Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-35 The council at Jerusalem. Verses 36-41 Paul and Barnabas part company.
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 altar anymore, we do not circumcise. By that I mean circumcised for the Lord, if you do it for hygiene reasons that is ok. Let’s go to Colossians 2 and verse 11 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;
The blood ordinances were nailed to the cross. This included circumcision and all offerings.
Col.2:15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let’s go to Hebrews 2 and verse 14 reads.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Satan is the principalities and powers that were destroyed by the crucifixion. Now, what will happen here is some from the synagogues 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.
Jesus would always say; Haven’t you read? Do you think that God would know circumcision would be of the heart, especially with Moses? Let’s go to Moses and the law, Deuteronomy 10 and verse 16 reads.
Deu.10:16] Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
And Deuteronomy 30 and verse 6 reads.
Deu.30:6] And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
It seems to me that the Pharisees knew not the law of Moses. Now we can see they wanted to put the Christians back in bondage. Back to Acts 15 and verse 2 reads.
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.
Paul and Barnabas being circumcised, they said, let us go to the apostles and see what they say about this manner.
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.
It seems that the Pharisees ran a little faster to Jerusalem than Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 15:6] 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.
Acts 10 and 11, Peter was told by God not to call the Gentiles 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. Don’t overlook God puts no difference between Israel and the Gentiles now.
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 when under law we couldn’t do it, how then 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. But let me remind you of Matthew 5 and verse 17 reads.
Mat.5:17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Now let’s go to Galatians 5 and verse 1 reads.
Gal.5:1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
[2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
[3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
[4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
[5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
[6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Back to Acts 15 and verse 11 reads.
Acts 15:11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Let’s go to Ephesians 2 and verse 8 reads.
Eph.2:8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Back to Acts 15 and verse 12 reads.
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.
Notice that it is God who does the miracles and the chosen who do his works.
Acts 15:13] And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
This James is the half-brother of Jesus, the writer of the book of 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.
This Simeon is Peter, and Christian is for his name. Let’s go to 2Peter 1 and verse 1 reads.
2Pet.1:1] Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Back to Acts 15 and verse 15 reads.
Acts 15:15] 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 and verse 11 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.
Talking about Genesis 1:1-2.
Acts 15:19] 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 and fornication. That would be sins. And from things strangled, that would be the food laws, teach them the food laws. And from blood, meaning we don’t sacrifice anymore. Let’s go to Hosea 6 and verse 6 reads.
Hos.6:6] For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
God desired our love (mercy) not sacrifice. And the knowledge of his Word more than burnt offerings. God’s plan all along was for The Son to be the Lamb of God and do away with the blood ordinances. Let’s go to Leviticus 3 and verse 17 reads.
Lev.3:17] It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
Throughout all your generations. Back to Acts 15 and verse 21 reads.
Acts 15:21] For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Let’s go to 2Corinthians 3 and verse 13 reads.
2Cor.3:13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The first thing Jesus did after he gave up the Spirit on the cross was to rent that vail in the Holy of holies, that separated God’s children from him. No longer do we need a priest to come between us and God.
2Cor.3:15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Circumcision is of the heart now. Back to Acts 15 and verse 22 reads.
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:
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 God’s 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 had never told them they needed to be circumcised nor was it a commandment. But always be aware some will come into the churches and teach falsely. Let’s go to Galatians 1 and verse 6 reads.
Gal.1:6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
[7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
[8] 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.
[9] 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.
[10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Back to Acts 15 and verse 25 reads.
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.
Men who put their lives in danger of 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 his people out of bondage from Egypt. And how the prophets prophesied of Jesus our Savior. And now that Jesus has been crucified, that he rose again fulfilling the law and the Prophets. This is what we are to 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 teach the food laws, no more sacrifices, and not worship false idols. Here we see both of these problems in our churches today. We have learned of the food laws today, now let’s learn a little of keeping from idols. Let’s go to Revelation 2 and verse 12 reads.
Rev.2:12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
The sharp sword with two edges is the Word of God.
Rev.2:13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Antipas means; not my father, and is Enoch, he too will stand before Satan at the sixth trump. Notice he is Martyred, killed for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev.2:14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
[15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Doctrine of the Nicolaitans, false teachings within the churches, to worship the antichrist. To teach others to rapture into the hands of the antichrist, thinking he is the true Christ.
Rev.2:16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Some, not all, will come out of confusion when the Elect are delivered up to the antichrist. Back to Acts 15 and verse 30 reads.
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.
Prophets also means; Teachers, and in this case should have been transliterated instead of being translated. They confirmed that the Gentiles did not need to be circumcised.
Acts 15:33] And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
They, being Judas and the others from verse 20, 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 in the churches were 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.
Apparently, Paul didn’t want Mark John to leave and go back to Jerusalem in Acts 13:13. This will cause contention between Paul and Barnabas, we will see it is the Holy Spirit that causes this contention later. The LORD is always in charge, this would be best for all as we will see it has to do with Mark and Barnabas not being Roman citizens.
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;
Why they argued was not said here but we will see in a couple of chapters it will be made 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 God’s Word, this is not right, we need to know what God’s 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 the scriptures in the language in which they were written in. These Apostles were right in the way that they checked the churches that they started. I sure wish we had them 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