Acts 15:6-21
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6 Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
12 Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers, listen to me! 14 Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 After these things I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
I will rebuild its ruins
and set it up again,
17 so the rest of humanity
may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles
who are called by My name,
declares the Lord who does these things,
18 known from long ago.
19 Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”
acts 15
Sub: A Picture of Denominational Work
Sub: A Picture of Denominational Work
Intro:
Intro:
The ministry to the Gentiles was under attack. However, when Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Antioch in Syria from that First Missionary Journey, some Jews came from Judea to Antioch and began a vigorous debate about the process used by Paul and Barnabas in leading Gentiles to salvation and into the church. The Jews were convinced that Gentiles should have been circumcised and made to keep the Law of Moses.
The ministry to the Gentiles was under attack. However, when Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Antioch in Syria from that First Missionary Journey, some Jews came from Judea to Antioch and began a vigorous debate about the process used by Paul and Barnabas in leading Gentiles to salvation and into the church. The Jews were convinced that Gentiles should have been circumcised and made to keep the Law of Moses.
The debate could not be settled in Antioch. So Paul, Barnabas, and a group from the church in Antioch, went up to Jerusalem to further discuss the issue. There were some Jews who believed that Christianity was actually a part of Judaism. Therefore, they believed that in order for a Gentile to be saved, that Gentile had to become a Jew by submitting to circumcision and the Law of Moses. There were some Jews who believed that Gentiles needed to follow the customs of Moses. This would make them Jewish proselytes.
The debate could not be settled in Antioch. So Paul, Barnabas, and a group from the church in Antioch, went up to Jerusalem to further discuss the issue. There were some Jews who believed that Christianity was actually a part of Judaism. Therefore, they believed that in order for a Gentile to be saved, that Gentile had to become a Jew by submitting to circumcision and the Law of Moses. There were some Jews who believed that Gentiles needed to follow the customs of Moses. This would make them Jewish proselytes.
was under attack. However, when Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Antioch in Syria from that First Missionary Journey, some Jews came from Judea to Antioch and began a vigorous debate about the process used by Paul and Barnabas in leading Gentiles to salvation and into the church. The Jews were convinced that Gentiles should have been circumcised and made to keep the Law of Moses. The debate could not be settled in Antioch. So Paul, Barnabas, and a group from the church in Antioch, went up to Jerusalem to further discuss the issue. There were some Jews who believed that Christianity was actually a part of Judaism. Therefore, they believed that in order for a Gentile to be saved, that Gentile had to become a Jew by submitting to circumcision and the Law of Moses. There were some Jews who believed that Gentiles needed to follow the customs of Moses. This would make them Jewish proselytes. Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against the beliefs of some of the Jews because the beliefs of some of the Jews denied the power of grace and the gospel. After nothing was settled while in Antioch, this issue was moved to Jerusalem to be discussed by the apostles and the elders. This is the first picture we have of what we now know as denominational work. The primary design of denominational work is to protect the doctrines of the denomination. Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles already knew the plan of salvation. They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace. So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.
was under attack. However, when Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Antioch in Syria from that First Missionary Journey, some Jews came from Judea to Antioch and began a vigorous debate about the process used by Paul and Barnabas in leading Gentiles to salvation and into the church. The Jews were convinced that Gentiles should have been circumcised and made to keep the Law of Moses. The debate could not be settled in Antioch. So Paul, Barnabas, and a group from the church in Antioch, went up to Jerusalem to further discuss the issue. There were some Jews who believed that Christianity was actually a part of Judaism. Therefore, they believed that in order for a Gentile to be saved, that Gentile had to become a Jew by submitting to circumcision and the Law of Moses. There were some Jews who believed that Gentiles needed to follow the customs of Moses. This would make them Jewish proselytes. Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against the beliefs of some of the Jews because the beliefs of some of the Jews denied the power of grace and the gospel. After nothing was settled while in Antioch, this issue was moved to Jerusalem to be discussed by the apostles and the elders. This is the first picture we have of what we now know as denominational work. The primary design of denominational work is to protect the doctrines of the denomination. Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles already knew the plan of salvation. They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace. So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against the beliefs of some of the Jews because the beliefs of some of the Jews denied the power of grace and the gospel. After nothing was settled while in Antioch, this issue was moved to Jerusalem to be discussed by the apostles and the elders. This is the first picture we have of what we now know as denominational work. The primary design of denominational work is to protect the doctrines of the denomination. Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles already knew the plan of salvation. They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace. So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against the beliefs of some of the Jews because the beliefs of some of the Jews denied the power of grace and the gospel. After nothing was settled while in Antioch, this issue was moved to Jerusalem to be discussed by the apostles and the elders. This is the first picture we have of what we now know as denominational work. The primary design of denominational work is to protect the doctrines of the denomination. Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles already knew the plan of salvation. They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace. So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles already knew the plan of salvation. They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace. So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles already knew the plan of salvation. They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace. So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.
I. The Debate over the Doctrine
6 Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.
6 Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.
The fact that leaders from the church at Antioch travel to Jerusalem and meet with the leaders there shows the ongoing oversight for the entire movement exerted by the Jerusalem church and the commitment of both churches to be unified in the essential aspects of the gospel.
II. The Discussion of the Doctrine
Peter, the principal leader among the Twelve, stands up and addresses the entire group. He begins by calling them to reflect back on the beginning of the Christian movement when God sovereignly chooses him to explain the gospel to Cornelius and his household some ten years ago.
a. They Share The Same Savior
7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.
7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.
Cornelius and his house had believed the Word while Peter was in the process of preaching the Word. They believed while they were listening and hearing the Word.
b. They Are Sealed By The Same Witness
b. They are Sealed by The Same Spirit
8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.
8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.
God had given the Holy Spirit while they were believing the Word. Note how Peter stressed that salvation is the act of God.
⇒ God "knew their hearts," that they were believing within their hearts. God and God alone knows the heart.
⇒ God bore witness to the belief of their hearts.
⇒ God bore witness by giving the Holy Spirit to them.
⇒ God gave the Holy Spirit by His act alone (not by baptism nor by laying on of men's hands).
⇒ God gave the Holy Spirit just as He did to the Jews.
c. They Share The Same Security
9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
God cleansed their hearts by faith. The stress is upon the word faith, not upon ritual or ceremony. Again, the stress is upon God. God knows the heart, when a man believes, when a man's heart is moved toward the Lord Jesus, grasping and believing what Jesus has done for him. When God sees that, He cleanses the man's heart.
Ill
When asked the reason for his wealth, a multimillionaire is reported to have said, "As a young man, when I was first married I was dirt poor. Those were tough times, but being energetic, I took my last nickel and bought an apple. I spent the night polishing it until it became so shiny that it was indeed a thing of beauty. The next day, I sold it on the street corner for a dime. I took the dime and bought two apples, which I again laboriously polished. The next day, I sold those two apples for twenty cents. I took the twenty cents and bought four apples, which I polished and sold for forty cents. I took the forty cents, bought eight apples, and went on this way until I reached $1.60. Then, my wife's dad died—and left us a million dollars." That's just like us! We try to say, "I am rich in the things of God because of my fasting and prayer, my devotion, sacrifice, and apple polishing"—when in reality we are rich only because Jesus died and opened the floodgates of God's grace upon us.
III. The Decision on the Doctrine
a. Signs and Salvation
12 Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Paul and Barnabas were greatly respected by the church (see ) and their testimony carried a great deal of weight.
Paul and Barnabas were greatly respected by the church (see ) and their testimony carried a great deal of weight.
scripture
Paul and Barnabas were greatly respected by the church (see ) and their testimony carried a great deal of weight.
Their emphasis was on the miracles that God had enabled them to perform among the Gentiles. These miracles were proof that God was working with them (; ) and that they were God’s chosen messengers (; ).
b. Source of Salvation
b. Source of Salvation
13 After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers, listen to me! 14 Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.
James supported Peter's great declaration. The way James worded his support is significant.
James supported Peter's great declaration. The way James worded his support is significant.
13 After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers, listen to me! 14 Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name. James supported Peter's great declaration. The way James worded his support is significant.
⇒ "God...did visit the Gentiles" (epeskepsato PWS: 4237): looked upon, oversaw, cared for, looked after, provided for the Gentiles.
⇒ "to take out of them a people": to choose; to appoint; to remove them from the Gentile nations and select a chosen people. The word "people" (laon PWS: 2879) is the same word used of the Jewish people (cp. ). The point is that God was calling a new people out—a new body, a new nation, a new race—to be His chosen people, just as He had done with Abraham and the Jews.
⇒ "For His name": two verses clearly show what God means by choosing a people "for His name."
c. Scripture and Salvation
15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 After these things I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
I will rebuild its ruins
and set it up again,
17 so the rest of humanity
James declared that Scripture supported the truth. God calls out people from both the Jews and the Gentiles. He quoted and applied it to Jesus Christ and believers. God promised three things.
may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles
who are called by My name,
declares the Lord who does these things,
18 known from long ago.
James declared that Scripture supported the truth. God calls out people from both the Jews and the Gentiles. He quoted and applied it to Jesus Christ and believers. God promised three things.
a. "I will return." This is referring to the first coming of Jesus Christ. And He had come—no one present would deny that.
b. There will be Jewish believers: "The tabernacle of David" refers to believing Jews, the true tabernacle or true body of Jews. James was applying the prophecy to the present situation. The people of David, the true indestructible tabernacle of David, the true body of David (believing Jews) will be "built up again...I [God] will set it [them] up."
c. There will be Gentile believers, believers who...
• seek the Lord.
• are called and known by God's name.
James declared that God foreknew and destined from the beginning of the world...
3. James declared that God foreknew and destined from the beginning of the world...
• salvation by faith.
• salvation to all men who seek the Lord and become identified with Him.
This is and always has been the purpose of God (cp. ; ). And He is now bringing His purpose to pass.
George T. Brooks, George Brooks Preaching Commentary – Expositions from the Book of Acts: Volume 2, (Austin, TX: WORDsearch, 2014), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Testimony about God and Grace".
George T. Brooks, George Brooks Preaching Commentary – Expositions from the Book of Acts: Volume 2, (Austin, TX: WORDsearch, 2014), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Testimony about God and Grace".
Dean M. Weaver, – Alliterate Expository Outlines on Acts, (Liberty, SC: Multiple Ministries, 1979), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 45.
Dean M. Weaver, – Alliterate Expository Outlines on Acts, (Liberty, SC: Multiple Ministries, 1979), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 45.
Clinton E. Arnold, ed., Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary on the New Testament – John, Acts, (USA: Zondervan, 2002), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 356.
Clinton E. Arnold, ed., Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary on the New Testament – John, Acts, (USA: Zondervan, 2002), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 356.
, The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "B. The Jerusalem Council Meets: The Great Declaration on Salvation, __Acts 15__15:6-22".
, The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "B. The Jerusalem Council Meets: The Great Declaration on Salvation, __Acts 15__15:6-22".
Jon Courson, Jon Courson's Application Commentary – Jon Courson's Application Commentary New Testament, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 732.
Jon Courson, Jon Courson's Application Commentary – Jon Courson's Application Commentary New Testament, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 732.