The book of Acts
Advice sought from Jerusalem
Chapter 15: 1 to 35
One day some persons came from Judaea and taught the brethren in Antioch that there was no salvation for the Gentiles who, besides believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, were not circumcised, nor submitting to the Law of Moses. This episode is also reported in Paul's letter to the Galatians (chapter 2: 1-10.), So we will include in these comments what we find there.
This was a direct attack on the doctrine of justification by faith alone, according to which the work of Christ on the cross is ample and sufficient to save the sinner, and no man is justified by works of the law or any other. This doctrine is very well explained and defended in Paul's letter to the Romans, especially Chapters 3 to 10 . (See HERE).
Qualifying these visitors as "false brethren" who had infiltrated the church to spy on the freedom that its members had in Christ, and to reduce them to slavery, Paul, supported by Barnabas, vehemently opposed their teaching. There was then a great strife and debate with them in the church of Antioch. Those Jews perhaps doubted the apostolic authority of Paul, for he was not personally known to the churches of Judea. Fourteen years had passed since Paul had been in Jerusalem.
To resolve the impasse, the brethren decided to appoint Paul and Barnabas, accompanied by Titus (a Greek), to go and address this issue with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. Paul agreed, and perhaps even suggested this solution, because he had "a revelation" to go.
They found brethren on the way through Phoenicia and Samaria, and all rejoiced much to hear them tell how the Gentiles had been converted. Arriving in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they told all that God had done through them. However, some Pharisees who believed arose at the meeting, and said that it was necessary that the Gentiles be circumcised and be commanded to obey the Law of Moses.
Of course, this misunderstanding also occurred among the believers in Jerusalem, so their overseers, consisting of the apostles and elders, came together privately to consider this matter with Paul and Barnabas. Paul reports that he exposed the Gospel he preached, among the Gentiles, first to "those who were of reputation” (the apostles and elders), “lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain" i.e., not to waste his time in endless discussions with those "false Judaizing brethren". He did not submit to these even for a moment, so ensuring that the truth of the gospel would remain with the Gentiles.
After hearing him, the apostles and elders did not add anything to what Paul preached, and recognized that God had given him the task of preaching to the uncircumcised (Gentiles), just as Peter received it to preach to the circumcised (Jews). God also worked through each one (this obviously breaks down the heretical argument that Peter would have been the first "pope" – a title non-existent in the Word of God).
James (brother of Jesus) and the apostles Peter and John, "taken as pillars" of the Jerusalem church in Paul's words, extended their right hand to Paul and Barnabas as a sign of communion (as equals). Then they addressed the assembly of the church.
Peter reminded everyone that, according to the will of God, he was the first to bring the Gospel message to the Gentiles that believe (it was the centurion Cornelius and others in his home - chapter 10). God accepted those Gentiles, also giving them the Holy Spirit, they being purified by faith, as well as Jews. In conclusion, Peter rebuked those who wanted to tempt God, to put the yoke of the law upon the Gentiles disciples, something that neither they nor their ancestors were able to bear. Peter stated, "we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they" (v.11).
Barnabas and Paul spoke again, telling them about the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles, and the whole assembly became silent as they spoke.
When they had finished, James took the floor, and stated that what Peter had said about starting work among the Gentiles was in accordance with prophecies about the latter days, when Israel will be restored so the rest of mankind might seek the Lord, as well as all the Gentiles upon whom His name has been invoked (Amos 9:11-12).
He noted that as the Word of God admits the Gentiles seeking the Lord and calling upon His name, there was no place for putting obstacles in the way of those that were turning to God. He recommended, however, that a letter should be written to the Gentiles to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled and from blood.
These restrictions relate to a moral code that applies to everyone - Christians or Jews: condemnation of idolatry, sexual immorality and drinking of blood (and the meat of strangled animals, for it still has blood). Idolatry and sexual immorality are the sins that stand out most in paganism through the ages, still prevailing in the unbelieving world of today. (Many who call themselves Christians do not now observe the restriction on blood, based on 1 Corinthians 10:25-33. However, when God allowed man to eat animal flesh after the flood, He forbade eating it with its blood, for it is its life (Genesis 9:4). This ban was never withdrawn, so being evidently displeasing to God, it befits the saints to refrain from eating it.)
James concluded saying that since ancient times the Jews have taught Moses (the precepts of the Law) in synagogues in every city. By observing these restrictions, the moral behaviour of Gentile converts would not offend the Jews.
It was then decided by the apostles and elders, with the whole church (including the Judaizers, if they were still there) to send some of their chosen members to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose two prophets, Judas, called Barsabbas ("son of Sabbaths," which only appears here) and Silas (the future companion of Paul in his journeys, short for "Silvanus" which appears in his epistles) - both leaders among the brethren of the Jerusalem church.
They took with them a letter of formal introduction by the brethren, apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem, addressed to Gentile Christians in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. The whole tenor of the letter is transcribed, from verses 23 to 30.
It is clear in the letter that:
- The Jews who had troubled them with words, unsettled their souls by teaching that they must be circumcised, and keep the law had gone from the church in Jerusalem, but with no commandment from the church to do so.
- Barnabas and Paul were beloved brethren, and both had risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Judas and Silas went to confirm the contents of the letter verbally.
- It was the will of the Holy Spirit, besides them, not to impose anything more than some necessary requirements (and they repeated the restrictions suggested by James).
When the church of Antioch read the letter, the brethren rejoiced with that encouraging message - a load had been lifted from their shoulders!
Judas and Silas continued ministering for some time, encouraging and strengthening the brethren. Then they were dismissed to return to the church in Jerusalem, but Silas stayed with Paul and Barnabas, and later was a companion of Paul on his next mission journey.
R David Jones
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on 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 in the same manner as they."
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me:
14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 'AFTER THIS I WILL RETURN AND WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID, WHICH HAS FALLEN DOWN; I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL SET IT UP;
17 SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, EVEN ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, SAYS THE LORD WHO DOES ALL THESE THINGS.'
18 "Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"—to whom we gave no such commandment—
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Acts chapter 15, verses 1 to 35