In Acts 15 today we will learn a couple of things that are important for all that are Christians. Not just for Israel, but also for those gentiles that have come to Christ. Before we get started, I want to share with you the beauty of Christianity. Circumcision is now of the heart, and it is for male and female. It is not law now for all to be circumcised, for Jesus on the cross has done away with all blood ordinances. We do not sacrifice on the alter anymore, we do not circumcise. By that I mean circumcise for the Lord, if you do it for hygiene reasons that is ok. Let’s go to Col.2:11-15 and get a better understanding of this. And it reads.
Col.2:11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
[12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
[14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Now, what will happen here is some that are Israelites will try and put gentiles under law, bondage. With that let’s get started with Acts 15 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 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.
Paul and Barnabas were also circumcised, so then let us go to the apostles and see what they say.
Acts 15:3] 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.
[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.
[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.
Chapter 10 and 11, Peter was told by God not to call the gentiles that believed common.
Acts 15:8] 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.
They are made whole by faith.
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?
If under law we couldn’t do it, how could they? This is why we started in Colossians. The Lamb of God was sacrifice enough. His blood on the cross did away with all blood ordinances.
Acts 15:11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
[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.
Notice that it is God who does the miracles and will use them for his works.
Acts 15:13] And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
This is the Apostle James.
Acts 15:14] 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.
Let’s go to Amos 9:11-12 and it reads.
Amos 9:11] 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:
[12] 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.
Called by my name, Christians. Back to Acts and verse 18 reads.
Acts 15:18] 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.
Did you catch that, it just said to teach them to stay away from false idols, fornication, and from things strangled, that is the food laws, teach them the food laws. And “from blood” meaning we don’t sacrifice anymore.
Acts 15:21] For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
[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:
Sending them back to the circuit. The Apostles were very good at keeping order in the churches. Making sure that they didn’t stray from Gods word.
Acts 15:23] 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:
They did not tell them that it was a commandment to circumcise.
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,
[26] Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Putting their lives in danger from the Jews. (Kenites)
Acts 15:27] 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;
Not putting the gentiles under law or bondage. But teaching them how the LORD brought the people out of Egypt, and the prophets, and now that Jesus was crucified and rose again. This we will teach them.
Acts 15:29] 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.
But the food laws are to be taught. As well as the other 3 things mentioned.
Acts 15:30] So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
The epistle was that they did not have to be circumcised.
Acts 15:31] 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.
They were allowed to go back to Jerusalem.
Acts 15:34] 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.
[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.
Paul wanted to go back to the circuit and see that everything was going well.
Acts 15:37] 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;
Why they argued was not said here but I think in a couple of chapters it will be known. That this was the Holy Spirits doing.
Acts 15:40] 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.
Confirming the churches, this is the problem today. Not all churches are teaching the same doctrine of Jesus Christ. We have divisions in the churches today, they call it denominations. Everyone has their own ideas of Gods Word, this is not right, we need to know what Gods word says and not what a church thinks he means. This is why I teach with the King James bible along with the Strongs’ Concordance. That way I can take any word of the bible and go back to the manuscripts and see scriptures in the language in which they were written in. These Apostles were right in the way they checked the churches that they started. I sure wish we had that today. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible