Skip to content
mannafest.faith
Read

Acts 15:28

in Acts 15

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements:

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

KJV

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

⋯

This verse in Acts 15

Commentary

4 notes on this verse
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us,.... By various things they had reason doubtless to conclude, that they were under the influence and direction of the Holy Ghost in this affair; as by the spirit of prayer that was among them; by that power and energy with which many of them spoke on this occasion, and that so agreeable to the word of God; and by that unanimity with which they came into the advice given.

This site's exposition

seemed good to the Holy Ghost

on Acts 15:28-29

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: the council names the Spirit as the true author of its decision, human deliberation and divine guidance held together rather than set against each other. The list repeats verse twenty exactly, that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, framed now as the decree's own text rather than James's proposal. From which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well closes the letter without threat, the tone throughout pastoral rather than legal.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

These necessary things - All of these were necessary for that time. But the first of them was not necessary long; and the direction concerning it was therefore repealed by the same Spirit, as we read in the former Epistle to the Corinthians.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us - The whole council had met under his direction; had consulted under his influence; and gave forth their decree from his especial inspiration. Necessary things - They were necessary, howsoever burthensome they might appear; and necessary, not only for the time, place, or occasion; but for all times, all places, and all occasions. See this proved in the observations at the end of this chapter.

The words behind it

17 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Matthew 11:30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”12 worksJohn 14:26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.6 worksActs 15:19It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.6 worksJohn 16:13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.5 worksRevelation 2:24But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned the so-called deep things of Satan: I will place no further burden upon you.5 works1 Peter 1:12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.4 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
1 Corinthians 14:37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.4 works1 Corinthians 7:18Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised.4 works1 Corinthians 7:40In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.3 worksActs 5:32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”3 worksActs 15:8And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.3 worksMatthew 23:4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.2 worksActs 15:25So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,2 works1 Corinthians 7:25Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.2 works1 Thessalonians 4:8Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.2 worksExodus 4:14Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.2 worksLuke 1:3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,2 works1 Corinthians 9:21To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    John 16:13

    However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to…

    it leads to

    • John 14:26

      But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

    • 1 Corinthians 2:10–13

      But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

    • John 15:26

      When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • John 14:17

      the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.

    • 1 John 2:27

      And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all…

  • Through

    Matthew 11:30

    For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

    it leads to

    • 1 John 5:3

      For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

    • John 16:33

      I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

    • Philippians 4:13

      I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 15 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; John Calvin, Commentary upon the Acts of the Apostles; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament and John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament.

Read on in Acts 15 →