Welcome to Acts 15! This is a two part study and you’re in part 1. Today, conflict, and decision. Much awaits. Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus thank You for this chapter, this whole book, as wonders upon wonders are in it and oh the lessons we can get from them. Thank You, Lord. Lead us today as we study this chapter and show us how we can apply it to our lives. Even if all we can do is praise you for what has happened. Lead on, Lord.
The Conflict
1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Paul and Barnabas disagreed greatly and debated with them, so it was determined that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others from their group would go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders [and confer with them] concerning this issue. 3 So, after being supplied and sent on their way by the church, they went through both Phoenicia and Samaria telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the [a]believers.
They reached an impasse. They would have to go back to the Apostles in Jerusalem to solve this one; for a decision on this matter. Look though, something about verse three speaks peace to me. After being _________________ and sent ___________________. But look how they traveled… telling in detail… they brought great ________________________________________________.
The Council at Jerusalem
4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received warmly by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported to them all the things that God had accomplished through them. 5 But some from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed [in Jesus as the Messiah] stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentile converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”
How were they received? __________________
They reported ________________________________________. But the Pharisees who believed in Jesus said… See the conflict?
6 The apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. 7 After a long debate, Peter got 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 would hear the message of the gospel and believe.
8 And God, who knows and understands the heart, testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith [in Jesus].
Cleansing their hearts by faith in Jesus. Need your heart cleansed? Have faith. Make a decision and pray for faith. Ask Jesus to come to you.
10 Now then, why are you testing God by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to endure? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the [precious, undeserved] grace of the Lord Jesus [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life], in just the same way as they are.”
Remember that story? Acts 10:3 About the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had come to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius was frightened and stared intently at him and said, “What is it, lord (sir)?” And the angel said to him, “Your prayers and gifts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God [an offering made in remembrance of His past blessings]. 5 Now send men to Joppa and have them call for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter [and invite him here]; 6 he is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
…33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to listen to everything that you have been instructed by the Lord [to say].”…44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message [confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles].
12 All the people remained silent, and they listened [attentively] to Barnabas and Paul as they described all the signs and wonders (attesting miracles) that God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Good listeners? Oh how we need listeners in life today. Still, what stories they have to share. And my guess is Paul was a good speaker, great storyteller, fun or at least interesting to listen to. Still, if God has done a miracle for someone else, He can most definitely do one for you. Keep reading, the decision is coming.
Still, in remembrance of what was God coming to Cornelius? In remembrance of offerings for God’s past _________________. You’ve been blessed, have you offered praise for them? Thanks for them? Offerings of time for them?
James’ Decision
13 When they had finished speaking, [b]James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 [c]Simeon (Simon Peter) has described how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name [to honor Him and be identified with Him]. 15 The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written [in Scripture],
16 ‘After these things I will return,
And I will rebuild the tent of David which has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked,’
18 Says the Lord,
Who has been making these things known from long ago.
19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble and make it difficult for those who are turning to God among the Gentiles [by putting obstacles in their way], 20 but that we write to them that they are to abstain from [d]anything that has been contaminated by [being offered to] idols and from sexual impurity and from [eating the meat of] what has been strangled and from [the consumption of] [e]blood.
21 For from ancient generations [the writing of] Moses has been preached in every city, since [f]he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble and make it difficult for those who are turning to God…
Acts 15:19a
What a beautiful decision. Even when no one knows God they can see His works. But they don’t always see those works as God’s or thank Him for them. Make sure you do.
Footnotes
[a] believers – Acts 15:3 Lit brethren.
[b] James – Acts 15:13 Jesus’ half brother, James, was leader of the church in Jerusalem.
[c] Simeon – Acts 15:14 This Greek transliteration of Peter’s Hebrew name is also used in 2 Pet 1:1.
[d] anything contaminated by… – Acts 15:20 Lit the pollutions of idols.
[e] Acts 15:20 For the OT prohibition against eating blood, and the reasons for it, see Lev 17:10-14. There, in v 13, hunters are instructed to pour out the blood of an animal before eating it.
[f] writings of Moses – Acts 15:21 I.e. the first five books of the OT, Gen through Deut.
[g] believers – Acts 15:32 Lit brethren.
[h] However – Acts 15:34 Early mss do not contain this v.