Actes 15:12

Then all the multitude kept silence and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul.

Apostolic testimony

1. When Paul speaks we want to know what Paul says. But some men must be their own reporters. So we turn from the Acts to the opening verses of Galatians. Where Luke contents himself with a summary, Paul passes into detail. Some reports are too condensed, and therefore unjust. The minister “called and prayed.” We do not say that he walked miles, and that when he prayed his heart wept.

2. Paul says he went up to Jerusalem “by revelation.” If he had gone up to Jerusalem awed by its position and fame, he would have picked out dainty inoffensive words that would win the ear of many. In reality, Paul went from heaven to Jerusalem, and withered its contemptibleness under the majesty of the visions from which he had just turned his eyes. We have dropped the word “revelation” except on the Sabbath, when we venture to say it sometimes. We have meaner words--such as impression, feeling, etc. These are inoffensive terms; an atheist might use such mock jewellery. The apostle said, “I went up by revelation. I knew that the truth was with me, and I was anxious only that Christ’s Cross should be lifted up and seen everywhere as the one way of salvation.”

3. Was Paul then afraid of Jerusalem, and “pillars,” and “men of reputation”? Paul was anxious to let the leaders of the Church know exactly what he had been preaching, so he had a private interview with those who were of reputation. Could we have heard him then! Speaking to a sympathetic audience, to men who had seen the Lord! Paul had no fear about his gospel. He said, “I have been preaching salvation by Christ; now, brethren, what say you?”

4. Paul was not ashamed of his Gentile converts. He took Titus with him, and said, “This is a Gentile convert. He has begun in the Spirit; is he to be made perfect in the flesh?” Always vindicate your arguments by your converts.

5. Paul illustrates by anticipation the right of private judgment. To those “who were of reputation,” “who seemed to be pillars,” he “gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour.” And speaking of those “who seemed to be somewhat,” he said, “They added nothing to me.” Where, then, was submission to papal authority? Here is one man who stands up in the Church, and says, “This is the gospel which I have received, which I will preach, for which I mill live, for which, and in which, I will die.” “I am crucified with Christ,” etc. That was the true assertion of private judgment: not the expression of an individual will, but the expression of a personal loyalty to a living Christ.

6. Paul showed the true nature of real and enduring unity. In effect, he said: We may be one without seeming to be united. There are men to whom circumcision is a hereditary rite. There are others to whom it would be an intolerable yoke. Now, let us go, the one to the circumcision, and the other to the uncircumcision; for I know that as this gospel spreads it will be seen at the last that neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision.

7. But the council could not break up so. “One thing,” said the council, “shall unite us--that we remember the poor.” The poor have ye always with you. So they all--the circumcision and the uncircumcision--in philanthropy showed their union in the Lord, who lived to redeem the human race! Speculative theology divides men; practical philanthropy unites them. Let us unite where we can. Never inquire into the creed of a needy man. The man is hungry; the creed must be bread. When he has eaten his bread you may ask him questions. Begin where you can; wherever the heart door is ajar, go in; wherever opportunity is offered, speak the living word or do the helpful deed. Always seek for the centre of union, and always avoid the cause of division or distrust. (J. Parker, D. D.)