Lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P. O. Box 1173

Claypool, Arizona 85532

520-425-8345

Date:

Sermon Number: #26

Text: Acts 15:22-34

Topics Addressed in this Lesson

(Making sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel)

(Acts 15:1-20 NASB) "And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." {2} And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. {3} Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, . . . {4} And when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. {5} But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses." {6} And the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. {7} And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, . . . {10} "Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? {11} "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." . . . {13} And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, . . . {19} "Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, {20} but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood."

This is the essence of the text we considered last week. The "Jerusalem Counsel" had been convened to settle the question, "Is salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone or must human works be added?" The works in question were circumcision and law keeping. The decision, thank God, was that salvation is all of grace not of works lest any man should boast. The Jews could not insist that the Gentiles be circumcised or that they keep the law of Moses before they could be saved. However, the Gentiles were to be instructed to refrain from certain things that would offend their weaker Jewish brothers. They were to, "abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood." Eating food sacrificed to idols was neither here nor there unless one’s conscience objected. Which was the case with the Jews so, out of love and consideration for them the Gentile Christians must abstain. The prohibition against fornication was unrelated to the subject at hand. Of course the practice of sex outside of marriage would offend the Jews since God’s law forbade such activity. This decree was handed down by the council, because the Gentile believers had grown up in a world where fornication was the routine of life. Now, as Christians, they must put off the old and put on the new. Fornication is sin and, therefore, has no place in the church or the believer’s life. Finally the Gentiles were to abstain from things strangled and from blood. God had long ago forbidden eating these things and even though the dietary restrictions were lifted in the New Testament, the Gentiles were to refrain from eating beasts that had been strangled and they were not to drink blood. That was it. The burden of circumcision and law keeping for salvation would not be imposed on the Gentiles but they must altar some of their behavior for the sake of their weaker brethren, the Christian Jews.

The next section of scripture speaks of the reaction of the Church in Antioch when the council’s decree reached them. (Acts 15:22-34 NASB) "Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas-- Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, {23} and they sent this letter by them, "The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. {24} "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, {25} it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, {26} men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. {27} "Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. {28} "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: {29} that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." {30} So, when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. {31} And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. {32} And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. {33} And after they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. {34} But it seemed good to Silas to remain there."

Now that things had been put in order in the Antioch church their missionary work resumed. (Acts 15:36-41 NASB) "And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."

You will remember that Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the Gospel in a number of cities on their first journey. Then they turned around and retraced their steps checking on the new converts and appointing elders in each of the local churches that had been formed. Now, having ministered to their home church in Antioch these two men have a desire to visit those churches again to "see how they are." Part of the reason for this was to deliver the decrees of the council. But beyond that they really loved these people. Paul often referred to those saved under his ministry as his offspring or spiritual children. As their father in the faith he naturally wanted them to be spiritually well and strong. In addition, we must not forget that the "great commission" goes beyond just preaching the gospel. Yes the evangelist has the responsibility to preach the gospel, calling sinners to faith in Christ. But that is only the beginning of his work. When he has preached the good news and men have believed, he must "teach them everything that Jesus taught." In other words, he must be concerned with their growth and maturity as children of God not just with their salvation.

It is in this area of ministry that many churches miss the mark. They are concerned with the salvation of sinners, which is good and right. But they go no farther than that. The message in every church service is a salvation message. Therefore, the saved, are left the fend for themselves. If they grow up, they must feed themselves because the teachers in the church are not interested in Christians but in unbelievers. This should never be the case. The church was given to the people of God for their comfort and growth. Yes we preach the gospel faithfully, we are commanded to, and delighted to do so. But the church’s primary ministry is to Christians. We must learn and apply all the teachings of Christ and His apostles if we are to grow and become healthy and strong. This is precisely why God gave spiritual leaders to the church. Consider the words of Ephesians 4:11-32 NASB. "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, {12} FOR the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST; {13} UNTIL WE ALL ATTAIN TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a MATURE MAN, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. {14} As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (He speaks of men like the Judaizers who wanted to put Christians back under the law by insisting they be circumcised and obey Moses. When Christians are taught God’s truth, beyond the basic Gospel message, they are soon able to stand on their own recognizing false doctrine and, therefore, not falling for it.) {15} but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, {16} from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the BUILDING UP OF ITSELF IN LOVE." In other words the gifts that Christ has given to the church are for its own benefit, "the building up of itself in love." Paul expressed his philosophy of ministry in Colossians 1:28, where he wrote, "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ."

Paul’s concern was that every Christian grow up to become mature, and healthy. That is why he wanted to visit the churches in each city. But he and Barnabas were not agreement on who should go along to help with the work.

Acts 15:37 "And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them also. {38} But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. (After John Mark’s earlier failure, see Acts 13:13, Paul had no confidence in him.) {39} And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. {40} But Paul chose Silas (a prophet) and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. {41} And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."

You wouldn’t believe how much has been written by commentators trying to explain or explain away this dispute between Barnabas and Paul. But it is pretty simple in my mind. The two disagreed for different reasons. Paul was looking at John Mark’s track record and considering the importance of the mission. The man had caved in before, for whatever reason, and may do so again. Paul simply wanted help that was trustworthy and predictable. Barnabas was motivated by something different. John Mark was his nephew. Therefore, the decision was personal it was, to a degree, a family issue. Further Barnabas may very simply have been a more sensitive guy than Paul was. He wanted to given the man another chance, perhaps he could be recovered for the sake of the gospel. Both men, therefore, had valid concerns and neither of them need to be labeled as wrong. Whatever the case, the end result was wonderful. For in the end there were two missionary teams instead of just one and some time later Paul is found speaking well of John Mark. He obviously redeemed himself on this missionary journey. Surely all can see that "God works all things together for good to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose." This is true even in when two real Christians disagree and go their own way. The individuals may be involved in sin but God is involved in bringing about His unalterable will.

Paul’s new partner, Silas, had been one of the leaders of the Jerusalem church. He was very well qualified for missionary work. As a prophet (Acts 15:32), he was familiar with God’s word and able to teach. In addition to that he was a Jew, which would grant him easy access into the synagogues. Add to that the fact that he was a Roman citizen, like Paul, and we find him even more acceptable. There were certain benefits that went with being a citizen of Rome, things that Paul had taken advantage in the past and would again in the future. So, "Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. {40} But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. {41} And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."

The rest of the narrative concerns Paul, his partner Silas, and the recruitment of a new man, Timothy. (Acts 16:1-5 NASB) "And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, (likely an unbeliever) {2} and he (Timothy) was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. {3} Paul wanted this man to go with him; (obviously there was some discussion and final consent on Timothy’s part) and he took him and circumcised him BECAUSE OF THE JEWS who were in those parts, for (because) they all knew that his father was a Greek. {4} Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees, which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. {5} So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily."

Timothy was Paul’s, "true child in the faith," (1 Tim. 1:2; cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 1:2), meaning he had come to believe in Christ as a result of Paul’s teaching. He was the son of a Jewish woman named Eunice, who was a believer (2 Tim. 1:5), and his father, as was mentioned before, was a Greek, or a Gentile. There both advantages and disadvantages to this. Being both Jewish and Gentile, the young man had in-roads into both cultures. But there was a problem that had to be taken care of. Timothy, a man in his late teens or early twenties, had not been circumcised. I am certain the issue had been raised by his Jewish mother and shut down by his Gentile father.

This was a problem in Paul’s mind, one that if not remedied would ultimately hinder the mission. Doors of opportunity could be shut to this team of evangelists if Timothy was not acceptable to the Jews. So, ". . Paul took him and circumcised him BECAUSE OF THE JEWS who were in those parts, for (because) they all knew that his father was a Greek."

Now if you have been paying attention to our progress through the book of Acts some questions have come to mind. In light of the decision of the Jerusalem Council why did Paul insist that Timothy be circumcised? The counsel said that circumcision was not necessary to salvation. Many have misunderstood Paul’s actions accusing him of falling into the same heresy he fought at Jerusalem to overthrow. But this is not the case at all. Paul fought throughout his ministry against the necessity of circumcision for salvation. So, why did he insist on this rite being applied to Timothy? The text clearly says that Paul circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Had Timothy not been circumcised, the Jews would have assumed he was renouncing his Jewish heritage and choosing to live as a Gentile. This would have prejudiced the Jews against him and hindered the mission. Paul’s circumcision of Timothy had nothing to do with salvation; he did it avoid placing an unnecessary stumbling block in the way of Jewish evangelism. Timothy’s circumcision granted him full access to the synagogues which, as we know, was Paul’s first stop in every city. Far from lapsing into legalism, the apostle was exercising a principle of ministry that he practiced all his Christian life. That principle is spelled out in 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 NASB. "For though I (Paul) am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. (to Christ) {20} And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law; {21} to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. {22} To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; (The weak would be those who thought that foods, special days, ritual, or ceremony had something to do with salvation.) I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. (I.E., See sinners come to faith in Christ.) {23} And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, (Everything move this man made had to do with his desire to be true to the gospel and see men and women embrace its liberating truth.) that I may become a fellow partaker of it. {24} Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, (All engaged in a particular pursuit all move in the same direction . . .) but only one receives the prize? (Only one can be the winner. Therefore, ) Run in such a way that you may win. (Why waste your time and energy as a minister of the gospel or as a Christian in general, rather, strive to win, to make as much progress as possible, to be as effective a minister as you can be.) {25} And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (If the world of unbelievers takes their temporal pursuits, athletics for instance, so serious that they deny themselves and work ceaselessly to win, shouldn’t we Christians do the same or more? The answer is of course, yes. We should expend all necessary energy, use all available resources, and endure much inconvenience for the sake of the souls of men. Paul continues . . .) {26} Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; (direction or purpose) I box (fight) in such a way, as not beating the air; {27} but I buffet my body and make it my slave, (I refuse to let discomfort or inconvenience get in the way of my ministry!) lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." (In this last phrase he speaks of failing to fulfill the requirements of the apostle, pastor, evangelist, and teacher.)

This is precisely why Paul insisted on the circumcision of Timothy. He considered this a worthwhile sacrifice for the sake of the lost souls they would encounter on this, Paul’s second missionary journey. His intent was to remove everything that might make one unwilling to hear his message of salvation. Paul performed this rite on Timothy for the sake of the Jews they would encounter. To prove further that Paul had not fallen back into legalism, making Jewish tradition necessary to salvation, take note of his REFUSAL to circumcise Titus.

(Galatians 2:1-5 NASB) "Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. {2} And it was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. {3} BUT NOT EVEN TITUS WHO WAS WITH ME, THOUGH HE WAS A GREEK, (a Gentile) WAS COMPELLED TO BE CIRCUMCISED. {4} But it was because of the false brethren (these were the Judaizers who taught that one must be circumcised and keep the law or Moses to be saved.) who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. {5} But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, (Paul did not insist that Gentiles be circumcised like the Jews wanted him to.) so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you."

A paragraph from the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary helps bring this all together. "Had Timothy not been circumcised, a storm would have gathered round the apostle in his farther progress. His fixed line of procedure was to act on the cities through the synagogues; and to preach the Gospel to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. But such a course would have been impossible had not Timothy been circumcised. He must necessarily have been repelled by that people who endeavored once to murder Paul because they imagined he had taken a Greek into the temple (#Ac 21:29). Even the taking of daily meals would have been almost impossible, for it was still "an abomination" for the circumcised to eat with the uncircumcised." In refusing to compel Titus afterwards to be circumcised (#Ga 2:3) at the bidding of Judaizing Christians, as necessary to salvation, he only vindicated "the truth of the Gospel" (#Ga 2:5); in circumcising Timothy, "to the Jews he became as a Jew that he might gain the Jews."

Having done all things necessary by way of preparation for this new missionary journey the threesome set to work. Acts 15:14 "Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees, which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. {5} So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily."

As we come to the close of this lesson I want point out what I believe the lessons have been. First, in the early verses we were reminded of the great commission. In reference to the first part of Christ’s command the apostles preached the gospel in every city possible. They were delighted to see new converts to Christ. Yet, that was not their whole concern. For Christ had issued a complementary command. Disciples must be made of all who believe. So Barnabas, John Mark, Paul, Silas, and Timothy visited these new converts to strengthen them and to see to their growth. It was wonderful that they had believed in Jesus but there was much more work to do on their behalf. Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." A church that does not spend most of its time and energy on teaching Christians the Bible and how to apply its truths has missed the mark. For, even though the pastor-teacher is to do the work of an evangelist, his primary concern is the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry and their maturation.

Second, we saw that God uses conflict among believers to further the kingdom. The argument between Paul and Barnabas resulted a whole new missionary team being formed. Whether sin was involved in their reactions to one another we do not know. But we are comforted and blessed by the knowledge that God works all things together for good, to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.

Third, I hope we have all been moved to self examination in light of the

circumcision of Timothy. If he was to work with Paul he must be willing to become all things to all men for the sake of the gospel. He must be willing to sacrifice personal comfort and preference if that meant he might have a better opportunity for the presentation of the gospel. The question is, "How far are we willing to go for the sake of the lost? Am I willing to endure personal pain for another’s salvation? Am I willing to sacrifice a portion of my income for the lost? Our unwillingness to put ourselves out for the unbeliever may be why we have so few opportunities to witness. Perhaps its because we expect the world to meet us on our terms. Paul was willing to meet them on their terms and, therefore, had an audience to witness to.

Finally we see from this text that the message remained the same. Both teams took a same message of grace to the churches, a message that strengthened them. (Acts 15:28-29 NASB) "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: {29} that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." In other words, if you continue trusting in Christ for salvation by grace through faith, and if you will do all things necessary to get along with your Jewish brothers you have fulfilled all requirements for Christian living. These are the decrees of the council. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone for both Jew and Gentile. However, we must sometimes sacrifice our freedom, preferences, and comforts, for the sake of the lost and our weaker brothers as well. May God write these truths upon our hearts and by them change our minds and behaviors.