ETB Acts 15:7-9, 22-31

Session 4 p.37 The Gospel

Private agendas and perceived offenses have led to all kinds of rules and even laws being created.

What are some unusual laws or rules you have heard about?

In North Carolina, it is illegal to plow your garden with an elephant. How that law made it into the books is probably a fascinating story.

What about church membership or rules of conduct. What are some of the strange ones you heard?

Most of these laws and rules were probably not based on Scripture. When we start using non-spiritual methods to guide spiritual growth it causes friction. Today’s passage focuses on how the early church fathers encouraged biblical resolution to non-biblical interests.

Understand the Context

The bulk of Acts 15 is primarily concerned with one key issue: What is required for salvation? The passage highlights the work of the Jerusalem Council, and readers may view the passage in four parts.

Verses 1-5 describe the preliminary questions raised by certain Jews in Antioch about the requirements for salvation, especially the role of the Mosaic law. Given the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas, the question of Gentile salvation needed a definitive answer.

Verses 6-21 recounts the deliberations in Jerusalem, in particular the words of Peter and James. The Mosaic faction believed that Gentiles could accept Christ only after becoming converts to Judaism. As part of the proselyzation process, males were required to undergo circumcision, and all converts had to adopt the Mosaic laws. Once the Gentiles “became Jewish,” they could join the church. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

Explore the Text

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.

Much debate

The debate was whether or not a Gentile must become a proselyte of Judaism first before being a part of the Jewish “church or believers.” The devout Jews still held to the belief that Yahweh could only be worshipped in synagogue or temple. God had not changed the laws governing the presence of Gentiles within a synagogue or especially the Temple in Jerusalem so if they were going to worship Christ together, the Gentiles must submit to those laws or other concessions would need to be made.

Certain Jews had tried to enforce the Mosaic law on Gentile believers in the Antioch congregation. Paul and Barnabas had strongly opposed this position. After no solution could be reached, the two sides appealed to the church in Jerusalem. As in Antioch, much debate ensued as the opposing sides presented their cases. The Greek wording suggests a controversy or an investigation. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

This all the information that we get in this passage about how much time passed between the beginning verses of the Chapter and when the Judaizers were first mentioned, and the letter is heard at the end of the Chapter. It is unclear if there were weeks or months involved. I think Luke may have left that information to prevent readers from using it as “appropriate amount of time for discussion” and maybe to protect the reputations of the believers about how long it took.

by my mouth the Gentiles should hear

Although Cornelius was Peter’s first Gentile convert, there were numerous others later. Peter accepted the vision before this meeting as his personal calling to minister more to the Gentile peoples than his own afterward.

Peter’s comments were largely autobiographical. Peter affirmed that God made a choice to use him to witness. Though some time had passed, Peter believed that the Jerusalem church would remember this ground-breaking experience.

Peter recalled how Cornelius not only believed the message in his heart, but his entire household also followed suit. God demonstrated His acceptance of Cornelius by pouring out the Holy Spirit, just as He had on Jews at Pentecost (v. 8). If the Jerusalem church had accepted Cornelius without additional requirements, how could they now impose the Mosaic laws on new Gentile converts?

God who knows the heart

More literally “heart knower.” This is a compound word with the root of “ginosko” in it. This is a complete, full, knowledge and in God’s case there is nothing missing from that knowledge - past, present, or future. This is concept is most notably mentioned when God’s prophet Samuel was looking for Israel’s second king.

1 Samuel 16:7 “7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.””

giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us

Within months of the first Pentecost happening for the original disciples, the same thing occurred for the Gentiles in the home of Cornelius. God had ordained all peoples would be “blessed” back when He called Abram out to begin building the Jewish nation. Peter reminds the group the “in the early days” of the church coalescing that both groups were “set apart” in the same way by God’s person “breathing”. Included but not directly mentioned also is the baptism and salvation through grace alone.

no distinction

Sometimes translated as discrimination or judgments these words help us understand the separating aspects of the choice that could be made. These are the kinds of personal “agendas” that led so some of the strange rules we first discussed. The antonyms for this Greek word for distinction are; beguile, deceive, ensnare, and go astray. These help us understand the evil intentions of such choices and why a Holy God is not able to be accused of doing so.

Notice that Peter is now saying that it is God that has declared no difference between Jew and Gentile, all are human and sinful before Him, and all receive equal grace. Paul later affirms this in his letters in the future.

Romans 10:12 “12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.”

Galatians 2:15–16 “15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

Ask: What kinds of erroneous things might unbelievers today think are necessary for salvation? How could you use Peter’s example to help resolve contention over salvation? (p. 39)

For me, it was being shown that it was God that did the work in me and not something I had to do or complete.

Cleansed their hearts by faith

Previously, Jews would have understood the word for cleansed, katharizo, to refer to the law of Moses. For them, it would have meant that purification occurred through ritual cleansing. But Peter made the point that the Gentiles in Caesarea had been cleansed by the Holy Spirit. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Peter clearly emphasizes the work of God, and the Holy Spirit are doing the saving, witnessing, comforting, and cleansing of the Gentile believers the same way He had for the original 12. To add more to these things is to claim God’s work was incomplete. Thankfully, those gathered also came to see the truths of these statements and James’ convicting analysis of the Scripture and the debate was over.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 15

Although we’re to be fishers of men (Matthew 4:19), the problem with so many Christians today is that they are trying to clean the fish before they catch them. In reality, it is not until after men are hooked on Christ and brought into the boat of salvation that their hearts will change.

Acts 15:22–26 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, 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.

The whole church

While the apostles and the elders of the Jerusalem church formulated the decision regarding Gentile salvation, the plan earned the blessing of the entire congregation. Luke stated that the whole church affirmed the verdict, indicating the importance of unity both within the members of the local body itself and in relation to their Gentile brothers and sisters. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Choose men from among them

Informing the church at Antioch was the next order of business. James presented a two-fold solution. First, the Jerusalem congregation would send a formal letter to Antioch, carried by two elected messengers. In this, James managed to satisfy the need to share the decision with the believers in Antioch without endangering the relationship between either community. The delegates could testify about the decision of the Jerusalem church, which would overcome potential objections as to the letter’s validity. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

It was also important that these men come “from among them” to counter those who had falsely claimed to have come from them. Not only had these men caused relational and doctrinal troubles but internal one for the individuals also.

unsettling your minds

The description of this concept is the idea of packing up everything you own to move, but then having to wait.

Do any of you remember experiencing that?

You know where everything was and is now, but you are not able to reach it as it is in transit somewhere else. The Antioch believers knew the truth of the gospel, but the Judaizers had come and put everything in “different packaging” and out of reach for Gentile by claiming only a “Jew” could be Christian. Thankfully, this false teaching was overcome, and all the “luggage” was put back in its proper place in the hearts and lives of the Gentile believers.

The men being sent back would need to be able to handle the stress of the conflict and calm hearts.

men who have risked their lives for Christ

In some English translations the “men” appear to be ones that are being sent but the tools I have clearly show that Paul and Barnabas are the ones who risked their lives. Silas and Barsabbas may not have been put in danger because of the gospel yet, but we know they will be by the end of the book.

Acts 15:27–31 ESV

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.” 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.

By word of mouth

The assembly in Jerusalem had intentionally selected two trustworthy men to deliver the letter to Antioch. Not only would the Antioch church have the actual written letter to explain the deliberations in Jerusalem, but they also would have the benefit of Judas and Silas who would personally report on all the deliberations by word of mouth. The presence of Judas and Silas significantly increased the reliability of the letter. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

This is still the most impactful form of communication to other people. Texts, emails, websites, phone calls and even mailed letters can communicate ideas, but direct speech is always more convincing and authentic to the listener.

Seemed good to the Holy Spirit

The Spirit served as a guiding force throughout all of the work of the Gentile mission. One could trace His work from the early ministry of Peter, to the decision of the Antioch church to send missionaries, to the ministry of Paul and Barnabas, and now to the critical decision made in Jerusalem. The leaders in Jerusalem made it clear that the final verdict was not their own. It was rooted in the Spirit’s plans and purposes. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

The Holy Spirit would the the “third witness” for the Antioch believers. He would confirm and encourage their belief in the truths being conveyed to them by the four men and the written letter.

The Applied New Testament Commentary The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers (15:22–35)

The Spirit had guided them. Let us remember that the Holy Spirit is present at all of our meetings. Whatever decision we come to, we need to be able to say: “This decision seems good to us and to the Holy Spirit.”

to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements

Jesus will speak similar words to the church at Thyatira who had been (will be) led astray to commit some of these things that the apostles are warning this new church in Antioch about.

Revelation 2:22–25 “22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.”

The Moody Bible Commentary c. The Letter to Gentile Churches (15:22–35)

The intent was to prevent the syncretism of paganism and the new faith. Although Gentiles did not need to convert to Judaism, they were required to leave pagan idol worship (cf. 1Th 1:9).

Just as the Judaizers were trying to add to the gospel, they did not want other religious actions taken up as “needed.” It was recommended to stay away from the Jew and Gentile false religions.

keep yourselves from these

At first, they were to “abstain” or hold back from, like a ship waiting to come to port. This “keep yourselves from” is more complete for of abstention. It is more like avoiding the port altogether and coming ashore somewhere else.

These new requests were based on Levitical law.

Leviticus 17:10–14 “10 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. 12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood. 13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. 14 For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.”

Believer’s Bible Commentary E. The Council at Jerusalem (15:1–35)

Blood. This too goes back to Genesis 9:4 and thus precedes the Law of Moses. Since the Covenant with Noah was never abrogated, we take it that these regulations are still in effect today.

The four things listed were to be avoided, not as condition of salvation but as a means of maintaining close fellowship with those of both Jewish and pagan convictions. These laws in Leviticus were the only ones I found that required of both native Jew and the Gentiles (sojourners) among them.

Paul wrote about these things to the Corinthians in greater detail:

Food offered to idols - 1 Cor 8:1-13

Sexual immorality - 1Cor 5:1-7:9

There are multiple other New Testament Scriptures guiding us in ways to avoid being “tainted” by the world’s agendas and sin.

James 1:27 “27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Titus 2:11–12 “11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,”

What are some other visible ways we can show our separation from other religions and the world’s practices?

Breaking routines and going “out” to do God’s work can also show people the level of devotion you have and cause questions. I’m sure these men had to answer questions from their families and friends as -

they were sent off

Luke may have shortened the story narrative by not including it here but in the past whenever men were “sent off” there was praying, fasting, and a laying of hands on those being given over to God for His work outside of the local congregation.

The men and the letter when it was heard had a positive response.

they rejoiced because of its encouragement

This has the same root word that is used when describing the Holy Spirit as the “Comforter.” Exhorted, encouraged, comforted and for the purpose of strengthening one’s faith.

Today we can read these same things and be encouraged as well that there is a hope and method for overcoming the “staining effects” of the current world.

Romans 15:4–5 “4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,”

Apply the Text

Exalting Jesus in Acts Conclusion

We must learn at least two lessons from the Jerusalem Council, one regarding Christian truth and the other Christian love.

We Must Never Abandon the Gospel of Grace

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It comes apart from works of the law (cf. Phil 3:1–11). We must never bend on this truth. Jesus’s work is sufficient. We need to rest in his grace and proclaim it to the world.

We Must Lovingly Preserve the Unity of the Body

There will be times in which Christians should abstain from certain liberties in order to maintain peaceful social interactions with others. Christians with strong consciences should never violate the consciences of weaker brothers and sisters. We should limit our liberty out of love for the weaker Christian (Stott, Message of Acts, 257; Rom 14; 1 Cor 8–9). John Newton said this about Paul’s dual commitment to the gospel and charitable flexibility with other Christians: “Paul was a reed in non-essentials; an iron pillar in essentials” (quoted in Stott, Message of Acts, 257). Let’s be an iron pillar on the gospel, and let’s be charitable to others regarding nonessentials, for the good of the church, for the advancement of the gospel among all nations, and for the glory of Jesus.

Pray:

Help us not impose cultural requirements onto any believers beyond salvation by grace through faith. Use us to clearly communicate the truths and implications of the gospel. Help us to take advantage of opportunities to rejoice over the gospel message impact in our lives and share it with others.