The Book of Acts Pt. 63 Sound Wisdom from Godly Leaders

In our last post we noted that the blessing of God on His church was followed by Satan's opposition. 

In that example, the Devil stirred up trouble in the church at Antioch by leading a sect of Jews to travel there and teach that circumcision was mandatory for salvation.

We saw that Paul and Barnabas moved swiftly to counter this false teaching and the church determined to send Paul, Barnabas and others to Jerusalem to seek the counsel of the other apostles and elders.

Joy over the Gentiles conversion to Christ.

Acts 15:1-3  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2)  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3)  And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 

The words "brought on their way" mean that the church at Antioch gave them what was needed to make the long journey to the Holy City. The members of the Church provided them with all necessaries for their journey; for it does not appear that the apostles had any property of their own.

Luke did not record their itinerary but they undoubtedly stopped to lodge overnight many times. Jerusalem and Antioch are about 739 miles apart. 

In each place where Paul and Barnabas stopped, they communicated the good news that God was also saving the Gentiles. Great joy was experienced by all who heard these glad tidings. 

The Greek word translated "conversion" is only used once in the Bible. This word represents the human side of salvation, that is, a Gentile turning away from vile idolatry and turning to the One, True God of heaven.

To be converted to Christ means experiencing a change of heart, where our enmity toward God and his law and the obstinacy of the will are subdued. Instead of enmity toward God, we gain a great love for God and His moral law, resulting in the transformation of our life. 

Called from darkness into His light. 

Psalm 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 

This text is one that best illustrates the meaning of the word "conversion." The Greek word is found in the word "epiphany" which means having a moment in which one sees things clearly in a new light (See also Psalm 19:7-9). 

It means experiencing a sudden perception of spiritual realities with regard to sin, condemnation, salvation and Jesus Christ. Paul experienced gospel light and glory on the road to Damascus when he was converted to Christ (Acts 9). 

Testimony of God's work with Gentiles.

Acts 15:4-5  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5)  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 

This would be at least the third time in which the church at Jerusalem heard about the conversion of the Gentiles (See Acts 11:1-18). They also heard news from Barnabas about the church at Antioch and how God was saving Gentiles (See Acts 11:19-30).

Believers in Jerusalem along with the elders and apostles readily welcomed Paul and Barnabas. 

They shared what God had done on their missionary journeys into pagan lands and what God was doing with Gentile believers at Antioch. It was a full and accurate accounting of all these things. 

This should have been a time of great blessing and joy because those who formerly lived in the darkness of paganism, were now loving and serving the One, True God who created all things.

Instead, Paul also reported how certain Jews spoke against the work of God among the Gentiles. 

These Jews received the Christian faith, traveled to Antioch, and began to teach the necessity of circumcision and law keeping. Thus, they filled the minds of young converted Gentiles with doubts and fear.

Paul stated how all the good work God was doing with the Gentiles was likely to be disrupted or undermined by certain Pharisees  who came to Antioch. 

Godly wisdom was forthcoming.

Acts 15:6  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 

The church leaders came together to specifically address this issue in order to clarify the will of God for Gentile believers. 

Peter reminded them that God opened the door of faith to Gentiles.

Acts 15:7-11  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8)  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9)  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10)  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon 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, even as they. 

This is the last time that we read about Peter in the book of Acts and he gave excellent support for the gospel going to the Gentiles. 

After much debate and disputing, Peter stood up. The idea is that both sides were given ample time to present their arguments and that neither party was cut short. 

Peter experienced a similar reaction from Jews at Jerusalem about interacting with Gentiles. The Jews also had centuries long prejudices against Gentiles to overcome.

Peter's main point was simple and profound. "God made the choice that Gentiles should hear the gospel and believe." This was a proven fact that could not be spoken against.

God openly proved His will by sending the Holy Ghost upon Gentiles who believed, just as at the day of Pentecost when the church was birthed. 

Peter pointed out that in doing this, God showed that there is no respect of persons with Him, and that there was no difference between Jews or Gentiles. He concluded by asking why anyone would think to impose the law upon Gentiles, when the Jews were unable to keep it. 

Peter's wisdom prevailed and God's wonderful work extolled. 

Acts 15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 

Paul raised the serious issue of harm to Gentiles caused by the "certain Jews" who stirred up trouble in Antioch. Peter affirmed that God opened the door of faith to them, and that they must not fight against God.

At this point, the entire assembly became quiet, so that Paul and Barnabas could share what God was doing in greater detail. 

Paul and Barnabas gave a detailed narrative of all that God did for them. They shared testimony of the miracles and wonders God performed to certify their ministry as spokesmen for the One, True God. 

They spoke of Sergius Paulus believing and of God blinding the sorcerer. They shared how God healed a man who never walked due to a birth defect. 

They likely told how some Jews stirred up fierce opposition to the gospel, and how Paul was stoned and left for dead.  Most of all, they gave testimony of Gentiles being converted to Christ for the glory of God. 

James gave the verdict in favor of Paul and Barnabas.

Acts 15:13-18  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14)  Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15)  And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16)  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17)  That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18)  Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 

After Paul and Barnabas finished testifying of God's grace on the Gentiles, James took time to speak.

He agreed with Peter's testimony and that God saving Gentiles was in agreement with the prophets. James quoted several Old Testament passages in support of His view (Amos 9:11-12). 

Four things Gentiles must not do.

Acts 15:19-21  Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20)  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21)  For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 

James, speaking for the whole council, rendered a formal judgment, a final verdict on this matter of imposing the law upon Gentile believers. 

The Jews were commanded not to trouble or cause strife among believers, by trying to impose the law upon Gentile believers.

The words "are turned to God" used to tell of Gentiles conversion to Christ carry a sense of immediacy. A rapid progression of the gospel was happening, resulting in large numbers of Gentiles being born again. James and the council did not want this word hindered by Judaizers. 

James proposed to certify the councils decision in writing. They specified four things that all Gentiles should vigorously pursue, out of respect for Jewish believers and to conform to God's will. 

First, they were not to eat meat offered to idols by pagans. Pagans gave away or sold portions of animals offered in sacrifice to their "gods."  

From such food James would enjoin the Gentile converts to abstain, lest it should seem to the Jews that they were not entirely weaned from idolatry.

Second, Gentiles must abstain from all fornication. Sexual perversion was characteristic with pagan religions and like our nation, such perversion was and is very frontal and public.   

Thirdly, they abstain from animals that were strangled in order to keep the blood in them. 

Fourth, they were not to eat the blood because God gave a commandment against this practice (Genesis 9:4).

James concluded by reminding the Jews that they grew up with the blessing of having the entire Old Testament scriptures. Scripture was taught in their homes and read in the synagogues each sabbath day. 

Thus, the Jews had a foundation of knowing what God's moral law allows or prohibits. Gentiles never received revelation from God so they did not know these things. 

Therefore, it was wrong to expect them to live according to something that they did not know about. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We see in this post, an excellent illustration of what God means when He tells us to seek out godly wisdom from many  godly counsellors. 

A serious problem was encountered in the church and all the apostles and elders considered it together, in order to determine God's will for the Gentiles. 

First, all believers should seek God's will. We do not need to look to man's opinions or rabbi's commentaries for a solution. Rather, they looked to the unchanging Word of God to see what Jehovah commanded and we should be doing the same. 

Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

This is the approach we must follow whenever we face problems as a church. God's Word shows us the way that He marked out long ago, those ancient paths of righteousness, truth, holiness, mercy and love.

Looking to His Word is where the church can rightly solve disputes and find rest and peace, so that the work of God can flourish.

Second, treat disputing parties with respect. The apostles and elders at Jerusalem patiently heard from Paul, Barnabas and from those who thought Gentiles should be circumcised. 

There was no contentious argument, no hurling of insults at the other party, no character assassination. Rather, they allowed both sides to clearly state their position, and then looked into the Word of God. 

We must not forget that the Jews had a long history with God and the scriptures, but the Gentiles did not. 

In our next post, we will see how these things correspond to the need for mature believers to help disciple and mentor new converts to Christ.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

May God help our Pastors and church leaders to lean on His Word rather than leaning upon man's flawed understanding of things. 

May God help all of us to trust Him fully and acknowledge Jehovah in all our ways. He will direct our paths as we seek Him in prayer and in the Word.

Bob