A Mess in the Making

We’ve all been there; we’ve planned, worked and finally completed a major project, when a new problem emerges—or you just finish shoveling the driveway…and along comes a snowplow, pushing a new scraper bank across it

So it was for Paul and Barnabas: they’ve completed two years of work, seen the Gospel take root where only darkness had been; given their report…and then, something pops up that threatens to undo it all

We don’t know how long it took for the problem here to arise—somewhere in that “no little time...” Paul and Barnabas had with the Antioch church

We will look at the predicament, the process and the premise

The Predicament

Enter the Judaizers

Circumcision was prescribed Genesis 17; part of God’s covenant with Abraham—for all of his offspring

For a Gentile to become a Jew, circumcision WAS required…we are no longer talking about becoming a Jew, but a Christian

This had not been part of the conversion of any of the Gentiles

No mention of it with the Samaritans—who may have been circumcised as it MAY have been a part of their history that had been retained—but maybe not

No mention of it with Peter and the household of Cornelius the Centurion---oops---wait a minute…hmmm…back to Chapter 11

He had been criticized by the “circumcision party,” who do you suppose that might have been?

That had been resolved after Peter’s explanation, the Gentiles had come to faith, recieved the Sprit and been baptized…PERIOD

At that, Peter’s audience had fallen silent, glorified God and said

English Standard Version Chapter 11

Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life

When reports of conversions at Antioch had firsts come back to Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas there…no record of requiring adherence to the Law…just the admonition to

...remain faithful to the Lord with a steadfast purpose...

The Process

Paul and Barnabas seem to be the main defenders of grace—though Paul would write much about it in later years, it was no doubt during this time he had to flesh out the arguments “on the fly” as he engaged in the conversations described in this morning’s text

No small dissension—sounds like a LOT of discussion

We would would construct that as no small debate as well

The text does not tell is that it was hostile…but we can suspect that blood pressures were getting elevated—sort of like some church meeting—but not here

Paul, Barnabas and some others were dispatched to consult with the other apostles and the elders at the church of Jerusalem

On the way, they paid visits to other believers and churches

…and notice where: Phoenicia and Samaria…the Gospel had been spreading, we don’t have the all recorded for us in Acts…or elsewhere in Scripture

They described the conversion of the Gentiles---likely to a mixed group of Jews and Gentiles…and those nasty Samaritans—who had now become believers as well

That was met with joy—as it should have been

Then they went on to Jerusalem and

…declared all the God had done with them...

Seems like we’ve heard that before…along with God having opened the door of faith to the Gentiles in 14:27; apparently, that was an important thing to share

The Premise

To be a Christian, you must first be a good Jew

Look at who proposed this: The Pharisees!

What were they noted for? Self-righteousness

With whom did Jesus have many, if not most of His disagreements? The Pharisees

Why? The were trusting in their works, not in the grace of God; but in the works of righteousness

What did Paul tell Titus, ministering to a bunch of mostly Gentile believers? Titus 3:4–5 “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

But the argument was still made by those who had a history of holding on to a long-held error

WITFM?

First of All

We are not saved by adhering to the Law of Moses…or any other law

we are saved by grace—the undeserved favor of a good and loving God

...through faith—not just a touchy-feely faith

An objective faith—that Jesus Christ died for our sins

The outgrowth of that faith IS works of righteousness, we don’t gain grace or faith BY the works of righteousness!

We see that in Ephesians 2:8–12 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

Look at the position of hopelessness as opposed to the position of hope Ephesians 2:12–13 “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

The same blood that was at work saving the Gentiles in Antioch and through out Asia is still the blood that saves us!

Disagreements Among Believers

There will always be disagreements about details of the faith

This same issue would be replayed among the churches in Galatia, prompting Paul to write about it to them (we noted that it may have taken place even before the argument came to Antioch, likely not too far removed in time)

In this case, the apostles, and a delegation of those in the Antioch church, went to the other apostles and the elders…who had the 1st-generation connection to Jesus

We don’t have that option; we go to the text

We may consult other believers, scholars, pastors…but the text rules—recall Erik’s comments on that

Spoiler alert: We’re going to see even where there were disagreements, we always run home to grace

The core beliefs of Scripture have been hammered out and are generally accepted, at least among what we call evangelical Christians

We no longer argue about keeping the law—we do, however, disagree on a host of other issues…often not even related to Scripture

We’ll get to some of that in future weeks

Never Be Ashamed of Seeking Advice

Being a good cop was not being smart, it was knowing who to ask for what I needed to know

Not a bit different—I regularly consult scholarly writings, commentaries, consult multiple references...other pastors…I don’t have a lock on truth

Make Your Journeys Worthwhile

There may have been a quicker way to get to Jerusalem—they took the time to encourage other believers along the way

We might say this was missionary journey 1.5; trip #2 wouldn’t happen for awhile yet; but they were still “on mission” It doesn’t look like they were sharing the Gospel directly or starting churches, but they were certainly bringing joy to the existing churches, encouraging, edifying, building up the believers

We should never be too busy to encourage other believers, just sharing what God has been doing in your life

Are You “on Mission?”

You cannot be on mission unless you are first a believer

Is your life marked by encouraging, building or bringing joy to other believers?