"You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangles animals, and from sexual immorality." Acts 15:29
The Council at Jerusalem decided to send a letter to all the churches to make sure that everybody agreed on the “short list” of what inexperienced, new believes should avoid. They said in the preceding verse that anything else would be burdensome, unnecessary and not good for the church. OK…a short list, we like that, right. Let’s check it off one by one.
"It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them." "Acts 12:1"
What time was that Pastor, you may ask? That time was when the generosity, compassion and decisiveness of the early disciples was so prominent. News of the success of the believers was spreading fast. The early church was on fire for Him and when we are in the center of His will that is when persecution often comes. Of course King Herod had it in for the Christians, because he couldn't get rid of Jesus before He grew up and fulfilled His mission. The believers in the early church were profoundly committed to Christ and would very willingly give their lives for the Truth. At least some were. It does say that "some" were persecuted doesn't it? I am sure Herod wanted to make an example of some or someone.
"From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed." Acts 14:26
From time to time I need to remind myself that it is Luke who is writing the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. When he writes "they sailed" it says two things to me. One, he was not with them or he would have written "we sailed". Luke uses "we" when he is part of the experience and "they", when he is not. It’s pretty clear if you study the passages. But, it also says to me that "they" came to him and told him about the sailing trip, and probably in more detail than we read here.
"When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me." Acts 15:13
This Council at Jerusalem that takes place in Acts 15 is one of the key moments in early church history. There are battle lines being drawn over how much of the Jewish tradition was going to be incorporated into the early church. Pharisees who were converts to Christianity were taking a stand that new male believers needed to be circumcised. This may have been because of a passion for doing things according to the Law in an attempt to glorify God. Or, it could have been done in order to deter early believers from converting to the faith. I can see both.
"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God." Acts 15:19
This is James the half-brother of Jesus speaking at the Council of Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas have made a case against the requirement for the circumcision of new believers (and other oppressive rules). James has spoken up with his support of their request and then he makes a great statement that has meaning for us today. For example, you can come to church, but you have to cut your hair, or grow a beard, or wear no jewelry, or wear sandals and a plain robe. These kinds of rules have been the downfall of the spread of the gospel over the centuries.
As my 33rd birthday recently came and went, I was uncharacteristically peaceful about the uncertain direction of my future. Although today I know more about where I'm heading, when I started this entry, I didn't have a clue. I was still in the process of praying and trying to understand what had transpired as my best laid plans came unglued. Even now, I know things can change in an instant, and I leave behind me a trail of incomplete projects, manuscripts, and blueprints, yet I know each article of unfinished business is a piece to my life's greater puzzle and God's holy purpose. All too often over the years I've allowed myself to be swept away with who I am in the eyes of fellow men and women rather than resting in whose I am through Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:10). As the days go by, however, I'm discovering a new confidence in Him that is increasingly unshakable by my life's unknown future and course. This steadiness was further cemented by an almost unnoticeable verse in the book of 1 Chronicles. In chapter four, we are given insight into the family lines of Judah and Simeon, but in verse 38, we're told that "these mentioned by name were leaders in their families, and their father’s house increased greatly." All of a sudden, I was engrossed by the four little words "those mentioned by name," as I wondered who wasn't mentioned at all. What was so special about those mentioned by name, and at the end of the day who do I want to hear say my name?
"In the past, He let all nations go their own way." Acts 14:16
Everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, God's testimony is present, no matter if it is the remotest place on earth, or right in our own backyard. God is omnipresent and His Spirit is everywhere. He also reveals Himself in nature, which is obviously everywhere. If a tree falls in the forest, it makes noise because He hears it. Even though God has been ever-present throughout history, man has often refused to recognize Him. Not only man, but collectively..... nations. Whole people groups and cultures have had opportunity to be reached and they have individually and collectively rejected Him. Yet, everywhere on earth there are believers. There are presently very few people groups that have not heard the direct gospel, and in their own language too. There are mission organizations dedicated solely to reaching these remote places and peoples.
Yet, when we read this verse, we wonder if God just lets people and nations go their own way. He does both. He tries to intervene and He also gives room to reject. He will not force anyone, nation or individual to turn to Him. We have many opportunities and we also have complete independent choice-making abilities. In this verse it is being pointed out that He worked through the Hebrew nation, but let others go their own way. Yet, even back then He made a way for people to know Him and find Him. After the dissemination of the Gospel we have even fewer excuses. With the advent of the internet and phone distribution being so widespread along with television and radio, there is a constant telling of the Good News that goes on. Someday all will have had the opportunity to be reached.
"Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city." Acts 14:19-20
Wow! The early church had some pretty exciting drama huh? Can you imagine? Stoned and drug outside the city and left for dead. Crazy. Paul just barely has proven himself to the Christians and some Jews really turned up the heat. They beat the crud out of him basically (stoning was a way to not make anyone guilty of the actual rock that took you out) It was kind of like group justice. You know, like a firing squad. Who knows who actually fired the fatal shot? They thought he was dead. So they left. Then the disciples gathered around him, praying and ministering to him no doubt, and he gets up and dusts himself off and heads back into the city. Are you kidding me? He goes back? That is dedication.
"A little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6c
The sources of devotionals never cease to amaze me. They come from my study of His Word, they come from my life experiences, they come from the life experiences of others. Sometimes they come out of the sky blue and capture my heart in a moment of time. That happened this morning. As I was sitting in my car (a very common workplace for me) I was facing the Memorial Cross that graces the median that separates our parking. The inscription at the base of that cross simply reads...
"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." Acts 13:52
I have a lot to learn in a number of areas of my life. I can get a lot from this verse that applies to my life. Paul and Barnabas are about to be expelled from the region for preaching the gospel of transformation. It seems the local Jews incited the God-fearing women and the leading men in the community to stir up trouble and persecution against these early disciples. So what do they do? Do they run and hide? Do they cower in fear? Do they close up shop? Do they get depressed wondering why did they ever volunteer for this job in the first place? Noooooo.... Scripture says they shook the dust from their feet in protest and moved on to the next place. Wow. Impressive to me. Basically they shook themselves off and rejected the rejection and went forward. What excellent counsel for me and for us.
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