After much discussion with Paul and Barnabas “declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles” (Acts 15:12 NKJV), James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem, issues the final decree on the question of whether Gentiles need to convert to Judaism to be saved. Quoting the prophet Amos and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, James declares, “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble [with religion] those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:19-20 NKJV). With other representatives from the church in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas deliver the letter to the Gentile church in Antioch. “When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement” (Acts 15:31 NKJV).
Pastor Kevin explains the significance of the Jerusalem Council’s decree including how it represented another step in the transition from the old dispensation of the Mosaic Law to the new dispensation of the Church and fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. He also shows how this decree, issued for Gentiles only, established a wall between Gentile and Jewish believers, who continued in the requirements of the Law. It would take more time, further revelation, and destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 for the early Christians to fully understand that Jesus came to destroy that wall and that “through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18 NKJV).
Maranatha!
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