Introduction
Acts 15:3-4 – Paul and Barnabas knew the answer to the question of circumcision of Gentiles already because of what God had revealed.Acts 15:5 – They were not deciding what the Gentiles should do. They were figuring out what God had already said.Background
Acts 10Acts 10:10-16 – Vision of unclean animals; “kill and eat”Acts 10:19-20 – Holy Spirit tells Peter to go with these men.Acts 10:22 – Peter learns an angel had told Cornelius to send for him and hear his message.Acts 10:28 – Peter infers: “God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.”Acts 10:45 – “the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles”Acts 11Acts 11:1-4Exhibit A: Peter – Cornelius (Acts 15:7-11)
No mention of the Law of Moses.Peter is pointing back to what God has already revealed.Exhibit B: Paul and Barnabas – preaching trip (Acts 15:12)
Acts 13:45-47Exhibit C: James – Amos’ prophecy (Acts 15:13-19)
Amos 9:11-12 – “… all the Gentiles who are called by my name …”Conclusion
Acts 15:19God has included Gentiles without the requirements of the Old Covenant (such as circumcision).What happened:They gathered relevant information (commands, examples, inferences, and statements) and acknowledged God’s will.This is what we should do, too!What did NOT happen:Majority ruleOpinion ruleExpert ruleTradition ruleEtc.I Corinthians 14:37-38
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