Let's set the scene. Church leaders have gathered in Jerusalem to decide how to handle the "Gentile problem." God has used men like Peter, Paul and Barnabas to reach out to non-Jews (Acts 10, 13, 14). There are many who believe very strongly that these Gentiles must become Jewish in order to follow Jesus. They need to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:1, 5).
Peter has just delivered a powerful speech encouraging the inclusion of Gentiles AS GENTILES (Acts 15:7-11). Why should the church raise the standard of salvation higher than God's? God has given these non-Jews His Holy Spirit without them first becoming Jewish. Pete tells the leaders that the people God saves "will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus," whether they are Jew or Gentile.
When Pete finishes his speech, "the assembly fell silent" (v12). At this point, Paul and Barnabas describe the miraculous "signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles." These men understand completely WHO really deserves the credit and glory for what they had been a part of. God. And God alone. This was a move of Yahweh among the various non-Jewish people they had visited. They were simply tools in the hand of the Master. The phrase "signs and wonders" reminds us of how God has partially fulfilled His words through Joel here in the pages of Acts (Joel 2:28-32). God used these miracles as a means of giving His divine stamp of approval on the Gospel these men proclaimed.
When Paul and Barney wrap up their report, James takes the mic. This is Jesus' half brother who has risen to a major position of responsibility in the early church. This can't be James the apostle. King Herod Agrippa I martyred John's brother (Acts 12:2). This James had originally mocked his half brother (Jn 7:5) but later repented and accept Him as his risen Savior (1Cor 15:7). He is not only a key leader but goes on to write what is probably the first book of the NT, the letter that bears his name.
James reminds the gathering that this is God's move, not theirs. "God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for His name" (v14). Once again, this wasn't something cooked up by Pete, Paul or Barney. This is God. Who are they to question a move of Almighty God?
He goes on to say that this is perfectly in line with what God has declared through His prophets for centuries (v15). Over and over again, God guided these men to describe how He will use His chosen people as a light to the world. God has chosen them to declare His goodness to people from every tribe, tongue and nation.
Using the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the OT), James goes on to quote from the prophet Amos (Am 9:11-12). Amos describes how God has called a number of Gentiles "by My name." Nowhere does Amos ever say that these called non-Jews must become Jewish converts. Amos is talking about God's move of salvation during His millennial kingdom. If the Scriptures never insist on Gentiles becoming Jews, why should the church make such a demand?
James comes to his recommendation. "Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God" (v19). The word "trouble" is the Greek verb parenoxleo. It means to add extra difficulties, to trouble greatly, to annoy. According to MacArthur, it describes how one "throws something in the path of someone to annoy them."
In other words, James insists that they not make the Gospel any more difficult than it is. We need to remember that Jesus' message is challenging enough. He is asking us to turn our backs on everything in order to follow Him. His message is a dangerous message. There is absolutely no reason to demand Gentiles to jump through extra Jewish hoops in order to come to Christ.
We must make our churches a safe place to hear a dangerous message. The call to follow Jesus alone will rock their world. Don't burden people with a lot of unnecessary mumbo jumbo. The Savior's call to repentance is radical enough.
James goes on to make his recommendation on how to handle these Gentile Christians. He would like for these leaders to write to them that they should do four things. "Abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood" (v20). All of these were key things involved in pagan idol worship at the time. And each of these activities were highly offensive to Jews.
James makes the point that these new Gentile Christians need to understand the danger of pagan idolatry. God alone is to be worshiped (Ex 20:3). And from the earliest days, He commanded that His people not eat or drink blood (Gen 9:4). These are key teachings in the synagogues that are taught every Sabbath (v21).
Let's not add anything to Christ's call of repentance. It's dangerous enough. It's challenging enough. There's no reason to raise God's bar any higher
Peter has just delivered a powerful speech encouraging the inclusion of Gentiles AS GENTILES (Acts 15:7-11). Why should the church raise the standard of salvation higher than God's? God has given these non-Jews His Holy Spirit without them first becoming Jewish. Pete tells the leaders that the people God saves "will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus," whether they are Jew or Gentile.
When Pete finishes his speech, "the assembly fell silent" (v12). At this point, Paul and Barnabas describe the miraculous "signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles." These men understand completely WHO really deserves the credit and glory for what they had been a part of. God. And God alone. This was a move of Yahweh among the various non-Jewish people they had visited. They were simply tools in the hand of the Master. The phrase "signs and wonders" reminds us of how God has partially fulfilled His words through Joel here in the pages of Acts (Joel 2:28-32). God used these miracles as a means of giving His divine stamp of approval on the Gospel these men proclaimed.
When Paul and Barney wrap up their report, James takes the mic. This is Jesus' half brother who has risen to a major position of responsibility in the early church. This can't be James the apostle. King Herod Agrippa I martyred John's brother (Acts 12:2). This James had originally mocked his half brother (Jn 7:5) but later repented and accept Him as his risen Savior (1Cor 15:7). He is not only a key leader but goes on to write what is probably the first book of the NT, the letter that bears his name.
James reminds the gathering that this is God's move, not theirs. "God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for His name" (v14). Once again, this wasn't something cooked up by Pete, Paul or Barney. This is God. Who are they to question a move of Almighty God?
He goes on to say that this is perfectly in line with what God has declared through His prophets for centuries (v15). Over and over again, God guided these men to describe how He will use His chosen people as a light to the world. God has chosen them to declare His goodness to people from every tribe, tongue and nation.
Using the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the OT), James goes on to quote from the prophet Amos (Am 9:11-12). Amos describes how God has called a number of Gentiles "by My name." Nowhere does Amos ever say that these called non-Jews must become Jewish converts. Amos is talking about God's move of salvation during His millennial kingdom. If the Scriptures never insist on Gentiles becoming Jews, why should the church make such a demand?
James comes to his recommendation. "Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God" (v19). The word "trouble" is the Greek verb parenoxleo. It means to add extra difficulties, to trouble greatly, to annoy. According to MacArthur, it describes how one "throws something in the path of someone to annoy them."
In other words, James insists that they not make the Gospel any more difficult than it is. We need to remember that Jesus' message is challenging enough. He is asking us to turn our backs on everything in order to follow Him. His message is a dangerous message. There is absolutely no reason to demand Gentiles to jump through extra Jewish hoops in order to come to Christ.
We must make our churches a safe place to hear a dangerous message. The call to follow Jesus alone will rock their world. Don't burden people with a lot of unnecessary mumbo jumbo. The Savior's call to repentance is radical enough.
James goes on to make his recommendation on how to handle these Gentile Christians. He would like for these leaders to write to them that they should do four things. "Abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood" (v20). All of these were key things involved in pagan idol worship at the time. And each of these activities were highly offensive to Jews.
James makes the point that these new Gentile Christians need to understand the danger of pagan idolatry. God alone is to be worshiped (Ex 20:3). And from the earliest days, He commanded that His people not eat or drink blood (Gen 9:4). These are key teachings in the synagogues that are taught every Sabbath (v21).
Let's not add anything to Christ's call of repentance. It's dangerous enough. It's challenging enough. There's no reason to raise God's bar any higher
Our churches should be a safe place to hear a dangerous message.
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