Acts 15:6-12
6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.
7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.”
8 “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;
9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.”
10 “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?”
11 “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are. ”
12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Jerusalem Council (4)
Introduction
Let’s review what has happened so far. (1) Many Gentiles were saved during the first missionary journey. (2) After that, Judaizers came to Antioch and taught that one cannot be saved unless circumcised. (3) Paul and Barnabas strongly opposed to such teaching. (4) Ultimately, it was decided to discuss the matter with the apostles at the Jerusalem church. (5) When they arrived in Jerusalem, the delegation from the Antioch church was welcomed. Paul and Barnabas testified about the first missionary journey, which the Judaizers strongly opposed to. (6) Therefore, a council was convened to discuss this issue.
Opening of the council (v 6-7a)
“The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.” (1) Let’s look at the participants of this council. (a) A delegation from the Antioch church, led by Paul and Barnabas, participated. (b) Peter, James the brother of Jesus, other apostles, and elders also participated. (2) However, this council was not limited to participants only but was open to the entire church. This can be understood from the description in Acts 15:12: “All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.” (3) The believers in the Jerusalem church understood the importance of the issue being debated at this council. “After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said…” (1) It is uncertain how much time had passed. However, the length of time is not the issue. The point here is that both sides had enough opportunity to fully express their opinions. (2) Let’s compare translations: “After there had been much debate,” (NASB2020), “And when there had been much questioning,” (ASV), “After much discussion,” (NIV), “And when there had been much dispute,” (NKJV). (a) The point here is not the intensity of the debate, but that the discussion was thorough. (b) In other words, the Judaizers were given ample opportunity to speak. In this, there are hints for resolving conflicts of opinion: (1) Acknowledge the existing problem and face it directly. (2) Take sufficient time to listen to both sides. (3) Engage in constructive, Bible-based discussion in the presence of spiritually mature leaders. (4) Once a conclusion is reached, everyone should adhere to it.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, when faced with problems, please guide me by the Holy Spirit, so that I can make decisions based on the Bible. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.