faithful to mutual consent, he uses this argument: One God, one faith, one baptism, etc. (Ephesians 4:6).

But when we see wicked men arise, who attempt to divide the Church by their factions, and also either to corrupt the gospel with their false and spurious inventions, or else to cast suspicion on it, we ought to recognize the artifice of Satan.

Therefore, Paul says elsewhere that heresies arise, that those who are tried may be made manifest (1 Corinthians 11:19). And, certainly, the Lord wonderfully nullifies the artifice of Satan, in that He tests the faith of His people by such trials, and beautifies His word with worthy and excellent victory, causing the truth which the wicked attempted to darken to shine more clearly.

But it is very important to weigh all the circumstances of the history which Luke notes.

Which came down from Judea. This pretext and guise was very powerful to deceive even good men then. Jerusalem was honored, not without cause, among all churches, because they revered it as their mother. For the gospel was derived, as it were, by pipes and conduits from that fountain.

These seducers come from there; they claim to represent the apostles; they boast that they bring nothing but what they learned from them. They blind and deceive the unskilled with this smokescreen; and those who are superficial and wicked greedily snatch at the pretext which is offered them.

The disturbance of the Church, like a tempest, shakes those who were otherwise good and moderate, so that they are forced to stumble. Therefore, we must note this subtlety of Satan, that he abuses the names of holy men so that he may deceive the simple, who, being won over by reverence for the men, dare not inquire into the matter itself.

Luke does not state, indeed, with what motivation these scoundrels were moved; yet it is likely that misguided zeal was the cause that moved them to oppose Paul and Barnabas. For there are certain ill-tempered natures whom nothing can please but that which is their own. They had seen that circumcision and other rites of the law were observed at Jerusalem; wherever they go, they can tolerate nothing that is not consistent with it, as if the example of one church bound all the rest of the churches by a specific law.

And though such people are carried by a misguided zeal to cause disturbances, yet they are driven internally by their ambition and by a certain kind of stubbornness. Nevertheless, Satan achieves his aim, for the minds of the godly have such a mist cast before them that they can scarcely distinguish black from white.

Therefore, we must first beware of this plague: that some do not prescribe a law to others according to their own ways, so that the example of one church does not become a detriment to a common rule. Also, we must use another caution: that the persons of men do not hinder or obscure the examination of the matter or cause.

For if Satan transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and if, by sacrilegious audacity, he usurps the holy name of God, is it any wonder if he similarly wickedly deceives people under the names of holy men? The outcome will eventually declare that the apostles had no intention of laying the yoke of the law upon the neck of the Gentiles; and yet Satan intended under this ruse to gain entry.

So it often happens that those who oppose the doctrine of Christ infiltrate under the guise of His servants. Therefore, there is only one remedy: to investigate the matter with sound judgment. Also, it is necessary for us to guard against stumbling blocks, lest we think that the faithful servants of God are therefore contending among themselves, because Satan falsely abuses their names, that he may set illusory figures into conflict to terrify the simple.