Today we’re going look at a church in New Testament times. As you read, think about how your behavior and your church stacks up against this model in Acts 15:1-35.
There are always those who come into a church situation seeking to cause trouble. This is exactly what happened here. Men, possibly Pharisees, came down from Antioch and started to teach Gentile believers that they had to be circumcised, verse 1. These men wanted to add extra conditions to the gospel message. This brought them into dispute with Paul and Barnabas, verse 2.
There are those today who want to add extras to the gospel message, declaring everyone must keep certain practices or rituals, or that all believers must speak in tongues etc. We are saved by faith in Jesus. We need to ensure we do not add extra conditions or allow others to add conditions to our faith.
Paul and Barnabas left to go and talk to the council at Jerusalem about this circumcision question. On their way they traveled through various places where they told others how the Gentiles had been converted. They shared what God had been doing in their lives and those of the Gentiles and this encouraged the other believers, verse 3. How much do we tell others and encourage other believers by sharing what God has been doing in our lives and the lives of those we know?
When they reached Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas were welcomed by the other believers, verse 4.
Do we welcome missionaries and other believers, who come to our church? For more on this see my last blog about visiting church.
Some of the believers, who were Pharisees, still insisted Gentiles must be circumcised.
Do we, either by our words or example, make it difficult for others to become Christian or remain strong in their faith?
After much debate, Peter stood up and addressed the issue and showed that God had accepted the Gentile believers by pouring out the Holy Spirit on them, the same as He did on Jewish believers, verses 7-11. What is our attitude to those outside our own church, denomination? Do we look down on them? Or accept them as fellow believers?
The assembly didn’t switch off because the view of Peter, Paul and Barnabas, was different to that of the Pharisees. The assembly listened, verse 12.
Are you prepared to listen to those who might have a different view from your own? One aspect of Orange Evangelical Church, where we attend, that has always impressed me has been the manner in which people with differing views respectfully listen to, pray about and seek God’s guidance about decisions that are made.
After listening to what Paul and Barnabas said, James related that message to Scripture, verses 13-19.
Is scripture your ultimate authority in making decisions? Is scripture the ultimate authority in your church?
James then decreed the Jewish believers should write a letter, setting out those few things the Gentiles should do as servants of Christ, verses 19-20. This did not include circumcision. The other point of the letter was to assure them, settle the minds and to encourage the Gentile believers. The Gentiles were encouraged by the letter and the visitors who came with it, verses 31-32.
Are we a help to new Christians and other believers or a hindrance? Do we seek to encourage others in their faith and Christian walk? Or are we one who criticizes and finds fault and refuses to listen to differing views?
All Bible references from the New International Version
Please visit these related blogs
Unlocking the Secrets to Powerful Testimony
Practical Christian Living- Matching Words and Actions
A Flock’s Responsibility to Their Shepherd