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Simeon (Peter) hath declared how God at the first (after Pentecost) did visit the Gentiles
(Cornelius’ house), to take (receive) out of them a people for his name.

Just as the 120 had been a select group used by Jesus to begin the revival at Jerusalem, the
house of Cornelius has also been selected by the same God to bring revival among the Gentiles.

Act 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

And to this agree (sumphoneo: to be harmonious, to concur) the words of the prophets; as it is
written,

James will quote from Amos 9:11-12. This Old Testament prophet foretold of the church arising
out of the Gentile nations.

Act 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen
down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Although the time foretold by Amos was after the second advent, the double meaning also
refers to the church age. “After this” is a reference to the day of Pentecost as well as the
second advent. Peter also used this when he told of Joel’s prophecy (2:17).

The church age is a type of the millennium. Jesus will restore the tabernacle of David, which is
open worship of the Lord to all nations. The temple was destroyed in the Babylonian captivity
and Roman invasion and will not be physically rebuilt until the second advent. However, it is
spiritually rebuilt in our hearts during the church age, a tabernacle built by Jesus. He is the
author and finisher of our faith and the one who said, “I will build my church.”
The treasure today is in earthen vessels. The church is invisible today, but just as we will have a
resurrection body -- a physical temple instead of a tent (2 Peter 1:13) -- the millennial reign of
Jesus will take place and a physical temple will be built.

Act 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom
my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

That the residue (remnant) of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom
my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things (brings all these things to pass).

The residue of men is born again Jews on the earth. Until Jesus returns, they will always be in
the minority when compared to Gentile believers.

Act 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

The Greek says, “Known from eternity past are all His works.”

Act 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the
Gentiles are turned to God: