CHAPTER 15

1 And 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.
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.
3 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.
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.

While Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, "certain men" came from Judaea and began to teach that "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved."

Now, when "certain men" (or women) begin to teach contrary to truth, something has to be done.
Paul and Barnabas had "dissension" (stood up to speak) and disputed (questioned) this erroneous teaching.

This must have been quite a discussion!
And, the people determined that a group including Paul and Barnabas be sent to Jerusalem and ask the apostles and elders about the matter.

There was more to the discussion than just the question of circumcision.
Circumcision was (is) part of Orthodox Judaism.

It was (is) in "the law" (Old Testament law given by God to Moses). (See Genesis 17:9-13 and Leviticus 14:13)

However, if one is circumcised for the sake of the law, is he not then debtor to the WHOLE law?
(See Galatians 5:3)

You see, Christ did not die on the cross to bring us TO the law;
He saved us to prevent condemnation FROM the law!
Those who are saved (surrendered to Christ) are saved FROM the condemnation of the law, because
they are adopted as "sons" of God!
(See Galatians 4:5)

Paul and Barnabas asserted that salvation included being saved from the ritualistic manner of the old law.
There should be no more blood sacrifices, and no more need for physical circumcision.

Paul and Barnabas made the trip back to Jerusalem.
When they were in assembly with the church, the apostles, and the elders, they "declared all things that God had done with them."
In other words, they shared ALL those things that had happened in their journey;
AND, they told the people of the question concerning circumcision.
Later, we will find that the apostles and elders of Jerusalem agreed with Paul and Barnabas.

Paul tells us in Galatians 2:1-5 that when he went to Jerusalem, he took Titus (a Greek believer in Christ) with him.
And, he tells us that Titus was NOT compelled to be circumcised!
Gal 5:6 says,
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

((Certainly, if parents desire their children circumcised for health and cleanliness, then that is right for them.
But none should be compelled to be circumcised for the sake of fulfilling the law!))

5 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.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Now, some of the Christians in Jerusalem had been of the Pharisees.
They still believed abiding by the "law" must be supreme in the life of the believer.
However, they were able to "pick and choose" which sections of the law must have precedence.
For instance, they didn't offer any more blood sacrifices; but they still believed a person who was truly saved had to be circumcised.

After the discussion, Peter stood up among the assembly and made a declaration.

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.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
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?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Peter also had an experience where he was told by the Lord to testify to Gentile people. (See Acts 10)
During that experience, God had shown that the Gentile believers were accepted, and "put NO DIFFERENCE" between them and the Jewish believers!

Peter relates that causing a convert to be circumcised would "put a yoke on the neck" of God's disciples!

And Peter concludes by saying "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they!"
It is BY grace and THROUGH faith we are saved, and NEITHER includes circumcision!

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.

After Peter had made his statement, everyone stayed quiet while Paul and Barnabas spoke again.
They gave evidence of true salvation by testifying of the "...miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles..."

Then, James (who was the leader of the church) stood to speak.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 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:
17 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.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

James brought in the Word of God, saying that the prophecy agreed with the fact of the Gentiles being saved.
(See Isaiah 11:10 and Isaiah 42:6 and Malachi 1:11)

God knew that the Gentiles would be offered and receive salvation, even before the beginning of the world! (Vs 18 above)
And God does not want His saved people "troubled" - He wants them to be FREE! (See Galatians 5:1-2)

James did state that a letter should be written to the church in Antioch, and
that four things should be prohibited: "pollutions of idols, ...fornication,...things strangled, ... and ... blood."

Each of those four things signifies a spiritual problem!

1) "pollutions of idols" not only meant not worshipping idols, but also not partaking of the sacrifices given to idols.
Later Paul writes about that in 1Corinthians 8:4-10 and 1Corinthians 10:19-28.
2) "fornication" meant (and means) any sexual activity outside marriage!
At that particular time, some would still visit the temples to false gods because they had prostitutes there.
But the Greek word porneia includes ANY sexual activity outside marriage!
3) "things strangled" meant partaking of those animals strangled with the purpose of holding the blood in.
In that particular day (and in some sections of the world today) that type of meat is considered a special delicacy.
But the reason to NOT be involved in such food is further related....
4) "and...blood." See Leviticus 17:10-11
To eat the blood is to partake of the "life."
And the blood and life of Jesus was poured out on the cross for the atonement of man.

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:
23 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:
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:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 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.

Note in vs 22, "it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church" to send men and letters.
(Writing "letters" does not necessarily mean they sent more than one letter.)

In those letters and by those men, the church refuted the "certain men" as having been sent from the church in Jerusalem (in vs 1).
And, they refuted the claim these "certain men" had made concerning the circumcision of converts.

Further, these men and elders were to say that these "certain men" had "troubled" the people with their words, and were "subverting" their souls with lies!
The Greek word translated "subverting" is anaskeuazo, and means to pack up and carry away baggage.
It usually was applied to thieves and robbers.
Therefore, the "subverting" was to cause distress and anxiety - not to take them away from salvation - for NO man can do that!

There are many self-sent troublers in the Christian community today!
If their teaching and/or preaching doesn't conform to the Bible, then they should be refuted.
For their own self-centered purposes, they are only causing anxiety and confusion by trying to move Christians away from truth.
(See other Biblical teaching concerning this subject Proverbs 19:27, 1John 4:1, Acts 20:29, 1Timothy 4:1-7, Galatians 1:6-9, Ephesians 5:6, 2Timothy 2:15-18)

The church at Jerusalem sent Judas and Silas along with Paul and Barnabas to confirm these statements, that "..In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2Corinthians 13:1)

It is important, very important, that EVERY Christian understand the Biblical truth taught by Jesus.
Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)

My Christian friends, you have the ability to know THE WORD of God (Jesus) through your personal surrender to Him!
You also have the ability to know the Word of God (Bible) by His Holy Spirit teaching as you study!
AND, you have the ability to know if any person is teaching a true word from God by your knowledge of Scripture!

Don't let anyone try to take you away from God's truth in the Bible!

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

These four (Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas) came to the church in Antioch.
They called the church together, and read the letter.
Then Judas and Silas confirmed that the letter came from the church at Jerusalem, including the apostles and elders.

Since the distress and anxiety was dispelled, the church "rejoiced!"
When false teachers are removed, anxiety is reduced and the church rejoices in the truth of God!

Judas and Silas stayed for awhile.
Then Judas decided to return to Jerusalem, but Silas decided to stay in Antioch.

Paul and Barnabas also stayed for awhile.

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.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
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;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Paul expressed to Barnabas that they should go to the churches they had helped to establish and see "how they do."
This was of course a natural and spiritual desire.
Perhaps it was impressed upon Paul (and Barnabas) a bit stronger since they had just witnessed turmoil caused by false teaching.

However, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark who had left them during the first missionary journey and returned home.
Paul felt John Mark wasn't yet ready for the stressful and hazardus missionary work.

So, Paul and Barnabas split their missionary team.
Paul took Silas with him, and went in the same route they had gone before - to Syria and Celicia.
Barnabas took John Mark with him, and went to Cyprus (Barnabas' home area).

This was a genuine disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.
In fact, Luke describes the contention as "sharp" enough "that they departed asunder!"
This means they were separated by strife!

Take note: their dissention was not about the Word of God;
It was about the personal assessment on the capability of a person.

Though we are Christians, born again by the Holy Spirit of God, we sometimes have disagreements as to our missions.
We might learn two distinctive things from this dissension between Paul and Barnabas:
First, we are still human, and sometimes we allow our human desires to overrule our spiritual mission;
Second, we should be always mindful of our errors, and ready to reconcile.

Though they were parted for awhile, Paul and Barnabas again worked together (See 1Corinthians 9:6, and Galatians 2:9)
Also, we see that Paul accepted John Mark, and worked with him later. (See Colossians 4:10, and Philemon 24, and 2Timothy 4:11)

Though the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas was real;
And, though it was vile - born out of human error, God STILL USED these men to do extaordinary work!

How is God using YOU?

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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