Read Part One HERE
A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS
PART XV- III
"We, the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem, have been having lengthy discussions today... These discussions were related to the issue whether or not Gentile believers should obey the law of Moses in order to be saved...Peter shared from his experience at the home of the Roman Centurion, Cornelius... And Barnabas and Paul shared how God had been at work among the Gentiles using them... Then I, James, in my role as moderator of the meeting stood up... I knew it was time for me to speak... I had begun to realise that the words of the prophets of the past were being fulfilled as they relate to Gentiles.... Therefore, we should not make too many rules for the Gentile believers... I knew that my fellow Jewish believers needed to let these words sink in before I could continue with my suggestions... So I paused before continuing my speech.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of James' referral to the prophecy of Amos as it related to the issue the church was dealing with...
ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS
PART XV - III
After Barnabas and Paul had shared form their experiences at the meeting of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem, James stood up and began to speak as you can read in Acts 15:13
When they had finsihed, James spoke up. "Brothers," he said, "listen to me."
With these words he would have gotten the attention of everyone at the meeting. He then continued by saying the following as you can read in Acts 15:14-18
"Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for His name from the Gentiles. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written, "After this I will returrn and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear My Name," says the Lord, who does these things - things knows from long ago."
This is a reference to Amos 9:11-12
"In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will restore its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name," declares the Lord who will do these things."
No doubt, James would have paused a moment to let what he had said sink in before continuing with his conclusion, which you can read about in Acts 15:19
"It is my judgement, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."
Read Part Four HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment