AND CERTAIN _MEN_ CAME DOWN FROM JUDEA AND TAUGHT THE BRETHREN, " UNLESS YOU ARE CIRCUMCISED ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOM OF MOSES, YOU CANNOT BE SAVED. " 1. Jewish converts came from the area around Jerusalem to Antioch. They were converted to Christianity - but still held many of the laws, traditions... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, WHEN PAUL AND BARNABAS HAD NO SMALL DISSENSION AND DISPUTE WITH THEM, THEY DETERMINED THAT PAUL AND BARNABAS AND CERTAIN OTHERS OF THEM SHOULD GO UP TO JERUSALEM, TO THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS, ABOUT THIS QUESTION. 1. Paul and Barnabas had many discussions, debates, disputes with these Jewi... [ Continue Reading ]
SO, BEING SENT ON THEIR WAY BY THE CHURCH, THEY PASSED THROUGH PHOENICIA AND SAMARIA, DESCRIBING THE CONVERSION OF THE GENTILES; AND THEY CAUSED GREAT JOY TO ALL THE BRETHREN. 1. As the traveled from Antioch, they passed through cities that now had established churches. So, they stopped at each cit... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HAD COME TO JERUSALEM, THEY WERE RECEIVED BY THE CHURCH AND THE APOSTLES AND THE ELDERS; AND THEY REPORTED ALL THINGS THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM. 1. They arrived in Jerusalem and were accepted and received by the church. 2. The apostles accepted and received them and were glad to he... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SOME OF THE SECT OF THE PHARISEES WHO BELIEVED ROSE UP, SAYING, " IT IS NECESSARY TO CIRCUMCISE THEM, AND TO COMMAND _THEM_ TO KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES. " 1. Some Christians were converted from the Jewish sect of the Pharisees. Paul was a Pharisee before his conversion, so there was some connectio... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS CAME TOGETHER TO CONSIDER THIS MATTER. 1. The apostles, elders, many brethren assembled to have an orderly discussion of the issues, doctrines and opinions. 2. They were seeking to find common ground, a solution on which all could agree. 3. They were also seeking the w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THERE HAD BEEN MUCH DISPUTE, PETER ROSE UP AND SAID TO THEM: " MEN AND BRETHREN, YOU KNOW THAT A GOOD WHILE AGO GOD CHOSE AMONG US, THAT BY MY MOUTH THE GENTILES SHOULD HEAR THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL AND BELIEVE. 1. It would appear that many, from both sides of the issue, were allowed to expr... [ Continue Reading ]
SO GOD, WHO KNOWS THE HEART, ACKNOWLEDGED THEM BY GIVING THEM THE HOLY SPIRIT, JUST AS _HE DID_ TO US, 1. God knows their heart (like He knows the heart of the Jewish brethren). Unspoken, but implied - God knows their heart, loves them, and is willing to accept them into His family, the church, BEF... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MADE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN US AND THEM, PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS BY FAITH. 1. Under the Law of Moses there were many distinctions between Jews and Gentiles. 2. Now, there are NO DISTINCTIONS. 1. They were blessed just as the Jews were blessed. 2. They heard the same gospel message as the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THEREFORE, WHY DO YOU TEST GOD BY PUTTING A YOKE ON THE NECK OF THE DISCIPLES WHICH NEITHER OUR FATHERS NOR WE WERE ABLE TO BEAR? 1. Peter concludes that any imposition is "putting a yoke" on the neck of these Gentile converts. 2. Why are you imposing on them a burden that you were under and c... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WE SHALL BE SAVED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THEY. " 1. There is one set of rules for ALL men. They will be saved by the save process (faith, repentance, and baptism) that saved Jewish converts. 2. There is one body (church). See Ephesians... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN ALL THE MULTITUDE KEPT SILENT AND LISTENED TO BARNABAS AND PAUL DECLARING HOW MANY MIRACLES AND WONDERS GOD HAD WORKED THROUGH THEM AMONG THE GENTILES. 1. Now everyone is focused on the issue. A new perspective has been given by Peter. 2. Now attention is given to Paul and Barnabas as they te... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THEY HAD BECOME SILENT, JAMES ANSWERED, SAYING, " MEN _AND_ BRETHREN, LISTEN TO ME: 1. The background was laid by Peter at Cornelius' house. 2. The Gentile conversions were multiplied by Paul and Barnabas. 3. Now James speaks. 1. This is not James, the brother of John, because he was k... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON HAS DECLARED HOW GOD AT THE FIRST VISITED THE GENTILES TO TAKE OUT OF THEM A PEOPLE FOR HIS NAME. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 16 _‘After_ _this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruin... [ Continue Reading ]
" KNOWN TO GOD FROM ETERNITY ARE ALL HIS WORKS. 1. James now comments. All the works (Peter at Cornelius and Paul in other cities) are known by God. They were known from eternity. This is not a surprise to God. 2. God knows what we are doing - before we do it. 3. Having Gentiles as part of the ch... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I JUDGE THAT WE SHOULD NOT TROUBLE THOSE FROM AMONG THE GENTILES WHO ARE TURNING TO GOD, 1. James says that we should not impose burdens on them. God accepts them - AS IS. The Jewish converts should accept them also. 2. They are turning from idols. They are leaving pagan worship to serve... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THAT WE WRITE TO THEM TO ABSTAIN FROM THINGS POLLUTED BY IDOLS, _FROM_ SEXUAL IMMORALITY, _FROM_ THINGS STRANGLED, AND _FROM_ BLOOD. 1. There are some things that pre-date the Law of Moses. Murder is not wrong because of the commandment not to kill. Murder was wrong in Genesis 4:1-26 when Cain... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MOSES HAS HAD THROUGHOUT MANY GENERATIONS THOSE WHO PREACH HIM IN EVERY CITY, BEING READ IN THE SYNAGOGUES EVERY SABBATH. " 1. These are things that were "common knowledge" everywhere that Jews were scattered among the nations of the world. 2. These are not just ceremonies of the law. They are... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN IT PLEASED THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS, WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH, TO SEND CHOSEN MEN OF THEIR OWN COMPANY TO ANTIOCH WITH PAUL AND BARNABAS, _NAMELY,_ JUDAS WHO WAS ALSO NAMED BARSABAS, AND SILAS, LEADING MEN AMONG THE BRETHREN. 1. The apostles, elders, and the whole church were in agreement. 2. It... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WROTE THIS, _LETTER_ BY THEM: THE APOSTLES, THE ELDERS, AND THE BRETHREN, TO THE BRETHREN WHO ARE OF THE GENTILES IN ANTIOCH, SYRIA, AND CILICIA: GREETINGS. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "_ YOU MUST_ BE CIRCUM... [ Continue Reading ]
IT SEEMED GOOD TO US, BEING ASSEMBLED WITH ONE ACCORD, TO SEND CHOSEN MEN TO YOU WITH OUR BELOVED BARNABAS AND PAUL, 1. The meeting ended with harmony and unity. All who assembled for this meeting left in one accord. 2. They decided to send men to go with Paul and deliver the letter and answer any... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN WHO HAVE RISKED THEIR LIVES FOR THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 1. The letter will give you the basic information. Judas and Silas will also expand on it by giving you a detailed report in per... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT SEEMED GOOD TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND TO US, TO LAY UPON YOU NO GREATER BURDEN THAN THESE NECESSARY THINGS: 1. This letter is not the result of a vote. It is not the opinion of men. This letter has the stamp of approval by the Holy Spirit. 2. We have no right to impose any burden more than Go... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YOU ABSTAIN FROM THINGS OFFERED TO IDOLS, FROM BLOOD, FROM THINGS STRANGLED, AND FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY. IF YOU KEEP YOURSELVES FROM THESE, YOU WILL DO WELL. FAREWELL. 1. Four things are imposed here: 1. THINGS OFFERED TO IDOLS - Those with pagan backgrounds will understand that they must not... [ Continue Reading ]
30 SO WHEN THEY WERE SENT OFF, THEY CAME TO ANTIOCH; AND WHEN THEY HAD GATHERED THE MULTITUDE TOGETHER, THEY DELIVERED THE LETTER. 1. The first place they stopped was at Antioch. 2. The church was gathered together. And the letter was read... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HAD READ IT, THEY REJOICED OVER ITS ENCOURAGEMENT. 1. The church heard the decision - the agreed. They rejoiced. 2. The problem was resolved. The issue was over. 3. Well, not quite. For the rest of Paul's work, this issue would keep rearing its head. Paul had to deal with this in severa... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW JUDAS AND SILAS, THEMSELVES BEING PROPHETS ALSO, EXHORTED AND STRENGTHENED THE BRETHREN WITH MANY WORDS. 1. Judas and Silas reaffirmed what the letter said. 2. They were prophets (inspired teachers). 3. They exhorted the church. This word includes - teach, encourage, support, entreat, beg, co... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THEY HAD STAYED _THERE_ FOR A TIME, THEY WERE SENT BACK WITH GREETINGS FROM THE BRETHREN TO THE APOSTLES. 1. Judas went back to Jerusalem with greetings. This was a message of thanksgiving and appreciation. 2. The church at Antioch was glad to have the matter settled so they could send P... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWEVER, IT SEEMED GOOD TO SILAS TO REMAIN THERE. 1. Silas remained at Antioch. Why? 2. We are told here - It seemed a good thing to do. 3. Providence - Paul would need him to be his companion on his next mission trip.... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL AND BARNABAS ALSO REMAINED IN ANTIOCH, TEACHING AND PREACHING THE WORD OF THE LORD, WITH MANY OTHERS ALSO. 1. Paul was not the located preacher, neither was Barnabas. They were preaching. They were doing evangelistic work. But they were not alone. 2. There were many others teaching, preaching... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN AFTER SOME DAYS PAUL SAID TO BARNABAS, " LET US NOW GO BACK AND VISIT OUR BRETHREN IN EVERY CITY WHERE WE HAVE PREACHED THE WORD OF THE LORD, _AND SEE_ HOW THEY ARE DOING. " 1. The crisis has ended. The issue of circumcision is settled. Now it is time to get back to work. 2. First they want t... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW BARNABAS WAS DETERMINED TO TAKE WITH THEM JOHN CALLED MARK. 1. PROBLEM - Barnabas wants to take John Mark, his nephew, with them. 2. Remember - John Mark left them part way through the first trip.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PAUL INSISTED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH THEM THE ONE WHO HAD DEPARTED FROM THEM IN PAMPHYLIA, AND HAD NOT GONE WITH THEM TO THE WORK. 1. Paul was of a strong conviction that he had left them once. He could not be depended on to stay with the work. 2. He left them at Pamphylia - before the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE CONTENTION BECAME SO SHARP THAT THEY PARTED FROM ONE ANOTHER. AND SO BARNABAS TOOK MARK AND SAILED TO CYPRUS; 1. Sharp Contention - The dispute was strong. Both sides of the argument were not willing to move, budge or compromise. 2. Barnabas took Mark - and they headed to Cyprus. This is... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PAUL CHOSE SILAS AND DEPARTED, BEING COMMENDED BY THE BRETHREN TO THE GRACE OF GOD. 1. Paul chose Silas. 2. There was disagreement - in a matter of opinion. While the views were strong - there was no violence, animosity or break in fellowship. 3. We must learn - WE CAN DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WENT THROUGH SYRIA AND CILICIA, STRENGTHENING THE CHURCHES. 1. Paul and Silas are not travel companions. 2. They travel to the churches that were started on the first journey. 3. Their goal - encourage, support, correct, admonish, and strengthen these young chuches.... [ Continue Reading ]