Setting Spiritual Standards

Acts 15:22-34

God has given various offices in the church, as they were needed. All of the offices were to contribute to the work of the ministry in developing and teaching the Christians. The ultimate goal was unity in faith and knowledge of Christ until each person attained the same spiritual level according to Ephesians 4:11-13. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

The Holy Spirit will always produce unity among people who are actively seeking God, even if some are not filled with the Spirit. Recognizing that the problem stemmed from people who’d come from their church, they addressed the problem by sending messengers to correct the false teaching. Their conclusion was not based on what they thought, but on what God had said and done.

“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: 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: 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: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 15:22-26)

They acknowledged that the ones who had come had been in the church at Jerusalem, but that they had had no authorization to teach what they were teaching, that Christians had to keep the Old Testament law, and cause conflict. In fact, by such teaching they were effectively undermining their faith, making staying saved a result of man’s actions rather than of faith in Christ.

They wrote down their decision so it could be referred to without depending on people’s memories, but they sent representatives to verify that the letter was real. Counterfeit letters were a problem even then, according to II Thessalonians 2:2, and some of the counterfeits are now being passed off as valid. By naming the different representatives, they certified the authenticity of the letter. In the process, they are careful to acknowledge their recognition of Paul and Barnabas as being from God.

“We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 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.” (Acts 15:27-29)

They were very clear that their conclusion is the result of the Holy Spirit’s direction, as John 14:26 had promised. “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.” He had taught them that salvation was available to the gentiles through his salvation of Cornelius’ friends in Caesarea, but he had also brought both that and the prophecies to James’ mind to show them the truth. Only as we allow the Holy spirit to make us understand and remember what God has said will our conclusions be Spiritual. I John 4:6 states, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” A person who refuses to hear God’s word is not led of God, regardless of his title.

The Holy Spirit led them to the conclusion that they should not impose any more than the minimum standard required for maintaining a good testimony to those around them. This included avoiding any implication of idolatry, or practices that would offend those around them, and from sexual sin. Many to day want to impose far stricter standards, but the Holy spirit directed them to stop with only the minimum.

In I Corinthians 8-11, Paul addresses some of the standards people set. In chapter 11, he uses the example of wearing long hair and hats, which has often been a source of contention. As he explains, even though all the claims of the proponents of demanding women wear their hair long may be valid, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God,” In I Corinthians 11:16. Spirit led men and godly churches do not impose such standards.

“So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” (Acts 15:30-32)

Can you imagine the relief for the church at Antioch, to know that neither their salvation, nor their acceptance by other Christians as brethren depended on their maintaining some specific standards. They rejoiced because it was such a comfort. Judas and Silas were able to clear up doubts some had had because they knew what God said, themselves. Their teaching confirmed what Paul, Barnabas, and the other teachers in the church had taught, as well as encouraging everyone there.

“And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.” (Acts 15:33-34)

When I first went to Fort Lewis College, I visited a church close by. The first Sunday, the pastor announced that he felt like he should preach about a particular subject, but since he’d announced that he’d be preaching about a different subject, that was what he’d be preaching about. I decided that if he wasn’t willing to give up his pans to obey God it wasn’t worth my going to church there. Spirit filled men will be flexible in their planning. The men from Jerusalem were not committed returning on a certain schedule, and in fact Silas felt led of God not to return at all. As we learn shortly, God had a different plan, and he was preparing to put it into action, although no one knew it at the time. God is not obligated to tell us his plans in advance, and frequently does not, wanting us to trust him.