Truth On The Web Ministries

 

Before you dig in, I’m going to ask of you something near to impossible for most people: Lay down your biases concerning what you think this chapter of Scripture says, and read it anew, slowly, with fresh eyes, in prayer.

Are the biases laid down? Have you prayed? Ok, Let’s proceed.

Acts 15:1-2 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

“Certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren...”

Note this. These Judaeans were teaching the “brethren” -- that is, those who already belong to Christ. These men that were being addressed had already accepted Jesus as the Christ, and were already saved from their sins.

What did the Judaeans teach them?

"Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved."

Paul, an expert in the Law, and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with those who taught this doctrine.

Why did Paul and Barnabas dispute with them about this?

IF it was the long-held doctrine and practice of the apostles to teach the gentile disciples to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses, then why were they (and as we’ll come to see, the apostles and elders at Jerusalem) now opposing this view? (Acts 15:6-11 - Peter, Acts 15:13-21 - James, Acts 15:24 - the apostles and elders).

Recall that the Apostles had being making disciples of uncircumcised gentiles since Cornelius and friends confessed Christ in Acts 10. It has been years. What had Peter required of them? What had Paul and Barnabas been teaching the gentiles Christians?

Ask yourself: Am I siding with the apostles on this disputation, or with the men from Judea?

Acts 15:3-4 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem declaring “the conversion of the gentiles” along the way at Phenice and Samaria, and again upon arriving at Jerusalem.

Conversion to what? Judaism?? By no means! Conversion to Christianity! These gentile converts were not subjected to joining into the Old Covenant through circumcision.

These gentile Christians that Paul and Barnabas were rejoicing over were counted as converted while yet in the state of uncircumcision and without submission to the Law of Moses!

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Many in the Hebrew Roots, Messianic, and Church of God groups lay claim that this “Law of Moses” is really reference to traditions of Judaism -- rabbinic rules -- Talmud-type stuff. BUT, where’s that in the Scripture? It states clearly what the subject at hand was - “the Law of Moses.”

Expounding on the details we received in verse 1, Paul and Barnabas explained to the Jerusalem elders how certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed in Jesus as the Christ rose up declaring that indeed it is a requirement for the gentiles who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior to be circumcised and keep the whole Law of Moses (i.e., the Mosaic Covenant / "Old Covenant").

Acts 15:6-9 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Peter rose up and essentially said, "God Himself bares witness of His acceptance of the Gentiles, apart from the Law, in that He already has given His Spirit to them (as He did us). Although they are uncircumcised and have not subjected themselves to the Old Covenant of Sinai, He already dwells inside them. He has purified their hearts by faith."

Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Peter continues his argument against these Judaizers, saying, "Considering the witness He bears in them, why are you now tempting Him in what you require of them? You are putting a yoke upon them which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear - a yoke that He does not require of them."

What is this yoke that "neither our fathers nor we were able to bear"?

Circumcision??

Hardly. Peter said this yoke was something "our fathers nor we" -- that is, Jews / Israelites were not able to bear.

Israelites are circumcised at 8 days of age. How burdensome was that for Peter and his fathers? Not at all -- wouldn't even exist in his memory.

Is the yoke the Old Covenant? What saith the Scriptures say on that matter?

Galatians 4:24-25 ....for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Now, some today twist the above verse and argue that this debate centered on what MAKES one a Christian -- essentially, they argue that these Judaizers were wrongly teaching that one needs to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to BECOME a Christian....but the apostles were teaching that one comes to salvation (i.e., becomes a Christian) only through the grace of the Lord Jesus, and then, after this, they must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses -- This however is NOT the argument of Acts 15.

Notice that these gentiles that they were trying to subvert into subjection to the Old Covenant were ALREADY SAVED:

* They are referred to as "the brethren" in Acts 15:1

* Their "conversion" was declared in Acts 15:3

* God had given them the Spirit already, as Peter declared in Acts 15:8

* Their hearts were declared "purified" (by faith) in Acts 15:9

* They are referred to as "the disciples" in Acts 15:10

* They are referred to "the brethren" in Acts 15:23

Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

When Peter ends his testimony, Barnabas and Paul then step up and say, "God bore us witness too, in that He worked miracles and wonders amongst the Gentiles in Christ, thus showing that He approved our ministry and accepted them [though they be not in subjection to circumcision and Sinai]."

Acts 15:13-18 And after they [Paul and Barnabas] had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.

Now James steps up and declares: "Ok, you heard Peter's testimony -- how God used him to call out people of the other nations to be His people. The prophets had prophesied this in advance (as God knows the end from the beginning)."

Acts 15:19-21 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For [Greek = "gar"] Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.

What is James' point with verse 21? Was he baby-stepping them with the intention that eventually these Gentiles would indeed be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Covenant, after they learn it in the synagogues each Sabbath? No, by no means!

No example of such a method appears anywhere in Scripture.

Consider the Greek word "gar" I pointed out above - here is its definition from Strong's lexicon:

1063. γαρ gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles).

So verse 21 is an assigning of a reason for the judgment that had just been announced:

Acts 15:19-21 "Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood BECAUSE Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

The apostles understood that this same dispute would come up again in various cities, as it already had in Antioch and Judea. While they now preached Christ to Jew and gentile, they knew others still preached Moses. James wanted the gentile brethren to know what was applicable to them, so there would be no confusion when they met with their Jewish brethren in Christ, and in hearing the Law of Moses being read every Sabbath.

Acts 15:22-24 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: 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: 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"

Notice this letter referred to the teaching of the Judaizers as a doctrine which would "trouble" them (as James vocally stated in Acts 15:19) -- even subvert their souls (verse 24).

Note also that the apostles and elders clearly stated that they gave no such commandment that gentile Christians must be circumcised and keep the Law.

Some have argued that “early” texts and translations do not include the words “saying, 'Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law'" in Acts 15:24. Please see Footnote 1 below where this allegation is addressed. It bears no weight on the matter.

The letter to the gentile brethren continued:

Acts 15:25-29 "It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 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."

Note that this judgment was not merely of men, but by the Holy Spirit's leading (verse 28). Note also the wording the Spirit inspired: "to lay upon you no greater burden..." This is reference back to the yoke Peter mentioned. The yoke of Christ is bearable, not as the yoke the fathers had to bear.

After delivering this judgment, Paul and company went on to visit various brethren:

Acts 16:1-5 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Here we read of Paul coming together with Timothy. Timothy's mom was a Jewish Christian, but his father was a Greek. Being sired by a Greek father, Timothy had not been circumcised after the manner of Moses. However, he did get circumcised by Paul. Why? We just read that it was not incumbent upon other nations to be physically circumcised in the flesh, so what gives?

Note the reason for Timothy's circumcision:

NOT "because the Law requires it"

NOT "because it is a manifestation of faith"

"Because of the Jews"

Circumcision was not required of Timothy by the Lord, but Paul did it for the sake of the conscience of the Jews in those quarters.

Then, notice what it says next:

"...they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem."

These decrees are the 4 things from Acts 15. Notice that they don't refer to them as being ordained of Moses, or the Torah, but "of the apostles and elders" -- even though they (the 4 decrees) are also in Torah.

And then notice what was said next:

"And so were the churches established in the faith"

These 4 decrees, in part, established the churches in the faith.

Years later, Paul visited Jerusalem, sharing stories of the things God was working in the gentiles through his ministry. The brethren rejoiced at his stories and glorified the Lord! However, there were thousands of believing Jews there, who were zealous of the Law, who had heard a twisted version of Paul’s ministry.

As we know from Acts 15 & 16, Paul’s ministry to the gentiles Christians included teaching them (the gentile Christians) that circumcision and Moses were not required of THEM. This fact was twisted, however, by some claiming that Paul was teaching this to the Jews. This was false. Paul himself continued to walked orderly and keep the Law, but as James restated here, “As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing...” except the four decrees:

Acts 21:18-21 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

Acts 21:24-25 ... all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

FOOTNOTES

1. Some have argued that “early” texts and translations do not include the words “saying, 'Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law'" in Acts 15:24. Yes, some texts, and therefore translations from them, are missing these words. The texts that are missing the words in their reading of Acts 15:24 are the Latin Vulgate, the Ethiopic, and the Alexandrian text. Does this fact invalidate these words? No. These words are found in the majority of Greek texts, as well as the Aramaic texts, and other manuscripts.

Laying aside fact that the majority of texts do include the words in question, let us consider what difference this textual criticism allegation makes anyway, if any.

Here is Acts 15:24 from Wycliffe's translation of Jerome's Latin Vulgate:

Acts 15:24 For we herden that summe wenten out fro vs, and trobliden you with wordis, and turneden vpsodoun youre soulis, to whiche men we comaundiden not,

For the sake of those who struggle with the old English, in modern English, it reads:

Acts 15:24 For we heard that some went out from us, and troubled you with words, and turned upside down your souls, to which men we commanded not.

Who were these "some that went out from us"?

And what "words" did they "trouble" the gentile brethren with, which "words" "turned their souls upside down"? These "words" (whatsoever they be) are words that the apostles "commanded not."

Using Wycliffe's translation of the Vulgate once again, let us hear the answers:

Acts 15:1 And summe camen doun fro Judee, and tauyten britheren, That but ye ben circumcidid after the lawe of Moises, ye moun not be maad saaf.

Acts 15:1 And some came down from Judea, and taught brethren, "That unless you have been circumcised after the Law of Moses, you are not able to be made saved." (Wycliffe modernized)

Acts 15:5 But summe of the erise of Fariseis, that bileueden, risen vp, and seiden, That it bihoueth hem to be circumsidid, and to comaunde to kepe also the lawe of Moises.

Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of Pharisees that believe, rose up, and said, "That it behooves them to be circumcised, and to command them to keep also the Law of Moses." (Wycliffe modernized)

Who were these "some that went out from us"?

The men who came down from Judea (verse 1), being of the sect of the Pharisees, who believed in Jesus as Messiah (verse 5).

And what "words" did they "trouble" the gentile brethren with, which "words" "turned their souls upside down"?

"That unless you have been circumcised after the Law of Moses, you are not able to be made saved." (verse 1), and "That it behooves them to be circumcised, and to command them to keep also the Law of Moses." (verse 5)

These are "words" that the apostles "commanded not"!

Even in removing the words from Acts 15:24, the fact remains the same:

Gentile Christians are not required to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses.

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