Acts 15:1-35

(taught on July 27, 2008)

(Acts 15:1) And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

· Chapter 15 summary - Jerusalem visit and discussion (15:1-35)

1. Debate over whether circumcision is a condition of salvation (15:1-5)

2. Visit to Jerusalem to discuss the matter (15:6-21)

3. Letter of instruction sent to the believers at Antioch of Syria (15:22-29)

4. Report given to the church in Antioch of Syria (15:30-35)

· Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch of Syria (vs 14:26). The men who were saying these things had come up from Judea, actually from Jerusalem (vs 24).

· There were many who became Christians from the Jewish religion, and now they are saying the Gentiles who were in the Christian religion needed to become Jews.

· These men who came down from Judea , possibly from the sect of the Pharisees (vs 5), or possibly some of the priests who had converted (vs 6:7).

· Why did these men come to Antioch? Probably because that is where the outreach to Gentiles was strongest and centered. If they made inroads there, it probably would spread to the other Gentile converts.

· They felt compelled that the Gentiles needed circumcision. Note they did not ask it as a question, they stated it as fact. And, it was a bold statement, that without circumcision you would go to hell. This is similar to http://www.howtobesaved.co.uk - he felt compelled to create the site to make it clear that baptism is required to be saved.

· Their position was not unreasonable, for God had clearly commanded that all believers were to be circumcised. They knew this law was from God, and that it was sacred. They had spent their life defending their faith, their God, and their laws. But that was before Christ. And yet, notice that even back then, it was not circumcision that gave them the relationship with God, it was their faith - Gen 15:6, Heb 11:39.

· Things were going very well in the church, until... a division arose, over whether circumcision was required for salvation. Don't think that once the mountain is built, there is no way for weaknesses to appear. We should expect it and learn how to deal with it.

· It is unfortunate that Christians often have to spend time getting their own house in order to be able to then refocus on the enemy. But without this, we cannot focus on our goals, as internal conflict distracts us and diminishes our power. But the example of resolving discord in the church is a good example for us to follow today.

· There are various beliefs that different Christian denominations believe that those in the church have been taught all their lives, which may not be true. The Christian Church teaches it is wrong to have instruments in the worship service. The ELCA Lutheran church says the Bible is "Inspired but not inerrant.". The Catholics pray to saints. The Baptists... what marginal practices or beliefs do we have that are errant?

(Acts 15:2) Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

· All of Christendom looked to Jerusalem as the center and authority for the church. That was where the apostles lived, and long with those who could be considered elders of the global church.

· There was a lot of questioning and discussion over this topic in Antioch, but even in Jerusalem it was not easily answered. Thank God they got it right!

· Josephus made note of this controversy, in Antiq. 20.38-45: That when Izates, the son of Helen queen of Adiabene, embraced the Jews' religion, Ananias declared he might do it without circumcision; but Eleazar maintained that it was a great impiety to remain uncircumcised. And when two eminent Gentiles fled to Josephus (as he relates in the history of his own life) the zealots among the Jews were urgent for their circumcision; but Josephus dissuaded them from insisting upon it. Even though the counsel in Jerusalem settles the issue, I expect many did not accept the results.

· Paul and Barnabas made strong efforts to dissuade them on this issue, as they were fully convinced of the error of the message. But, those with the message were not persuaded, so they had to appeal to the higher court.

· "they determined" - it is the Antioch church that sent them (vs 3).

(Acts 15:3) So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

· Isn't it interesting that they were going to ask if uncircumcised Gentiles can be Christians, yet at the same time telling with great joy how the uncircumcised Gentiles had become Christians? To them, the answer to the question was obvious, but they need official agreement and authentication of the answer.

(Acts 15:4) And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

· They reported to them, good news and bad news. The good news is that many Gentiles were becoming Christians, the bad news is that some of the Jewish Christians felt the Gentiles must be circumcised, and we have an issue to get resolved.

(Acts 15:5) But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."

· These men disagreed with Paul and Barnabas.

(Acts 15:6) Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

· The Jews had their leadership council (6:12), and now the Christians have their leadership council.

(Acts 15:7) And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

· As in the Antioch church, there was much dispute on this matter. Peter, who was looked at as one of the leaders of the council, and possibly the head of the council, decides to focus the council to get a settlement on this. There is no question Gentiles can be Christians, but must they be circumcised?

(Acts 15:8) "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

· Aha, here is the deciding factor.- did they have the Holy Spirit without being circumcised? Yes!

(Acts 15:9) "and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

· Here Peter reiterates what made them acceptable to God - faith alone.

(Acts 15:10) "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

· Here Peter is referring to more than just circumcision - he is referring to the strict laws of Moses.

· The ceremonial law was a heavy yoke; they and their fathers found it difficult to follow, they were so numerous, so various, so pompous, were the requirements of it. The distinction of meats was a heavy yoke, not only as it rendered conversation less pleasant, but it laid guilt to the conscience with its endless scruples. The fuss that was made about even the unavoidable touch of a grave or a dead body, the pollution contracted by it, and the many rules about purifying from that pollution - they were a heavy burden. This yoke Christ came to ease us of, and called those that were weary and heavy laden under it to come and take His yoke upon them, His easy yoke. Now for these teachers to go about to lay that yoke upon the neck of the Gentiles from which he came to free even the Jews was the greatest injury imaginable to them.

· They are more than one can bear. The implication is that even those requiring the Gentiles to follow the law cannot themselves follow it!

(Acts 15:11) "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."

· Peter turns it around. He is saying that he and those with him are saved in the same way as the Gentiles, not vice versa. The simplicity of the Gentiles' conversions were in reality how Peter and associates were saved, through simple faith, and it did not have to do with their position, time with Christ, Jewish heritage and obedience to those laws, etc. It was simple faith, theirs as well as the Gentiles, in the same fashion.

(Acts 15:12) Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

· Once Peter finished, Paul and Barnabas were given opportunity to tell of their real world experiences with the Gentiles, to support the theology that Peter had spoken about.

· Certainly God would not have been working miracles through them if He was not supportive of what they were doing. This (in addition to them receiving the Holy Spirit), is the second strong confirmation of the truth of what they were saying.

(Acts 15:13) And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me:

· First Paul gave the practical theology, then Paul and Barnabas real world examples, and now it is James' turn. This is James the brother of Jesus, for James the apostle was dead (Acts 12:2), who also wrote the book of James (James 1:1).

(Acts 15:14) "Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

· "Simon" is Simon Peter, who spoke first.

(Acts 15:15) "And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

(Acts 15:16) 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;

(Acts 15:17) So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.'

(Acts 15:18) "Known to God from eternity are all His works.

(Acts 15:19) "Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

(Acts 15:20) "but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

· It appears James is well respected, a strong Christian, very practical in the faith (read his epistle), and has a good grasp of Scripture, as shown by his references to it. From his grasp of Scripture, he offers a suggestion of what in the law they should still pay attention to. They acknowledge this also was by leading from the Holy Spirit (vs 28).

· This partially was to keep from further offending the Jews. See 1 Cor 10:23-33.

* abstain from things polluted by idols - while allowed to eat these things, they need to avoid them for the sake of others' consciences. And, God makes is very clear that they are to avoid any form of idolatry (1 Cor 10:14, 2 Cor 6:14). We are told to flee from idolatry.

* abstain from sexual immorality - there are few things more clearly forbidden, both because of God's commands but also because of the results, the damage to self, anyone else directly involved, and even those indirectly involved, like family. 1 Thess 4:3-5 - "Sexual immorality" is anything that causes the physical or thought life to dwell where it shouldn't. Prov 2:16-19 lists some of the penalties.

* abstain from things strangled, and from blood - the Jews had a great dislike to them, and to all those that took a liberty to use them; and therefore, to avoid giving offence, let the Gentile converts loe their liberty on this. 1 Cor 8:9, 1 Cor 8:13. Thus we must become all things to all men.

· The council must have agreed to these measures, for this is what was conveyed to the Gentiles.(vs 29). They felt it was from the Holy Spirit (vs 28).

(Acts 15:21) "For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

· James is suggesting they not totally discount what has been taught from Moses, as it is ingrained in their minds from youth.

(Acts 15:22) Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

· In addition to the others, they sent 2 members of the council, to confirm the decision. This would give more credence to what Paul and Barnabas would say, as some could doubt their forthrightness of the truth of the actual decision, since they were so heavily involved originally in Antioch.

(Acts 15:23) They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

· Here is an epistle! We forget that this is how each of the epistles were created and lived, being read in the various churches. But, this epistle did not become canon in the Scriptures.

(Acts 15:24) Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"; to whom we gave no such commandment;

· It appears those who originally were claiming the Gentiles needed circumcision, who were doing it with such authority, implies they had the authority from the council, when they did not.

(Acts 15:25) it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

(Acts 15:26) men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

· They have risked their lives, yet did not slow down in their obedience of what God wanted them to do. This gave more authority and respect to Paul and Barnabas. (They would in my eyes!)

(Acts 15:27) We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.

(Acts 15:28) For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

· Note they felt it was the Holy Spirit leading James with his suggestions, and the council approving it.

· Once again (see vs 10) they speak of the law of Moses as a great burden, something they have had to bear, something that was akin to having a yoke on their neck, a heavy weight.

(Acts 15:29) that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

(Acts 15:30) So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

(Acts 15:31) When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

· The Gentiles were joyous - they did not have to carry the yoke of the law of Moses!

(Acts 15:32) Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.

· Judas and Silas were the 2 from the council who had travelled from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

· Those in the church knew and respected Paul and Barnabas, but the church accepted the words from Judas and Silas as well.

(Acts 15:33) And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.

· Judas and Silas stayed in Antioch for awhile. Judas returned with some others, but Silas remained behind (vs 34), along with Paul and Barnabas (vs 35).

· Later, when Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways, Silas was Paul's travelling companion (vs 40).

(Acts 15:34) However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.

(Acts 15:35) Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

· Note there were many who were preaching the word now. They challenge they had was to preach without the New Testament to preach from. They had to preach Jesus from the Old Testament.