The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

6 The Apostles and Elders met together. Luke saith not that all the whole Church was gathered together, but those who did excel in doctrine and judgement, and those who according to their office were competent judges in this matter. It may be in deed that the disputation was had in presence of the people. But least any man should think that the common people were suffered hand over head to handle the matter, Luke doth plainly make mention of the Apostles and Elders: as it was more meet that they should hear the matter and to decide it. But let us know that here is prescribed by God a form and an order in assembling synods, when there ariseth any controversy, which cannot otherwise be decided. For seeing that many did daily gainstand Paul, this disputation alone, by reason whereof there was great ruin like to ensue, and which was already come to hot combats, did enforce him to go to Jerusalem.

6 The Apostles and Elders met togither. Luke saith not that al the whole Church was gathered togither, but those who did excell in doctrine and iudgement, and those who according to their office were competent iudges in this matter. It may bee in deede that the disputation was had in presense of the people. But least any man should thinke that the common people were suffered hande ouer heade to handle the matter, Luke doth plainely make mention of the Apostles and Elders: as it was more meete that they should heare the matter and to decide it. But let vs know that here is prescribed by God a forme and an order in assembling synods, when there ariseth any controuersie, which cannot otherwise be decided. For seing that many did daily gainstand Paul, this disputation alone, by reason whereof there was great ruine like to ensue, and which was alreadie come to hot cumbates, did enforce him to go to Ierusalem.

7 And when there had bin great disputation. Though there were choice made of grave men & such as were public teachers of the Church, yet could not they agree by and by. Whereby appeareth how the Lord did exercise his Church even then by the infirmity of men, that it might learn to be wise with humility. Moreover he suffered (even in that company and assembly, wherein he was chief) the principal point of Christian doctrine to be diversly tossed and handled: least we should wonder, if at any time it so fall out, that men who are otherwise learned and godly, do through unskilfulness fall into an error. For some were not so quick witted, that they could throughly see into the greatness of the matter. So that when they judge that the law ought to be kept, being unadvisedly carried away with the zeal of the law, they see not into how deep a labyrinth they throw the consciences