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Faces of Public Health: James Rimmer, PHD

Dec 17, 2012, 2:44 PM

file James Rimmer, PHD

Last year, a new center to help promote physical activity among individuals with disabilities opened at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. NewPublicHealth spoke with James Rimmer, PhD, the center’s director, who has spent decades promoting the importance of people who are disabled engaging in physical activity for both their health and for fun.

NewPublicHealth: Tell us about the new center.

Rimmer: When I moved here from the University of Illinois/Chicago, there was a large donation made to support the needs of people with disabilities in all areas of physical activity, sport and recreation, by the Lakeshore Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides health and fitness services to people with disabilities. They brought me in to build an enterprise between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the foundation, which is called the UAB Lakeshore Research Collaborative. Subsumed under that are two national centers that have been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The first center is the National Center Health, Physical Activity and Disability. The second center is the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center.

NPH: You have been working in this field for decades. What will be new about your initiatives and efforts in 2013?

Rimmer: While NCPAD was created years ago, the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center, where we’re building new systems and products to promote health and well-being among people disabilities, was new last year. What’s so different about this center is we’ve got a core of engineers and rehabilitation scientists and exercise scientists working at the intersection of the problems that people with disabilities experience when trying to become physically active. And so the amalgamation or the synergy between rehab engineers, exercise scientists and engineers in general is to build a platform—a research platform and a development platform—to develop new products that are universally designed for people with disabilities, in addition to creating innovative projects that will allow people to exercise together. We’re calling that a virtual exercise unit that will allow people from different parts of the country to actually exercise together on a platform in front of a screen in their home where they’re actually talking to each other and interacting in a natural environment.

People with disabilities have a tremendous lack of connectivity to communities because of the issues of transportation. So the major barriers—if you’re in a wheelchair or you have a cognitive disability—you can’t get to places unless either A) the transportation is available and accessible, or B) you have someone take you there. So we’re trying build, through information communication technologies, almost like a Twitter system, where people will sign up. They can volunteer to be drivers to help people with disabilities get to different locations, different fitness centers.

But the other big problem is when they do get to a fitness center, if they do have the opportunity, when you look at the contour of an exercise facility, the structure of it, in most cases, for people who use wheelchairs I would say less than 15 percent to 20 percent of the facility is accessible. They’ve got issues with lockers and locker rooms and there’s no privacy. If you have a personal assistant of the opposite sex, you can’t change in the same locker room. Equipment is generally inaccessible. If you can’t transfer onto weight training equipment, how do you use it? So you get to use very small amounts of equipment. Exercise adherence is hard for everybody, and it’s even more difficult if you’ve got less opportunity and fewer options.

NPH: What are you hoping will happen as a result of the center’s taking initiative on the issues?

Rimmer: I think this is the first opportunity where people with disabilities can carry the flag and be at the front of the line. So if we raise the floor for everyone, I think older populations are really going to benefit from this as well. Older populations do have disabilities and as they get older they have more and more of those disabilities, both cognitive and physical and even sensory. So we’re going to carry the flag on this one in the disabled community, and by that what I mean is get fitness centers to a higher level of consciousness about how there’s a trans-generational market out there that needs their services—not only services from a standpoint of making a locker room accessible, but to take a different approach in order to recruit people who are older and people with disabilities.

Right now, the percentage of people who have a disability or are seniors who are members of a fitness center is probably less than 5 percent, and that’s just unacceptable because these are people who need it more than those who don’t have these extensive limitations. Without disabilities, they can go out and run, they can ride a bike on the weekends with their buddies, they can deal with inclement weather, they can get places, and yet—ironically—the people who use them the most are the people who need them the least.

NPH: Tell us a bit more about the project for people with disabilities to exercise in their homes?

Rimmer: There are many reasons this is so important, but one reason is that we have about 730,000 people every year in this country who have a stroke. Many of those are significant. Most go through this very minimal amount of rehabilitation. They’re going to give you three or four days, you’ll get a chance to walk through parallel bars, you’ll lift a couple of weights, and then you’ll go home. That is way less than a person with a newly acquired disability needs to get back to health, and the way to begin that is really in the home. Telling someone “here’s a $600 membership, go to a gym that only has 5 percent to 20 percent of the equipment accessible” is not going to work. But if you get them to exercise at home, you continue that rehab through some kind of virtual exercise where they can actually co-locate, get on their computer, and continue on their rehabilitation with a piece of exercise equipment that’s creating cardiovascular work, maybe some strengthening, maybe some range of motion. Then they can interact via a system such as Skype, but instead of just interacting in a sedentary nature, they could actually be choosing to walk along the Boulder Creek Path or Yellowstone National Park.  If we can get those images—which is what we’re doing in this one study—interfaced with having access to this machine, the video gets sort of transported into the machine and then the person is only able to navigate those virtual environments by mobilizing the machine. And we’d we able to link people so that they could exercise together and rehabilitate together across the country.

NPH: What kind of funding are you getting for this?

Rimmer: We’re getting funding from the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research. It’s a $4.75 million grant over five years.

NPH: How do you disseminate the information?

Rimmer: We’re trying to build what we call inclusive health coalitions, and we’re just starting the process now. This is a three-year grant where we’re partnering with Easter Seals to work with their affiliates to begin to develop a culture of health among the disability organizations in that community. Take any community and you’ll typically find multiple disability organizations providing services to people with disabilities. And then there are organizations that are providing services to people who are aging, and we think if we can get these groups to work together and then tie in the facilities we could now start to develop a coalition within the community to focus on health promotion for people with disabilities. It would start from the top. A doctor would have something available on his website. A patient comes in with a disability, they’re depressed or they don’t have any access to health promotion and activities. He presses a button on his computer and sends it to one of our study coordinators who coaches them on the phone and gets them involved in some sort of activity. I’m hoping a year from now we’ll have a prototype of the product. We’re building an actual device that interfaces with the computer or the television.

NPH: What sort of fitness facility for people with disabilities do you have at the university?

Rimmer: It is the benchmark and the gold standard. Everything at this Lakeshore Foundation Health and Fitness Facility is accessible—from the wide benches for changing, to private family changing areas, to all the knobs in the showers being low enough for a wheelchair user to take a shower. All exercise equipment is accessible. You can swing away the seat, and a wheelchair user can get in there. We have a staff with a high level of knowledge on training for people with disabilities.

We’ve got to get older people and people with disabilities out into fitness centers. They’re wonderful places and there’s a lot of downtime in them. You know, if you go to a fitness center, from 6 a.m. to about 8 a.m. they’re packed. After 8 a.m., everybody’s at work. And then they get real busy from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then everybody goes back to work. And then they get real busy after work. But what about those 7 or 8 hours during the day when there’s a lot of downtime? We should be bringing people with disabilities and older people into the center then.

This commentary originally appeared on the RWJF New Public Health blog.


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In Setting Doctors' Medicare Fees, CMS Almost Always Accepts the Relative Value Update Panel's Advice on Work Values

To calculate physicians’ fees under Medicare—which in turn influence the physician fee schedules of other public and private payers—one of the essential decisions the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must make is how much physician time and effort, or work, is associated with various physician services.

To make this determination, CMS relies on the recommendations of an advisory committee representing national physician organizations. Some experts on primary care who are concerned about the income gap between primary and specialty care providers have blamed the committee for increasing that gap. The analysis of CMS’s decisions on updating work values between 1994 and 2010 found that CMS agreed with 87.4 percent of the committee’s recommendations, although CMS reduced recommended work values for a limited number of radiology and medical specialty services. If policy-makers or physicians want to change the update process but keep the Medicare fee schedule in its current form, CMS’s capacity to review changes in relative value units could be strengthened through long-term investment in the agency’s ability to undertake research and analysis of issues such as how the effort and time associated with different physician services is determined, and which specialties—if any—receive higher payments than others as a result.

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August 30, 2015

Differin Gel .1%

Differin Gel .1% Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Differin

Generic Name: adapalene topical (Pronunciation: a DAP a leen)

What is adapalene topical (Differin Gel .1%)?

Adapalene is a topical (applied to the skin) medication similar to vitamin A. It helps the skin renew itself.

Adapalene topical is used to treat severe acne in people who are at least 12 years old.

Adapalene topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Differin 0.1% Cream

Differin 0.1% Gel

What are the possible side effects of adapalene topical (Differin Gel .1%)?

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

During your first 4 weeks of using adapalene topical, your skin may be dry, red, or scaly. You may also feel some burning or stinging. Call your doctor if these side effects are severe.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as mild burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, or irritation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Differin Gel .1% (adapalene gel) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects

What is the most important information I should know about adapalene topical (Differin Gel .1%)?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, in the creases of your nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use adapalene topical on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed before using adapalene topical.

Do not use skin products that contain alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid while you are also using adapalene topical.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medication skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Adapalene topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Differin Gel .1% - User Reviews

Differin Gel .1% User Reviews

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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August 30, 2015
From Our 2012 Archives
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Consumer Group to FDA: Take Victoza off the Market

Consumer Watchdog Group 'Public Citizen' Challenges Safety of Popular Type 2 Diabetes Drug

By Matt McMillen
WebMD Health News

Reviewed By Michael W. Smith, MD

April 20, 2012 -- Public Citizen, the Washington, D.C.-based consumer advocacy group, is petitioning the FDA to immediately remove the type 2 diabetes drug Victoza (liraglutide) from the market. The petition claims that the injectable medication puts patients at risk of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions, and kidney failure.

"More and more people are taking this drug, and more people are experiencing serious health problems as a result," Public Citizen director Sidney Wolfe, MD, said in a statement. "Clearly, the FDA's warning system is not sufficient. The drug should be taken off the market."

Novo Nordisk, the drug's manufacturer, strongly disputes Public Citizen's statement.

Victoza's Safety Profile

The drug's label currently warns patients and doctors that Victoza caused thyroid tumors and cancer in animal studies involving rats and mice. The label then states that it is unknown whether people taking the drug are at similar risk of such tumors and cancer, which can be fatal if not caught and treated early. It advises patients with a family history of such disease to avoid the drug and warns patients to see a doctor if suspicious lumps or other symptoms occur while taking the medication.

Pancreatitis, a severe and sometimes fatal inflammation of the pancreas, is also a possible side effect of Victoza. According to Public Citizen, patients taking Victoza were nearly four times as likely to be diagnosed with acute pancreatitis than patients taking other diabetes drugs. In the 17 months following the drug's 2010 approval, 200 patients reported having acute pancreatitis. Public Citizen believes that the real number of cases may be much higher.

"Because only an estimated 10% of cases are reported, potentially as many as 2,000 patients or more have suffered a painful and serious outcome as a result of taking Victoza," according to the statement from Public Citizen.

Victoza, which patients inject once a day, is one of a class of drugs that works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1. GLP-1 triggers the production of insulin when blood sugar levels rise too high. It is not a "first choice" medication, and doctors are advised to prescribe it only after other medications prove ineffective.

Victoza Maker Responds

The drug's maker, Novo Nordisk, disputes Public Citizen's claim that the drug should be pulled from the market.

"Novo Nordisk is committed to patient safety and rejects Public Citizen's assertion that the benefits of Victoza are outweighed by its risks," the company states in an email to WebMD. "In the two years since Victoza was approved, Novo Nordisk has continued to work closely with the FDA and the medical community to monitor the benefits and appropriate use of Victoza. Our experience in those two years does not support the Public Citizen call to deprive patients of the benefits of Victoza."

The FDA declined to comment. A representative of the agency said the FDA would respond directly to Public Citizen after reviewing the petition.

Victoza in Clinical Practice

Endocrinologist Suneil Koliwad, MD, PhD, says that plenty of drugs effectively treat type 2 diabetes, and he sees no reason to "aggressively defend" the use of Victoza. Compared to drugs that have long and proven safety records, he says, Victoza's safety is not thoroughly established, and he is particularly concerned about inflammation of the pancreas.

"The drug's trial was not long enough to see a sufficient safety record," says Koliwad, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco's Diabetes Center. "How rare is rare enough that we accept safety risks and still give this to our patients? Some medications we do give because they are the best available. Here that is not the case."

Koliwad says that some patients may benefit from Victoza and drugs in its class, but they should be thoroughly counseled prior to taking it. And he says that doctors should look at all of the available drugs before prescribing Victoza and similar medications. For those patients taking it already, Koliwad says they should stay on it if it works and is not causing problems.

"The primary concern should be that you are controlling your diabetes," says Koliwad.

Spyros Mezitis, MD, PhD, agrees.

"If there are no issues, we continue patients on the drug and we continue monitoring them while on it," says Mezitis, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who prescribes Victoza to patients only after a comprehensive discussion of their family health history, particularly regarding their thyroid.

Mezitis says the drug's label clearly states the safety profile of Victoza, and that the post-marketing safety reports do not yet make a strong enough case for the drug's withdrawal from the market.

"But if studies show that pancreatitis and thyroid cancer are directly related to Victoza, that would be a different story," says Mezitis.

News release, Public Citizen.

Public Citizen petition to FDA.

Suneil Koliwad, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco.

Spyros Mezitis, MD, PhD, endocrinologist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City.

Victoza web site.

National Library of Medicine: "Liraglutide Injection."

Ambre Morley, media relations, Novo Nordisk.

Victoza label.

© 2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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ESPN Enters Local Sports Markets

There is an interesting article in this week’s Sports Business Journal (subscription required) regarding ESPN’s venture into local sports.

ESPN calls itself the Worldwide Leader in Sports, but it’s the company’s locally driven ambitions that have the sports media world talking and could have a seismic effect on how fans consume news about their favorite teams.

The company today will launch, the second of its locally oriented sports sites following a successful spring launch in Chicago. Similar to the Chicago venture, the Boston site will feature a mix of beat coverage on the local pro, college and high school teams; audio content from ESPN’s 890 AM sports talk radio; Boston-oriented columns and podcasts from Bill Simmons, Peter Gammons, Michael Smith and others; a locally oriented online version of “SportsCenter”; and locally driven social media functions, among other material.

The Boston arrival, which had not been publicly discussed until late August, puts the ESPN effort into one of the country’s most passionate and hypercompetitive sports media markets. It also marks the beginning of a marked acceleration for ESPN’s local play, with a Dallas site slated for a late September or early October launch, and New York and Los Angeles destinations scheduled to follow early next year….

The initiative in part seeks to exploit the gap in locally driven sports coverage created by the historic and ongoing economic woes of the newspaper industry and the resulting reduction of content. To that end, has been greeted with some early success: Its tally of more than 700,000 unique visitors and 1.7 million minutes of time spent on the site in July was up 19 percent from June on both counts and up 87 percent in audience size from May, according to comScore.

If local newspapers weren’t worried before, they should be now. The only thing that keeps them in business is superior local coverage. The economies of scale the ESPN has in covering sports on the web give it a significant advantage over existing outlets. I do not expect local coverage to disappear, but I will not be surprised to see the best local-market writers to be hired away by ESPN. Other online sports platforms like Sports Illustrated and Yahoo! may follow suit. This is all-good for sports fans, who typically prefer local coverage.

8 Responses “ESPN Enters Local Sports Markets”

  1. Millsy says:

    Any idea if this is a first step toward getting into the local RSN business? Should NESN, WGN, and Fox Sports Net(s) be worried in addition to the local papers?

  2. P. W. Hjort says:

    Over/under 15 and 1/2 months before is launched? Considering the owner of the AJC has virtually unlimited financial resources and determination to keep it going, I don’t anticipate such a site would put the AJC–or even their sports department–out of business. Though it could be rather detrimental to other outlets.

  3. JC says:

    I think they should be worried. Fox and its RSNs haven’t really used the web well.

  4. JC says:

    Given the huge stake ESPN has in the SEC, I think ESPNAtlanta has to be on the radar for a launch in the near future. The AJC has been losing money and has had a tough time transitioning to the web.

  5. D. Bond says:

    I wonder how long it will be before the local ESPNs start playing the same games with the less popular sports that the national ESPN network does with sports like hockey? If I were the Thrashers or Hawks, I’d be a little worried.

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Pirates/Sabres: Camp provides chance to become acquainted

Via: Portland Press Herald

‘Dineen and the rest of the Pirates’ operations staff will spend the next two weeks at the Sabres’ training camp before returning to Maine for 10 days of practice prior to Portland’s Oct. 11 season opener at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Dineen will get a chance to observe how the Sabres play the game under Coach Lindy Ruff, entering his 11th season at Buffalo. "This is a good opportunity for us to get to know each other better," Ruff said in a telephone interview. "(Dineen) can ask questions of me and I can ask questions of him. We can learn from each other."’


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Myers, Ennis named to 'Dub club

Written By Kris Baker on Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 10/30/2008

2008 first round picks Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis have been named to Team WHL when the ADT Canada/Russia Challenge makes it way west in late November.
FORWARDS: Jason Bast, Moose Jaw; Kyle Beach, Everett; Jamie Benn, Kelowna; Zach Boychuk, Lethbridge; Joel Broda, Moose Jaw; Matt Calvert, Brandon; Jordan Eberle, Regina; Tyler Ennis, Medicine Hat; Evander Kane, Vancouver; Brandon Kozun, Calgary; Colton Sceviour, Lethbridge; Braydon Schenn, Brandon; Brett Sonne, Calgary; Dustin Sylvester, Kootenay; Dana Tyrell, Prince George. DEFENCE: Keith Aulie, Brandon; Jared Cowen, Spokane; Travis Hamonic, Moose Jaw; Thomas Hickey, Seattle; Tyler Myers, Kelowna; John Negrin, Kootenay; Jared Spurgeon, Spokane; Colten Teubert, Regina. GOALTENDERS: Chet Pickard, Tri-City; Dustin Tokarski, Spokane.
2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge Schedule of Games: Game 1 – Monday, November 17 in Sydney, NS (Adam, Byron) Game 2 – Wednesday, November 19 in Saint John, NB (Adam, Byron) Game 3 – Thursday, November 20 in Guelph, ON Game 4 – Monday, November 24 in St. Catherines, ON Game 5 – Wednesday, November 26 in Swift Current, SK (Myers, Ennis) Game 6 – Thursday, November 27 in Prince Albert, SK (Myers, Ennis) Drew Schiestel and Nick Crawford were left off the roster for Team OHL.

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Sacred Texts  Bible  Bible Commentary  Index
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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834], at sacred-texts.com

Acts Chapter 15

Acts 15:1

act 15:1

And certain men - These were undoubtedly men who had been Jews, but who were now converted to Christianity. The fact that they were willing to refer the matter in dispute to the apostles and elders Act 15:2 shows that they had professedly embraced the Christian religion. The account which follows is a record of the first internal dissension which occurred in the Christian church. Hitherto the church had been struggling against external foes. Violent persecutions had raged, and had fully occupied the attention of Christians. But now the churches were at peace. They enjoyed great external prosperity in Antioch, and the great enemy of souls took occasion then, as he has often done in similar circumstances since, to excite contentions in the church itself, so that when external violence could not destroy it, an effort was made to secure the same object by internal dissension and strife. This history, therefore, is particularly important, as it is the record of the first unhappy debate which arose in the bosom of the church. It is further important, as it shows the manner in which such controversies were settled in apostolic times, and as it established some very important principles respecting the perpetuity of the religious rites of the Jews.

Came down from Judea - To Antioch, and to the regions adjacent, which had been visited by the apostles, Act 15:23. Judea was a high and hilly region, and going from that toward the level countries adjacent to the sea was represented to be descending, or going down.

Taught the brethren - That is, Christians. They endeavored to convince them of the necessity of keeping the laws of Moses.

Except ye be circumcised - This was the leading or principal rite of the Jewish religion. It was indispensable to the name and privileges of a Jew. Proselytes to their religion were circumcised as well as native-born Jews, and they held it to be indispensable to salvation. It is evident from this that Paul and Barnabas had dispensed with this rite in regard to the Gentile converts, and that they intended to found the Christian church on the principle that the Jewish ceremonies were to cease. When, however, it was necessary to conciliate the minds of the Jews and to prevent contention, Paul did not hesitate to practice circumcision, Act 16:3.

After the manner of Moses - According to the custom which Moses commanded; according to the Mosaic ritual.

Ye cannot be saved - The Jews regarded this as indispensable to salvation. The grounds on which they would press it on the attention of Gentile converts would be very plausible, and such as would produce much embarrassment. For:

(1) It would be maintained that the laws of Moses were the laws of God, and were therefore unchangeable; and,

(2) It would doubtless be maintained that the religion of the Messiah was only a completing and perfecting of the Jewish religion that it was designed simply to carry out its principles according to the promises, and not to subvert and destroy anything that had been established by divine authority. It is usually not difficult to perplex and embarrass young converts with questions of modes, and rites, and forms of religion; and it is not uncommon that a revival is followed by some contention just like this. Opposing sects urge the claims of their special rites, and seek to make proselytes, and introduce contention and strife into an otherwise peaceful and happy Christian community.

Acts 15:2

act 15:2

Had no small dissension an disputation - The word rendered "dissension" στάσις stasis denotes sometimes "sedition" or "intestine war," and sometimes "earnest and violent disputation or controversy," Act 23:7, Act 23:10. In this place it clearly denotes that there was earnest and warm discussion; but it is not implied that there was any improper heat or temper on the part of Paul and Barnabas. Important principles were to be settled in regard to the organization of the church. Doctrines were advanced by the Judaizing teachers which were false, and which tended to produce great disorder in the church. Those doctrines were urged with zeal, were declared to be essential to salvation, and would therefore tend to distract the minds of Christians, and to produce great anxiety. It became, therefore, necessary to meet them with a determined purpose, and to establish the truth on an immovable basis. And the case shows that it is right to "contend earnestly for the faith" Jde 1:3; and, when similar cases occur, that it is proper to resist the approach of error with all the arguments which may be at our command, and with all the weapons which truth can furnish. It is further implied here that it is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to defend the truth and to oppose error. Paul and Barnabas regarded themselves as set for this purpose (compare Phi 1:17, "Knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel"); and Christian ministers should be qualified to defend the truth, and should be willing with a proper spirit and with great earnestness to maintain the doctrines revealed.

They determined - There was no prospect that the controversy would be settled by contention and argument. It would seem, from this statement, that those who came down from Judea were also willing that the whole matter should be referred to the apostles at Jerusalem. The reason for this may have been:

(1) That Jerusalem would be regarded by them as the source of authority in the Christian church, as it had been among the Jews.

(2) most of the apostles and the most experienced Christians were there. They had listened to the instructions of Christ himself; had been long in the church; and were supposed to be better acquainted with its design and its laws.

(3) those who came from Judea would not be likely to acknowledge the authority of Paul as an apostle: the authority of those at Jerusalem they would recognize.

(4) they might have had a very confident expectation that the decision there would be in their favor. The question had not been agitated there. They had all been Jews, and it is certain that they continued as yet to attend in the temple service, and to conform to the Jewish customs. They might have expected, therefore, with great confidence, that the decision would be in their favor, and they were willing to refer it to those who resided at Jerusalem.

Certain other of them - Of the brethren; probably of each party. They did not go to debate, or to give their opinion, or to vote in the ease themselves, but to lay the question fairly before the apostles and elders.

Unto the apostles - The authority of the apostles in such a case would be acknowledged by all. They had been immediately instructed by the Saviour, and had the promise of infallible guidance in the organization of the church. See the notes on Mat 16:19; Mat 18:18.

And elders - See the note at Act 11:30. Greek: presbyters. See the notes on Act 14:23. Who these were, or what was their office and authority, is not easy now to determine. It may refer either to the aged men in the church at Jerusalem, or to those who were appointed to rule and to preach in connection with the apostles. As in the synagogue it was customary to determine questions by the advice of a bench of elders, there is no improbability in the supposition that the apostles would imitate that custom, and appoint a similar arrangement in the Christian church (Grotius). It is generally agreed that this is the journey to which Paul refers in Gal 2:1-10. If so, it happened fourteen years after his conversion, Gal 2:1. It was done in accordance with the divine command, "by revelation," Gal 2:2. Among those who went with him was Titus, who was afterward so much distinguished as his companion, Gal 2:3.

About this question - The question whether the ceremonial laws of Moses were binding on Christian converts. In regard to the nature and design of this council at Jerusalem, see the notes on Act 15:30-31.

Acts 15:3

act 15:3

And being brought on their way by the church - Being attended and conducted by the Christian brethren. See the notes on Rom 15:24. It was customary for the Christians to attend the apostles in their travels. Compare Co1 16:6, Co1 16:11; Jo3 1:6.

Through Phenice - See the note at Act 11:19.

And Samaria - These places were directly on their route to Jerusalem.

Declaring the conversion ... - Of the Gentiles in Antioch, and in the regions in Asia Minor through which they had traveled. These remarkable events they would naturally communicate with joy to the Christians with whom they would have contact in their journey.

Caused great joy - At the news of the extensive spread of the gospel. It was an indication of their deep feeling in the interests of religion that they thus rejoiced. Where Christians are themselves awake, and engaged in the service of Christ, they rejoice at the news of the conversion of sinners. Where they are cold, they hear such news with indifference, or with the utmost unconcern. One way of testing our feelings on the subject of religion is by the emotions which we have when we hear of extensive and glorious revivals of religion. Compare the notes on Act 8:8.

Acts 15:4

act 15:4

They were received of the church - By the church, in a hospitable and friendly manner. They were acknowledged as Christian brethren, and received with Christian kindness. See Gal 2:9.

And they declared - Paul and Barnabas, and those with them. That is, they stated the case; the remarkable conversion of the Gentiles, the evidence of their piety, and the origin of the present dispute.

Acts 15:5

act 15:5

But there rose up ... - It has been doubted whether these are the words of Paul and Barnabas, relating what occurred at Antioch, or whether they are the words of Luke recording what took place at Jerusalem. The correct exposition is probably what refers it to the latter. For:

(1) This seems to be the most obvious interpretation.

(2) the use of the words "rose up" implies that. Those who disturbed the church at Antioch are said to have come down from Judea Act 15:1, and if this place referred to that occurrence, the same words would have been retained.

(3) the particular specification here of "the sect of the Pharisees" looks as if this was an occurrence taking place at Jerusalem. No such specification exists respecting those who came down to Antioch; but it would seem here as if this party in Jerusalem resolved still to abide by the Law, and to impose those rites on the Christian converts. However, this interpretation is by no means certain.

Which believed - Who maintained or taught.

That it was needful ... - See the notes on Act 15:1.

Acts 15:6

act 15:6

And the apostles and elders ... - They came together in accordance with the authority in Mat 18:19-20. It would seem, also, that the whole church was convened on this occasion, and that the church concurred, at least, in the judgment expressed in this case. See Act 15:12, Act 15:22-23.

For to consider of this matter - Not to decide it arbitrarily, or even by authority, without deliberation; but to compare their views, and to express the result of the whole to the church at Antioch. It was a grave and difficult question, deeply affecting the entire constitution of the Christian church, and they therefore solemnly engaged in deliberation on the subject.

Acts 15:7

act 15:7

Much disputing - Or rather, much inquiry or deliberation. With our word disputing we commonly connect the idea of heat and anger. This is not necessarily implied in the word used here. It might have been calm, solemn, deliberate inquiry; and there is no evidence that it was conducted with undue warmth or anger.

Peter rose up and said - Peter was probably the most aged, and was most accustomed to speak, Act 2:14, etc.; Act 3:6, Act 3:12. Besides, there was a particular reason for his speaking here, as he had been engaged in similar scenes, and understood the case, and had had evidence that God had converted sinners without the Mosaic rites, and knew that it would have been inexpedient to have imposed these rites on those who had thus been converted.

A good while ago - See Acts 10: Some time since. So long since that there had been opportunity to ascertain whether it was necessary to observe the laws of Moses in order to the edification of the church.

God made choice ... - That is, of all the apostles, he designated me to engage in this work. Compare the notes on Mat 16:18, with Acts 10.

That the Gentiles - Cornelius, and those who were assembled with him at Caesarea. This was the first case that had occurred, and therefore it was important to appeal to it.

Acts 15:8

act 15:8

And God, which knoweth the hearts - Act 1:24. God thus knew whether they were true converts or not, and gave a demonstration that he acknowledged them as his.

Giving them the Holy Ghost ... - Act 10:45-46.

Acts 15:9

act 15:9

And put no difference ... - Though they had not been circumcised, and though they did not conform to the Law of Moses. Thus, God showed that the observance of these rites was not necessary in order to the true conversion of people, and to acceptance with him. He did not give us, who are Jews, any advantage over them, but justified and purified all in the same manner.

Purifying their hearts - Thus, giving the best evidence that he had renewed them, and admitted them to favor with him.

By faith - By believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. This demonstrated that the plan on which God was now about to show favor to people was not by external rites and ceremonies, but by a scheme which required faith as the only condition of acceptance. It is further implied here that there is no true faith which does not purify the heart.

Acts 15:10

act 15:10

Why tempt ye God? - Why provoke him to displeasure? Why, since he has shown his determination to accept them without such rites, do you provoke him by attempting to impose on his own people rites without his authority, and a against his manifest will? The argument is, that God had already accepted them. To attempt to impose these rites would be to provoke him to anger; to introduce observances which he had shown it was his purpose should now be abolished.

To put a yoke - That which would be burdensome and oppressive, or which would infringe on their just freedom as the children of God. It is called in Gal 5:1, "a yoke of bondage." Compare the notes on Mat 23:4. A "yoke" is an emblem of slavery or bondage Ti1 6:1; or of affliction Lam 3:27; or of punishment Lam 1:14; or of oppressive and burdensome ceremonies, as in this place, or of the restraints of Christianity, Mat 11:29-30. In this place those rites are called a yoke, because:

(1) They were burdensome and oppressive; and,

(2) Because they would be an infringement of Christian freedom. One design of the gospel was to set people free from such rites and ceremonies.

Which neither our fathers ... - Which have been found burdensome at all times. They were expensive, and painful, and oppressive; and as they had been found to be so, it was not proper to impose them on the Gentile converts, but should rather rejoice at any evidence that the people of God might be delivered from them.

Were able to bear - Which are found to be oppressive and burdensome. They were attended with great inconvenience and many transgressions, as the consequence.

Acts 15:11

act 15:11

But we believe - We apostles, who have been with them, and have seen the evidences of their acceptance with God.

Through the grace ... - By the grace or mercy of Christ alone, without any of the rites and ceremonies of the Jews.

We shall be saved, even as they - In the same manner, by the mere grace of Christ. So far from being necessary to their salvation, they are really of no use in ours. We are to be saved, not by these ceremonies, but by the mere mercy of God in the Redeemer. They should not, therefore, be imposed on others.

Acts 15:12

act 15:12

Then all the multitude - Evidently the multitude of private Christians who were assembled on this occasion. That it does not refer to a synod of ministers and elders merely is apparent:

(1) Because the church, the brethren, are represented as having been present, and as concurring in the final opinion Act 15:22-23; and,

(2) Because the word "multitude" τὸ πλῆθος to plēthos would not have been used in describing the collection of apostles and elders merely. Compare Luk 1:10-11, Luk 1:13; Luk 5:6; Luk 6:17; Luk 19:37; Joh 5:3; Joh 21:6; Act 4:32; Act 6:2; Mat 3:7.

Gave audience - Heard, listened attentively to.

Barnabas and Paul - They were deeply interested in it, and they were qualified to give a fair statement of the facts as they had occurred.

Declaring what miracles and wonders ... - The argument here evidently is, that God had approved their work by miracles; that he gave evidence that what they did had his approbation; and that as all this was done without imposing on them the rites of the Jews, so it would follow that those were not now to be commanded.

Acts 15:13

act 15:13

James answered - James the Less, son of Alpheus. See the notes on Act 12:1.

Hearken unto me - This whole transaction shows that Peter had no such authority in the church as the papists pretend, for otherwise his opinion would have been followed without debate. James had an authority not less than that of Peter. It is possible that he might have been next in age (compare Co1 15:7); and it seems morally certain that he remained for a considerable part of his life in Jerusalem, Act 12:17; Act 21:18; Gal 1:19; Gal 2:9, Gal 2:12.

Acts 15:14

act 15:14

Simeon - This is a Hebrew name. The Greek mode of writing it commonly was Simon. It was one of the names of Peter, Mat 4:18.

To take out of them a people - To choose from among the Gentries those who should be his friends.

Acts 15:15

act 15:15

The words of the prophets - Amo 9:11-12. It was a very material point with them, as Jews, to inquire whether this was in accordance with the predictions of the Scriptures. The most powerful revivals of religion, and the most striking demonstrations of the divine presence, will be in accordance with the Bible, and should be tested by them. This habit was always manifested by the apostles and early Christians, and should be followed by Christians at all times. Unless a supposed work of grace accords with the Bible, and can be defended by it, it must be false, and should be opposed. Compare Isa 8:20.

Acts 15:16

act 15:16

After this - This quotation is not made literally either from the Hebrew or the Septuagint, which differs also from the Hebrew. The 17th verse is quoted literally from the Septuagint, but in the 16th the general sense only of the passage is retained. The main point of the quotation, as made by James, was to show that, according to the prophets, it was contemplated that the Gentiles should be introduced to the privileges of the children of God; and on this point the passage has a direct bearing. The prophet Amos Amo 9:8-10 had described the calamities which would come upon the nation of the Jews by their being scattered and driven away. This implied that the city of Jerusalem, the temple, and the walls of the city would be destroyed. But after that (Heb: "on that day," Amo 9:11, that is, the day when he should revisit them and recover them) he would restore them to their former privileges - would rebuild their temple, their city, and their walls, Amo 9:11. And not only so, not only would the blessing descend on the Jews, but it would also be extended to others. The "remnant of Edom," "the pagan upon whom" his "name would be called" Amo 9:12, would also partake of the mercy of God, and be subject to the Jewish people, and a time of general prosperity and of permanent blessings would follow, Amo 9:13-15. James understands this as referring to the times of the Messiah, and to the introduction of the gospel to the Gentiles. And so the passage Amo 9:12 is rendered in the Septuagint. See ver. 17.

I will return - When the people of God are subjected to calamities and trials, it is often represented as if God had departed from them. His returning, therefore, is an image of their restoration to his favor and to prosperity. This is not, however, in the Hebrew, in Amo 9:11.

I will build again - In the calamities that would come upon the nation Amo 9:8, it is implied that the temple and the city would be destroyed. To build them again would be a proof of his returning favor.

The tabernacle of David - The tent of David. Here it means the house or royal residence of David and the kings of Israel. That is, he would restore them to their former glory and splendor as his people. The reference here is not to the temple, which was the work of Solomon, but to the magnificence and splendor of the dwelling-place of David; that is, to the full enjoyment of their former high privileges and blessings.

Which is fallen down - Which would be destroyed by the King of Babylon, and by the long neglect and decay resulting from their being carried to a distant land,

The ruins thereof - Heb. "close up the breaches thereof." That is, it would be restored to its former prosperity and magnificence; an emblem of the favor of God, and of the spiritual blessings that would in future times descend on the Jewish people.

Acts 15:17

act 15:17

That the residue of men - This verse is quoted literally from the Septuagint, and differs in some respects from the Hebrew. The phrase, "the residue of men," here is evidently understood, both by the Septuagint and by James, as referring to others than Jews, to the Gentiles the rest of the world - implying that many of them would be admitted to the friendship and favor of God. The Hebrew is, "that they may possess the remnant of Edom." This change is made in the Septuagint by a slight difference in the reading of two Hebrew words. The Septuagint, instead of the Hebrew וירשׁו w-y-r-sh-w, shall inherit, read ודרשׁו w-d-r-sh-w, shall seek of thee; and instead of אדום 'd-w-m, Edom, they read אדם '̇̀̇d-m, man, or mankind; that is, people. Why this variation occurred cannot be explained; but the sense is not materially different. In the Hebrew the word "Edom" has undoubted reference to another nation than the Jewish nation; and the expression means that, in the great prosperity of the Jews after their return, they would extend the influence of their religion to other nations; that is, as James applies it, the Gentiles might be brought to the privileges of the children of God.

And all the Gentiles - Heb. all the pagan; that is, all who were not Jews. This was a clear prediction that other nations were to be favored with the true religion, and that without any mention of their conforming to the rites of the Jewish people.

Upon whom my name is called - Who are called by my name, or who are regarded as my people.

Who doeth all these things - That is, who will certainly accomplish this in its time.

Acts 15:18

act 15:18

Known unto God ... - See the notes on Act 1:24. The meaning of this verse, in this connection, is this. God sees everything future; he knows what he will accomplish; he has a plan; all his works are so arranged in his mind that he sees everything distinctly and clearly. As he foretold these, it was a part of his plan; and as it was a part of his plan long since foretold, it should not be opposed and resisted by us.

Acts 15:19

act 15:19

My sentence - Greek: I judge κρίνω krinō that is, I give my opinion. It is the usual language in which a judge delivers his opinion; but it does not imply here that James assumed authority to settle the case, but merely that he gave his opinion, or counsel.

That we trouble not them - That we do not molest, disturb, or oppress them by imposing on them unnecessary fires and ceremonies.

Acts 15:20

act 15:20

That we write unto them - Expressing our judgment, or our views of the case.

That they abstain - That they refrain from these things, or wholly avoid them.

Pollutions of idols - The word rendered "pollutions" means any kind of "defilement." But here it is evidently used to denote the flesh of those animals that were offered in sacrifice to idols. See Act 15:29. That flesh, after being offered in sacrifice, was often exposed for sale in the markets, or was served up at feasts, Co1 10:25-29. It became a very important question whether it was right for Christians to partake of it. The Jews would contend that it was, in fact, partaking of idolatry. The Gentile converts would allege that they did not eat it as a sacrifice to idols, or lend their countenance in any way to the idolatrous Worship where it had been offered. See this subject discussed at length in Co1 8:4-13. As idolatry was forbidden to the Jews in every form, and as partaking even of the sacrifices of idols in their feasts might seem to countenance idolatry, the Jews would be utterly opposed to it; and for the sake of peace, James advised that the Christians at Antioch be recommended to abstain from this. To partake of that food might not be morally wrong Co1 8:4, but it would give occasion for scandal and offence; and, therefore, as a matter of expediency, it was advised that they should abstain from it.

And from fornication - The word used here πορνεία porneia is applicable to "all illicit sexual intercourse," and may refer to adultery, incest, or licentiousness in any form. There has been much diversity of opinion in regard to this expression. Interpreters have been greatly perplexed to understand why this violation of the moral law has been introduced amidst the violations of the ceremonial law, and the question is naturally asked whether this was a sin about which there could be any debate between the Jewish and Gentile converts? Were there any who would practice it, or plead that it was lawful? If not, why is it prohibited here? Various explanations of this have been proposed. Some have supposed that James refers here to the offerings which harlots would make of their gains to the service of religion, and that James would prohibit the reception of it. Beza, Selden, and Schleusner suppose the word is taken for idolatry, as it is often represented in the Scriptures as consisting in unfaithfulness to God, and as it is often called adultery. Heringius supposes that marriage between idolaters and Christians is here intended. But, after all, the usual interpretation of the word, as referring to illicit sexual intercourse of the sexes of any kind, is undoubtedly here to be retained. If it be asked, then, why this was particularly forbidden, and was introduced in this connection, we may reply:

(1) That this vice prevailed everywhere among the Gentiles, and was that to which all were particularly exposed.

(2) that it was not deemed by the Gentiles disgraceful. It was practiced without shame and without remorse. (Terence, Adelphi, 1, 2, 21. See Grotius.) It was important, therefore, that the pure laws of Christianity on this subject should be known, and that special pains should be taken to instruct the early converts from paganism in those laws. The same thing is necessary still in pagan lands.

(3) this crime was connected with religion. It was the practice not only to introduce indecent pictures and emblems into their worship, but also for females to devote themselves to the service of particular temples, and to devote the avails of indiscriminate prostitution to the service of the god, or the goddess. The vice was connected with no small part of the pagan worship; and the images, the emblems, and the customs of idolatry everywhere tended to sanction and promote it. A mass of evidence on this subject which sickens the heart, and which would be too long and too indelicate to introduce here, may be seen in Tholuck's Nature and Moral Influence of Paganism, in the Biblical Repository for July, 1832, p. 441-464. As this vice was almost universal; as it was practiced without shame or disgrace; as there were no laws among the pagan to prevent it; as it was connected with all their views of idol worship and of religion, it was important for the early Christians to frown upon and to oppose it, and to set a special guard against it in all the churches. It was the sin to which, of all others, they were the most exposed, and which was most likely to bring scandal on the Christian religion. It is for this cause that it is so often and so pointedly forbidden in the New Testament Rom 1:29; Co1 6:13, Co1 6:18; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3; Th1 4:3.

And from things strangled - That is, from animals or birds that were killed without shedding their blood. The reason why these were considered by the Jews unlawful to. be eaten was, that thus they would be under a necessity of eating blood, which was positively forbidden by the Law. Hence, it was commanded in the Law that when any beast or fowl was taken in a snare, the blood should be poured out before it was lawful to be eaten, Lev 17:13.

And from blood - The eating of blood was strictly forbidden to the Jews. The reason of this was that it contained the life, Lev 17:11, Lev 17:14. See notes on Rom 3:25. The use of blood was common among the Gentiles. They drank it often at their sacrifices, and in making covenants or compacts. To separate the Jews from them in this respect was one design of the prohibition. See Spencer, De Ley Hebrae., p. 144, 145, 169, 235, 377, 381, 594, edit. 1732. See also this whole passage examined at length in Spencer, p. 588-626. The primary reason of the prohibition was, that it was thus used in the feasts and compacts of idolaters. That blood was thus drank by the pagans, particularly by the Sabians, in their sacrifices, is fully proved by Spencer, De Leg., p. 377-380 But the prohibition specifies a higher reason, that the life is in the blood, and that therefore it should not be eaten. On this opinion see the notes on Rom 3:25. This reason existed before any ceremonial law; it is founded in the nature of things; it has no particular reference to any custom of the Jews; and it is as forcible in any other circumstances as in theirs. It was proper, therefore, to forbid it to the early Christian converts; and for the same reason, its use should be abstained from everywhere. It adds to the force of these remarks when we remember that the same principle was settled before the laws of Moses were given, and that God regarded the fact that the life was in the blood as of so much importance as to make the shedding of it worthy of death, Gen 9:4-6. It is supposed, therefore, that this law is still obligatory. Perhaps, also, there is no food more unwholesome than blood; and it is a further circumstance of some moment that all people naturally revolt from it as an article of food.

Acts 15:21

act 15:21

For Moses - The meaning of this verse is, that the Law of Moses, prohibiting these things, was read in the synagogues constantly. As these commands wore constantly read, and as the Jewish converts would not soon learn that their ceremonial law had ceased to be binding, it was deemed to be a matter of expediency that no needless offence should be given to them. For the sake of peace, it was better that they should abstain from meat offered to idols than to give offence to the Jewish converts. Compare Co1 8:10-13.Of old time - Greek: from ancient generations. It is an established custom, and therefore his laws are well known, and have, in their view, not only the authority of revelation, but the venerableness of antiquity.

In every city - Where there were Jews. This was the case in all the cities to which the discussion here had reference.

Them that preach him - That is, by reading the Law of Moses. But, in addition to reading the Law, it was customary also to offer an explanation of its meaning. See the notes on Luk 4:16-22.

Acts 15:22

act 15:22

Then pleased it - It seemed fit and proper to them.

The apostles and elders - To whom the business had been particularly referred, Act 15:2. Compare Act 16:4.

With the whole church - All the Christians who were there assembled together. They concurred in the sentiment, and expressed their approbation in the letter that was sent, Act 15:23. Whether they were consulted does not particularly appear. But as it is not probable that they would volunteer an opinion unless they were consulted, it seems most reasonable to suppose that the apostles and elders submitted the case to them for their approbation. It would seem that the apostles and elders deliberated on it, and decided it; but still, for the sake of peace and unity, they also took measures to ascertain that their decision agreed with the sentiment of the church.

Chosen men - Men chosen for this purpose.

Of their own company - From among themselves. Greater weight and authority would thus be attached to their message.

Judas surnamed Barsabas - Possibly the same who was nominated to the vacant place in the apostleship, Act 1:23. But Grotius supposes that it was his brother.

And Silas - He was afterward the traveling companion of Paul, Act 15:40; Act 16:25, Act 16:29; Act 17:4, Act 17:10, Act 17:15. He is also the same person, probably, who is mentioned by the name of Silvanus, Co2 1:19; Th1 1:1; Th2 1:1; Pe1 5:12.

Chief men among the brethren - Greek: leaders. Compare Luk 22:26. Men of influence, experience, and authority in the church. Judas and Silas are said to have been prophets, Act 15:32. They had, therefore, been engaged as preachers and rulers in the church at Jerusalem.

Acts 15:23

act 15:23

And wrote letters - Greek: "Having written." It does not mean that they wrote more than one epistle.

By them - Greek: by their hand."

After this manner - Greek: these things.

Send greeting - A word of salutation, expressing their desire of the happiness (χαίρειν chairein) of the persons addressed. Compare Mat 26:49; Mat 27:29; Luk 1:28; Joh 19:3.

In Antioch - Where the difficulty first arose.

And Syria - Antioch was the capital of Syria, and it is probable that the dispute was not confined to the capital.

And Cilicia - See the notes on Act 6:9. Cilicia was adjacent to Syria. Paul and Barnabas had traveled through it, and it is probable that the same difficulty would exist there which had disturbed the churches in Syria.

Acts 15:24

act 15:24

Forasmuch - Since we have heard.

That certain - That some, Act 15:1.

Have troubled you with words - With doctrines. They have disturbed your minds, and produced contentions.

Subverting your souls - The word used here occurs nowhere else in the New Testament ἀνασκευάζοντες anaskeuazontes. It properly means "to collect together the vessels used in a house the household furniture - for the purpose of removing it." It is applied to marauders, robbers, and enemies who remove and bear off property, thus producing distress, confusion, and disorder. It is thus used in the sense of disturbing or destroying, and here denotes that they "unsettled their minds" - that they produced anxiety, disturbance, and distress by these doctrines about Moses.

To whom we gave no such commandment - They went, therefore, without authority. Self-constituted and self-sent teachers not infrequently produce disturbance and distress. Had the apostles been consulted on this subject, the difficulty would have been avoided. By thus saying that they had not given them a command to teach these things, they practically assured the Gentile converts that they did not approve of the course which those who went from Judea had taken.

Acts 15:26

act 15:26

Men that have hazarded their lives ... - See Acts 14: This was a noble testimony to the character of Barnabas and Paul. It was a commendation of them to the confidence of the churches, and an implied expression that they wished their authority to be regarded in the establishment and organization of the church.

For the name - In the cause of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 15:27

act 15:27

The same things - The same things that we wrote to you They will confirm all by their own statements.

Acts 15:28

act 15:28

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost - This is a strong and undoubted claim to inspiration. It was with special reference to the organization of the church that the Holy Spirit had been promised to them by the Lord Jesus, Mat 18:18-20; Joh 14:26.

No greater burden - To impose no greater restraints to enjoin no other observances. See the notes on Act 15:10.

Than these necessary things - Necessary:

(1) In order to preserve the peace of the church.

(2) to conciliate the minds of the Jewish converts, Act 15:21.

(3) in their circumstances particularly, because the crime which is specified - licentiousness was one to which all early converts were especially exposed. See the notes on Act 15:20.

Acts 15:29

act 15:29

From meats offered to idols - This explains what is meant by "pollutions of idols," Act 15:20.

Ye shall do well - You will do what ought to be done in regard to the subjects of dispute.

Acts 15:31

act 15:31

They rejoiced for the consolation - They acquiesced in the decision of the apostles and elders, and rejoiced that they were not to be subjected to the burdensome rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion. This closes the account of the first Christian council. It was conducted throughout on Christian principles; in a mild, kind, conciliatory spirit, and is a model for all similar assemblages. It came together, not to promote, but to silence disputation; not to persecute the people of God, but to promote their peace; not to be a scene of harsh and angry recrimination, but to be an example of all that was mild, and tender, and kind. Those who composed it came together, not to carry a point, not to overreach their adversaries, not to be party people, but to mingle their sober counsels, to inquire what was right, and to express, in a Christian manner, what was proper to be done. Great and important principles were to be established in regard to the Christian church, and they engaged in their work evidently with a deep sense of their responsibility, and with a just view of their dependence on the aid of the Holy Spirit. How happy Would it have been if this spirit had been possessed by all professedly Christian councils; if all had really sought the peace and harmony of the churches; if none had ever been convened to kindle the fires of persecution, or to rend and destroy the church of God!

This council has been usually appealed to as the authority for councils in the church as a permanent arrangement, and especially as an authority for courts of appeal and control. But it establishes neither, and should be brought as authority for neither. For:

(1) It was not a court of appeal in any intelligible sense. It was an assembly convened for a special purpose; designed to settle an inquiry which arose in a particular part of the church, and which required the collected wisdom of the apostles and elders.

(2) it had none of the marks or appendages of a court. The term "court," or judicature, is nowhere applied to it, nor to any assembly of Christian people in the New Testament. Nor should these terms be used now in the churches. courts of judicature imply a degree of authority which cannot be proved from the New Testament to have been conceded to any ecclesiastical body of people.

(3) there is not the slightest intimation that anything like permanency was to be attached to this council, or that it would be periodically or regularly repeated. It proves, indeed, that, when cases of difficulty occur - when Christians are perplexed and embarrassed, or when contentions arise - it is proper to refer to Christian people for advice and direction. Such was the case here, and such a course is obviously proper. If it should be maintained that it is well that Christian ministers and laymen should assemble periodically, at stated intervals, on the supposition that such cases may arise, this is conceded; but the example of the apostles and elders should not be pleaded as making such assemblies of divine right and authority, or as being essential to the existence of a church of God. Such an arrangement has been deemed to be so desirable by Christians, that it has been adopted by Episcopalians in their regular annual and triennial Conventions; by Methodists in their conferences; by Presbyterians in their General Assembly; by Friends in their Yearly Meetings; by Baptists and congregationalists in their Associations, etc.; but the example of the council summoned on a special emergency at Jerusalem should not be pleaded as giving divine authority to these periodical assemblages. They are wise and prudent arrangements, contributing to the peace of the church, and the example of the council at Jerusalem can be adduced as furnishing as reach divine authority for one as for another; that is, it does not make all or either of them of divine authority, or obligatory on the church of God.

(4) it should be added that a degree of authority (compare Act 16:4) would, of course, be attached to the decision of the apostles and elders at that time which cannot be to any body of ministers and laymen now. Besides, it should never be forgotten - what, alas! it seems to have been the pleasure and the interest of ecclesiastics to forget that neither the apostles nor elders asserted any jurisdiction over the churches of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia; that they did not claim a right to have these cases referred to them; that they did not attempt to "lord it" over their faith or their consciences. The case was a single, specific, definite question referred to them, and they decided it as such. They asserted no abstract right of such jurisdiction; they sought not to intermeddle With the case; they enjoined no future reference of such cases to them, to their successors, or to any ecclesiastical tribunal. They evidently regarded the churches as blessed with the most ample freedom, and contemplated no arrangement of a permanent character asserting a right to legislate on articles of faith, or to make laws for the direction of the Lord's freemen.

Acts 15:32

act 15:32

Being prophets - See the notes on Act 11:27. This evidently implies that they had been preachers before they went to Antioch. What was the precise nature of the office of a prophet in the Christian church it is not easy to ascertain. Possibly it may imply that they were teachers of unusual or remark able ability. Compare the notes on Rom 12:6.

Confirmed them - Strengthened them; that is, by their instructions and exhortations. See the notes on Act 14:22.

Acts 15:33

act 15:33

A space - For some time.

They were let go in peace - An expression implying that they departed with the affectionate regard of the Christians to whom they had ministered, and with their highest wishes for their prosperity, Co1 16:11; Jo2 1:10.

Unto the apostles - At Jerusalem. Many mss., however, instead of "unto the apostles," read "unto those who had sent them." The sense is not materially different.

Acts 15:34

act 15:34

Notwithstanding ... - This whole verse is missing in many mss.; in the Syriac, Arabic, and Coptic versions; and is regarded as spurious by Mill, Griesbach, and by other critics. It was probably introduced by some early transcriber, who judged it necessary to complete the narrative. The Latin Vulgate reads, "It seemed good to Silas to remain, but Judas went alone to Jerusalem."

Acts 15:35

act 15:35

Paul also, and Barnabas, continued in Antioch - How long a time is unknown. It is probable that at this time the unhappy incident occurred between Paul and Peter which is recorded in Gal 2:11-14.

Acts 15:36

act 15:36

Let us go again and visit our brethren - That is, in the churches which they had established in Asia Minor, Act 13:14. This was a natural wish, and was an enterprise that might be attended with important advantages to those feeble churches.

Acts 15:37

act 15:37

And Barnabas determined - Greek: willed, or was disposed to (ἐβουλεύσαντο ebouleusanto).

John ... - See the notes on Act 12:12. He had been with them before as a traveling companion, Act 12:25; Act 13:5. He was the son of a sister of Barnabas Col 4:10, and it is probable that Barnabas' affection for his nephew was the main reason for inducing him to wish to take him with him in the journey.

Acts 15:38

act 15:38

But Paul thought not good - Did not think it proper. Because he could not confide in his perseverance with them in the toils and perils of their journey.

Who departed from them ... - Act 13:13. Why he did this is not known. It was evidently, however, for some cause which Paul did not consider satisfactory, and which, in his view, disqualified him from being their attendant again.

To the work - Of preaching the gospel.

Acts 15:39

act 15:39

And the contention was so sharp - The word used here παροξυσμός paroxusmos is that from which our word "paroxysm" is derived. It may denote "any excitement of mind," and is used in a good sense in Heb 10:24. It here means, however, "a violent altercation" that resulted in their separation for a time, and in their engaging in different spheres of labor.

And sailed into Cyprus - This was the native place of Barnabas. See the notes on Act 4:36.

Acts 15:40

act 15:40

Being recommended - Being commended by prayer to God. See notes on Act 14:26.

Acts 15:41

act 15:41

Syria and Cilicia - These were countries lying near to each other, which Paul, in company with Barnabas, had before visited.

Confirming the churches - Strengthening them by instruction and exhortation. It has no reference to the rite of confirmation. See the notes on Act 14:22.

In regard to this unhappy contention between Paul and Barnabas, and their separation from each other, we may make the following remarks:

(1) That no apology or vindication of it is offered by the sacred writer. It was undoubtedly improper and evil. It was a melancholy instance in which even apostles evinced an improper spirit, and engaged in improper strife.

(2) in this contention it is probable that Paul was, in the main, right. Barnabas seems to have been influenced by attachment to a relative; Paul sought a helper who would not shrink from duty and danger. It is clear that Paul had the sympathies and prayers of the church in his favor Act 15:40, and it is more than probable that Barnabas departed without any such sympathy, Act 15:39.

(3) there is reason to think that this contention was overruled for the furtherance of the gospel. They went to different places, and preached to different people. It often happens that the unhappy and wicked strifes of Christians are the means of exciting their mutual zeal, and of extending the gospel, and of establishing churches. But no thanks to their contention; nor is the guilt of their anger and strife mitigated by this.

(4) this difference was afterward reconciled, and Paul and Barnabas again became traveling companions, Co1 9:6; Gal 2:9.

(5) there is evidence that Paul also became reconciled to John Mark, Col 4:10; Plm 1:24; Ti2 4:11. How long this separation continued is not known; but perhaps in this journey with Barnabas John gave such evidence of his courage and zeal as induced Paul again to admit him to his confidence as a traveling companion, and as to become a profitable fellow-laborer. See Ti2 4:11, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is profitable to me for the ministry."

(6) this account proves that there was no collusion or agreement among the apostles to impose upon mankind. Had there been such an agreement, and had the books of the New Testament been an imposture, the apostles would have been represented as perfectly harmonious, and as united in all their views and efforts. What impostor would have thought of the device of representing the early friends of the Christian religion as divided, and contending, and separating from each other? Such a statement has an air of candor and honesty, and at the same time is apparently so much against the truth of the system, that no impostor would have thought of resorting to it.

Next: Acts Chapter 16


text:
Sacred Texts  Bible  Bible Commentary  Index
Deuteronomy Index
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Synopsis of the Books of the Bible, by John Nelson Darby, [1857-62], at sacred-texts.com

Deuteronomy Chapter 24

The following commentary covers Chapters 22, 23, 24, and 25.

Chapter 22 appears to contain ordinances to guard the people from want of benevolence and mercy, and of that which would offend the sensibilities of nature, either with regard to tenderness or purity. So also all mixture was forbidden in ploughing or sowing. We find the same with regard to women: they were protected against the dishonour done to them by a brutish, inconsiderate husband; whilst impurity was punished with death.

Thus (chap. 23) the people are taught what sentiments became them, according to God, with reference to the nations (taking the ways and doings of those nations into consideration) in case of war. They are also instructed in what was proper, as to the purity of the camp in case of war, seeing God was there. So with regard to all sorts of things, such as the slave that was escaped from his master; things morally impure; even the neighbour's vineyard; and (chap. 24) a more serious thing, divorce, and everything relative to it; delicacy towards the poor, the hire of labourers, the gleaning for the poor. The spirit of all these ordinances is very instructive, and the goodness and the tenderness of God, who deigns to take knowledge of all these things, and to teach His people delicacy, propriety, consideration for others, sensitiveness, and those feelings which, by removing brutality, and softening the hardness of the heart of man, fashion his ways according to that love with which the Spirit of God clothes Himself when He acts in the heart of man. Here, it is true, everything is imperfect. There are things taken for granted here, which form the basis of these ordinances, which the full operation of the Spirit of Christ would entirely take away; divorce, for instance, and other things endured; owing their existence to the hardness of man's heart. But the limitations and conditions, assigned by the law of God, keep in check the wickedness of that will which hardens itself, while it oppresses others.

Chapter 25 adds ordinances which are a continuation of what we have already read; taking care that none of their brethren should be dishonoured in their eyes, and that no family should perish from among the people (there being, at the same time, the maintenance of purity and uprightness).

As to the inveterate enemies of God and His people, Israel was never to seek peace with them. Human amiability is often enmity with God. This ordinance is so much the more remarkable, because it follows so many others which made provision for kindness, even to a bird.

Jehovah had taken care that an Egyptian should find the entrance into the assembly of God; but those affections were to be in exercise towards the Egyptians for the good of the souls of the Israelites themselves. They were not to harden their hearts against those in whose midst they had sojourned. But to spare the Amalekites (who came to meet Israel to shut up their way and destroy the feeble ones among them) was to forget what was due to God, who brought them back; and, as regarded the people, it would have proved indifference of heart to evil, and not the effusion of a natural affection; neither was it yielding to remembrances, with which charity might mingle for good, by a becoming forgetfulness of wrongs formerly received. [See Note #1] Where there is nobleness of sentiment, men who know (though they have injured) each other, still will own one another when the evil is over.

But there is a spirit which claims nothing but disgust: to tolerate it is only sparing oneself, and admitting that very spirit into one's heart so as to partake of it. What is in question is not judging, but the state of one's own heart. The distance of an Egyptian from God was recognised; but if he were in relationship with Him during three generations, why should he be kept at a distance? why should he remain a stranger? But Amalek did not fear God-did not recognise Him. What then could be recognised in such a nation? We must bring God into our affairs-our relationships; and charity, firmness, justness in our judgments, will each find its place, and be reproduced in all our ways.

Note #1

The Egyptians were merely that in which Israel was held naturally. The Amalekites were positive active enemies against them when the redeemed people of God. One was really man, though fallen man without God-I honour all men; the other, the positive direct power of the enemy.

Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 25


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Sacred Texts  Hinduism  Index  Previous  Next

Thus forth in quest of Sitá
The legions King Sugríva.
To many a distant town they hied
By many a lake and river's side.
As their great sovereign's order taught,
Through valleys, plains, and groves they sought.
They toiled unresting through the day:
At night upon the ground they lay
Where the tall trees, whose branches swayed
Beneath their fruit, gave pleasant shade.
Then, when a weary month was spent,
Back to Prasravan's hill they went,
And stood with faces of despair
Before their king Sugrívae.
Thus, having wandered through the east,
Great Vinata his labours ceased,
And weary of the fruitless pain
Returned to meet the king again,
Brave S'atabali to the north
Had led his Vánarons forth.
Now to Sugríva he sped
With all his host dispirited.
Sushen the western realms had sought.
And homeward now his legions brought.
All to Sugriva came, where still
He sat with Ráma on the hill.
Before their sovereign humbly bent
And thus addressed him reverent:
'On every hill our steps have been,
By wood and cave and deep ravine;

And all the wandering brooks we know
throughout the land that seaward flow,
Our feet by thy command have traced
the tangled thicket and the waste,
and dens and dingles hard to pass
for creeping plants and matted grass
Well have we searched with toil and pain,
And monstrous creatures have we slain
But Hanumánoblest mind
The Maithil lady yet will find;
For to his quarter of the sky  1b
The robber fiend was seen to fly,'

380:1 Himálaya, the Hills of Snow.

380:2 Canto XI.

Next: Canto XLVIII.: The Asur's Death.


text:
Transat Jacques Vabre - Fast racing in first 24 hours

Transat Jacques Vabre 2011
© Y-ZEDDA - Sea & Co
Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race from Le Havre to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica is underway. With the first 24 hours of fast racing in their Transat Jacques Vabre despatched to their streaming wakes, the rhythm and the pace in each of the three classes is firmly established. And while the high speeds of the first night and early morning reduced slightly with the abating breeze, so the early realities start to hit home.

Pre-start hopes and expectations may be one thing, but after the first day the cream has inexorably risen in each division, Multi 50, IMOCA Open 60 and Class 40. Virbac Paprec 3 heads a tightly packed vanguard of IMOCA Open 60 comprising the four boats which have probably done the most ocean miles this year settled in the top five.

Winner of this year’s Barcelona World Race Jean-Pierre Dick, racing with 2011 Solitaire du Figaro winner Jérémie Beyou had a small lead on Virbac-Paprec 3 – just around a mile – ahead of PRB with the leading duo drag racing within sight of each other between morning and the afternoon.

The recently launched MACIF of François Gabart has remained solid in fourth while Bernard Stamm’s newly launched Juan Kouyomdjian designed Cheminées Poujoulat has been the first day’s climber, rising from eighth to fifth with a display of fast reaching.

Transat Jacques Vabre 2011
© Jean Marie Liot / DPPI

Franck-Yves Escoffier and Antoine Koch on Crepes Whaou! had a slightly bigger lead in the Multi 50 division, whilst in the 16 boat Class 40 of Yannick Bestaven and Eric Drouglazet were progressively coming under pressure from the young British duo Ned Collier-Wakefield and Sam Goodchild on Concise 2. Collier-Wakefield and Goodchild had cut away their French rivals’ lead from more than 11 miles to less than five and were quickest of the fleet this afternoon.

But as the first night of crashing through big contrary swells, fast reaching in over 30kts of breeze gave way to some sunshine and slightly lighter winds but the same confused seas the teams which are perhaps a little behind the hopes and expectations which have been built up over the preparation period are now dealing with realities. Early small miles lost – a less than perfect sail combination, ragged sail change or over-prudence – may sap the morale after the first day but it is essential to take the long view and to consider that others have already not been as fortunate.

Transat Jacques Vabre 2011
© Alexis Courcoux

The aggressive, contrary seas took a toll. First Thierry Bouchard revealed that he and co-skipper Gilles Berenger had turned towards France again with delamination damage to a bulkhead of Comiris Pôle Santé Elior. First official abandon was the withdrawl of the Class 40 Lecoq Cuisine due to damage to skipper Eric Lecoq’s back while the Mabit brothers on the Multi 50 were forced also to retire due to a broken rudder pintle almost certainly due to hitting a floating object. In the IMOCA Open 60 Class Banque Populaire are compromised through the lack of their main gennaker was damaged when it went in the water when a halyard lashing failed soon after the start.

From the international perspective Alex Thomson and Guilermo Altadill have themselves solidly in the pack in seventh, commendable so far considering that Thomson has not raced since the 2009 edition of this race when he was forced to abandon and he and the very experienced Spaniard have only had 12 training days with the Farr design. Mike Golding, when he spoke to this afternoon’s radio calls to Paris, was not overly happy with their modest early showing, acknowledging this was an early price to pay for having been away from racing also since 2009 and having only had a handful of days training inshore since the re-configured Gamesa was launched mid-September.

'I’m not that happy with our position,' Golding confirmed, 'but I’ll ignore that for now and we’ll just keep our hammer down. It is quite clear that the boats that have been on the circuit for the past couple of years have moved on apace and we have to step up our game. In fairness to us, to both of us we haven’t had our training time on the boat and I have been away for some time. It will take a little bit of sorting out but at the moment our deficit is not too bad. We have a quite a complex weather system ahead of us and there will be opportunities for sure.'

In Class 40, co-skipper of 40 Degrees Jesse Naimark-Rowse, was just one who acknowledged they were slightly behind their early hopes, but felt they were gaining miles with British skipper Hannah Jenner, lying tenth and enjoying a good race in contact with the Norwegian duo on Solo and Nick Halmos and Hugh Piggin on 11th Hour Racing.

Jérémie Beyou, Virbac Paprec 3:
'It was a rough wet night, we set a staysail after the Cherbourg Peninsula. We have been alongside PRB since this morning and it is nice to have someone to pace yourself against. Early in the morning our courses crossed. It is tight though but we have been a little bit better. We managed to get some sleep but have not felt like eating but the sun is out now. I was at the helm until the peninsula and then the pilot took over. We are south of the depression so getting into more westerly winds and then the weather models show different things after that. We have to be careful and see what develops.'

Yannick Bestaven,
'We had wind all night, with peaks at 25-30 knots, boat speed between 15 and 19kts and we managed it well, I feel. We sailed overpowered but reefed at the right time so have done well with managing the boat. So we still have some reserves because we worked well between getting rest and making the maneuvers It was very wet on deck. We are setting the right tempo. It is cool through, safe, on a reach you know when you have a fast boat and we have been pressing to make the biggest gains.'

Mike Golding (GBR) skipper, Gamesa:
'There are not too many options in the next 24h. As the day runs out today depending on which model you believe, we’ll be tacking over on to starboard and starting to make our way south for a while.

The models vary wildly later on down the course and one model offering quite a northerly track and the other quite a southerly track, but they are all confused by where the Bermuda high seems to form. I think we have to keep watching before we make a fundamental decision about where we are going to go.'

Jesse Naimark-Rowse (USA), 40 Degrees (GBR):
'It has been good so far. Through the night we were not quite as fast as we might have been, or as we would have liked to have been and so that was a bit of a struggle. The boat seems to be going better now, our speed is better. We have no problems, we are sailing the boat well now, and so I think in the night we maybe had some issues with which sails to have up. But now mostly now everything is good. We hope to make some gains back through the fleet we hope at the moment.'

'It was reaching conditions from 20-30kts with the Solent, reefs in and out, and for a little while our A3 small spinnaker, and so just making the sail changes was a lot of work. So we don’t sleep a whole lot, trading one hour driving each, one somebody resting a little.

We have had enough rest, just.

We can see 11th Hour Racing and Solo and besides commercial ships and fishing boats these are the only boats which we can see.

We are a little bit further back than we hoped for, when we came around Cherbourg we could see on the AIS that we were holding just 2.5 to 3 miles behind Bureau Veritas and then through the night we lost quite a few miles to them. Yes, we would like to be a little further along than we are, but overall we are happy with where we are.'

Transat Jacques Vabre website


text:
Vic Maui 2012 underway

The Vic Maui Race 2012 is now underway.

The race, called the Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race or Vic Maui for short, was first contested in 1968 runs every second year. The race starts in June or July off Victoria, British Columbia and finishes near Lahaina, Maui. The distance is approximately 2,308 nautical miles.

Overall 2012 fleet numbers are up from those of previous years. There were just nine boats in 2008 and 2010; the 2012 fleet stands at 14 boats. In the five races from 1998 through 2006 there was an average of 19 boats.

The 2012 fleet composition is nine Canadian and five American boats; 11 in the Racing division and three in the Cruising division.

The Racing Division started on July 7 in a light westerly, but had a favourable current for a few hours to get through Race Passage and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Double Take leads the Line Honors, is first Overall and in Racing division A.

A large spectator fleet was on hand to see the fleet off on a beautiful day with the snow caps of the Olympic Mountains in the background.

The Cruising Division started on July 5, under bright sunny skies off Brotchie Ledge near Victoria.

Ballymack currently leads from Radiance, with Big Ben third.

Grand Illusion skippered by James McDowell of the LYC, is the current race record holder, set in 2000 at 9 days, 2 hours and 8 minutes.

Vic Maui website


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Paikea Mist's Ode to Our Shores
the wet coast, the wild coast the mighty magnificent west coast. water spills from your snowy peaks and fills my soul. may your winds push me onwards yet always bring me home.
Paikea Mist's Photos - Great Barrier Island
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Sailing again!
sensational sunsets
Waterfall Hike, Ports Fitzroy with Sherry and Gordon from S/V Serenity
Waterfall Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island has stretches of sandy beaches on the western side, we rented a car from Port Fitzroy and checked out the island.
Glass calm anchorages, playful clouds, fish bumping the hull, this is paradise!
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The outdoor bath at Smoke House Bay, Paikea Mist in background
dolphins play at our anchorage, Great Barrier
Rocky coastline Great Barrier Island
Local launch- provided us with a couple of fish dinners, as well as a huge lobster, known as crayfish here in NZ.
and lobster dinner- can
One of many suspension bridges we crossed hiking up to the top of Great Barrier Island
Kauri Dam build in the early 1900
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The Official
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Sailing Federation
18 February 2004, 09:23 am
Sailors Reach Half Way Point
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US SAILING Olympic Trials

At the end of yesterday's racing, nine athletes are within striking distance of their goal of representing the USA at the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, Greece.
Competitors sailing in the US Olympic Team Trials-Sailing in the Europe, Finn, 49er, Tornado and Yngling classes will have a mandatory layday today, giving everyone the opportunity to take a break -- not only physical, but mental -- from the eight-day marathon competition. Following a format that mimics the Olympics, the US Olympic Team Trials-Sailing are a winner takes all contest and when racing resumes on Thursday 19 February, competitors will have the four remaining days to make-or-break dreams that some have been envisioning for years.

An 1100 (local time) race start for the 49er and Yngling fleets sailing out of Key Biscayne Yacht Club was thwarted yesterday by light air on Biscayne Bay. Although the 49er fleet managed to complete one race, the Ynglings were undeniably frustrated by two races being abandoned before they joined the 49ers under a postponement flag on the water.

Once the breeze filled, the 11 boat 49er fleet knocked off three additional races to get back one of those lost to Monday's light air. They have now completed 11 of the series-planned 24 races and count one drop race in the scoring. With wins in two races, Tim WADLOW (San Diego, Calif.) and Pete SPAULDING (Miami, Fla.) retain the lead in the overall standings with 19 points. Dalton BERGAN (Seattle, Wash.) and Zack MAXAM (Coronado, Calif.), winners of the last race of the day, have hung on to their second position in the overall standings although losing some ground on the point spread between themselves and the leaders. They stand tied on points with Andy MACK (White Salmon, Wash.) and Adam LOWRY (San Francisco, Calif.), at 31 points each.

Back-to-back wins for Hannah SWETT (New York, N.Y./Jamestown, R.I.), Joan TOUCHETTE (Newport, R.I.) and Melissa PURDY (Tiburon, Calif.) shook up the standings today in the six-boat Yngling fleet. Swett, Touchette and Purdy moved from fourth to second overall on the strength of their finishes, closing to within one point of series leader Sally BARKOW (Nashotah, Wisc.), Carrie HOWE (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) and Debbie CAPOZZI (Bayport, N.Y.), who carries 15 points. Carol CRONIN (Jamestown, R.I.), Liz FILTER (Stevensville, Md.) and Nancy HABERLAND (Annapolis, Md.) finished second in both races to retain their third-place position overall, with 18 points.

Sailing from Miami Yacht Club with a 1300 (local time) start time, the Tornado fleet was postponed ashore before the breeze filled from the northwest and allowed them to get underway at 1430. Two-time Olympians John LOVELL (New Orleans, La.) and Charlie OGLETREE (Houston, Texas) won both races. They carry eight points for the overall lead position in their eight-boat fleet. Lars GUCK (Bristol, R.I.) and Jonathan FARRAR (Niantic, Conn.) finished second and third for second overall with 14 points, while Robbie DANIEL (Clearwater, Fla.) and Enrique RODRIGUEZ (Miami, Fla.) moved up to third overall with 20 points after finishes of fourth and second.

Light air also affected the Europe and Finn sailors racing out of Lauderdale Yacht Club, with the two fleets each completing only one race. Europe sailor Meg GAILLARD (Pelham, N.Y./Jamestown, R.I.) continued her flawless performance in that 14-boat fleet. After seven races, she carries a low score of six points, as well as a six-point lead over Krysia POHL (Alamo, Calif.) who holds second place in the overall standings.

Bryan BOYD (Edgewater, Md.) won the lone race in the Finn class, which did not unseat series leader Kevin HALL (Ventura, Calif.) who finished fifth and carries 12 points. After a second-place finish, Mo HART (Santa Cruz, Calif.) stands second overall with 21 points. Boyd holds third overall, although he and Geoff EWENSON (Annapolis, Md./Newport, R.I.) are tied on points at 22 apiece.

After today's mandatory layday, racing resumes on Thursday 19 February and continues through Sunday 22 February. Sixteen races are planned for the Europe, Finn, Tornado and Yngling competitors, with 24 planned for the 49er fleet.
Jan Harley (As Amended by ISAF)
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Brading Haven Yacht Club

Sailing / Yacht Club , St. Helens, Isle of Wight, England, UK

Although designated a yacht club we very much cater for sailing dinghies and have some 250 dinghy spaces in our dinghy park in addition to 60 plus moorings afloat for larger craft including sailing cruisers and motor boats. Our dinghy fleets are very active and we have Fast & Slow Handicap and Solent Scow racing on most weekends, and some evenings when tide and light permit, from March to the end of the year.

Our clubhouse, widely used by our 1000 members, is a single story building, containing a dining area, bar and functions area, changing rooms and office and overlooks the harbour. The main Bembridge- St Helens road runs along the outer boundary of our dinghy park and Club house. Our extensive car park is directly opposite making it easy to launch boats from road trailers onto our two slipways.

We pride ourselves in having a friendly club with a relaxed atmosphere. Our bar staff and the Caterers are highly valued by the membership and throughout the year we stage a number of social functions ranging from the Summer Ball to the annual visit by Father Christmas.

Yachtsmen from other Sailing clubs visiting Bembridge Marina are welcome to enjoy our facilities provided they sign our visitor’s book. We are on the opposite side of the Harbour, about a ¼ mile inland from the Marina and you can reach us by using the Harbour water taxi, coming across in your tender or just walking around the Duver. I am sorry but we do not have facilities to berth your cruiser.

We are an accredited RYA Training Establishment and have a strong training and cadet section. The highlight of our year is our Sail Training Week at the end of July /beginning of August where we have some 80 young and not so young pupils participating in RYA sailing courses from Beginners to Performance Sailing. During the year our fleet of Optimists, Toppers, Picos and Wayfarers are in use on short courses for our members. By arrangement these can be loaned out to members with the appropriate experience.

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I would not waste a day fixing it if all you have is a week. Also its much easier to BS the conditions later around beers in a bar if you dont really know the true wind speed.. go for it.

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Keel bolt torque setting?

So what would the proper torque be for the 272 keel bolts? (1987 LE in my case..)
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