Acts 15:1-21

                                                                     Acts 15:1-21

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood 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 should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Conflict within the church and between believers is one of the most difficult things for us to deal with.  We almost always look at conflict as being evil, and it can be.  However, God is able to use conflict to further His kingdom and strengthen His church.  The entrance of Gentile believers into the church caused a serious conflict for many Jews.  The arguments that followed forced the church to deal with a vital issue concerning salvation.  Their dealing with this conflict continues to bless and define the church thousands of years later.

 

THE DEBATE ABOUT CIRCUMCISION: In our current context, we have a hard time imagining how the debate on circumcision could have been such an issue.  It is important to remember the Jewish context in which this took place.  Circumcision a vital part of the Jewish identity which had become synonymous with salvation to them.  The nationalism within Judaism had caused them to confuse being saved by being Jewish with being saved through faith in the promise of Messiah.  Unfortunately, the same thing happens today with things like church membership, Christian morals, baptism, and other types of false beliefs.  None of these have any more value than circumcision.  However, in Paul’s day, the debate was furious and the church in Antioch decide that it was important for them to seek for direction from the church leaders in Jerusalem.  There is great importance in church unity and open discussion.

 

THE DICUSSION ABOUT CIRCUMCISION: When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem, they began to reveal the results of their experience on their first missionary journey.  They had seen the transformation the Gospel brought to the Gentile believers as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit into their lives.  None of the people had been circumcised so in Paul’s mind there was no question as to the fact that circumcision was not necessary.  However, there were many converted Jews who saw circumcision as being a representative of the entire Law.  Removing the command to be circumcised would be the same as removing the prohibition to seal, murder and commit adultery in their minds.  It was a debate between faith and works that continues to be waged in today’s church.  The fear that salvation by faith alone will result in a church that is free to sin continues to be real.  Peter has the final and decisive word as he recounts the Spirit’s coming to Gentiles and proves that nobody is capable of being saved through obedience to the Law but only by grace through faith.  This continues to be true today.  He then quotes Scripture that support his experience.  We must always interpret our experiences through Scripture.

 

THE DECISION ABOUT CIRCMUCISION: The decision about circumcision is such an important part of church history because it establishes the fact that salvation is only by grace through faith.  The decision also demonstrates a great deal of deference to the “losing” side.  They were concerned that the communication about circumcision not be used as a precedent to say that all the Law had been abolished.  They admonished the Gentile believers to avoid meat that had been offered to idols, sexual immorality, and eating blood.  These were all issues of the Law that they were making sure to call new believers to observe, not that this would save them, but to avoid offending brothers in Christ and having a bad testimony.  These are never easy things to decide, but how this was handled is a great lesson in resolving conflict.  All sides had the opportunity to speak.  Both sides were considered carefully.  Common sense and logic from personal experience of God’s workings as well as the Scripture were carefully examined.  The decision clearly upheld the doctrine of salvation by faith, while also demonstrating the importance of living out that faith in love for others.  We would do well to follow this example.

 

APPLICATION: In the face of division and disagreement always seek to communicate clearly and do all to maintain unity within the body of Christ.  Always listen to both sides of every argument before making a decision.  Seek for guidance from Scripture and strive to observe the way the Spirit of God is working in every situation.  Never compromise the Gospel.  Show kindness love and make sure that the losing side feels they were heard and that their contribution contributed to the process and is in some way reflected in the decision.