Act 15:1 And going down from Judea, some taught the brothers, saying, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
Act 15:2 Then dissension and not a little disputation with them having taken place by Paul and Barnabas, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up into Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this question.
Act 15:3 Then, indeed, having been sent forward by the assembly they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, fully narrating the conversion of the nations. And they were producing great joy among all the brothers.
Act 15:4 And having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the assembly and the apostles and the elders. And they reported what things God did with them.
Act 15:5 But some of those rose up from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
Act 15:6 And the apostles and the elders were assembled to see about this matter.
Act 15:7 And much disputation having occurred, rising up Peter said to them: Men, brothers, you recognize that from ancient days, God chose among us that through my mouth the nations should hear the Word of the gospel, and to believe.
Act 15:8 And the heart-knowing God testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us.
Act 15:9 And He made distinction in nothing between both us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now, then, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we had strength to bear?
Act 15:11 But through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, according to which manner they also believed.
Act 15:12 And all the multitude kept silent and were hearing Barnabas and Paul recounting what things God did through them among the nations, even the miraculous signs and wonders.
Act 15:13 And after they were silent, James responded, saying, Men, brothers, hear me:
Act 15:14 Simon recounted how even as at first God oversaw to take a people out from among the nations for His name.
Act 15:15 And with this agree the Words of the prophets, as it has been written,
Act 15:16 After these things "I" will return and "will build again the tabernacle of David which has fallen," "and I will build again the things which have been demolished," and I will set it up,
Act 15:17 so as the rest of men may seek the Lord, "even all the nations on whom My name has been called, says the Lord, who is doing all these things." Amos 9:11, 12
Act 15:18 All His works are known to God from eternity.
Act 15:19 For this reason I judge not to trouble those from the nations turning to God,
Act 15:20 but to write to them to hold back from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and that strangled, and blood.
Act 15:21 For in every city from ancient generations Moses has those proclaiming him, having been read in the synagogues on every sabbath.
Act 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with all the assembly, to send chosen men from them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas having been surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
Act 15:23 writing by their hand these things: The apostles and the elders and the brothers, to those throughout Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brothers from the nations: Greeting.
Act 15:24 Since we heard that some of us having gone out have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, Be circumcised and keep the Law, to whom we gave no command;
Act 15:25 it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to send chosen men to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Act 15:26 men who have given up their souls on behalf of the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Act 15:27 Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, they by word also announcing the same things.
Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to put not one greater burden on you than these necessary things:
Act 15:29 To hold back from idol sacrifices, and blood, and that strangled, and from fornication; from which continually keeping yourselves, you will do well. Be prospered.
Act 15:30 Then they indeed being let go, they went to Antioch. And gathering the multitude, they delivered the letter.
Act 15:31 And reading it, they rejoiced at the comfort.
Act 15:32 And Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brothers through much speech, and confirmed them.
Act 15:33 And continuing for a time, they were let go with peace from the brothers to the apostles.
Act 15:34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain.
Act 15:35 And Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and announcing the gospel, the Word of the Lord, with many others also.
Act 15:36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Indeed, having turned back, let us look after our brothers throughout every city in which we announced the Word of the Lord, how they are holding it.
Act 15:37 But Barnabas purposed to take John with them, the one having been called Mark.
Act 15:38 But Paul thought it well not to take that one with them, he having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and not going with them to the work.
Act 15:39 Then there was sharp feeling, so as to separate them from each other. And taking Mark, Barnabas sailed away to Cyprus.
Act 15:40 But having chosen Silas, Paul went out, being commended to the grace of God by the brothers.
Act 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, making the assemblies strong.
THE OLD LAW IS TESTED
Verses 1-5: Paul and Barnabas head to Jerusalem to address some Judaizing teachers and their doctrine. It seems the Jews were attempting to bind the law on the Gentiles.
1. Identify the teaching that caused the debate in verse two. There were Jewish teachers saying that circumcision and adherence to Moses' law was required to be saved.
a. Why did they decide to go to Jerusalem? It was the epicenter of this doctrine. The Christian church started in Jerusalem. The apostles would be there. There were elders of that congregation that needed to be included in the conversations.
2. What was the general reaction of the conversion of Gentiles? It produced joy among all the assembly.
a. Why is this important? It was important that the new Christians understand that God is to be considered God of all people. This was a pivotal point in history where Jew and Gentile were now being dispensed to by one God (in their minds). Part of the "repentance" or thinking differently process included this new paradigm.
Verses 6-11: Peter argues the case against Gentiles needing to adhere to the law of Moses.
3. Summarize Peter's argument: Peter testifies that he was destined from ancient times to be the one to preach and covert the Gentiles (establishes authority). He then goes on to argue that it was faith that saved the Jew and also the Gentile. So why would anyone try to bind the law on them when even the Jews had issues adhering to it.
Verses 12-21: Paul and Barnabas recount all the work of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles. James rises up and speaks. He confirms that the conversion of Gentiles has always been a part of God's plan. He suggests that they do not bond the law on them, after all, the law is still spoken weekly in the synagogues.
4. Summarize James’ argument: He reiterates the authority of Gentile conversions. He agrees that they do not need the law. Gentiles do need some basic instruction concerning continuing in what was their previous life practices that are sinful toward God.
5. From verse nineteen;
What was the Judean teaching doing? It was "troubling." G3926 παρενοχλέω parenochleō par-en-okh-leh'-o From G3844 and G1776; to harass further, that is, annoy: - trouble
The teaching amounted to nothing more than a harassment.
These men saw the reality of the gospel. It did away with the need for a system of law. They knew that this new system was based on faith (with all of its implications).
a. How can this sort of thing happen today? Yes. Tradition is usually good. Tradition can also become paramount to practice above what God really requires. All of the NT writers agree on the need for every congregation to practice a love that produces unity. The law had become tradition and not a requirement. Binding anything like that on converts is doing the same thing. Opinion is much the same and sometimes worse.
6. Would it have been wrong
for the Gentiles to adhere to the Jewish laws and customs? Yes. As the brothers reveal, faith is the basis of salvation. This had to be an extraordinary thought to have and say to a culture that had possession of a system handed to them by Jehovah (the Jews). Binding that on them was NOT part of God's plan.
The thing typically not talked about is that Christianity requires MORE than what the law requires. The system of law requires obedience. Christianity requires a whole life/heart devotion. It requires an intimate understanding of God. Obedience occurs from a position of love and not necessity.
Verses 22-29: Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas are sent with a letter to the Gentiles in Antioch and that region.
7. Summarize the letter: Ignore the Jewish teaching of circumcision and keeping the law. Do not eat meat sacrificed to idols, blood, anything strangled and stop the practice of fornication.
a. What did the letter try to accomplish? It settles the arguments from outsiders trying to Judaize the Church and addresses the old traditions of Gentiles that were still an issue in the Churches.
Verses 30-35: They take the letter to Antioch and deliver it. It is a relief for them. Judas eventually leaves for Jerusalem. Silas, Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch and work there.
8. What effect did the
letter produce? They rejoiced at the comfort. it's important that we see how much joy the Gospel is bringing these new Christians. Many were serving a law as Jews and many were serving mythological, temperamental gods as Gentiles.
Neither system was designed to afford the assurance that the gospel delivers.
Verses 36-41: Barnabas and Paul decide to leave Antioch to strengthen the churches where they had already visited. Barnabas wants to take John Mark. Paul says no because he felt Mark had abandoned them on a previous trip. There was a sharp disagreement. Barnabas takes Mark with him to Cyprus. Paul takes Silas with him to Syria and Cilicia.
9. Recount the incident
that led to Paul’s opinion of Mark (13:13). How could two men have such
differing opinions of the same man? Who was right?
Act 13:13 And putting out from Paphos with those around him, Paul came to Perga of Pamphylia. And separating from them, John returned to Jerusalem.
The issue here is perception. We do not know why Mark left the work. When he did, for whatever reason, Paul counted it against him for future work. Paul did not trust Him.
Barnabas on the other hand, held a more forgiving view for whatever the reason was and valued the work that Mark did accomplish with them.
For Paul, the association would not work. For Barnabas, he was convinced of Mark's devotion to bring him along.
In this scenario, Barnabas appears to have been "right." But if we look from a view further back, perhaps this split up was necessary. The brothers were still Christians. They did not hate each other. They still worked for God.
Later in 2Tim 4:11, Paul requests the help of Mark "for he is useful to me for ministry."
a. What should this teach us? Our humanity makes us limited. Sometimes we don't always agree on everything. If our focus stays on God and His message through the Christ, we will do well.
10. Many people believe
this chapter supports “centralized government” within the church structure.
List the reasons why this may or may not be true.
a. This action was single-issue focused. Once it was resolved, the meeting did not happen again.
b. It did not attempt to dictate how each congregation should conduct themselves.
c. It was not focused on collecting funds for dispersion.
d. This meeting had the advantage of having apostles who had the gift of the Holy Spirit in way that was unique to them and a few Gentiles.
So, no. Many questions and concerns are addressed in the epistles to the churches that clarify church conduct and purpose. The main focus is on Jesus/God through what the Holy Spirit has revealed.
That does not necessarily mean that elders from multiple churches cannot confer with one another for help and insights. It just means that each congregation is autonomous in its application of scripture for the assembly at their location, without an earthly "body" of humans telling them what they have to do.
Additional: Why did Paul
want to revisit churches? Is this done today?
He wanted to see how they were doing. The term literally means interrogative-hold, or ask/see if they are holding on to the truths set before them.
It does happen today. A congregation may decide to support a work. Part of that decision will be based on criteria like are they teaching the truth etc. Occasionally, someone will spend some time with the congregation to make sure that is happening.
There are church-planting efforts in places where the gospel has not been ignored. There are people today who visit these churches to make sure they hold fast to the scriptures.
Here in America, we do not see too much church planting since there are literally churches everywhere.
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