Read Acts 15:13-23
14. James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, pronounced the judgment of the council. Were the Gentiles required to be circumcised and observe the customs of the Mosaic Law? No. James said that Jewish Christians should not make life difficult for Gentile Christians
15. What did the Council of Jerusalem require of Gentile Christians? 1) Not to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 2) Abstain from sexual immorality – Adultery, promiscuity, homosexuality, pedophilia, etc., 3) Abstain from meat of strangled animals. 4) Do not drink/eat blood. Why these four? All four were common Gentile practices. They were not taboo in Gentile society. Being new to the faith, many Gentile Christians still practiced some of the four not realizing they were sinful. However, the Scriptures written by Moses (Genesis-Deuteronomy) that had been read for centuries in every city that had a synagogue regarded such activities as sinful. Therefore, Gentile Christians should abstain from such acts.
The Council of Jerusalem sent Paul and Barnabas along with two representatives from the Jerusalem church, Barsabbas and Silas, to Antioch with a letter regarding the council’s judgment to be read to Gentile Christians.
16. In verse 31, what was the reaction of the Gentile Christians to the judgment of the Council of Jerusalem? Encouragement.
Impact of Council of Jerusalem on future of Christianity –
1) Ensured that the Church would be inclusive. People of all nations could become Christians.
2) Over the course of the next century Christianity became more Gentile. Many Jews continued to believe that the Mosaic Law and the surrounding oral traditions were necessary to know true salvation. Given the choice between Christianity and Judaism, more Jews chose Judaism.
3) The decision made by the Council of Jerusalem did not end the friction between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. There was still among the Jewish Christians prejudice against Gentiles and a desire to hang on to the “Old Testament” style of worship.
4) The decision made by the Council of Jerusalem established the precedent that salvation was attained through the grace of Jesus Christ NOT by our works.
5) The decision made by the Council of Jerusalem marked the beginning of what we know today as denominationalism. Not everyone agreed on the role works played in salvation even after the council’s decision. Paul and his followers emphasized grace. James and his followers emphasized works.
Postscript
Paul’s confrontation with Peter in Antioch and emerging split with Barnabas after the Council of Jerusalem. Read Galatians chapter 2.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Council of Jerusalem pt. 1
1. What is the difference between a Jew and a Gentile? A Jew is a descendant of Abraham through his wife Sarah. Abraham and his descendants through Sarah were chosen by God to bring salvation to the other peoples of the world (Isaiah 49:6.) Through the Jews all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3.) A Gentile is anyone who is not a descendant of Abraham through Sarah – Arab, Roman, Greek, Persian, African, etc.
Background: Acts chapter 14 ends with Paul and Barnabas giving their report to the church in Antioch about their missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor. Specifically about how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. One would think that this would be a cause for joy and celebration. However, as we’re going to see in chapter 15, the rapidly growing number of Gentile believers created a sharp disagreement within the Church and its leaders. The seeds for this discontent became first evident in Acts 11. A group of Christians referred to as “circumcised” believers were upset that Peter, a Jew, entered the home of a Gentile which was forbidden by the Law. After the “circumcised” believers heard from Peter how God poured out the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, they acknowledged that God had offered salvation to the Gentiles. But, the news of Paul and Barnabas’ success with Gentiles in Cyprus and Asia Minor resurrected the Gentile debate within the Church.
Read Acts 15:1-6
2. Men from Judea would refer to whom? Jews or Gentiles? Jews.
3. What were they teaching? Unless you were circumcised in accordance with the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. In other words, believing what Jesus said in John 3:16 was not enough for salvation. There was one other thing you have to do in order to be saved - circumcision. Background on circumcision (Genesis chapter 17) – God and Abraham made a covenant agreement. I will bless you and make you great. In return. Abraham and all his male descendants were to be circumcised - an outward/external/physical sign that the Jews were the followers of God. What custom do Christians follow that is similar to circumcision to show that we are followers of God? Baptism.
4. To whom did the men of Judea direct this teaching? People who were not circumcised, i.e., the Gentile believers. How do you think the Gentiles reacted to this teaching? Probably not well. To be circumcised as an adult was a painful experience. Moreover, they were probably confused. What the men of Judea were teaching was different from that of Paul and Barnabas. They said nothing about circumcision being necessary for salvation. In effect, the men from Judea were teaching the Gentile Christians that in order to be truly saved they must become Jews.
5. What was Paul and Barnabas’ response to the teaching of the men from Judea? They opposed it. Paul and Barnabas engaged them in debates.
6. What did the believers in Antioch do in order to resolve this debate? Sent Paul and Barnabas along with believers to seek the counsel of the apostles and leaders of the Church in Jerusalem on whether Gentile believers should be circumcised.
7. What did Paul and Barnabas do on the way to Jerusalem? They were sharing with believers how God was bringing the Gentiles to the faith. Their news was met as it should have been by all believers – great joy.
8. With whom did Paul and Barnabas meet with in Jerusalem and what did they talk about? The apostles (Peter, John, Matthew, etc.,) and elders (pastors.) Leaders of the church. They reported how during the missionary trip to Cyprus and Asia Minor many Gentiles had converted to the faith.
9. Who else spoke at this meeting? Pharisees who were Christians. Remember, Pharisees were teachers of the Mosaic Law. Their job was to explain to people what God wanted them to do to be righteous based on Scriptures and oral traditions. What did they say? The Gentiles have to be circumcised AND observe the Mosaic Law and all the oral traditions attached to it. Examples – the thousands of rules one had to remember and follow in order to properly observe the Sabbath, dietary habits (no pork), feast days, etc. Again, believing what Jesus said in John 3:16 was not enough for salvation. Christ’s sacrifice alone was not enough to ensure one’s salvation. One must also be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law. In other words, the Gentiles must become Jews.
After hearing both sides, the apostles and the elders discussed the Gentile question among themselves.
Read Acts 15:7-12
10. Was there an immediate agreement reached by the apostles and elders? No. There was a lengthy debate. Evidently, the apostles were divided regarding the issue of the Gentiles and the Law. In Galatians chapter 2, Paul writes about the Council of Jerusalem from his point of view. From what Paul writes, it seems James, the leader of the Jerusalem church and brother of Jesus, sided with the Pharisee Christians. The Gentile question divided the leaders of the Church. They were in a no-win situation. Should the leaders decide that Gentiles should follow Jewish customs in order to be Christian, they would alienate the Gentiles. Should the leaders decide that Gentiles do not have to observe Jewish customs, they would alienate the Jews. The final decision would impact the future of the Church.
11. After a lengthy debate, which of the apostles stood up to speak? Peter. I can imagine Peter had remained silent during the debate and after hearing enough he decided it was time for him to say his piece. When Peter spoke, everyone listened. His words carried much weight. Why? He was the head of the Church appointed to that position by Jesus himself.
12. What did Peter say? He recounted how God had directed him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and God acknowledged their faith by granting them His Holy Spirit (Acts chapter 10.) Why are you Pharisee Christians (I can picture Peter looking directly at them.) intent on making God upset by seeking to put upon the Gentiles a burden (Mosaic law and oral traditions) that not even we or our Jewish ancestors were able to live up to successfully? (Read Matthew 11:28-30) No one in this room can honestly say they have faithfully observed every single command found in the Law. Consequently, observing the Law of Moses did not and cannot save us. Circumcision did not save us. Observing the Sabbath did not save us. The dietary laws did not save us. So why should we force the Gentiles to observe something that we Jews failed to live up to? What saved us is not the Law of Moses but the grace and mercy that our Lord Jesus the Messiah exhibited towards us by taking upon Himself the punishment for our failures to observe the Law of Moses so that we can know eternal salvation. Guess what? The grace and mercy that Jesus exhibited to us Jews is being granted to the Gentiles.
13. After Peter finished speaking what was the crowd’s reaction? Dead silence. No one disputed his words. They then listened to Paul and Barnabas speak about how God blessed the Gentiles.
Background: Acts chapter 14 ends with Paul and Barnabas giving their report to the church in Antioch about their missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor. Specifically about how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. One would think that this would be a cause for joy and celebration. However, as we’re going to see in chapter 15, the rapidly growing number of Gentile believers created a sharp disagreement within the Church and its leaders. The seeds for this discontent became first evident in Acts 11. A group of Christians referred to as “circumcised” believers were upset that Peter, a Jew, entered the home of a Gentile which was forbidden by the Law. After the “circumcised” believers heard from Peter how God poured out the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, they acknowledged that God had offered salvation to the Gentiles. But, the news of Paul and Barnabas’ success with Gentiles in Cyprus and Asia Minor resurrected the Gentile debate within the Church.
Read Acts 15:1-6
2. Men from Judea would refer to whom? Jews or Gentiles? Jews.
3. What were they teaching? Unless you were circumcised in accordance with the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. In other words, believing what Jesus said in John 3:16 was not enough for salvation. There was one other thing you have to do in order to be saved - circumcision. Background on circumcision (Genesis chapter 17) – God and Abraham made a covenant agreement. I will bless you and make you great. In return. Abraham and all his male descendants were to be circumcised - an outward/external/physical sign that the Jews were the followers of God. What custom do Christians follow that is similar to circumcision to show that we are followers of God? Baptism.
4. To whom did the men of Judea direct this teaching? People who were not circumcised, i.e., the Gentile believers. How do you think the Gentiles reacted to this teaching? Probably not well. To be circumcised as an adult was a painful experience. Moreover, they were probably confused. What the men of Judea were teaching was different from that of Paul and Barnabas. They said nothing about circumcision being necessary for salvation. In effect, the men from Judea were teaching the Gentile Christians that in order to be truly saved they must become Jews.
5. What was Paul and Barnabas’ response to the teaching of the men from Judea? They opposed it. Paul and Barnabas engaged them in debates.
6. What did the believers in Antioch do in order to resolve this debate? Sent Paul and Barnabas along with believers to seek the counsel of the apostles and leaders of the Church in Jerusalem on whether Gentile believers should be circumcised.
7. What did Paul and Barnabas do on the way to Jerusalem? They were sharing with believers how God was bringing the Gentiles to the faith. Their news was met as it should have been by all believers – great joy.
8. With whom did Paul and Barnabas meet with in Jerusalem and what did they talk about? The apostles (Peter, John, Matthew, etc.,) and elders (pastors.) Leaders of the church. They reported how during the missionary trip to Cyprus and Asia Minor many Gentiles had converted to the faith.
9. Who else spoke at this meeting? Pharisees who were Christians. Remember, Pharisees were teachers of the Mosaic Law. Their job was to explain to people what God wanted them to do to be righteous based on Scriptures and oral traditions. What did they say? The Gentiles have to be circumcised AND observe the Mosaic Law and all the oral traditions attached to it. Examples – the thousands of rules one had to remember and follow in order to properly observe the Sabbath, dietary habits (no pork), feast days, etc. Again, believing what Jesus said in John 3:16 was not enough for salvation. Christ’s sacrifice alone was not enough to ensure one’s salvation. One must also be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law. In other words, the Gentiles must become Jews.
After hearing both sides, the apostles and the elders discussed the Gentile question among themselves.
Read Acts 15:7-12
10. Was there an immediate agreement reached by the apostles and elders? No. There was a lengthy debate. Evidently, the apostles were divided regarding the issue of the Gentiles and the Law. In Galatians chapter 2, Paul writes about the Council of Jerusalem from his point of view. From what Paul writes, it seems James, the leader of the Jerusalem church and brother of Jesus, sided with the Pharisee Christians. The Gentile question divided the leaders of the Church. They were in a no-win situation. Should the leaders decide that Gentiles should follow Jewish customs in order to be Christian, they would alienate the Gentiles. Should the leaders decide that Gentiles do not have to observe Jewish customs, they would alienate the Jews. The final decision would impact the future of the Church.
11. After a lengthy debate, which of the apostles stood up to speak? Peter. I can imagine Peter had remained silent during the debate and after hearing enough he decided it was time for him to say his piece. When Peter spoke, everyone listened. His words carried much weight. Why? He was the head of the Church appointed to that position by Jesus himself.
12. What did Peter say? He recounted how God had directed him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and God acknowledged their faith by granting them His Holy Spirit (Acts chapter 10.) Why are you Pharisee Christians (I can picture Peter looking directly at them.) intent on making God upset by seeking to put upon the Gentiles a burden (Mosaic law and oral traditions) that not even we or our Jewish ancestors were able to live up to successfully? (Read Matthew 11:28-30) No one in this room can honestly say they have faithfully observed every single command found in the Law. Consequently, observing the Law of Moses did not and cannot save us. Circumcision did not save us. Observing the Sabbath did not save us. The dietary laws did not save us. So why should we force the Gentiles to observe something that we Jews failed to live up to? What saved us is not the Law of Moses but the grace and mercy that our Lord Jesus the Messiah exhibited towards us by taking upon Himself the punishment for our failures to observe the Law of Moses so that we can know eternal salvation. Guess what? The grace and mercy that Jesus exhibited to us Jews is being granted to the Gentiles.
13. After Peter finished speaking what was the crowd’s reaction? Dead silence. No one disputed his words. They then listened to Paul and Barnabas speak about how God blessed the Gentiles.
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