Acts 15:7

Disputing. Gr. zetesis (see on v. 2). The human element apparent in the handling of such a crucial question as was decided here strikingly demonstrates the fact that God’s guiding Spirit works with and through human beings and accomplishes His will in spite of their frailties and disagreements.

Peter rose. Peter was in a place of authority, but not of primacy. He did not preside, and although his speech set the keynote of the council’s decision, he did not propose the final resolution. The fact that it was he who had been instrumental in converting the first Gentile, Cornelius, a Roman, and that that conversion had been approved by the church (see ch. 11:1—18), placed him in a particularly favorable position to urge the acceptance of other Gentiles now.

Men and brethren. See on chs. 1:16; 2:37; 13:15.

A good while ago. Literally, “from early days.” Peter alluded to the conversion of Cornelius (ch. 10), which had occurred perhaps a decade or more before. Much that was relevant to the present problem had happened since that time.

By my mouth. Peter was not claiming distinction of position, but put himself forward as a mouthpiece for God.