Greetings! We have resumed our weekly blogs on the Spirit of God in action from the book of Acts.The significant and explosive growth of the Apostolic church in Asia Minor and the Middle East after the initial start in Jerusalem in AD 33, created a number of organization and doctrinal issues. These issues started to surface as the Spirit of God in action deployed fervent missionaries to carry the Gospel to all parts of the world as Jesus commanded them to in St. Matthew 28:19 (to paraphrase – go ye into all the world and teach all nations…)
In Antioch, Syria, certain people came down from Judea and began teaching the believers; "unless ye are circumcised according the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved". Paul and Barnabas began debating and disputing with the group from Judea on the merits of the doctrine of circumcision. The Bible says this dispute became very sharp and resulted in an agreement to send both Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to see the Apostles and Elders about the question.
Paul and Barnabas left Antioch, Syria and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, and declared to the brethren in those cities how the Gentiles had been converted and became adherents to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which made these brethren very happy. When they got to Jerusalem, they were received gladly by the Apostles and Elders, and Paul and Barnabas reported everything God had done through them.
Dr. Luke reported at this meeting of the Apostles and Elders in Act 15:6-7, that they cam together to consider the matter of circumcision of Gentiles who got saved. After much disputing took place, Apostle Peter rose up and said unto this meeting, "Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe". And "God , which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.". Peter, then reasoned, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestor have been able to bear? No! we believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done through the Spirit if God in action. When they finished, Apostle James spoke up, and said, "brothers, listen to me! Peter declared to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles, because the words of the prophets are in agreement with this happening. Wherefore, my judgement is, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from meat of strangled animals and from blood."
The Bible says that the entire company in the audience agreed to the declaration by Apostle Peter and Apostle James, and agreed to ratify this agreement by sending chosen men back with Paul and Barnabas to confirm the decision on the keeping of the laws of Moses, along with letters from the Headquarters of the Apostolic church in Jerusalem.
Dr. Luke reported in Acts 15:30, that when Paul and Barnabas and the chosen men from Jerusalem came back to Antioch, Syria and gathered the multitude of disciples, they read the letters from the headquarters church in Jerusalem, and upon hearing the contents concerning the issues of circumcision and the keeping of the laws of Moses, they rejoiced greatly for the consolation given by the leaders.
Readers of this blog, if you want to know more about this life changing messagethat will get us right with God, Please contact us at:www.meac.ca or telephone 1-416-385-1140 Pastor McGann