Acts Chapter 15
Acts 15:1And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
- "The brethren" here are saved Gentiles (the uncircumcision), which is why the Jewish proselytes wanted them o be circumcised
- Money and power lead to religion, formalism, organization, traditions of men, but not truth
- It too often blinds one to see truth
- TRANSLATION: "FORGET the Gospel.....you have to EARN your salvation!"
- This thought has permeated the mainstream, organized, denominations and the non-denominational Christian church for the last two thousand years
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
- "No small" means it was a huge blow up, a loud shouting match
- The worst place to go to, perhaps, would be the center of the former works-salvation religion but, at the same time, the apostles who understood salvation best would be there.
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
- Whoever is already truly saved rejoices upon hearing of others getting saved, then as now
- Samaria......land of the Samaritans, previously shunned
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Matthew 10:5-6
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Luke 9:52-56
And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. Acts 15:4
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
- Back home, missionary work done, time for the testimonies
- Notice they said, "that God had done", not they themselves had done
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
- This is the crux of the salvation message-Law versus Grace
- It must be remembered that Israel was under the law for thousands of years; this "GRACE" thing was quite new, "unknown" (meaning "not ever understood") to them before now to them and understood by only some of the Old Testament Jewish people
- Circumcision was a way to prove one was a Jew in the Old Testament, in times of war a person could check the men to see, since no other culture had circumcision, so it would be obvious who you were and from whence you came
THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION
Genesis 17:10-14This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
Acts 15:6
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
- "This matter" is the question of Gentile circumcision (v.1), of keeping the Law, understanding Grace and the Gospel
- It must be settled here and now, and Jerusalem is the best place
- Law written in stone, heart of stone. Law written in fleshy, soft, God-given heart, Law of Grace
THE LAW WRITTEN IN STONE VERSUS THE LAW WRITTEN IN THE HEART
Exodus 24:12And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
2 Corinthians 3:3
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
THE PURPOSE OF THE TWO TABLES: TWO HEARTS
(Ezekiel 11:19)
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
(Ezekiel 36:26)
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Acts 15:7
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, 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.
- God had separated Peter and others when he had his dream of animals coming down on a blanket (Acts 10:9-15)
- This was first fulfilled in Chapter 10, verses 34-45, in Joppa
- It was an amazement then to the Jews, and remained so, and also now has become a cause for dispute, division
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
- The Holy Ghost is given to true, inward believers, not the outwardly religious
- The witness of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, to the Jews, was an outward sign of the Gentiles speaking tongues in front of them
- This is why Acts is the transitional book from Jew to Gentile, and it is an awkward transition, something new
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
- In the Church there is neither Jew nor Gentile, just one in the Spirit
- And here Peter acknowledges that salvation for the Jews is by faith, thus him saying, "no difference between us and them" and purifying their hearts "BY FAITH"
- This "no difference" is, however, ONLY in the Church!
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Acts 15:10
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
- Faith plus works is a yoke, a burden, and another "gospel"
- The Law was never kept by Israel, and never could be, as that was not the purpose of it
- The purpose was always to show them their need for the future-promised Messiah
- Once a person is saved, there is no need to keep the law, except to obey God and be at peace with mankind, but never for salvation
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Acts 15:11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
- "By Grace through Faith" is the true Gospel (Ephesians 2:8,9)
- This is the same offer for Jew, Gentile
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
- It can be construed that, before this moment, there was a loud uproar, which has quieted down upon hearing the message
- The purpose of the miracles, wonders, sign gifts of tongues, etc. is again here reiterated-a testimony and a sign to Jews only
- The Pharisees always sought a sign from Jesus, to authenticate that He was Who He said He was
- Knowing their hearts, He told them that the life of Jonah was their sign, the three days in the whale's belly, and His own three days in the earth
- Even that sign was insufficient for them, most of them.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Acts 15:13
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
- Sometimes all you need is two different ways of saying the exact same thing
- This is why God repeats Himself in Scripture, saying the same thing, often using different wording
- Sometimes we just need to hear the exact same words over and over for it to sink in
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
- This is a foreign concept to the Jews, GENTILES being called by God's Name
- This is because the Jews are God's Chosen people, a holy nation, from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) onward, and before, in Genesis 3:15
- The calling to Abraham is in Genesis 12
- This was only hinted at in the Old Testament
(Genesis 12:1-3)
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
- We are those heathens, who are not Jews
- After the church age the LORD will return
(Amos 9:11-12)
¶ In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
- We are that "residue of men"
- After we are out of here in the Rapture, the last "residue of men" is those who make it through the Tribulation and enter the Millennial Kingdom
- Jesus Christ is who we are called by, as CHRIST-IANS
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
- Everything God has done since the Creation is part of his Master Plan, being worked out over time
- The Creation of everything by the Hand of God is known by all men
(Romans 1:20)
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Acts 15:19
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
- Because this is part of God's Master Plan, we must not get in His way.
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
- This is the epistles written to them then, and us today
- Pagan practices were to offer animals to the pagan gods,they strangled the animals, and drank the blood
- The festivals and these sacrifices were filled with fornication
- They even had meat markets, and even in the temple
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
- The Sabbath services included messages, sermons from the rabbi, as today. It was Old testament teachings
- This was throughout the Roman Empire, in each city
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
- Antioch is in Syria, and was known for a strong church
- Silas would have a greater role after this with Paul.
- The elders, the apostles and the whole church-this was total unity
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
- In unity agreeing to teach the correct doctrine, in unity communicating about it
- Cilicia is in southern Turkey today
- Then it would have been the southern part of the Galatia region
- These would later become very strong churches, leading the way to America via a Christianized Europe
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
- The idea of having to be circumcised troubled them
- This would have to be because they were told it was necessary for salvation or to be sanctified
- Converted souls were then subverted souls
- They also were told to keep the law after that
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- So all of the apostles, the local body and the apostles wrote the letters, but a few brought them
- These were men who risked life and limb to get the Gospel out
- Silas would later partner with Paul; for now, it is Barnabas
- Most likely those telling them to "keep the law" and "be circumcised" were not hazarding their lives for the Gospel
- False teachers teach false doctrines. They do not risk their lives for their Gospel
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Acts 15:27
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
- In addition to Paul and Barnabas, Judas and Silas
- This further strengthens and confirms the doctrine, four in agreement
- Since there is only one true Gospel, they do not need to say anything different
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
- How short and simple, "Watch yourselves as the world is watching you"
- The act of circumcision in and of itself is not anything wicked or evil, but rather the practicing of it as some sort of outward appearance in the flesh, like wearing "Christian" clothing or jewelry, etc. And then behaving just like the pagans
- The actions of the believer are what people watch, so these actions of not behaving like the former life of a pagan would be what an unbeliever would witness, see as validation and perhaps be drawn to the believer out of curiosity, perhaps to get the Gospel at that point. This all is the same today
- "You are now saved, so just do these things in order to simply separate and differentiate yourselves from those around you who are pagans"
- They were told this not to BE saved, but to live as witnesses of their salvation
- The Law is prison.....you are already free. Act like it
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
- A rare incident is a multitude coming together to do good instead of intending evil
- Paul and Barnabas carry the written Word
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
- The Gospel is good news, so hearing it and reading it, they realized they were already free
- The letter merely confirmed it is all. It did not save them
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
- While Paul and Barnabas carry the written Word, Judas and Silas bring the spoken Word
- The very purpose of them coming along was to confirm
- The confirmation they would have given would have been perhaps signs and wonders, or simply teaching on the Scriptures, whichever was needed
(2 Timothy 4:5)
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
(Philippians 1:7)
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Acts 15:33
And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
- Judas to Jerusalem, Silas to stay (v.34)
Acts 15:34
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
- Silas and Paul got together
- He stayed to disciple and help build and strengthen the church there
Acts 15:35
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
- This was an outreach to a place where there became a strong body of believers
- Antioch was where we got our Textus Recptus, underlying the Authorized Version
- Antioch was where they were first called Christians
(Acts 11:26)
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 15:36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
- Being disciplers and good stewards over the fruit that God gave them, this would be a natural response
- This is a missionary journey, "every city where we have preached"
Acts 15:37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
- Apparently, Paul had felt slighted by Mark in Pamphylia, when he left to go back to Jerusalem
- This next trip was a lot of cities they had already been to, so this must have been either important or necessary
(Acts 13:13)
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
This includes the following places and the route that they had first traveled: Antioch, Seleucia, Cyprus, Salamis, Paphos, Perga in Pamphylia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, chapter 14 to Lystra, Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, back to Derbe, returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,, to confirm the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God, Pisidia, back to Pamphylia, down into Attalia, to Antioch, And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Acts 15:38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
- John Mark's reasoning would probably be because of the dispute over "circumcision versus uncircumcision"
- During a split, one thing good that can happen is ministry in two places...provided the split is not over bad doctrine
Acts 15:39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
- Unfortunately, there appeared to be a doctrinal division, so contentious that it became permanent
BARNABAS: LEVITE, "THE SON OF CONSOLATION"
- Barnabas was originally named Joses
- Barnabas comforted the disciples who were originally skeptical of Saul's conversion
- When Barnabas heard that Gentiles were getting saved, he was sent off to Antioch
- Barnabas then went on to Tarsus to find Paul after that
- Barnabas delivered relief to the saints in Judea with Paul
- Barnabas, with Paul, originally teamed up with John Mark
- Barnabas was called a prophet and a teacher
- Barnabas was later separated out by the Holy Ghost for ministry with Paul
- Barnabas was an encourager and discipler
- Barnabas was with Paul when they turned to the Gentiles
- Barnabas was persecuted with Paul in Antioch, after Paul's preaching in the synagogue
- Barnabas had his name changed to Jupiter by the Gentiles in Lystra
- Barnabas and Paul rent their clothes and cried out against the pagan sacrifices and deification they got from the people there in Lystra
- Barnabas was again with Paul encouraging the saints at Derbe, warning of persecution
- Paul later argued that he and Barnabas were to be compensated for doing full time ministry
- Barnabas was with Paul, along with Titus, when he returned from his fourteen year absence
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
(Acts 9:27)
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
(Acts 11:22)
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
(Acts 11:25)
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
(Acts 11:30)
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
(Acts 12:25)
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
(Acts 13:1)
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
(Acts 13:2)
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
(Acts 13:7)
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
(Acts 13:43)
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
(Acts 13:46)
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
(Acts 13:50)
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
(Acts 14:12)
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
(Acts 14:14)
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
(Acts 14:20)
Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
(Acts 15:2)
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
(Acts 15:12)
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
(Acts 15:22)
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
(Acts 15:25)
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
(Acts 15:35)
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
(Acts 15:36)
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
(Acts 15:37)
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
(Acts 15:39)
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
(1 Corinthians 9:6)
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
(Galatians 2:1)
Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
(Galatians 2:9)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
(Galatians 2:13)
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
(Colossians 4:10)
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
Acts 15:40
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
- Transition from Jew to Gentile, and from Barnabas to Silas
- Recommended unto the Grace of God, no better way to go into ministry
SILAS
- Silas was persecuted and jailed with Paul in Philippi
- They sang for joy at the persecution, and the jail doors were opened
- They went then to Thessalonica to the synagogue, where some got saved
- Silas accompanied Paul to Berea, as well to the synagogue there
- Silas then separated from Paul and stayed there, while Paul said on to Athens
- Silas and Timotheus were then summoned to come to Paul in Athens right away for ministry among the pagan Gentiles
- Silas was with Paul and Timotheus when he last spoke to the Jews, was rejected, and turned to the Gentiles
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
(Acts 16:25)
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
(Acts 16:29)
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
(Acts 17:4)
And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
(Acts 17:10)
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
(Acts 17:14)
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
(Acts 17:15)
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
(Acts 18:5)
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
Acts 15:41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
- Barnabas is no longer with them, so Silas accompanies Paul here to do the encouragement, discipling, ministry
