Gentile Believers to Live as do the Jewish Christians
Even the first-century church had problems with some Jewish Christians who desired Gentile Believers to live as do Jewish Christians.
Today, a similar paradigm prevails in Christianity. Because a section of the belief teaches and practices that all Christians should worship as do the Jews.
Nevertheless, reverting to our Book of Acts Bible Study, let’s continue from Acts 15:22.
“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,” (Acts 15:22).
Why was it important to send Jewish brethren with the letters? It’s one thing to receive a letter from Jewish Christian leaders of the Church, but quite something else to hear other Jewish Christians speak on the issue at hand.
How Christian Jewish Leaders Responded to the Notion that Gentile Believers Should Live as Jews?
“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,” (Acts 15:23).
As we read these Scriptures, please keep in mind that these Gentile “brethren” were saved members of the assemblies in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. They weren’t unbelievers.
However, few Jews from Jerusalem who were Pharisees and Believers had personal axes to grind. They were teaching Gentile Believers their personal opinions. Neither the Church nor the Apostles nor the Elders authorized the doctrine that they were teaching.
“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,” (Acts 15:24).
The leaders of the first century church in Jerusalem dismissed the teaching that Gentiles should be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses using seven words.
They are, “to whom we gave no such commandment,” (Acts 15:24).
Gentile Believers Hazard their Lives For the Name Jesus Christ?
These leaders didn’t even entertain the notion that Gentile Believers could live as do the Jews. They dismissed it.
Instead, they focused on the integrity of these “chosen” Jewish Christians men and what they would tell the Gentile Believers.
“It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” (Acts 15:25).
The Apostles, Elders, and the Church in Jerusalem took deliberate care in deciding whom to accompany Barnabas and Paul to see the Gentile Believers.
“Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Acts 15:26).
From previous Bible Studies involving Apostles Paul and Barnabas, we know that they have also “hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” on many occasions.
But why is it important that these early leaders of the Church mention this quality concerning both Judas and Silas?
“We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth,” (Acts 15:27).
Gentile Believers in These Congregations
It’s one thing to write a letter but rather something else when we have persons with whom we could relate,
This move to have these two apostles speak to Gentile Believers in these congregations was the appropriate one. It gives credibility and personality to the leaders in Jerusalem.
We know also that these leaders went to God with this problem. No doubt they fasted and prayed. Without a doubt, they prayed. Because that’s how they knew how the Holy Ghost felt about the matter.
“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things,” (Acts 15:28).
Nevertheless, seeing that the Church usually seek God with prayers and fasting, I could only deduce (through the consistence of this feature) that they fasted also.
“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 15:29).
Conclusion
Don’t Allow Anyone to Subvert Your Soul
The Apostles, Elders, and the Church in Jerusalem heard that unauthorized Christians from their assembly had been “subverting” the souls of the Gentile Believers in a number of churches in Asia.
They discussed solutions amongst themselves. However, that wasn’t adequate; therefore, they stormed the Throne of Grace. They fasted and prayed to the Lord God who impressed upon their spirits to select Judas and Silas to represent them on this matter in Asia.
These two men are not just Jews, but Jews who would die for the name, Jesus Christ. This is remarkable. The Jews are obedient to and give prominence to Moses’ Law above Christ.
The Holy Ghost Chose Four Necessary Things
So, to find two Jews who have had this experience is an indication of the nature of their faith in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, their presence amongst the Gentile Believers will birth phenomenal faith in God and miracles amongst those brethren.
Additionally, the holy men in Jerusalem didn’t decide on these four areas of lesser “burden”, but the Holy Ghost did. He chose these four “necessary things,” (Acts 15:28).
These holy men, in an attempt to provide the Gentile Believers and us with an insight that the Holy Ghost is behind all this, subsequently they declared, “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us” (Acts 15:28).
They didn’t act on their own. They sought God and He responded with these four criteria that Christians should abide by for “ye shall do well” (Acts 15:28).
Problem-Solving From a Christian Perspective
Finally, by way of this account, we could learn how to approach problem-solving from a Christian perspective.
First, take everything to God in prayer. Everything! Nothing is too small and no problem is too big.
Second, surround yourself with like-minded people. Those who have been born-again just like yourself.
But especially those who have had experiences with the name of Jesus Christ. Those who are willing to die for it.
Because it’s through them that the Holy Ghost will provide counsel and direction from God for your situations.
The four recommendations that James made were spoken by him but they originated with the Holy Ghost. He spoke through him. He was God’s mouth to them concerning this problem.
