Chapter Fifteen –
First Doctrinal Problem
ACTS 15:23-41:
In our
last three lessons, we looked into the doctrinal conflict that has found its
way from Jerusalem to Antioch of Syria. This is not an external problem, but
one that has come from within; the attempted re-insertion of the Law of
Moses (namely circumcision –
Vs.1,
and the keeping of the Law of Moses –
Vs.5).
After a
great dispute; whereby Paul would state in his own words,
“We did not yield submission even
for an hour” –
Galatians 2:5; it has been decided that since the problem
originated from these men coming from Jerusalem, they would go there to
solve this issue. As the Apostles and elders have come together with the
Spirit of God, they are now establishing the Divine authority by which unity
will be found. This has now begun to be revealed to the multitudes.
There are
three ways to establish Biblical authority:
-
Direct Command
(James would share God’s direct teaching on
this issue).
-
Spirit or Apostolic approved example
(Peter has used this method in his
presentation).
-
Necessary inference
(Paul and Barnabas have used this method).
With God’s
authority displayed in unity, the entire
Body of Christ is now together
with one accord (Vs.
22), as it should be when guided by God’s wisdom and not men’s.
In this lesson, we will now look into the first inspired letter to be
written.
Text #1:
Acts 15:23-29
“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.”
Note:
This is in fact an inspired letter (Vs.
28). This is not a decision of a general council, or board of
directors. This inspired letter would later be absorbed in Luke’s account;
however, it existed long before Luke would finish his account of these
events.
No Such
Commandment:
The
thing that was most wrong with those who taught that circumcision and
commands of Moses were binding was that they had no command for it
(Vs.
24). The same thing would be wrong to this very day with
anyone teaching something other than what has been commanded. The
authority of Christ Jesus has been established by God (Colossians
1:18;
Philippians 2:9-11). We cannot teach anything other than what
He has given, which establishes all the authority we need.
Judas –
Barsabas:
His surname
(Barsabas) means, ‘son of Sabas’ and hints that he may have been the brother
of Joseph who’s surname was also Barsabas (Acts
1:23). This Judas would also be, through the laying on of the
Apostles hands, a prophet of God (Vs.
32).
Silas:
Along with Judas, Silas was additionally a prophet and a leading man among
the brethren in Jerusalem. Silas will accompany Paul on his second journey,
after a falling out with Barnabas. He will share in the ministry of the
Gospel and the sufferings for the cause of Christ with Paul. Not much else
is known or spoken of Silas outside of the book of
Acts;
however the “Silvanus” in the
introduction of the letters to the church of Thessalonica must surely be
Silas.
These
Necessary Things:
The last
portion of this letter deals with issues particular to the Gentiles. Since
the majority of the Gentiles have come out of the world specifically from
idolatry, they are going to have to forgo the previous practices they were
accustomed to religiously and morally. It should be noted that all the items
mentioned starting with “Things
offered to idols”, are all things associated with idolatrous
practices.
It is an
absurdity to associate these commands with the issues of blood transfusions
which did not even exist when this was written, nor do blood transfusions
have anything to do with idolatry!
Text #2:
Acts 15:30-35
“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.”
Now with
the letter complete, all will return now to Antioch and begin to disseminate
this Spirit guided truth to the brethren there. Note the result in the
hearts of the brethren in Antioch,
“They rejoiced over its encouragement”.
Judas and
Silas exhorted, confirmed, and strengthened the disciples in Antioch. As
they finished this work, they were released from this work and sent back to
report to the Apostles the result of the letter.
We find
that Silas; however, is going to stay and is going to remain and go with
Paul on the next journey (Vs.
40).
It is
believed; and there seems to be enough evidence to support it, that now is
when Peter will come down to Antioch and will be rebuked by Paul.
Galatians 2:11-13
“Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to
his face, because he was to be blamed;
12
for before
certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they
came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the
circumcision.
13
And the
rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas
was carried away with their hypocrisy.”
Text #3:
Acts 15:36-41
“Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now
go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word
of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37
Now
Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38
But Paul
insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from
them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39
Then the
contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so
Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40
but Paul
chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of
God.
41
And he went
through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”
Let us:
This is something for your notes that is different from the start of the
first journey. In
Chapter 13:2, that the Spirit separated out Paul and Barnabas and
sanctioned and sent them from the Body at Antioch. Although this is
different from the first journey, we should not for a moment think that the
Spirit of God was absent from this Apostolic work; as we will see in the
next chapter.
This is the
official start of the second journey of Paul; and this time he does not wish
to take with them John Mark, because he did not finish the previous journey
with them. Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed on this matter, but they did
not, as we should not, let their disagreement hurt the cause of the Lord (in
issues of liberty). We know that later on John Mark is very useful to Paul
and they would work in tandem for the cause of the Gospel –
Colossians 4:10;
2
Timothy 4:11.
Barnabas
and John Mark will leave to go to Cyprus, as this is their home –
Acts
4:36. We do not hear anything else of Barnabas again until
1
Corinthians 9:6, where he may be with Paul in Corinth.
Being
Commended:
The
brethren in Antioch approved of and sent Paul and Silas to the favor of God,
which seems here by the context to represent this specific service to the
Gospel.
Strengthening the Churches:
In addition to strengthening and exhorting these brethren, they will
likewise share with them the message of the letter written in Jerusalem,
just as they will in the next chapter (16:4).
Next: “The Second Journey!”