Acts.8

Harmonizing Grace and Truth: Insights from the Jerusalem Council

Bible Passage: Acts 15:1–35

1. Pressure of Tradition

Acts 15:1–5 “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.” 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. 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. 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. 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.””

Judaizers, the circumcision caused a full blown crisis in the church. The question of salvation by works or by grace.

Galatians 2:12 “for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.”

Genesis 17:14 “And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.””

Exodus 12:48–49 “And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. 49 One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.””

What do we do with tradition, what place does it have. Many are returning to the trappings of the traditional church. Organized religion will say we have history on our side, while a more reformed thinking church will claim that they have the Bible on their side. It’s nice to have some traditions, but it is vital to have the Bible. Without the Bible we have nothing.

2. Power of Peter’s Testimony

Acts 15:6–12 “6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 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. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 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? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” 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.”

The power of our personal testimony is something another can no argue with. Verse two says Paul and Barnabas and certain others went to Jerusalem. There was even a witness of the transformed lives of Gentile converts.

No distinction

Circumcision, obligating to keep the Law was wrong for three reasons:

It tested God. Acts 5:9 “Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”” (How far are you willing to tempt God?) Deuteronomy 6:16 “You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.”

It put a yoke on disciples. Matthew 23:4 “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

It entangled the believer again under bondage. Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

It was not they are save like us, but we are saved in same manner as they are! - by grace through faith w/o works.

Peter presents a clear message of Cornelius hearing words of eternal life and believing. Salvation without works just the hearing of faith.

3. Principle of Balance

Acts 15:13–21 “And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of 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 will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 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.’ 18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.””

This James was the author of the Epistle of James and half brother of Jesus. He was the leader (head elder of a plurality).

At end of debate, συζήτησις syzetesis dipute, dissension only here in Acts 15:2, 7; 28:29, there was silence.

Refers to Peter and his wisdom and after Peter, Paul, and other witness spoke James goes to the ultimate witness.

Goes back to Scripture! Amos 9:11–12.

This becomes the indisputable source for correct doctrine.

Propose a decision - we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God. Trouble here is παρενοχλέω paraenochleo don’t annoy the Gentiles (used only here in NT). Don’t put an imposition on them. The gospel is grace plus nothing.

Four considerations to keep the peace and avoid a stumbling block, they were to abstain from:

food (sacrificed) polluted by idols

sexual immorality

meat of strangled animals

blood

These were moral issues of the heart, as to not offend the Jews.

4. Promise of Unity

Acts 15:22–29 “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. 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. 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— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men 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 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 necessary things: 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.”

It was received and passed by the entire church. A council of apostles, elders, and whosoever was available.

Now Paul and Barnabas have a companions as witnesses to the council carrying back the letter from James, et al.

5. Purpose of Joy

Acts 15:30–35 “So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. 34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.”

They brought the letter to the church in Antioch and delivered it. The end result of good doctrine is joy.

Judas and Silas visited the church and brought great encouragement with many words. They did not tire of hearing the words of God. They returned to Jerusalem with a message from Antioch. The New King James says greetings in verse 33 but the Greek is εἰρήνη eirene which is translated peace. It was a common salutation among the Jews, שָׁלוֹם shalom - welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility. This is what the Jerusalem council achieved by understanding grace and it’s rightful place in the salvation of believers.