Council in Jerusalem

Introduction (Acts 15:1-35)

Thank you: Worship (Keith, Sarah, and Grace; Worship teams, Sound, Easy Worship, and video) Kitchen/nursery (Linda, fellow helpers) Teachers (Mac, Melissa, Tony, Donalyn, Tiffany, Naomi, Ida Mae, Keith, Steve, Conrad, Rick) Building and Grounds (Trustee, Cleaning, Lawn care)

Biblical History

Church has been expanding and their influence has been causing quite the stir in the world, as well as, bring difficulties inside and outside the church.

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The church by now have expanded to reaching out into the Gentile area.

Jerusalem - (Acts 2-7)

Judea and Samaria (Acts 8)

Gentiles (Acts 9-14, technically, the rest of Acts)

Difficulties the Church deals with:

1st Century

Persecution from Sanhedrin.

Sin in the church.

Orderly service in the church.

Unification of Jews and Gentiles in the Church.

Gnostic Teaching

The church in the 21st century is dealing with tough decisions also.

Cultural: (Abortion, racism, LGPDQIA+, Political Divisions)

Theological: There are many differing views in theology (Creation, Salvation, End times). Differences on religious practices (Worship Songs, Spiritual Gifts, Baptism) Different theology: (Mormon, JW, Progressive Christian Movement, Social Justice, Christian Nationalism)

World Stage: Differing Beliefs (Atheism, Naturalism, Islam, Humanism) Persecution (Jews and Christian)

Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

Now that Gentiles are able to Join the Church in relationship with Christ, How are they to relate with a primarily Jewish Church? What Is to Be Required of Gentile Converts?

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch after their 1st Missionary Journey.

Acts 14:27–28 (ESV)

27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

The Dispute (Acts 15:1-5)

Issue in need of a decision (15:1-2)

Acts 15:1–2 (ESV)

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Teaching and Discussion

Teaching (1) - Gentile followers of Jesus must be circumcised according to the Law of Moses. There was difficulty in dealing with what of the OT is still a part of the NT and what about Gentile believers.

Paul and Barnabas

Dissension n. — a conflict of people’s opinions or actions or characters. (Biblical Sense)

Dispute n. — a disagreement or argument about something important.(Biblical Sense)

There was a heated discussion between Paul and these Men from Judea about the application of the Law of Moses to the lives of Gentile followers of Jesus.

Main issue

“Unless you are circumcised. These teachers from Judea were teaching that Gentiles could not be saved unless they kept the law of Moses in regard to circumcision. Thus according to them a Gentile had first to become a proselyte to Judaism, including circumcision, before one could become a Christian. This party is sometimes known (collectively) as Judaizers. They did not question that Gentiles could come into the community, but disagreed with Paul and Barnabas on what basis they could do so.” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

The church throughout History have had to deal with different teachings and understandings of the Bible and Christianity. There are challenges in theological views (Who is Jesus), interpretation of the Bible (hermeneutical guidelines), practical application (Christian life).

Travel to Jerusalem (15:3-5)

Paul and Barnabas travels to Jerusalem (3-4)

Acts 15:3–4 (ESV)

3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.

Same issue in Jerusalem (5)

Acts 15:5 (ESV)

5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

“Believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees” - Those from the Pharisees were likely the same group as those insisting on circumcision in v. 2 and 11:2. They not only argued that Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved but also that they were required to keep the whole Mosaic law as well, for circumcision represented a commitment to observe the law. (Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008. Print.)

There was differing opinions of believers in the early church about how the Law of Moses applies to the Christian faith.

The Discussion (Acts 15:6-21)

Past - Peter’s discussion of his encounter with Cornelius (6-11)

His experience with Cornelius and his family (7-9)

Peter is the first to address the debate with His experience with God’s calling him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and the results.

Acts 15:7–9 (ESV)

7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.

Proclamation of the Gospel in obedience to the Lord. (Acts 10-11)

Lord bore witness

to testify approvingly v. — to offer firsthand authentication in favor or in affirmation of someone. (Biblical Sense)

Giving the Holy Spirit

No difference between God’s working with the Jews and Gentiles.

Forgiveness of Sins.

Why add on more of a burden to believers? (10-11)

Acts 15:10–11 (ESV)

10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Don’t add additional burdens to followers of Jesus.

Peter - addressing the adding on of the burden of obedience to the Mosaic law to Christians. They were not able to fulfill them, which is why Jesus came to fulfill it, and they were adding that burden to the gentiles.

Peter - expresses the core of salvation is the grace of God found in Jesus Christ for both Jews and Gentiles.

Are we adding additional burdens to followers of Jesus today? Are we adding practices to believers that the Bible does not address?

What is the character we are desiring or expecting for other followers of Jesus?

We are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Disciples of Jesus are those who submit to the Lordship and authority of Jesus in their lives and are being transformed through the Holy Spirit to have the character of Christ with the Priorities of Christ.

Are we making disciples of Jesus or disciples of our own making. “Oh, how we like to make disciples in our own image.” (Bob Utley)

Are we adding additional burdens and expectations on to people that the Bible does not, because of our own theological perspective, personal opinions, denominational bias, or legalism.

“Can’t spit, dance, or chew, or associate with those who do.” (Bob Utley)

No gambling or drinking. You must vote republican. You can’t ____.

If you’re a good Christian you should read your bible ___ minutes a day. You should pray for ___ minutes every day. If you were a good Christian parent, you would home school. If you were a good Christian, you would ___________.

Men from Judea and Believers from Pharisee party believed that obedience of the Mosaic Law was required of the Gentile believers. Are there standards we have for Christians that we expect of other believers to follow that may not necessarily be standards in the Bible?

Present - Paul’s discussion of his 1st Missionary Journey (12)

God’s miraculous work amongst the Gentile.

Acts 15:12 (ESV)

12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Paul discusses their 1st missionary Journey (Acts 13-14). The assembly was silent as Paul described his ministry experience.

Paul and Barnabas related to the assembly how God was approving of their ministry to the Gentiles through Signs and Wonders.

Future - James’s discussion of the Word (13-21)

Fulfillment of Scripture (13-18)

Acts 15:13–18 (ESV)

13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’

Quoting Amos 9:11-12.

Gentile inclusion into the restoration of Israel was a promise of God in the OT and reiterated by Jesus.

John 10:16 (ESV)

16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Ephesians 3:6 (ESV)

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

James argumentation is that The Bible has made it known that the Gentile addition to the church was a part of God’s plan.

James’ opinion (19-21)

Acts 15:19–21 (ESV)

19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

James makes some suggestions, not Commands of the Gentiles.

Judgment - “to come to a conclusion in the process of thinking and thus to be in a position to make a decision—‘to come to a conclusion, to decide, to make up one’s mind.’” (Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains 1996: 358. Print.)

After hearing the discussion and the Word, James believes that they are not to burden gentiles who turn to God.

“The final decision on whether to impose the law of Moses on gentiles and require them to be circumcised is not put up for a vote such that whoever packed the audience might win the day. James, led by the Holy Spirit, renders the apostles’ and elders’ decision but adds a stipulation: gentile Christians may remain gentiles, but they cannot remain idolaters.” (Garland, David E. Acts. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

The Decision (Acts 15:22-35)

Send messengers to the church in Antioch (22)

Acts 15:22 (ESV)

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

The church in Jerusalem sends 2 representative with Paul and Barnabas to the church in Antioch with a letter of recommendations for Gentile Christians.

Letter (23-29)

Acts 15:23–29 (ESV)

23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

Those teachers that confused them were not sent from the church in Jerusalem.

Suggestions -

“The addition of the so-called apostolic decree is not offered as a compromise that urges gentiles to avoid offending Jewish sensibilities on certain matters. Rather, these restrictions are related to idolatry and are non-negotiable. As Christians, the gentiles may no longer be involved in anything related to their former idolatry.” (Garland, David E. Acts. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

“Some scholars think these may have been introduced as a way for Jews and Gentiles within the church to have a common basis for contact. But it is more likely that these were designed to elevate the moral standards of the Gentiles by prohibiting them from engaging in a number of the practices that were associated with pagan temple rites such as animal sacrifice, sexual immorality, and idolatry.” (Porter, Stanley E. “Acts.” CSB Study Bible: Notes. Ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017. 1746. Print.)

Church rejoices over the decision (30-35)

Rejoicing

Acts 15:30–31 (ESV)

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

Encouraged

Acts 15:32–35 (ESV)

32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Lessons from the Council in Jerusalem

“Community tension stemming from not requiring gentiles to be circumcised is confronted head on by the church leaders. It is resolved through testimonies about God’s work among gentiles, the application of Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” (Garland, David E. Acts. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

There will be issues that the church will need to address that come from the culture around us.

We are dealing with lots of conflicting ideologies: Cultural (LGBTQ+, Abortion), Political (Red/Blue, Policies), Scientific (Atheism), and Religious (false religious beliefs, Contrary Christian Beliefs).

How do we address and minister to those who come to Christ or the Church with these differing views? Where do we go as we are dealing with these differing views in the church?

We need to seek answers from the Word of God and seeking counsel from fellow believers.

The church in Antioch sent for counsel from the leaders in the church of Jerusalem. They, in discussion with Paul and Barnabas, came up with a solution that edified the church.

We need to keep communication open within the Church. We need to deal with our current issues through careful study of the Word of God, Our foundation for belief and practice, and with a dialogue with fellow believers and prayer for the Holy Spirits wisdom and guidance.

Benediction

Romans 15:5–6 (ESV)

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.