Beloved, I am pleased to share with you today the above theme from Acts 15:8-9. Indeed, the believers of Jewish origin who made up the churches of Jerusalem and Judea had experienced great joy in learning of the conversion of the nations; but some thought that before becoming a Christian one had to first become a Jew: to be circumcised and obey the Law. Paul and Barnabas immediately understood the danger of this reasoning, the same one that would later compel the apostle to write the Galatians a stern letter. For to return to the slavery of the Law, he will tell them, is nothing but to be stripped of grace (Gal 5:1-6).
Thus, the apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem diligently dealt with the matter before them. The whole church agreed with James’ conclusions, namely to choose delegates and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. And the letter they send through the hands of Judas and Silas reassures and consoles the brothers of Antioch who had been upset. At the same time, the visit of the two servants of God contributes greatly to the edification of the Church. Thus the Enemy’s efforts to cast trouble and divide eventually produced opposite effects. For the faith of the disciples has been strengthened and the bonds of communion between the churches have been strengthened. Once again, the villain was deceived by his work (Pr 11:18).
With any difficulty resolved, the Lord’s work can resume. Paul’s solicitude for the assemblies formed on his first journey led him to undertake a second one to see “how” the brethren were spiritually (2 Co 11:23-28). But this time Barnabas will not go with Paul. For a disagreement about Marc his nephew is the cause. Later the apostle will regain the apostle’s trust and be “useful for service” (Col 4:10-11; 2 Tim 4:9-12).
Reading the epistle to the Galatians, we see how successful they had been in the churches of Galatia. For the enemy made efforts to disturb Christians and cause suffering in the apostle’s heart. For many believing Jews who came from Judea to Antioch taught the brethren that they could not be saved unless they were circumcised according to Moses’ custom. This was in direct opposition to the gospel of grace, which presents gratuitous salvation through faith in Christ’s work on the cross, since, on the principle of works, no one could or cannot be saved. But this assertion provoked a great dispute between Paul and Barnabas and these Jews. Not wanting to decide the matter in Antioch, even when they could have, it was decided that they would go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to examine this.
Accompanied by the brothers of Antioch, the apostles crossed Phoenicia and Samaria, where churches were located, and told the conversion of the nations, which caused great joy to all the brothers. Arriving in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and elders; and they recounted all the things God had done with them. But there were some Pharisees who had believed, therefore Christians, but without having abandoned the forms of Judaism; so they rose up saying that believers among the Gentiles should be circumcised and instructed to keep the law of Moses. After Peter’s concluding speech, the multitude was silent. Barnabas and Paul recounted the miracles that God had performed by their means among the nations, and which were to impress these Jewish Christians; they knew well that they came from God alone, and that if he made them through the apostles among the Gentiles, it was because he approved of their ministry.
After Paul and Barnabas, James spoke. He was the most esteemed elder of the church in Jerusalem, author of the epistle that bears his name and, according to Galatians 1:19, one of the Lord’s brethren. His words therefore had weight for his Jewish listeners. In his talk, he shows that Peter, in saying that God had visited the nations to draw a people for his name, was in agreement with the words of the prophets; he quotes Amos 9:11,12: “After that, I will return, and I will raise David’s tent from his fall, I will repair its ruins, and I will straighten it, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, as well as all the nations upon which my name is invoked, says the Lord, who does these things, and to whom they are known from all eternity.”
This passage literally applies to what God will do to restore the people of Israel after the judgments that have fallen upon them; it will bring the blessing of the nations. While waiting for the full fulfillment of this prophecy, it was fulfilled in that blessings reached the nations through the gospel to make them a heavenly people; when the time of the Church has passed, David’s tabernacle will be rebuilt; God will resume his relationship with his earthly people set aside for the time being. Supported by the testimony of Peter, Paul, and the prophets, James is of the opinion “that difficulties are not created for those pagans who convert to God, but that they are written to abstain from the defilements of idols, immodesty, suffocated animals, and blood. For for many generations Moses has had people in every city who preach him, since he is read every Sabbath day in the synagogues.”
This was enough for the Jews who remained under the law. But the believers among the Gentiles had nothing to do with the synagogue, nor with the law of Moses. What they were to observe was nothing special to the Jews and bound all men; all have a responsibility to conform to the Word of God from the beginning and must, Jews or not, abstain from idolatry, fornication, and the use of forbidden blood from the day a new world began again with Noah, when God added flesh to the human diet (Gen 9:4). The order was renewed to Moses when God gave His commandments to the Jewish people (Lev 7:26; Dt 12:16, 23; 15:23). Again God maintains for Christians what He has commanded to each one.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Men of God, instruments chosen to accomplish God’s purposes
Ag 2:23 On that day, says the Lord of hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Schealthiel, My servant, says the Lord, And I will keep you as a seal; For I have chosen you, said the Lord of hosts. Jn 15:16 It was not you who chose me; but I chose you, and I established you, that you may go, and bear fruit, and that your fruit may remain, that what you may ask of the Father in my name, he may give to you. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is an instrument which I have chosen, to bear my name before the nations, before the kings, and before the sons of Israel; 1 Co 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to confuse the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to confuse the strong; and God has chosen the vile things of the world and those that are despised, those that are not, to destroy those that are, so that no flesh may glorify himself before God.
- Examples of Non-Jews:
Acts 10:45 All the circumcised faithful who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit was so poured out upon the Gentiles. Acts 11:1 The apostles and brethren who were in Judea learned that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. Acts 13:48 The Gentiles rejoiced when they heard this, they glorified the word of the Lord, and all those destined for eternal life believed. Acts 15:7 A great discussion having begun, Peter stood up, and said to them: Brotherly men, you know that from a long time God has made a choice among you, so that through my mouth the Gentiles may hear the word of the Gospel and believe. Acts 18:6 The Jews then objected and engaged in insults, Paul shook his clothes, and said to them, “Let your blood fall on your head! I am pure of it. From now on, I will go to the pagans. Acts 28:28 Know, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and that they will listen to it. Rom 9:24 Thus he called us, not only among the Jews, but also among the Gentiles; Rom15:9 while the Gentiles glorify God because of his mercy, according to whether it is written: Therefore I will praise you among the nations, and I will sing to the glory of your name. It is still said; Gal 3:14 that Abraham’s blessing may be fulfilled for the Gentiles in Jesus Christ, and that we may receive by faith the Spirit who had been promised. Rev 11:15 The seventh angel sounded the trumpet. And there were loud voices in heaven that said: The kingdom of the world is handed over to our Lord and his Christ; and he will reign in the centuries of centuries. Rev 15:4 Who would not fear, Lord, and glorify your name? For only you are holy. And all nations will come, and bow down before you, because your judgments have been manifested.
- Divine knowledge, God searches the hearts of men
1 Ch 28:9 And you, Solomon, my son, know your father’s God, and serve him with a devoted heart and a well-disposed soul, for the Lord searches all hearts and penetrates all purposes and thoughts. If you seek him, he will let himself be found by you; but if you abandon Him, He will reject you forever. Ps 44:22 Wouldn’t God know it, He who knows the secrets of the heart? Jer 17:10 I, the Lord, feel the heart, I probe the kidneys, To give back to each according to his ways, According to the fruit of his works. Jer 23:24 Will anyone stand in a hidden place without me seeing him?” said the Lord. Don’t I fill the heavens and the earth?” said Jehovah. Am 9:3 If they hide at the top of Carmel, I will look for them there and seize them; If they evade my gaze in the bottom of the sea, there I will order the serpent to bite them. So 1:12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will chastise men who rest on their lees, and who say in their hearts: The Lord does neither good nor evil. Rom 8:27 and he who searches hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because it is according to God that he intercedes on behalf of the saints.
- Early Church Believers Baptized with the Holy Spirit
Simeon: Lk 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon. This man was righteous and pious, he awaited the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
-Believers, on the day of Pentecost: Acts 2:3 Tongues, like tongues of fire, appeared to them, separated from each other, and landed on each of them.
The Christians of Samaria: Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Cornelius and his friends: Acts 10:44 As Peter still spoke these words, the Holy Spirit descended upon all who listened to the word.
The Christians of Ephesus: Acts 19:6-7 When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. In all, there were about twelve men. 1 Co 12:13 We have all been baptized in one Spirit, to form one body, either Jews, Greeks, slaves, or free, and we have all been watered with one Spirit. 1 John 2:20 For you, you have received anointing from the holy one, and you all have knowledge.
From all the above, we note that Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming, along with many others as well, the word of the Lord. From the beginning, God provided that among the new converts there were men capable of teaching. For God looks to the motives that make us act; they determine the value of our works. And to serve the Lord one must think only of pleasing him and, for this, obeying his word, a truth to be retained from an early age; for big or small, everything we do must be done for the Lord. This is how everyone can serve Him, for evangelists and missionaries are not alone in serving the Lord; and all believers are his servants, from the youngest to the oldest, if they do for him all that he places before them, from the simplest duties to the things that seem the most important. Nothing done in his name will lose its reward, even the gift of a glass of cold water (Mt 10:42). Our prayers encourage you and support your efforts in the search for this reward.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and for centuries of centuries. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow about “the effects of the Holy Spirit on the Lord’s servants.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.