Good morning my “Walking with Jesus” friends, on this Wednesday.
Have you ever been interrogated by someone really pressing you to explain something you did or said or even something you strongly believe? That can be a deeply troubling experience, especially if your interrogator is relentless in their pressure and arousing doubt in the minds of all who hear you.
Let’s rejoin what is sometimes called “the Jerusalem Council” as recorded by Dr. Luke in Acts 15. Paul and Barnabas had come from Syrian Antioch, accompanied by some Gentiles from the Antioch church who were followers of Jesus in that great, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural city. You’ll recall it was there, in Syrian Antioch, not Jerusalem that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians”, (Acts 11:27) In this historic meeting it didn’t take long for the gauntlet to be laid down by those disputing the Gospel as presented by the apostle Paul and Barnabas: “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” They said. (Acts 15:5)
While many had evidently gathered to watch this pivotal meeting, it was the apostles and elders who sequestered to debate the question. (Acts 15:6) Those Luke calls “apostles” would, of course have been the 11 disciples Jesus had chosen, plus probably Matthias whom they had selected to replace Judas, (Acts 1:26) plus Paul and Barnabas, and then also those selected by the Jerusalem church to be what they called “elders” perhaps including James the 1/2 brother of Jesus who wrote the little letter we just reviewed. While not among the original 11, this James quickly became a significant leader in the Jerusalem church and, as we’ll see, in this historic meeting.
The apostle Peter is the first to be quoted by Dr. Luke, in this historic meeting, as recorded in Acts 15:7-11. Peter declared that God had made it clear to Peter that he should take the Gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles. Remember that event at the home of Roman centurion Cornelius as we saw in Acts 10? Peter declared that God “…did not discriminate between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles), for God purified their hearts by faith in Jesus. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:8-10) Peter was right and they all knew it. While the circumcision act was a one-time event which most Jewish families adhered to strictly on the 8th day after the birth of their sons, keeping the laws God had given to Moses was simply impossible. Even the Pharisees of that day were unable to do so flawlessly.
Then Peter drew his powerful conclusion: “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11) Pause. It’s time for an important question for you and me: Is God’s salvation of a sinful person accomplished in the same way, and does it result in the same spiritual work of God in their life regardless of the person’s age or literacy or skin color or language preference or economic class or education or even lifestyle? Yes or No? YES!!!
And are the Amazon jungle dwelling person who has never been out of the jungle, and the wealthy executive living in the penthouse suite in Manhattan, and the convicted murderer on death row, equally condemned for their sinful nature by God to an eternity apart from God? YES!!
And are all of them equally saved by God the Father as He applies the atonement death of Jesus Christ to their sin, in response to their repentance? YES!
And is the sin cleansing and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit the same in all repentant people as God redeems them from their sin condemnation? YES! YES, a thousand times YES!
THAT is what Peter was boldly proclaiming, in the Jerusalem council, on that historic day!
Dr. Luke tells us silence came over the group as the profound significance and implications of Peter’s bold statement settled in. This was radical! Jews and Gentiles equally accepted by God on the basis ONLY of what Jesus accomplished in His death and resurrection? WOW!
Paul and Barnabas then spoke, telling the story of what they had experienced as the Holy Spirit had led them and empowered them to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus from Syrian Antioch to Cyprus Island, then Pamphylia and Perga, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and then back again. They told multiple stories of people, mostly Gentiles, whose lives had been transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.
As they finished, silence again fell on this deeply reflective group. The weight of their meeting was nearly unbearable. They desperately needed to know what God wanted them to do in this decisive moment. As they reflected on the life and teachings of Jesus, I wonder if ONE word kept resonating in their minds… WHOEVER? WHOEVER! And maybe this one, famous statement Jesus had made, there in Jerusalem, perhaps nearly 30 years before: “For God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but shall have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16,17)
Finally, James, the 1/2 brother of Jesus, stood to his feet, affirmed Peter’s words and added: “The words of the prophets are in agreement…’I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent…that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear My Name, says the Lord…” (Acts 15:13-18) It was obvious James knew his Old Testament well and James was convinced Jesus Christ was both the long-promised Messiah and Savior for the entire world. So, James made one final, bold statement: “…we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God…”
It’s important for us to understand, my friends, that these men were not attempting to define the parameters of a new religion but rather the truthful application of Jesus’ life and His teachings to the problematic questions posed by those who doubted the simplicity and validity of what Jesus taught and accomplished by His life, death and resurrection. God’s salvation, by faith through Jesus Christ, was intended by God to be made available for EVERY person of EVERY generation in EVERY place!
So, let’s pause right here. History was being made in Jerusalem. Do we understand WHY it was so historic and significant, especially to the Jews? Do we see what God has done with that decision to include Jews and Gentiles equally into what Jesus called His ‘Church’? Do we celebrate how that decision has been rolled out to the world in the 2000 years since?
As always important ‘Lessons Learned’ notes have been prepared to help you dig more deeply and teach more effectively. And a familiar worship song to draw your heart to Jesus and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.
Today’s Scripture: Acts 15:5-21.
Choose below to read or listen.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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