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.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Recognizing God’s Direction
Acts 15:12-21
Carnal people approach everything from a purely human standpoint. While they talk about spiritual power, the emphasis is on human effort. For example, if you’ve ever watched a PBS station very much, you’ve seen their telethons and fund raising efforts. They make no claims of depending on God or being led of God. How many times do “Christian” stations use identical tactics, but profess it is God’s doing? Politicians use music and movie stars to get people to come to rallies. How often do churches and evangelists do the same thing? If it doesn’t produce a large enough crowd or enough money, they fire the person in charge and use someone else. Did God mess up? Or was it just the person?
As a result of the focus on human effort, carnal people do not distinguish between human results and spiritual results. When Paul and Barnabas “declared all things that God had done with them,” in Acts 15:4, the carnal Christians heard only what Paul and Barnabas had done. Since it didn’t coincide with what they believed, it needed to be fixed. After Peter’s recitation, they realized there might be more involved.
“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.” (Acts 15:12)
When they actually listened to Paul and Barnabas, It was obvious that God had in fact saved gentiles and filled them with the Spirit even though they did not keep the law. Clearly, God was satisfied, doing these miracles in them.
“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” (Acts 15:13-14)
After the crowd had listened to Paul and Barnabas again and realized that it was God who’d done these things instead of just Paul and Barnabas, James recapped what Peter had said. He then summed up a number of prophecies including ones by Amos, Isaiah, and Malachi. It was not just one obscure prophet, or prophecy, but a major theme of prophecy. It is what God has said.
“And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 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: 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. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” (15:15-18)
God’s plan of salvation was made before creation. He didn’t have to keep changing the plan. Both covenant theology and dispensationalists imply God had to keep changing his plan because of man’s sin. God ordained Jesus to atone for man’s sin even before sin existed, according to I Peter 1:20. “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” The prophecies were statements of God’s intent.
If God knows what he wants, and he directs some one to do things a certain way, what right do we have to demand something different? As Romans 14:4 asks, “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” They don’t answer to us, but to God. James then advises them as to what the Holy Spirit would have them to do.
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” (Acts 15:19-21)
First James advises that they not cause confusion by demanding that they keep the Law. He does recommend that they set certain guidelines for behavior because the Jews scattered around the world would be offended by certain behavior, and thus they’d lose their testimony to them. A genuine love for Christ ought to produce a love for our brethren that keeps us from doing things that they find offensive. I Corinthians 8:8-9 states, “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”
Eating meat that had not been properly drained of blood is not sin, and does not bring judgment, for example, but our decision could stand in someone else’s way. When we knowingly cause them to stumble, we have sinned against them. I Corinthians 8-11 and Romans 14-15 deal with this subject in depth.
Carnal people approach everything from a purely human standpoint. While they talk about spiritual power, the emphasis is on human effort. For example, if you’ve ever watched a PBS station very much, you’ve seen their telethons and fund raising efforts. They make no claims of depending on God or being led of God. How many times do “Christian” stations use identical tactics, but profess it is God’s doing? Politicians use music and movie stars to get people to come to rallies. How often do churches and evangelists do the same thing? If it doesn’t produce a large enough crowd or enough money, they fire the person in charge and use someone else. Did God mess up? Or was it just the person?
As a result of the focus on human effort, carnal people do not distinguish between human results and spiritual results. When Paul and Barnabas “declared all things that God had done with them,” in Acts 15:4, the carnal Christians heard only what Paul and Barnabas had done. Since it didn’t coincide with what they believed, it needed to be fixed. After Peter’s recitation, they realized there might be more involved.
“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.” (Acts 15:12)
When they actually listened to Paul and Barnabas, It was obvious that God had in fact saved gentiles and filled them with the Spirit even though they did not keep the law. Clearly, God was satisfied, doing these miracles in them.
“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” (Acts 15:13-14)
After the crowd had listened to Paul and Barnabas again and realized that it was God who’d done these things instead of just Paul and Barnabas, James recapped what Peter had said. He then summed up a number of prophecies including ones by Amos, Isaiah, and Malachi. It was not just one obscure prophet, or prophecy, but a major theme of prophecy. It is what God has said.
“And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 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: 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. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” (15:15-18)
God’s plan of salvation was made before creation. He didn’t have to keep changing the plan. Both covenant theology and dispensationalists imply God had to keep changing his plan because of man’s sin. God ordained Jesus to atone for man’s sin even before sin existed, according to I Peter 1:20. “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” The prophecies were statements of God’s intent.
If God knows what he wants, and he directs some one to do things a certain way, what right do we have to demand something different? As Romans 14:4 asks, “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” They don’t answer to us, but to God. James then advises them as to what the Holy Spirit would have them to do.
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” (Acts 15:19-21)
First James advises that they not cause confusion by demanding that they keep the Law. He does recommend that they set certain guidelines for behavior because the Jews scattered around the world would be offended by certain behavior, and thus they’d lose their testimony to them. A genuine love for Christ ought to produce a love for our brethren that keeps us from doing things that they find offensive. I Corinthians 8:8-9 states, “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”
Eating meat that had not been properly drained of blood is not sin, and does not bring judgment, for example, but our decision could stand in someone else’s way. When we knowingly cause them to stumble, we have sinned against them. I Corinthians 8-11 and Romans 14-15 deal with this subject in depth.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
What Does God Say?
Acts 15:5-11
In Galatians 2:4, Paul stated that a group of false brethren had caused them to have to go to Jerusalem to settle whether circumcision was required for salvation. They had had an impact on a sect of Christians who were former Pharisees, and accepted the idea themselves, clinging to their Jewish background. When Paul and Barnabas told what God had done among the Gentiles, one group insisted they were not preaching the whole word.
“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.” (Acts 15:5)
While every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, they do not all allow him full control, choosing to retain control themselves. As a result they walk in the flesh rather than the Spirit as I Corinthians 3:3 states. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Every conflict between Christians indicates an unspiritual state by one or both parties. Conflicts always result in sin according to James 2:16. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” From what Galatians 2:3 says, the trigger which touched off the debate was the presence of Titus, a gentile who accompanied them to Jerusalem. He would later become a pastor and missionary himself.
Unspiritual people easily fall for unsound doctrine and follow false teachers. II Timothy 2:15 advises us that the way to be sure we are satisfactory to God is to study his word, making sure we understand it correctly. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” These kinds of controversies indicate who is really studying the scriptures and who is just accepting whatever they are told according to I Corinthians 11:19. “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.”
The assertion that circumcision or keeping the Mosaic law is essential for Christians is still common today and still causes conflict. If it didn’t, it would indicate that there was no real concern for pleasing God. When people decide to just ignore false doctrine, they indicate they are not concerned about the truth. It raised serious debate in the church at Jerusalem.
“And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” (Acts 15:6)
As long as they dealt solely with those who had been raised as Jews or Jewish proselytes, the Apostles had never had to consider the issue. It had never even occurred to them that it might matter, so they had not dealt with it. Now they had to consider what God actually said about the subject. There was a lot of arguing before Peter finally focused their attention on what God had indicated by his actions.
“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 15:7)
God had specifically sent Peter to the gentiles in Caesarea, as described in Acts 10, and the church had recognized salvation was possible for the Gentiles. God had clearly saved them the same way he had the Jews, replicating the events that had occurred at Pentecost in Caesarea.
“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:10)
By filling them with the Holy Spirit even though they had not lived up to the Jewish standard, God clearly indicated that it was not required. To demand that they do so was to imply that God didn’t have the right to accept anything other than their standard, implying they, not God, made the rules. It would be a direct challenge to God’s authority.
“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?” (Acts 15:10)
In the fifteen hundred years the Jews had had the Mosaic Law, they had found it a constant burden to maintain all the sacrifices and follow all the rules, and had not been able to fulfill it themselves. If God would still save them without having kept it, why would they want to place such a burden on others.
“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11)
In fact, the Jews were not saved because they kept the law either. Romans 3:20 tells us the only thing the Law accomplished was making them aware of their sin. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Even the old Testament saints were not saved by keeping the law. Just like for the Gentiles, salvation for Jews was by God’s gift, his grace, not by keeping the law. In fact, God had established the principle of salvation through faith more than four hundred years before the Law was given as Paul explains in Galatians 3, and the Law did not change it. Christ’s death on the cross made it possible for them to be saved the same as present day Christians, they just had to wait until he came.
One similar controversy today is over whether baptism is essential for salvation. In looking to the thief on the cross to prove that baptism is not required for salvation we apply the same logic Peter used here. As James makes clear in the next few verses, the logic is valid. To declare that the thief on the cross was saved a special way directly contradicts Paul’s teaching.
As Paul points out, he and the other apostles were in full agreement on every count, in Galatians 2:6, when he shared what he’d been teaching. Their only concern was to find out what God wanted. Myself, I have to agree with the apostles’ conclusion as to what Jesus meant. Only God’s opinion matters. Too often religious decisions are not based on what God wants, but on human logic.
In Galatians 2:4, Paul stated that a group of false brethren had caused them to have to go to Jerusalem to settle whether circumcision was required for salvation. They had had an impact on a sect of Christians who were former Pharisees, and accepted the idea themselves, clinging to their Jewish background. When Paul and Barnabas told what God had done among the Gentiles, one group insisted they were not preaching the whole word.
“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.” (Acts 15:5)
While every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, they do not all allow him full control, choosing to retain control themselves. As a result they walk in the flesh rather than the Spirit as I Corinthians 3:3 states. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Every conflict between Christians indicates an unspiritual state by one or both parties. Conflicts always result in sin according to James 2:16. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” From what Galatians 2:3 says, the trigger which touched off the debate was the presence of Titus, a gentile who accompanied them to Jerusalem. He would later become a pastor and missionary himself.
Unspiritual people easily fall for unsound doctrine and follow false teachers. II Timothy 2:15 advises us that the way to be sure we are satisfactory to God is to study his word, making sure we understand it correctly. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” These kinds of controversies indicate who is really studying the scriptures and who is just accepting whatever they are told according to I Corinthians 11:19. “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.”
The assertion that circumcision or keeping the Mosaic law is essential for Christians is still common today and still causes conflict. If it didn’t, it would indicate that there was no real concern for pleasing God. When people decide to just ignore false doctrine, they indicate they are not concerned about the truth. It raised serious debate in the church at Jerusalem.
“And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” (Acts 15:6)
As long as they dealt solely with those who had been raised as Jews or Jewish proselytes, the Apostles had never had to consider the issue. It had never even occurred to them that it might matter, so they had not dealt with it. Now they had to consider what God actually said about the subject. There was a lot of arguing before Peter finally focused their attention on what God had indicated by his actions.
“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 15:7)
God had specifically sent Peter to the gentiles in Caesarea, as described in Acts 10, and the church had recognized salvation was possible for the Gentiles. God had clearly saved them the same way he had the Jews, replicating the events that had occurred at Pentecost in Caesarea.
“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:10)
By filling them with the Holy Spirit even though they had not lived up to the Jewish standard, God clearly indicated that it was not required. To demand that they do so was to imply that God didn’t have the right to accept anything other than their standard, implying they, not God, made the rules. It would be a direct challenge to God’s authority.
“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?” (Acts 15:10)
In the fifteen hundred years the Jews had had the Mosaic Law, they had found it a constant burden to maintain all the sacrifices and follow all the rules, and had not been able to fulfill it themselves. If God would still save them without having kept it, why would they want to place such a burden on others.
“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11)
In fact, the Jews were not saved because they kept the law either. Romans 3:20 tells us the only thing the Law accomplished was making them aware of their sin. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Even the old Testament saints were not saved by keeping the law. Just like for the Gentiles, salvation for Jews was by God’s gift, his grace, not by keeping the law. In fact, God had established the principle of salvation through faith more than four hundred years before the Law was given as Paul explains in Galatians 3, and the Law did not change it. Christ’s death on the cross made it possible for them to be saved the same as present day Christians, they just had to wait until he came.
One similar controversy today is over whether baptism is essential for salvation. In looking to the thief on the cross to prove that baptism is not required for salvation we apply the same logic Peter used here. As James makes clear in the next few verses, the logic is valid. To declare that the thief on the cross was saved a special way directly contradicts Paul’s teaching.
As Paul points out, he and the other apostles were in full agreement on every count, in Galatians 2:6, when he shared what he’d been teaching. Their only concern was to find out what God wanted. Myself, I have to agree with the apostles’ conclusion as to what Jesus meant. Only God’s opinion matters. Too often religious decisions are not based on what God wants, but on human logic.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Satanic Infiltration
Acts 15:1-4
“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.” (Acts 15:1)
The Jewish leaders had hated Jesus and the church because they feared his teaching would cause them to lose control. They had fostered racial prejudice for the same reason. While it is easy to condemn the Jews for it, every culture in the world has done the same thing, often using another groups prejudice as justification for their own. It’s using the focus against a common enemy to distract from internal conflict. Until something happens to force us to examine such behavior, people often accept it as right without question, and resist anything different.
It is far easier to take over an established organization than to grow one from the ground up. This is why so many successful Wall street companies experience takeovers. Somebody else has done all the hard work, and by taking over, one can reap the benefits without having to work at it. Often the ones who take over are only interested in gaining a quick profit and leave the company as an empty shell. They wouldn’t touch a company that wasn’t making a profit because there is nothing to steal.
When a church or group is small and struggling, only those who believe in what it stands for have much interest in being involved with it. As it grows, however, more and more people begin to see it as a way to attain their own goals. Some are like the man I worked for briefly, who joined High Street Baptist Church and recommended I do so because it was the largest church in town and membership was good for business. Others are more concerned with the power and prestige they could derive from a large group, or the money they could obtain if they had control.
As the church at Jerusalem had grown, and attempts to destroy it failed, some of the Jews who had initially opposed it began to consider taking it over instead. Like Judas, they joined the church because they thought they could benefit from membership, although they had no interest in Christ himself. Paul said they were “…false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:” in Galatians 2:4. Their goal was to obtain control.
When Peter went to Caesarea and preached at Cornelius’ house, they had confronted him about it as Acts 11:2-3 described. “And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” When it was conclusively demonstrated that Gentiles could be saved, they changed their tune slightly.
When they came to Antioch, they were no longer teaching that Gentiles could not be saved. They were teaching that they could be saved, but only if they converted to Judaism. This would still give Jewish leaders control of the church. The same basic doctrine is still promoted that one must join a particular organization in order to be saved, whether Catholic, or Mormon, or some other group.
“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.” (Acts 15:2)
The Jewish Christians in Antioch probably accepted the teaching without question because it was what they’d been raised with and assumed it to be true, but the Gentiles were bothered by it. Paul and Barnabas, led by the Spirit, took a strong stand against it. Finally, the church sent trusted men to Antioch to consult with the Apostles about what was right. At the time, much of the New Testament had not been written, so the only was of being sure what Christ had taught was by talking to those who had been taught and appointed by him, the apostles. Once the scriptures were complete, the need for office of an apostle ceased, as did the need for prophecy to tell God’s day to day plan.
“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.” (Acts 15:3)
The church at Antioch sent them on to Jerusalem to make sure exactly what God had said. Afoot, it was a major journey, and they passed through Phenice and Samaria telling that the Gentiles had been saved. Philip had been instrumental in starting the Church in Samaria with people of mixed ancestry, many of whom had relatives that were not Jewish. Imagine the rejoicing to know that their relatives could be saved as well.
“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.” (Acts 15:4)
Once again we see the difference in attitude the Holy Spirit makes. They were talking about what God had done with them, rather than about what they had done. Unspiritual people will seldom detect the difference, and initially the results seem the same but ultimately, they are totally different.
Many times we get impatient that things change so slowly since reading acts, we get the feeling that these things happened much more rapidly than we experience them. In Galatians 2:1- 4, Paul gives us a better picture of the time frame. “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:”
Fourteen years after meeting with Peter and James in Acts 9:27, and seventeen years after his salvation in Acts 9:6, Paul went to Jerusalem to meet the other Apostles who were still alive. People had gotten used to the church and there was no longer the fear of being a Christian we see in Acts 5:13. “And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.” Unsaved people had no hesitation to join the church, even though they had not changed their beliefs. While there were still Spirit filled men in the leadership, an unspiritual group had began to be absorbed over the years.
Peter warned, “…there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction,” in II Peter 2:1. Every church and organization runs into this as time passes. As the original leaders step down, the false teachers attempt to gain control.
“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.” (Acts 15:1)
The Jewish leaders had hated Jesus and the church because they feared his teaching would cause them to lose control. They had fostered racial prejudice for the same reason. While it is easy to condemn the Jews for it, every culture in the world has done the same thing, often using another groups prejudice as justification for their own. It’s using the focus against a common enemy to distract from internal conflict. Until something happens to force us to examine such behavior, people often accept it as right without question, and resist anything different.
It is far easier to take over an established organization than to grow one from the ground up. This is why so many successful Wall street companies experience takeovers. Somebody else has done all the hard work, and by taking over, one can reap the benefits without having to work at it. Often the ones who take over are only interested in gaining a quick profit and leave the company as an empty shell. They wouldn’t touch a company that wasn’t making a profit because there is nothing to steal.
When a church or group is small and struggling, only those who believe in what it stands for have much interest in being involved with it. As it grows, however, more and more people begin to see it as a way to attain their own goals. Some are like the man I worked for briefly, who joined High Street Baptist Church and recommended I do so because it was the largest church in town and membership was good for business. Others are more concerned with the power and prestige they could derive from a large group, or the money they could obtain if they had control.
As the church at Jerusalem had grown, and attempts to destroy it failed, some of the Jews who had initially opposed it began to consider taking it over instead. Like Judas, they joined the church because they thought they could benefit from membership, although they had no interest in Christ himself. Paul said they were “…false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:” in Galatians 2:4. Their goal was to obtain control.
When Peter went to Caesarea and preached at Cornelius’ house, they had confronted him about it as Acts 11:2-3 described. “And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” When it was conclusively demonstrated that Gentiles could be saved, they changed their tune slightly.
When they came to Antioch, they were no longer teaching that Gentiles could not be saved. They were teaching that they could be saved, but only if they converted to Judaism. This would still give Jewish leaders control of the church. The same basic doctrine is still promoted that one must join a particular organization in order to be saved, whether Catholic, or Mormon, or some other group.
“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.” (Acts 15:2)
The Jewish Christians in Antioch probably accepted the teaching without question because it was what they’d been raised with and assumed it to be true, but the Gentiles were bothered by it. Paul and Barnabas, led by the Spirit, took a strong stand against it. Finally, the church sent trusted men to Antioch to consult with the Apostles about what was right. At the time, much of the New Testament had not been written, so the only was of being sure what Christ had taught was by talking to those who had been taught and appointed by him, the apostles. Once the scriptures were complete, the need for office of an apostle ceased, as did the need for prophecy to tell God’s day to day plan.
“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.” (Acts 15:3)
The church at Antioch sent them on to Jerusalem to make sure exactly what God had said. Afoot, it was a major journey, and they passed through Phenice and Samaria telling that the Gentiles had been saved. Philip had been instrumental in starting the Church in Samaria with people of mixed ancestry, many of whom had relatives that were not Jewish. Imagine the rejoicing to know that their relatives could be saved as well.
“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.” (Acts 15:4)
Once again we see the difference in attitude the Holy Spirit makes. They were talking about what God had done with them, rather than about what they had done. Unspiritual people will seldom detect the difference, and initially the results seem the same but ultimately, they are totally different.
Many times we get impatient that things change so slowly since reading acts, we get the feeling that these things happened much more rapidly than we experience them. In Galatians 2:1- 4, Paul gives us a better picture of the time frame. “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:”
Fourteen years after meeting with Peter and James in Acts 9:27, and seventeen years after his salvation in Acts 9:6, Paul went to Jerusalem to meet the other Apostles who were still alive. People had gotten used to the church and there was no longer the fear of being a Christian we see in Acts 5:13. “And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.” Unsaved people had no hesitation to join the church, even though they had not changed their beliefs. While there were still Spirit filled men in the leadership, an unspiritual group had began to be absorbed over the years.
Peter warned, “…there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction,” in II Peter 2:1. Every church and organization runs into this as time passes. As the original leaders step down, the false teachers attempt to gain control.
Friday, June 3, 2011
It’s The Holy Spirit’s Work
Acts 14:24-28
Turning leadership of the churches in Pisidia and Lycaonia over to local elders or pastors, Paul and Barnabas retraced their route, visiting each city they’d preached in. Having had the privilege of going back and visiting some of the churches I pastored, I can state it is sort of like going and visiting your adult children. It is wonderfully exciting to see those who are doing well and troubling to see those who are struggling.
Because they are adults, one cannot exercise the same level of authority he once did to correct things he deems as unsatisfactory. Even suggestions or advice must be couched in such a way as to not denigrate their position. Nevertheless, if a proper approach is used, he can greatly influence what is done there. He must make sure it is what the Holy Spirit directs, not just his own opinion.
“And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. “ (Acts 14:24-26)
From Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas proceeded to Perga in Pamphylia where John Mark had returned to Antioch. They preached there and then went to the seaport of Attalia where they boarded a ship headed directly for Antioch. They did not stop in Paphos or Cyprus on the trip.
They had invested over a year in Antioch training the people and developing leaders, even though the church was already there when Barnabas first came. It was there that Barnabas mentored Paul and the Lord called them into fulltime missions work. That church, more than any other, knew what they were like, and sent them out. Since it was made up of mostly Gentiles, it was especially interested in missions.
“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27)
The complete name given to the book of Acts is the Acts of the Apostles. While in Bible college, our main study of Acts was the Life of Paul. We focused on the many churches Paul started, even carefully producing detailed maps. The entire focus was on what the apostles and early church did.
Paul and Barnabas did not report what they had done, but “…all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” What a difference in focus! While we give lip service to the concept, most of our reports, whether by missionaries, evangelistic teams, committees, or denominational leadership, focus on the human effort, rather than God’s power. Man gets the glory, rather than God.
We put so much stress on human attainments, from educational degrees and speaking prowess to athletic abilities and financial achievements. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (I Corinthians 1:27-29)
God has deliberately chosen not to use the famous, highly educated and powerful so the glory goes to him rather than to the people. What our flesh attains has no value to God and in fact, is contrary to the Spirit’s leading according to Galatians 5:17, and hinders our serving God. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” If we are really surrendered to Christ, the flesh no longer matters. Galatians 5:24 states, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world,” in Galatians 6:14. We put far too musch stress on comparing men’s works and glorying in men’s accomplishments. II Corinthians 10:12 states, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” If Paul didn’t dare, how can we? Galatians 5:26 commands, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
“And there they abode long time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:28)
Paul and Barnabas did not do modern deputation. When they were sent, they did not go to other churches raising support. When they returned, they did not go from church to church making reports and raising additional support. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, working and teaching in the church, and as we see in the next chapter, helping to resolve some problems that had developed. We don’t know how long they were there, but they stayed a long time. What a contrast to our modern missions programs.
Turning leadership of the churches in Pisidia and Lycaonia over to local elders or pastors, Paul and Barnabas retraced their route, visiting each city they’d preached in. Having had the privilege of going back and visiting some of the churches I pastored, I can state it is sort of like going and visiting your adult children. It is wonderfully exciting to see those who are doing well and troubling to see those who are struggling.
Because they are adults, one cannot exercise the same level of authority he once did to correct things he deems as unsatisfactory. Even suggestions or advice must be couched in such a way as to not denigrate their position. Nevertheless, if a proper approach is used, he can greatly influence what is done there. He must make sure it is what the Holy Spirit directs, not just his own opinion.
“And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. “ (Acts 14:24-26)
From Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas proceeded to Perga in Pamphylia where John Mark had returned to Antioch. They preached there and then went to the seaport of Attalia where they boarded a ship headed directly for Antioch. They did not stop in Paphos or Cyprus on the trip.
They had invested over a year in Antioch training the people and developing leaders, even though the church was already there when Barnabas first came. It was there that Barnabas mentored Paul and the Lord called them into fulltime missions work. That church, more than any other, knew what they were like, and sent them out. Since it was made up of mostly Gentiles, it was especially interested in missions.
“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27)
The complete name given to the book of Acts is the Acts of the Apostles. While in Bible college, our main study of Acts was the Life of Paul. We focused on the many churches Paul started, even carefully producing detailed maps. The entire focus was on what the apostles and early church did.
Paul and Barnabas did not report what they had done, but “…all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” What a difference in focus! While we give lip service to the concept, most of our reports, whether by missionaries, evangelistic teams, committees, or denominational leadership, focus on the human effort, rather than God’s power. Man gets the glory, rather than God.
We put so much stress on human attainments, from educational degrees and speaking prowess to athletic abilities and financial achievements. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (I Corinthians 1:27-29)
God has deliberately chosen not to use the famous, highly educated and powerful so the glory goes to him rather than to the people. What our flesh attains has no value to God and in fact, is contrary to the Spirit’s leading according to Galatians 5:17, and hinders our serving God. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” If we are really surrendered to Christ, the flesh no longer matters. Galatians 5:24 states, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world,” in Galatians 6:14. We put far too musch stress on comparing men’s works and glorying in men’s accomplishments. II Corinthians 10:12 states, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” If Paul didn’t dare, how can we? Galatians 5:26 commands, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
“And there they abode long time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:28)
Paul and Barnabas did not do modern deputation. When they were sent, they did not go to other churches raising support. When they returned, they did not go from church to church making reports and raising additional support. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, working and teaching in the church, and as we see in the next chapter, helping to resolve some problems that had developed. We don’t know how long they were there, but they stayed a long time. What a contrast to our modern missions programs.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Why Are You Doing That?
Acts 14:19-23
How do you feel when a door to door salesman tries to talk you into buying his product? Have you ever sold something door to door? Did you find it hard to motivate yourself to go to the doors? Was that because you suspected the prospect felt the same way about you that you felt about the salesman at your door?
A great many Christians approach witnessing as a door to door selling job. They learn to use psychological and emotional pleas to overcome peoples resistance. As a result, a lot of their customers suffer buyers remorse as well, resenting having been talked into something they aren’t sure they want. It is the main reason why nearly half the people who make professions never get baptized or grow in the Lord, and resent people talking to them about religion.
Except for a few manipulative people who delight in getting others to do things they don’t want to do, most people find it hard to try to convince others to accept something they aren’t really interested in. It gets really hard to stay motivated to witness. Contrast that with the attitude of the unbelieving Jews from Iconium.
“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” (Acts 14:19)
Most people view Santa as a charming tradition, but a few little children believe in Santa Claus. People just laugh indulgently at their naiveté and go on about their business. It’s not really a big deal. If people really believe there is no God, then it should not be a big deal either. Unfortunately, those who suspect there is and fear the consequences become virulently antagonistic. They do not hesitate to make their feelings known everywhere. The attitude or spirit motivating them will not allow them to be still. The unbelieving Jews from Iconium and Antioch incited an attack on Paul and Barnabas resulting in Paul being left for dead. Imagine the grief of the new believers as they observed his body.
“Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” (Acts 14:20)
Unlike Stephen, Paul survived the stoning. Whether we live or die is up to the Lord, not to people. They may try to kill, but only God has the power over life and death. An attempt to kill someone is an attempt to usurp God’s power. God did not allow Paul to die. The next morning Paul and Barnabas went on over to Derbe, and devoted their time to teaching the people there. The Holy Spirit in them motivated them to continue even after the attempt to kill Paul. They didn’t need some other motivator.
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)
The ill will caused by the Jews from Iconium and Antioch died down, and Paul and Barnabas were able to return to Lystra and even to Iconium and Antioch, completing teaching the people there. They focused on three areas of ministry on their return.
They confirmed the souls of the disciples. The word disciple means a follower or student. There are people in the church who have not been saved. Like Judas, they participate and appear to be believers but are not. Even they may think they are. Confirming them is not just a matter of reviewing what they have prayed or learned, but getting them to examine whether the Holy Spirit is in their life. As Romans 8:9 declares, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Unless he is there, nothing else matters. All our good works are just like filthy rags.
The second thing Paul and Barnabas focused on was encouraging them to continue in the Word of God. Real Christians will be focused on what the Lord said. In John 8:31-32, Jesus told his disciples, “… If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Turning away from God’s word to something else implies they were never really his disciples.
Finally, they stressed that there will be problems for those who serve the Lord. To prevent Christians from giving up, Jesus warned his disciples that problems would come in John 16:33. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Paul warned that every Christian will go through this in II Timothy 3:12. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The problems and struggles are normal, and as I Corinthians 10:13 states, common to everyone. Victory should be expected, not viewed as something unusual.
“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts 14:23)
One of the hardest things for parents to do is allow their children to go out on their own, but they never attain their purpose until allowed to do so. Some may do like the Prodigal son and go into sin for a while, but if they’ve been properly taught, most will eventually get on track. Most missionaries have the same problem of letting go of their churches.
After earnest and deep prayer, Paul and Barnabas commended the churches at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe to the Lord. They had taught what was needed, it was now up to the Holy Spirit to keep them on track. Until we learn to let the churches make it on their own, we prevent their long term development.
Denominations and mission groups retain control of many churches twenty or thirty years after the church was started. They simply don’t trust God to take care of the church. As Romans 14:23 says, “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
How do you feel when a door to door salesman tries to talk you into buying his product? Have you ever sold something door to door? Did you find it hard to motivate yourself to go to the doors? Was that because you suspected the prospect felt the same way about you that you felt about the salesman at your door?
A great many Christians approach witnessing as a door to door selling job. They learn to use psychological and emotional pleas to overcome peoples resistance. As a result, a lot of their customers suffer buyers remorse as well, resenting having been talked into something they aren’t sure they want. It is the main reason why nearly half the people who make professions never get baptized or grow in the Lord, and resent people talking to them about religion.
Except for a few manipulative people who delight in getting others to do things they don’t want to do, most people find it hard to try to convince others to accept something they aren’t really interested in. It gets really hard to stay motivated to witness. Contrast that with the attitude of the unbelieving Jews from Iconium.
“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” (Acts 14:19)
Most people view Santa as a charming tradition, but a few little children believe in Santa Claus. People just laugh indulgently at their naiveté and go on about their business. It’s not really a big deal. If people really believe there is no God, then it should not be a big deal either. Unfortunately, those who suspect there is and fear the consequences become virulently antagonistic. They do not hesitate to make their feelings known everywhere. The attitude or spirit motivating them will not allow them to be still. The unbelieving Jews from Iconium and Antioch incited an attack on Paul and Barnabas resulting in Paul being left for dead. Imagine the grief of the new believers as they observed his body.
“Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” (Acts 14:20)
Unlike Stephen, Paul survived the stoning. Whether we live or die is up to the Lord, not to people. They may try to kill, but only God has the power over life and death. An attempt to kill someone is an attempt to usurp God’s power. God did not allow Paul to die. The next morning Paul and Barnabas went on over to Derbe, and devoted their time to teaching the people there. The Holy Spirit in them motivated them to continue even after the attempt to kill Paul. They didn’t need some other motivator.
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)
The ill will caused by the Jews from Iconium and Antioch died down, and Paul and Barnabas were able to return to Lystra and even to Iconium and Antioch, completing teaching the people there. They focused on three areas of ministry on their return.
They confirmed the souls of the disciples. The word disciple means a follower or student. There are people in the church who have not been saved. Like Judas, they participate and appear to be believers but are not. Even they may think they are. Confirming them is not just a matter of reviewing what they have prayed or learned, but getting them to examine whether the Holy Spirit is in their life. As Romans 8:9 declares, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Unless he is there, nothing else matters. All our good works are just like filthy rags.
The second thing Paul and Barnabas focused on was encouraging them to continue in the Word of God. Real Christians will be focused on what the Lord said. In John 8:31-32, Jesus told his disciples, “… If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Turning away from God’s word to something else implies they were never really his disciples.
Finally, they stressed that there will be problems for those who serve the Lord. To prevent Christians from giving up, Jesus warned his disciples that problems would come in John 16:33. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Paul warned that every Christian will go through this in II Timothy 3:12. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The problems and struggles are normal, and as I Corinthians 10:13 states, common to everyone. Victory should be expected, not viewed as something unusual.
“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts 14:23)
One of the hardest things for parents to do is allow their children to go out on their own, but they never attain their purpose until allowed to do so. Some may do like the Prodigal son and go into sin for a while, but if they’ve been properly taught, most will eventually get on track. Most missionaries have the same problem of letting go of their churches.
After earnest and deep prayer, Paul and Barnabas commended the churches at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe to the Lord. They had taught what was needed, it was now up to the Holy Spirit to keep them on track. Until we learn to let the churches make it on their own, we prevent their long term development.
Denominations and mission groups retain control of many churches twenty or thirty years after the church was started. They simply don’t trust God to take care of the church. As Romans 14:23 says, “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Who Gets The Glory?
Acts 14:8-18
Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 10:23, “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” There will be people who’ve not heard or believed when the Lord returns. To waste time and risk being killed by those who have obviously rejected the truth will only further delay bringing the gospel to those who might believe. Because the Jews at Iconium refused to hear the gospel, trying to have Paul and Barnabas killed, they had gone on to Lystra and Derbe.
“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.” (Acts 14:8-10)
Many faith healers have brought confederates to pretend to have been healed to “prime the pump” and get people to respond. Like the man Peter and John met at the temple gate, this man had been a cripple from birth. Everyone knew he was incapable of walking. He obviously was not a confederate. When Paul saw the man’s focus on him, he knew he had the faith to be healed.
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus told his disciples, “… If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” This was after describing the mustard seed as one of the smallest of the seeds. The key is not the size of faith, but that it is an active living faith. As James 2:26 states, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Healing faith is the same kind as is required for salvation.
Observing the man, and guided by the Holy Spirit, Paul simply told him to stand up. Peter told the man in Acts 3:6, “…In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” It was pretty matter of fact, just “get up.” Both men obeyed, even though they’d never been able to walk before, and both were healed. Their faith resulted in action, and they were healed.
“And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.” (Acts 4:11-13)
Seeing the miraculous healing, the people of Lystra believed that their gods, those of Greek mythology, had come and done the miracle. In Greek mythology, most of the gods were just humans with super powers, and it was easy to accept Paul and Barnabas as such.
“Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:14-17)
Paul and Barnabas could have used the peoples adulation to preach Jesus. The people would have been happy to supply anything they desired, and to sit and listen as long as they wanted to speak. Instead, they desperately worked to prevent the people thinking they were in some way special, stressing that it was God himself who had done this. Stopping the people was hard,.
“And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.” (Acts 14:18)
Speaking of the Holy Spirit, John 16:13-14 tells us, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” The Holy Spirit will never glorify anyone except the Lord himself.
It is natural for unsaved and unspiritual people to focus on the speaker, because they don’t know the Lord. A Spirit filled person will not allow the focus to stay on him. Though they obviously knew who Paul was, even the sons of Sceva recognized the power was in Christ rather than in Paul as their statement, “…We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth,” in Acts 19:13, makes clear. Even miracles are secondary to Christ if the Holy Spirit is in charge. Peter and John stressed that it was not their power that healed the man in Acts 3.
Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 10:23, “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” There will be people who’ve not heard or believed when the Lord returns. To waste time and risk being killed by those who have obviously rejected the truth will only further delay bringing the gospel to those who might believe. Because the Jews at Iconium refused to hear the gospel, trying to have Paul and Barnabas killed, they had gone on to Lystra and Derbe.
“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.” (Acts 14:8-10)
Many faith healers have brought confederates to pretend to have been healed to “prime the pump” and get people to respond. Like the man Peter and John met at the temple gate, this man had been a cripple from birth. Everyone knew he was incapable of walking. He obviously was not a confederate. When Paul saw the man’s focus on him, he knew he had the faith to be healed.
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus told his disciples, “… If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” This was after describing the mustard seed as one of the smallest of the seeds. The key is not the size of faith, but that it is an active living faith. As James 2:26 states, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Healing faith is the same kind as is required for salvation.
Observing the man, and guided by the Holy Spirit, Paul simply told him to stand up. Peter told the man in Acts 3:6, “…In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” It was pretty matter of fact, just “get up.” Both men obeyed, even though they’d never been able to walk before, and both were healed. Their faith resulted in action, and they were healed.
“And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.” (Acts 4:11-13)
Seeing the miraculous healing, the people of Lystra believed that their gods, those of Greek mythology, had come and done the miracle. In Greek mythology, most of the gods were just humans with super powers, and it was easy to accept Paul and Barnabas as such.
“Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:14-17)
Paul and Barnabas could have used the peoples adulation to preach Jesus. The people would have been happy to supply anything they desired, and to sit and listen as long as they wanted to speak. Instead, they desperately worked to prevent the people thinking they were in some way special, stressing that it was God himself who had done this. Stopping the people was hard,.
“And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.” (Acts 14:18)
Speaking of the Holy Spirit, John 16:13-14 tells us, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” The Holy Spirit will never glorify anyone except the Lord himself.
It is natural for unsaved and unspiritual people to focus on the speaker, because they don’t know the Lord. A Spirit filled person will not allow the focus to stay on him. Though they obviously knew who Paul was, even the sons of Sceva recognized the power was in Christ rather than in Paul as their statement, “…We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth,” in Acts 19:13, makes clear. Even miracles are secondary to Christ if the Holy Spirit is in charge. Peter and John stressed that it was not their power that healed the man in Acts 3.
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