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Post by Admin on Jul 13, 2019 20:37:16 GMT -6
Study Begins:July 14, 2019
Discussion Begins: July 21, 2019
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Acts 15:1 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.” 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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.” 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 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. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 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? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 12 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. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from 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 I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 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 18 known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 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. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them 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 themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” 30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John R
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Post by John R on Jul 14, 2019 23:46:14 GMT -6
It is important to the growing Church that theology is correct. Disagreements arose as false teachers came in but Paul and the leadership were quick to do what they could to head off false doctrine and continue to build a foundation consistent with the finished work of Christ on the cross and the emphasis on faith in Christ, not religious practices, for salvation.
Modern believers who do not read the bible for themselves and be diligent in understanding sound doctrine, will be easy pray for false teachers, word of faith charlatans and other devils lurking in the shadows for the opportunity to destroy their lives. We must be diligent and judge the lies or risk losing our way. Salvation is the reward of continued faith and diligence in seeking Christ daily and walking only in His truth.
Pray always and seek Him alone. (Read Isaiah 55).
Blessings! John |
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John R
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Post by John R on Jul 15, 2019 23:33:32 GMT -6
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:5) provides clarity here. Religious men have always stepped into control men using religious rituals and rules as their weapon. Gullible and lazy sheep, fall prey to these hirelings. (John 10:13) This madness continues today whether in Cults such as Scientology, Latter Day Saints, Christian Science; Word of Faith Preachers (money for blessing) and Roman Catholicism (days of obligation, indulgences, Mary worship and confessional). All is man coming between God and the believer, an intermediary, a so called shepherd. The Book of Revelation warned of the Nicolaitans who would "lord over the laity." We continue to fall for this deception because we are too lazy to read the Bible and pray and seek God for ourselves.
Father soften our hearts, stir us to seek you alone. Reveal the hirelings and end their reign of deception on the innocent. Come down Lord and revive our hard hearts. In Jesus name!
Blessings John
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 17, 2019 21:29:10 GMT -6
15:1 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.”
These men were Jewish believers in Jesus Christ who had trouble understanding that Law and Grace can’t coexist. They were Pharisees after all ( V.5). Paul was himself a former Pharisee (Philippians 3:5), so he understood their legal inclinations and knew how to debate them. The Law - which to them included all 613 expansions of the Mosaic Law by Rabbinic tradition - was central to their belief in their own ability to be saved. This included such surprising rules as putting your right shoe on before you left and then tying your left shoestring before your right ( Orach Chayim 2:4) Take away the Law and they have nothing but grace. But they failed to understand that grace was all they needed and that Law would nullify grace just as grace nullifies Law. Law and grace can’t coexist. I can’t really fault them for this too much. It would be different if they had converted to a completely different religion. If they were worshiping a completely different god now, they wouldn’t expect the Mosaic Law to play a part in salvation. But this was not a new religion. It was the religion of YHWH, the God who gave them the Law. This was the Law hey grew up believing in as holy and salvific and had disciplined their lives by from childhood .
These Israelite Christians had very good reason to be concerned about circumcision in particular. Circumcision was given to them to identify their men and families as belonging to YWHW. It was a branding. God made it very clear in Genesis 17:14: “An uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” The wanderers on the way from Egypt to the Promised Land did not inherit it specifically because they didn’t circumcise their children. Joshua circumcised their children later so that they would inherit the land their parents were forbidden from entering (see Joshua 5:4-7). Even beyond circumcision, these Pharisee Christians would wonder, “How can we judge righteousness without Law?” They would have reasonably concluded that without the Law there would be nothing but anarchy. What will prompt a person to be good and righteous if there’s no law to define good and righteous ? They had not yet learned that “ neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation” ( Galatians 6:15) because the New Testament han't been written and Paul hadn't yet written any such letters. They didn't yet understood grace or rebirth.
2a And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them…
Paul, a highly educated former Pharisee, knew how to debate these Pharisees. The ones he debated here were probably the same people who were called “The Circumcision Party” in Acts 11:2. Paul didn’t know it yet, but “Christian Pharisees” (later frequently called “the Circumcision Party” or “Judaizers”) would plague and disrupt his work for Christ for years to come. For example, - Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians About 6 years after these Acts 15 events.
- In Galatians 2:4, he referred to them as “false brothers… so that they might bring us into slavery.”
- In Galatians 5:2-4, he flat out said that they and anyone who followed their teaching was severed from Christ and had fallen from grace since they had returned to the Law.
- In Galatians 5:12 he said it as forcefully as possible: “I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!” In Greek form, Paul essentially said, “I wish those who want to cut part of your flesh off would cut themselves off instead!”).
- About another 5 years later Paul warned the church in Philippians 3:2-3 to “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh."
[/font]” more exactly translates into the English word “concision.” When we say “be concise” we mean “cut it short.” That is exactly what Paul accused these Judaizers of doing to these Gentiles – mutilating their flesh by cutting “it” short.” You get the point (no pun intended).[/i][/span][/quote][/ul] - Even as late as AD 63, which was 33 years after the church was establish, the letter to Titus tells us these guys were still leading Christians astray with the Law (Titus 1:10-11).
Back to Acts 15. These Israelites accepted Christ as their Messiah and their salvation, but they believed a Gentile man had to “become a Jew” in order to become a Christian. Faithful Judaism was to them the only way into the Messiah’s kingdom because He came to save Israel.
2b Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
It’s been about 18 years since the first church was established in Jerusalem (Acts 2), and about 7 years since the first Gentile church was established at Antioch (Acts 11). Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch facing resistance from Judaizers. But instead of forcing truth on them (even though he received instructions directly from the Messiah), Paul called on mediators from the Jerusalem church. It was the original church, so it was more mature. Plus, denouncing legalistic salvation would carry more weight from a Jewish church than from a Gentile church .
3 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. 4 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.
This is missing in modern churches of which I have been a part. Some hold a quarterly or annual “church business meeting” to review the past and plan the future. But every time we see these early churches gather, they give detailed reports of what GOD had done through their ministry. They weren’t caught up in building programs, song selection, youth ministry, sermon style, 13 different Sunday School classes to suit every taste, finding “volunteers,” etc. All energy and all accountability was directed toward making new disciples and developing new disciples into disciple makers. Those are key responsibilities of every Christian of every church in every age. God put the responsibility to care for and expand His kingdom into our hands just as He put the responsibility to care for the garden of Eden in Adam’s hands (Genesis 2:15)! These early Christians knew that. They internalized it. They lived it with humble passion.
5 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.”
I’d like to give even these Law-driven Pharisaical Christians the benefit of the doubt that they were genuinely concerned about the growth and development of the church. As discussed above, they couldn’t imagine a faith in YHWH that didn’t depend on keeping His Law. Besides, the Messiah had come to establish His Kingdom! Just look at what the Holy Scriptures said about His coming: If I didn’t already understand about rebirth, grace, the indwelling Holy Spirit, spiritual growth, and personal transformation, I too would likely think that the one upon whose shoulders the government would rest would demand and enforce a righteousness based upon law and penalty.
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 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. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 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? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 12a And all the assembly fell silent,
Oh yeah. Peter went there! Not a person stood up and said, “You are wrong, Peter! I have kept the Law!” Every one of these Jews knew that they had failed the Law time and time again. The Law was a burden, not a salvation.
12b and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from 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 I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 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 18 known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 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. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
James stood up and reminded them of what they already knew. Amos, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Daniel had told them it was going to be this way when the Messiah came. [Amos 9:11-12; Jeremiah 12:15 and 14:9; Isaiah 43:7; Jeremiah 14:9; Daniel 9:19]. They settled upon requiring the Gentile Christians to abandon idolatry, remain sexually pure, and not eat strangled animals or blood.
Note those requirements… - Everyone should abandon idols
- Everyone should maintain sexual purity, and
- Gentiles would have no problem not serving strangled meat and blood pudding for dinner.
The Elders wisely imposed "requirements" that were just part of Christian living but not unique to The Law like circumcision was. The message was "righteous living is still important, but the Law is abandoned.
Wait a minute…Look back at v.13. Who stood up and communicated the Apostles' and Elders’ decision?
Not Peter. He was there... He was one of the Apostles who participated in the decision (see v.7). But Peter didn't deliver the decision. Who did? James, the half-brother of Jesus. James was the leader of the Jerusalem church. Sorry, Rome. Y’all have that wrong. Rocky was not the head of the early church, let alone its first father (“Pope”).
When Christ said He’d build His church upon “that rock” in Matthew 16:13-20, I think He was using somewhat of a double-meaning pun. Peter’s name meant “rock.” Jesus was clearly (to me) simultaneously saying that He would build His church:
- Upon the rock-solid truth Peter spoke (“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”), and
- Upon Peter-The Rock himself - in the limited sense that Peter would preach the first sermon at the first church service in Acts 2.
I’m thankful for Peter’s obedience and his reliance upon the Holy Spirit, but nothing anywhere in scripture suggests any more or less significance to him than that.
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them 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 themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
The above was the church instituting old-school security measures with traceability. This way the Antioch church could be certain that the opinions these men delivered were unaltered and legitimate.
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Not much comment needed here. They delivered the message to the Christians in Antioch. Grace rules. No Law. No circumcision either. which was received as encouragement (especially, I’m sure, by the gentile men in the crowd!).
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
This section should really be the beginning of Chapter 16 as it kicks off that story.
I will comment on it with our next study.
I’d love to re-chapter and re-verse the Bible. |
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Eric B
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Post by Eric B on Jul 17, 2019 21:55:44 GMT -6
Acts 15:1 “And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
These men, presumably, came from the church that was in Judea though they were not sent by the church (Acts 15:24). From the Word, I believe we can understand they were persuaded by the teaching of the believing Pharisees (Acts 15:5). The fact they were not willing to interfere with the decision to go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders, reveals they had professed the Christian faith (Acts 15:2-3). So this was not some cult that infiltrated the early church, but it could have become one.
The issue here lies in the self-deceitfulness of a false religion. I say it is false, because these men held to a belief that was not correct. They were adding to the Word of God without being led by the Spirit. This is typically a common problem in the church; much more common than we probably understand. It is strange how believers sometimes think that all are doing wrong, who do not do just as they do. This type of doctrine is discouraging and a hindrance to the spiritual growth of the body of Christ. I think a good modern day example of this lies in the belief that one must be saved through the preaching of the gospel through an older translation.
Another example is the one involving the selection of worship music. The only instruction we have in the New Testament is to speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19 & Colossians 3:16). Yet a number of professing believers hold to worshipping with either traditional music or contemporary music as evidence of salvation.
Acts 15:2-3 It is the decision of wise men to not dispute endlessly concerning a teaching. Rather these will defer to godly men and leaders for answers. If that is not available, then they should seek the Lord earnestly in prayer and humility.
Acts 15:6-11 In verse 11, lies the gospel. “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”
Acts 15:12-23 The early church took action. They did not refuse to confront false doctrine when it arose. 1 Timothy 1:3 makes that clear in another instance, “…remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,”
Acts 15:23-35 The fruit of confronting false doctrines is joy and encouragement. It builds up rather than tears down the body of Christ.
Acts 15:36-41 Here is the fruit of heated disputes. It leads to unnecessary division within the church.
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Jul 18, 2019 10:49:12 GMT -6
Trying to boil this down to simple. Statement made by Jewish Christians.... Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:5 NIV bible.com/bible/111/act.15.5.NIVPeter's answer... He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9 NIV bible.com/bible/111/act.15.9.NIVHmmm... "...he purified their hearts by faith" How does that work? Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11 NIV bible.com/bible/111/rom.5.1-11.NIVHope: The blessed assurance of our (believers) salvation. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 26, 2019 11:43:42 GMT -6
Study Begins:July 14, 2019
Discussion Begins: July 21, 2019
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Acts 15:1 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.” 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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.” 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 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. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 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? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 12 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. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from 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 I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 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 18 known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 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. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them 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 themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” 30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 26, 2019 11:46:04 GMT -6
It is important to the growing Church that theology is correct. Disagreements arose as false teachers came in but Paul and the leadership were quick to do what they could to head off false doctrine and continue to build a foundation consistent with the finished work of Christ on the cross and the emphasis on faith in Christ, not religious practices, for salvation.
Modern believers who do not read the bible for themselves and be diligent in understanding sound doctrine, will be easy pray for false teachers, word of faith charlatans and other devils lurking in the shadows for the opportunity to destroy their lives. We must be diligent and judge the lies or risk losing our way. Salvation is the reward of continued faith and diligence in seeking Christ daily and walking only in His truth.
Pray always and seek Him alone. (Read Isaiah 55).
Blessings! John I think most here are from about the same generation. In our grandparents' generation, Bible teaching was given a prominent place in school teaching. That was usually reinforced at home as well as in church. In our parents' generation, some Bible was taught in public school. In my generation, schools usually reinforced "Biblical morality" and Christianity was "taught about." Some Christian parents taught Christianity at home, but most gave the task of teaching kids the Bible to churches, Sunday school classes, and Christian camps. Secular institutions had the primary influence on values. Today, public schools are sued if a teacher has a Bible on the desk or for mentioning anything about Christianity (but not necessarily for mentioning other faiths). The topic of "religion" is often mentioned only as a relic of the past. Often religion is taught as a "culture" rather than as a deep, life altering life-or-death commitment. As with so many other issues, Christians have for too long relied upon secular institutions to do what God has called us to do, such as educating and training up our children in the way they should go, caring for widows and orphans, teaching values, etc. My first biological grandchild will be born this December. My son (the father) was raised as a Christian and is currently "a believer with many unresolved questions and no real commitment") and his wife, who was raised as Roman Catholic, has a weaker faith than he does. I am concerned about my grandchild not just learning Christian values, but knowing Christ ad revering the Bible and loving the Lord. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 26, 2019 11:48:17 GMT -6
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:5) provides clarity here. Religious men have always stepped into control men using religious rituals and rules as their weapon. Gullible and lazy sheep, fall prey to these hirelings. (John 10:13) This madness continues today whether in Cults such as Scientology, Latter Day Saints, Christian Science; Word of Faith Preachers (money for blessing) and Roman Catholicism (days of obligation, indulgences, Mary worship and confessional). All is man coming between God and the believer, an intermediary, a so called shepherd. The Book of Revelation warned of the Nicolaitans who would "lord over the laity." We continue to fall for this deception because we are too lazy to read the Bible and pray and seek God for ourselves.
Father soften our hearts, stir us to seek you alone. Reveal the hirelings and end their reign of deception on the innocent. Come down Lord and revive our hard hearts. In Jesus name!
Blessings John
I think most here are from about the same generation. In our grandparents' generation, Bible teaching was given a prominent place in school teaching. That was usually reinforced at home as well as in church. In our parents' generation, some Bible was taught in public school. In my generation, schools usually reinforced "Biblical morality" and Christianity was "taught about." Some Christian parents taught Christianity at home, but most gave the task of teaching kids the Bible to churches, Sunday school classes, and Christian camps. Secular institutions had the primary influence on values. Today, public schools are sued if a teacher has a Bible on the desk or for mentioning anything about Christianity (but not necessarily for mentioning other faiths). The topic of "religion" is often mentioned only as a relic of the past. Often religion is taught as a "culture" rather than as a deep, life altering life-or-death commitment. As with so many other issues, Christians have for too long relied upon secular institutions to do what God has called us to do, such as educating and training up our children in the way they should go, caring for widows and orphans, teaching values, etc. My first biological grandchild will be born this December. My son (the father) was raised as a Christian and is currently "a believer with many unresolved questions and no real commitment") and his wife, who was raised as Roman Catholic, has a weaker faith than he does. I am concerned about my grandchild not just learning Christian values, but knowing Christ ad revering the Bible and loving the Lord. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 26, 2019 12:59:32 GMT -6
Acts 15:1 “And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
These men, presumably, came from the church that was in Judea though they were not sent by the church (Acts 15:24). From the Word, I believe we can understand they were persuaded by the teaching of the believing Pharisees (Acts 15:5). The fact they were not willing to interfere with the decision to go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders, reveals they had professed the Christian faith (Acts 15:2-3). So this was not some cult that infiltrated the early church, but it could have become one. Eric, I do believe this Pharisaical Christianity was the beginning of an early cult. They professed Christian faith as you said (as do several modern cults), and in this early period I believe they taught these things out of both ignorance and conviction. It seems to me at this stage they were genuine believers who didn't understand the exclusive relationship between Law and Grace. But after this point - after the Jerusalem church, the Apostles, and Paul in his personal teaching - clarified the issue, that should have been the end of it. Instead, these believers chose Law over Grace while still professing Christ. In my study I brought out through later scriptures how this "circumcision group" plagued Paul's ministry and infiltrated the church pretty deeply even many years later. Though I didn't mention the following passage in my study, even as late as AD 65 - approximately 14-15 years after the events of Acts 15 - Paul wrote about the " the circumcision group" at the church in Crete. He described them as " rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception" and instructed Titus that they "must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain." In that same passage, Paul used this Judaizer invasion as an example of why it was so important to appoint godly men as Elders in the local church who " hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it" ( Titus 1:6-10). I view Judaizers for Paul to be similar to the way Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, or Prosperity Preachers are to the church today - similar gospel, but extrabiblical teaching. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 26, 2019 13:22:52 GMT -6
Acts 15:1 “And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
The issue here lies in the self-deceitfulness of a false religion. I say it is false, because these men held to a belief that was not correct. They were adding to the Word of God without being led by the Spirit. This is typically a common problem in the church; much more common than we probably understand... I think a good modern day example of this lies in the belief that one must be saved through the preaching of the gospel through an older translation.
Another example is the one involving the selection of worship music. The only instruction we have in the New Testament is to speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19 & Colossians 3:16). Yet a number of professing believers hold to worshiping with either traditional music or contemporary music as evidence of salvation. Those are great examples. I remember years ago hearing a preacher saying American churches suffer from "Truth Decay." I ascribe a lot of the blame for this on two similar trends: (1) So called "Bible Study" classes that really study a book written by a human author, often these days with accompanying videos and study guides. Some I've seen are reasonably responsible with the text. Other are not. But no matter -- there is no reason to call something a "Bible Study Class" or even a Sunday School class that does not directly open the Bible and study through its text. (2) So much of modern preaching - even that which is biblically accurate - is filled with jokes and stories that take away from the text itself, and very little time or attention is given to pulling apart the biblical text together, understanding the truth the text was originally intended to convey, and THEN applying it to life when possible. Sometimes there simply isn't a practical application. Sometimes the text simply teaches us about God Himself or about grace or about the failings of His people or about historical events and contexts that help us understand other scriptures better. Those scriptures, these days, are very frequently omitted from preaching because "they aren't applicable to the parishioners' lives." Selfish Christianity is the new Judaizer. |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 26, 2019 13:38:55 GMT -6
Trying to boil this down to simple.... ... Peter's answer... "He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith." Acts 15:9 NIV Hmmm... he purified their hearts by faith." How does that work? "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." Romans 5:1-11 NIV Thank you for for pointing out Romans 5:1, Eric. It is a profound verse. Paul wrote this from the end to the beginning (i.e., from "justified" in reverse to the steps that resulted in justification).
To re-order its thoughts from beginning to end: * We stand firm in God's grace ** That is because we gained access into His grace *** We gained that access through our Lord Jesus Christ **** He provided us access to God's grace because of our faith ***** We now stand in that grace
That is one heck of a lot of important truth wrapped up in a single verse. |
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Jul 28, 2019 9:50:54 GMT -6
I never tried re-ordering. Let me take a whack at this... "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." Romans 5:1-11 NIV 1. We are habitual chronic flawed sinners. There is and never was and never will be a natural human who lived a perfect life. Sin is our nature. 2. Jesus died on the cross for our Sins. This is God's grace offered freely to those who believe and invest their faith in Him. 3. Simply believing the Good News and asking Jesus to come into our heart creates a pathway for the Holy Spirit to cleanse our heart from worry, pride, bitterness, malice, conceit, jealousy, greed, lust, etc. The beginning of this process is Justification. We are claimed by God as his children when we have faith in Him. --- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV bible.com/bible/111/jhn.3.16.NIVWhoever believes... no matter what their race or background is. No matter what we've done in our past. 4. Without Jesus (Justification), there is no hope, no peace. We have a choice. Its binary. Accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior... or not. 5. With Jesus... our soul can rest in peace. We know there is nothing to fear and we can let go of worry, pride, bitterness, malice, conceit, jealousy, greed, lust, etc. We are Justified and we have peace in our heart. 6. We live the rest of our days on this earth standing firm in our faith in Jesus Christ against the dark powers of this world. --- The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NIV bible.com/bible/111/psa.23.1-6.NIV |
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JB
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Post by JB on Jul 28, 2019 10:19:17 GMT -6
I never tried re-ordering. Let me take a whack at this... "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." Romans 5:1-11 NIV 1. We are habitual chronic flawed sinners. There is and never was and never will be a natural human who lived a perfect life. Sin is our nature. 2. Jesus died on the cross for our Sins. This is God's grace offered freely to those who believe and invest their faith in Him. 3. Simply believing the Good News and asking Jesus to come into our heart creates a pathway for the Holy Spirit to cleanse our heart from worry, pride, bitterness, malice, conceit, jealousy, greed, lust, etc. The beginning of this process is Justification. ...That last statement is such a profound truth that we should all continually walk around with our jaws dropped. He justified us before we were changed. Who does that?!?! |
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Jul 28, 2019 10:31:11 GMT -6
Our Heavenly Father 🙏
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John R
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Post by John R on Jul 29, 2019 5:36:16 GMT -6
Amen JB! Amen!
Here is a question for further discussion. In the modern American Christian vernacular is the term saved. We are often asked or say to one another "Are you saved?" What does it mean to be saved? Saved from what? I believe this is key to understanding what the bible is saying today.
Blessings, John |
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Post by Admin on Jul 29, 2019 6:11:13 GMT -6
Amen JB! Amen!
Here is a question for further discussion. In the modern American Christian vernacular is the term saved. We are often asked or say to one another "Are you saved?" What does it mean to be saved? Saved from what? I believe this is key to understanding what the bible is saying today.
Blessings, John John, you asked "What does it mean to be saved? Saved from what?" You are right in asking that. It is an important question for 2 reasons: - Christians throw the word "saved" around without much thought, but more importantly,
- Christians often use the word in talking to unbelievers, but unbelievers generally don't know what they need to be saved from our why it matters.*
I believe "saved from God's wrath" or "saved from eternal despair" are good answers, but I'm interested in how others respond to your question.
* NB: I do think in Jesus' day that "religious thinking" was much more embedded in the cultures of the world so that unbelievers had a more foundational understanding of what "saved" meant than modern people. For most (not all) ancient cultures it was a mater of which god do we need to please, or which god's wrath do we need saved from.
I'm trying to think of an example where the Apostles and other evangelists in the New Testament went to an entirely religionless group of people. Corinth, with its humanistic philosophers, is probably the closest example. Paul is going there soon. But even they had a foundational understanding based upon belief in the Greek gods they had abandoned.
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Jul 29, 2019 6:47:15 GMT -6
Saved from what? ... from ourselves. (Sin) Human nature is sinful. Living a life full of sin has short term consequences and long term (eternal) consequences. Without Jesus we are doomed to suffering and chaos both in the short term and the long term as our ego drives on the fastlane of the super highway of the modern day life. Being saved does not mean worldly success (money, family, friends, relationships, recognition, power, health). Being saved means putting God first, living a simple life and showing love and compassion to those around you. Living Christ-like. Worldly success key indicators may or may not improve or thrive as a secondary benefit of living a Christ-like life. One could be saved and still suffer in this world. Paul writes of this in 2 Corinthians 12 --- But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV bible.com/bible/111/2co.12.9.NIVJesus saves us from ourself. (From our own sinful nature) With Jesus in our heart we live life differently. Ego takes a back seat to Jesus at the wheel in every area of our life. Salvation is a process that starts small like a mustard seed and over time grows. As we mature in our faith, we become more disciplined building on the lessons learned from deep introspective look at ourselves. Our faith is constantly tested as we go through hardships in our life. We learn through Jesus that with Him we can withstand anything. We perserver. Perseverance drives a process of sanctification. --- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV bible.com/bible/111/jas.1.2-4.NIV |
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John R
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Post by John R on Jul 29, 2019 14:43:11 GMT -6
I like this answer especially. I refer back to the Lord's Prayer. "...deliver us from evil." To be saved is to be set free from sin. So many are tormented by sinful habits and tormented by (______). Many good meaning Christians do not reach those tortured by their sins in presenting the notion of salvation in the afterlife. They leave the unbeliever having to live in his oppressive habits without the knowledge that God can deliver him now from evil.
I know He set me free from bondage to sexual addiction, excessive alcohol, and a foul mouth, just to name a few. Praise Him that I have been saved from sin in this present world and by His grace will see him face to face in the next.
Blessings to my brothers in Truthseekers!
John
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