The Discussion
About Law Keeping
– Acts Fifteen
Jews from
The question of "circumcision" or "Law Keeping" touched the very heart of Christianity. Determining the foundation upon which our relationship with God stands is at the heart of the discussion. Paul knew that if one was circumcised as a matter of Law that this bound him to the entire Law. Being bound to the Law would mean that he had given up the system of grace and had fallen from Christ.
Paul, Barnabas, and certain others from
After returning to
A
controversy over "Law Keeping” – Acts 15:1-5: Some people came
from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the Gentile Christians that they
could not be saved unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught. They were
not sent by God, or by the apostles. They came down of "themselves"
or on their own. These brethren caused trouble, and the disturbance and
uneasiness continued for some time. Paul and Barnabas argued with them about
this teaching. It was agreed upon that Paul and Barnabas and a few others would
go to
As Paul and Barnabas journeyed to
An
account of the discussion – Acts 15:6-21: The church, with the apostles
and elders, came together to discuss this problem concerning the Gentiles and
the Law. Peter said that "God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by
my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe." He was
referring to the case of Cornelius. God gave the Gentiles the Holy Ghost just
as he did to the Jews. God did not in any way treat the Gentiles different from
the Jews. The hearts of men are filthy, and need purifying. They are polluted
by sin. God made the Gentiles pure through obedient faith just as he did the
Jews.
Peter said these Jewish brethren were making God angry by placing
a heavy burden on the Gentile Christians. The multitude kept silent as Paul and
Barnabas spoke of the miracles and wonders that God had worked among the
Gentiles. James summarized what had happened as what God had promised a long
time ago. (Amos 9:11-12) He suggested that a letter should be written
containing four prohibitions. All Christians must avoid (1) pollutions of
idols, (2) fornication, (3) things strangled, and (4) blood. These are things
that pollute both the soul and the body. James concluded by saying, "For
Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the
synagogues every sabbath
day." (Acts
A
letter to the Gentiles – Acts 15:22-35: The brethren were in agreement
concerning the letter. The letter was written and sent to
We have already learned that Paul and Barnabas were prophets. Now
we find that Silas and Judas were also prophets. Prophets sometimes foretold
things to come. Prophets also had the
ability to explain the prophecies of the Old Testament, and to give the true
meaning of the Scriptures. After staying in
A
second journey brings division – Acts 15:36-41: After some time had
passed Paul suggested to Barnabas that they revisit the churches that they had
established on the first journey. Barnabas wanted to take Mark and Paul was
very much opposed to it. Mark was the young man who had defected from the first
journey at Perga. This led to a very serious contention between these two good
brethren.
The one redeeming point in this otherwise sad and regrettable
episode is that neither Barnabas nor Paul allowed it to hinder the work of God.
It actually became beneficial to the work because then there were two teams of
missionaries. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and they
traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches.
If you have not started the Christian life "Today is the day of salvation." (II Corinthians 6:2.) To become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized to wash away sins. (Acts 22:16) Your attitudes and actions should be molded after the example of the early Christians that yielded so completely to the will of God.