"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."
Acts 15:2 NKJV
Antioch was the third largest city in the empire, after Rome and Alexandria, and had half a million inhabitants. Here some homeless believers had founded a church, following the persecution in Jerusalem after Stephen's death (Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-4). Among its ranks were mote valid figures. It was a church devoted to prayer, without class divisions. From here they set out on their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas, and here they return. They are thrilled with what they saw, despite the risks they took. But the bombshell they bring is that the conversion of the pagans is no longer an isolated case, but these are asking to become Christians en masse. As is often the case, good news brings unforeseen problems. The news soon generates a bitter controversy over circumcision as the gateway to Judaism, without which one could not be a recipient of salvation in Jesus Christ. Luke writes “a not a small one,” which means that the argument is bitter because both sides argue for a position that is logically sound but reaches opposite conclusions. And what I think and what you think sets off a dangerous fuse.
Every ecclesial discussion, be it even the greatest dispute in history, but also the occasional fraternal one, must clarify itself in the light of the Word, our qualified point of reference. Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to be heard by the leading group of apostles. Here again, however, a major dispute arises (v. 7), between those who believe that we must circumcise the Gentiles and those who argue otherwise. Luke reports three testimonies. That of Peter, who speaks first. Then Paul speaks, who recounts his missionary experience. At the end speaks the apostle James the Lesser, (the doctor or theologian on duty?) who draws conclusions. Peter does not lecture on the difference between the Law of Moses and faith in Christ. He tells the story he lived. Then he makes statements, which on the lips of a pious Jew, are remarkable: “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? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they” (vv. 10 and 11). Peter knows that what he is does not owe it to his faithfulness. Although he had denied Jesus, he was accepted. Paul's intervention then follows, recounting what God accomplished on his missionary journey.
Then James, considered the leading doctor but also the leader of the opposition to Paul, intervenes. At Peter's intervention he remains silent. After the testimonies of Paul and Barnabas, he recognizes the direction the Spirit wants to impart and complies, quoting the words of the prophet Amos (9:11-12), recognizes that the call to salvation of the Gentiles is God's plan from the Old Testament now manifest in the new covenant in the cross of Christ. There are three things that are inalienable, however, and converted Gentiles must conform to them (v. 20). Stakes are set: the first two are cultic restrictions, the third is dietary. I do not consider it appropriate to go into them individually. I merely point out what I think is the purpose: the church needs to find out how to emphasize the holiness of life without falling into legalism, applying the principle of seeking to please Christ and subjecting any dubious practices to his lordship. I am more concerned to point out the way the church at that time dealt with the problem raised. A fraternal confrontation, submitted to the opinion of the elders, and then a decision accepted by all, without wasting their energies in internal struggles, but to work together in service and for the spread of the Gospel.
Weekly Bible Reading Plan # 40
September 30, Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4
October 01, Isaiah 14-16; Ephesians 5:1-16
October 02, Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33
October 03, Isaiah 20-22; Ephesians 6
October 04, Isaiah 23-25; Philippians 1
October 05, Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2
October 06, Isaiah 28-29; Philippians 3
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