Jerusalem Conference
Notes
Transcript
Questions arise
Questions arise
Is it good to ask questions? To seek counsel from others?
In our study this morning we are looking at Paul, Barnabas, Silas along with others going to Jerusalem to seek counsel.
Before this journey we have seen the open door to the Gentiles (turn to Act14:27)
27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Many Gentiles came to faith in Antioch of Pisidia (Act13:42-49) after meeting with false prophet trying to keep the gospel from Sergius Paulus (Act13:6-12)
Persecutions were already happening as you know and now there was a question, an issue, should Gentiles be accepted without circumcision and keeping the law of Moses first?
(Transition) - There are scriptures about seeking counsel, for there is safety in it (Pro11:14, 27:9). Paul wants to look at the issue that is causing problems and address it, not to prove he is right, but to show he is not teaching, doing something that is wrong. So open your bibles to Act15 with me as we survey this chapter in the life of an apostle series.
The Problem in Antioch of Syria
The Problem in Antioch of Syria
Troublesome men come from Judea (Act15:1-2)
1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
After dissension and debate came determination to seek counsel
Taking other men with him. (Gal2:1-2)
1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
As they journeyed they described the conversion of Gentiles (Act15:3)
3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.
(Transition) The troublesome men came from Judea so it is best to go to the source to address it directly, so the men head to Jerusalem for what is known as the Jerusalem conference.
The Jerusalem Conference
The Jerusalem Conference
The reception, the opening discussion (Act15:4-5)
4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”
Paul is received and there is then a reception of the question.
There then was a private meeting with some (Gal2:3-6
3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.
Some of the group of Pharisees wanted Titus to be circumcised and to keep the law (Act15:5)
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”
Apostles response (Gal2:7-10
7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.
They were offered the right hand of fellowship! Only to remember the poor.
Then the public meeting (Act15:6-11)
6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”
First was Peter’s address, reminding them he had been selected by God to bring the first message to the Gentiles (Act10:1-43); Also how God showed no partiality and the Gentiles receipt of the Holy Spirit in the same manner (Act10:44-48, 11:15-18).
Slow down, expand on some of the points in the verses (burdens; obedience; saved through grace).
Then came the testimony of Barnabas and Paul (Act15:12)
12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
This then was followed by the counsel given by James (Act15:13-21)
13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 “With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 ‘After these things I will return, And I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it, 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’ 18 Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago. 19 “Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
The prophesy noted in that passage is the fulfillment of what was spoken by Amos (Amos9:11-12).
On top of caring for the poor they had a few other things to do too, Abstain (idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, blood).
Paul, Silas, Judas and companions were being sent back now, with letter of decision going with them (Act15:22-29)
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 and they sent this letter by them, “The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. 24 “Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 25 it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”
(Transition) started with troublesome men, then seeking counsel, finding confirmation and comfort they have a happy return.
The Return
The Return
Received the return and rejoiced (Act15:30-31)
30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
Then the exhorting came from those who travelled with them (Acts 15:32–35)
32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.
Silas decides to stay behind when others returned to Jerusalem. He would be a new member of the mission team (Act15:40).
There was growth but not perfection, there were still some issues that came about (i.e. Peter and Jews) (Gal2:11-21). Yet Paul withstood Peter and the work continued.
It will not be long before Paul wanted to know about the church plants from first missionary trip, and will head out for his second one, so come back next week.
(Invitation slide- seek counsel)
Got questions seek counsel
Be careful where you seek counsel, seek it from God’s word.
This is not just for our salvation, but for our sanctification and perseverance of life. God’s word has the answers, seek it daily, be renewed daily.
(Prayer) (Exit)