If you have not noticed the Devotional changes weekly, so, we get a new devotional weekly, but the chapters which we are studying, please keep until it is finished. And then we receive a new chapter. God willing, for your convenience, they are on Facebook. i.e., please do not lose it.

Song: I AM THINE O LORD

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be clos¬er drawn to Thee.

Refrain: 

Draw me near¬er, near¬er bless¬èd Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died.

Draw me near¬er, near¬er, near¬er bless¬èd Lord,

To Thy pre¬cious, bleed¬ing side.

Consecrate me now to Thy ser¬vice, Lord,

By the pow¬er of grace di¬vine;

Let my soul look up with a stead¬fast hope,

And my will be lost in Thine.

Refrain

O the pure de¬light of a sin¬gle hour

That be¬fore Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in pray¬er, and with Thee, my God

I com¬mune as friend with friend!

Refrain

There are depths of love that I can¬not know

Till I cross the nar¬row sea;

There are heights of joy that I may not reach

Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Refrain

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If I have left off someone or need to add someone who desires to be listed here, please remind me.

Pastor Garrett and Family

Royce Garrett Pastor’s Leadership Team

The New Life Family

NEW CONVERTS

Kelli Thomas, Virtual New Member

Michaela “Shay” Anderson

Gloria Shaw, pending Right Hand of Fellowship

Candyce Rechel, Taylor Murray, Kristen DarJean, Jasmine Fields, Victoria Hall, Raya Garrett, pending Baptism.

LaTonya Bishop Amanda Bowers

Lou Mason

Lily Murphy Lewis

Deacon Wm. Butler and Family

Miriam Renee Helton, 

Brother George and Sister Bobbie Laws

Sister Linda Lewis

Sister Melantha Paige

Lornetta Dorsett

Tonya McCall, HOME recovering Uncle Charlie Murray

Brother Wm. and Sis Martha, Granville

Deacon Robert Jones Family. Thomas Likely

Monroe Nickles Anne Edwards

Cora Norwood

Etta Spencer

Toniesha Blythe

Mary Willis Family

Jennifer Edwards

Leon Murray

Minister Luther Black Minister Sidney Frazier, recovering from Surgery and Jayna Frazier Family

Deacon Emmanuel Wilson and Family Kenneth Hogan

Africa Patton Loniece Smith

Sister Jean Wiggins, Mother of Sis Ethel Hall

Sister Sidney Harris

Sister Lynn Wagner

Minister Odie Bowers and Family Sister Esther Clements

Bro. Wm. Day, Jr. 

Sister Mary Willis Family

Elley Ferrell

Greg Jones

Neil Willis Deacon George and Connie Shelton

Brother Walter and Sister Carole Dunn

Sister Canesha Curray

  Bereaved: 

Deacon Robert Jones Family, Sister passed.

Sister Hattie Paige Family, Homegoing 5/2/24

Brother Addison Hall Family, Father-in-law passed.

John Coleman Family, Son passed.

Brother Doug Ingram and Family, Mother passed. 

Elaine Johnson Family

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Scripture: John 3:16-21

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

This is perhaps the most important chapter in John’s Gospel, for it deals with the subject of the new birth. Some religious groups have so confused this subject that many average Church Members, let alone religious leaders like Nicodemus, have no idea what it means to be born again.

There is so much riding on The New Birth and many miss it because of its simplicity, yet it is so necessary that one is able to experience Membership in the Body of Christ, it is expedient that one accepts God’s Plan to save sinners, no one is able to witness for Christ unless he personally KNOWS the Father and His Son, the Savior (John 17:3), unless one Knows the Savior personally, he is unable to experience a relationship with God, it is necessary to be a part of the kingdom of God in eternity.

  EXHORTATION: BELIEVE!

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Acts 15:1-41

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1. To see how the early Church dealt with the issue of circumcision and the Law of Moses

2. To note that Paul, Peter, and James were in complete accord, and that Judaizing teachers acted without any Apostolic authority.

3. To notice the rift between Paul and Barnabas, how it did not keep them from serving the Lord.

This chapter records a pivotal event in the early Church, confirming that what Jesus accomplished on the Cross was the creation of one New Body, in which both Jews and Gentiles were to have the same access to God through faith in Jesus Christ and not the Law of Moses (cf. Ephesians 2:11-18).

I. The Dissension at Antioch (Acts 15:1-2)

1And 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.2When 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.

Please, I want to put this out here before the lesson actually starts. On many occasions, Paul stated, “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren (and Sister ren, too.) concerning …” God wants you to “Study to show yourselves approved unto God (that you as) a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” – I Timothhy 2:15. God has a reputation to uphold. When you say, “He called me…”

We have to uphold His Reputation as Believers in Christ we have to uphold God reputation according to His Word. Jesus said, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” – John 12:49). . This is how we uphold God’s Reputation: speak what He tells you to speak.

It is a fact, whenever God’s Work is progressing, Satan begins to oppose it, and usually he works through lies because he is a liar. He uses the same lies because he is well aware of the weaknesses of the people he encounters. He has only three ways that he tempts all of God’s People: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

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In the case of the men who left Jerusalem, over and over again, he uses the pride of life. The Jews were so steeped in prejudice against Jesus that they killed Him and they kept the same lie going, trying to disparage the Gospel. They were sincere, but sincerely wrong. Jesus, speaking to the Pharisees at another time, said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” – John 8:44).

The Jews had not understood that the law was not given to save them, but to prepare them for Salvation and the Savior. If you don’t understand a thing, any – thing, you will misuse it or abuse it.

No topic has been more misunderstood among Christians than the Law of Moses and its application to the New Testament Believer today. To confuse the Covenants of God is to misinterpret the Mind of God and miss the blessings of God, so the Believer is wise to examine the Word to determine the place and purpose of the whole Mosaic system.

Beginning with Exodus 19:1-25 and continuing to the Cross of Christ, the people were under the Mosaic system. This is called “the Law of Moses,” “the Law,” and sometimes “the Law of God.” For the sake of convenience, we often speak of “the Moral Law” (referring to the Ten Commandments), “the Ceremonial Law” (relating to the types and symbols found in the Sacrificial system. The Sacrificial system is a means of two things:

1. Receiving forgiveness of sins and

2. A means by which they could enter God’s Presence.

The Lord had redeemed them from Egypt to serve Him and Leviticus contains many details of how this would be accomplished and to live in Practical Holiness. True Holiness comes from a disposition of heart that is so in love with God that a person desires to be set apart unto godliness and separated from evil.

They would offer the sacrifice of an animal on the Day of Atonement once a year to receive Forgiveness of sins. The Law of Moses was to point them to Christ. The Temple and its contents symbolized Christ so they could recognize Him when He comes. [The Tent designed to house the Presence of God’s Glory; the Door symbolized Christ as the only Way to get back to Heaven, there was one way in/out; the Golden Altar symbolized Christ the Sacrifice, Table of Shewbread, symbol of Christ, the Bread of Life; the Golden Lampstand, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the world; the Golden

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Altar, symbolizing Christ, our Sacrifice for sins; the Altar of Incense: Sweet-smelling smoke from incense represented the people’s prayers ascending to God. Burning this incense was a continuous act, just as we are to “pray without ceasing” – I Thessalonians 5:17. “The Civil Law” meaning the everyday laws that governed the lives of the people symbolized Obedience to Him.

Purposes of the Law

To understand the Law, we must remember that God had already made an Everlasting Covenant with the Jews through their father Abraham. He Promised them His Blessing and gave them the Ownership of the land of Canaan. The Mosaic Law was “added” to the Abrahamic Covenant later, but it did not disannul Abraham’s Covenant (Galatians 3:13-18). The law “entered in alongside” God’s Covenant through Abraham (Romans 5:20) but (the Law) was temporary (“… till the seed (Jesus) should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator – Galatians 3:19) on His (God’s) part. The Law was given only to Israel:

• To mark them as God’s Chosen People “4Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine” – Exodus 19:4-5.

• To mark them as His Holy Nation (6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” – Exodus 19:6; Psalm 147:19-20). God did not give the Law to save anyone, because it is impossible to be saved by the keeping of the Law (Galatians 3:11; Roman 3:20). He gave the Law to Israel for the following reasons:

• That they would reveal His Glory and Holiness (Deuteronomy 5:22-28).

• To reveal man’s sinfulness. From Adam to Moses, there was no law. Man did as he thought was right in his own eyes. “The law was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (Romans 7:7, Romans 7:13; I Timothy 1:9, 10; James 1:22-25).

• To mark Israel as His Chosen People, and to separate them from the other nations because the other nations knew not God (Psalm 147:19-20; Ephesians 2:11-17; Acts 15:1-41).

• To give Israel a Standard for godly living so that they might inherit the land and enjoy its blessings (Deuteronomy 4:1; 5:29; Judges 2:19-21).

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• To prepare Israel for the coming of Christ (Galatians 3:24).

The reason many Churches are ineffective today is because they believe “religious lies” instead of God’s Word. The Law was never given to the Church. The Law is written in our hearts. That is why we have Intuition, Conscience and Worship, so that it is possible for us Believers in Christ to communicate with God. He does not communicate with the body; yet, He said the body is the Temple of God (“16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” – I Corinthians 3: 16, 17 and I Corinthians 6:19, 20.)

However, every law is repeated in the New Testament except one. Law #4, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Why not? Law 4 was given to the Jews ONLY. Sabbath means Seventh. The Sabbath Day is Saturday. He rested on the Seventh Day (Genesis 2:1-3) and made it Holy (I.e., He ceased from His Work. No weariness is implied, Psalm 121:1-4 says, “He neither slumbers nor sleeps”, and therefore, is always alert and ready to assist, and the moment man sinned in the Garden, God propelled His Redemption Plan into action. The phrase, “He neither slumbers…” is often used to provide assurance of God’s Presence and Protection. If you are a Child of God, you’re never alone and never without His Protection because Believers in Christ are adopted into God’s Family and have all rights and privileges and inheritance as Jews, except to keep the Sabbath Day as Holy. The Believers are given the First Day of the Week as Holy:

• To fellowship with other Believers, universally. (Hebrews10: 24, 25) When praises of all Saints all over the world go up on the First Day of the Week, I can only imagine how God must feel and Angels must rejoice.

• To devote ourselves to the nurture and development of the Soul, which must be fed Spiritual food, just as the body must be fed physical food.

• To be free as far as possible from worldly pursuits and amusements; the works of Mercy (emergencies) having the right of way on that day (ex. Matthew 12:11) nothing else should come before our devotion to and Nurturing of the Soul, the Fellowship with other Believers in Worship and Praise – Exodus 20:8-11.

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The Hebrew word Sabbath, the day that God rested from all His Work of Creation, rested and Hallowed (made Holy), the name of the day that later was given to Israel as a time of cessation from normal activities (Exodus 16:29, 30; Exodus 20:10-11; Deuteronomy 5:15; Jeremiah 17:21-23; Amos 8:5).

In the lesson today, certain Pharisees (Judaizers) from the Jerusalem Church had gone to Antioch and told the Gentile Christians that their Salvation was not valid unless they were circumcised and obeyed the law of Moses. Certainly Paul had not so preached. (“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting (undermining power and authority) your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment” – Acts 15:24.

We believe this is untrue because, in Acts 13:38-40, Paul said, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.40Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets.” (why can’t any man be justified (saved) through the Law of Moses?)

Paul and Barnabas disputed with the unrighteous Jews, and it was decided to take the issue to the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem. There are some important things to remember: a. Nurturing in the Body of Christ is imperative if we are to build up the Body because nurturing brings the Members into one accord and strengthens and unites the Faith of Believers and b) building up the Church is the goal that God set – 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12For the perfecting (maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry (evangelizing), for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ:13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God (And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent John 17:3), unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” – Ephesians 4:11-13 … We are to teach the same thing, using the Gifts of the Spirit. And even though the methods are different because the Gifts differ; the goal remain the same (to bring Souls to Christ (evangelism) and Nurture them in the Faith (teaching them to observe all that Christ commanded). Therefore the Church at Jerusalem needed to know God’s New Program, also they needed to know that the rebel Jews had carried out a wrong Doctrine in order to keep the focus on the same teaching (Mosaic Law and Circumcision). The Body of Christ is to teach

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the same Doctrine which is of Jesus Christ. – Jesus said this before He went to the Cross, and it still stands: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” – John 15:15. In Mark, He said, “But take ye heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand” – 13:23. This may or may not be one of the problems with the Baptist Church being independent of one another and the Pastor having the responsibility of trying to follow the dictates of the Spirit and try to keep the members happy. And yet, not a problem because 1) God knows where each membership (audience) is Spiritually, and 2) He sets the members of His Body where He wants them, I Corinthians 12:18. We must also remember, we belong to the Body of Christ, this is HIS Church, He is directing it from the Throne by the Power of His Holy Spirit and using the Apostles to set up the Church “19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, The household of God,20being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone…” – Ephesians 2:19, 20. To remove the Chief Cornerstone, the Church is nothing more than a group of noisemakers. We must remember “The Principle of Authority:” “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” – I Corinthians 11:3. Christ is the Head of the Pastor and holds the Pastor responsible for the members.

Let’s look at six things the Bible says about loving your Pastor. Notice how your relationship with your Pastor changes as these Principles and Commands work their way into your heart:

• Love and honor your Pastor – “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” – I Thessalonians 5:12, 13.

• Free your Pastor from things that would distract him from prayer and the Word of God. Where in the Bible do we find the qualifications of a “Part-time” Pastor? (You find the qualifications of a Pastor in Acts 6:1-7; I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6ff)

• Follow your Pastor and invest in his joy – Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” – Hebrews 13-17.

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• Empathize with the weight of Ministry your Pastor carries – “Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of the Churches” in other words: “And apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”

• Don’t judge or criticize your Pastor – “Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand” -Romans 14:4.

• How to pay your Pastor says how you value the Gospel – “But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.9And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.10So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to the individual Church Member for building up the Local Body of Christ.

In I Corinthians 12:1-31 we find the same truth spoken of in these verses, that the Believer is baptized by the Spirit into the Body and is given a Gift (or gifts) to use for the benefit of the whole Body. There is a “Universal Body (Church)” made up of all Believers in Christ (all over the world) from the Day of Pentecost to the Rapture (the first phase of the Second Coming of Christ); but there is also the Local Body through which each Believer ministers to the Lord. Most of the 112 references in the NT to the Church refer to a Local Congregation of Believers. Why do you think that is true? It is true because Jesus set up the Universal Church before He ascended the Throne, and the Local Church is a replica of the U.C. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” – Matthew 16:19.

Service in the Local Body begins with personal dedication (“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”

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2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” – Romans 12:1-2) and then an honest evaluation of the Spiritual Gifts the Believer possesses (“3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” – Romans 12:3). Paul does not tell us not to think of ourselves at all, but that we should not think of ourselves more highly than our Spiritual gifts warrant. If a man is called to Pastor, God will reveal it as he uses his gifts in the assembly. Our gifts differ, but they all come from the Spirit and are to be used for the Glory of Christ. Just as we are Saved “by grace, through faith” – Ephesians 2:8-9), so we are to exercise our Spiritual gifts “according to the measure of faith” – Romans 12:3, and “according to the grace given” – Romans 2:6)

Christ gave gifts to the Universal Church [“And He gave some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers” – Ephesians 4:11]; The Holy Spirit gives Gifts to the Members of the Local Church.

(Spiritual Gifts)

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” – I Corinthians 12:1-11.

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Paul lists the Seven Ministries of the Church.

• Prophecy, which is defined as doing this: “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort” – I Corinthians 14:3; in regards to Prophecy, Paul says, (For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10But when that which is perfect is come (Jesus) then that which is in part shall be done away.11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” – I Corinthians 13:9-12.) This Ministry was useful in the Infant Church.

This special calling is narrowly defined, and rightly so, as one who had been called by God, someone who speaks for God, and someone who writes out the words of God (as Scripture). My question is, “If God wanted to speak to me, why would He use a third person? I know Him; He knows me. why use someone else?” God has already spoken to me and to you (past tense). Jesus said, “But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things” – Mark 23:13; Matthew quotes Jesus as saying, “24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.25Behold, I have told you before” – Matthew 24:24, 25) and to all of us through the prophets, apostles and Jesus Christ in the early Church, also, “1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” – Heb 1:1-2) Jesus told us everything we need to know to be prepared for Heaven, which consists of the Bible we have today. Prophets were necessary to help lay the Foundation of the Church (And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” – Eph 2:20). – “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” – I Corinthians 3:11. No need for Prophets in the Body of Christ because their usefulness expired – they died. The Foundation has already been laid and there are no new prophecies. Read: I John 4:1-5.

Ministry, which is literally “Deaconing” (serving) and may refer to that office.

• Teaching, according to II Timothy 2:1-2 (“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. This is an important responsibility.

• Exhorting, which means encouraging people to serve the Lord and be faithful to Him.

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• Giving, which should be done in singleness of heart out of pure motives (see Acts 5:1-42.

• Ruling, pertaining to the government of the Local Church (I Timothy 3:4, 12 “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;” “Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”

• Showing Mercy, sharing with those in need. Ephesians 4:7-12 describes the Gifted People which Christ has given to the Church; Rom_12:1-21 and I Corinthians 12:1-31 both describe the gifts which the Spirit has given Believers in the Local Body (Church).

It is a dangerous thing to try to serve the Lord when no gift has been given, go talk to Jesus quickly, something’s wrong; and it is also tragic to refuse to use a Gift for God’s Glory (“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” – II Timothy 1:6).

The twelve men in Acts 19:1-7 were ignorant of the Spirit and His Gifts; the seven men of Act_19:13-16 tried to counterfeit gifts they did not possess.

This was purely a voluntary decision and does not in any way indicate that a “denominational hierarchy” was intended to govern the affairs of the Local Church. The Local Church is a replica of the Universal Church where Jesus is Head; and Pastor is Administrator of the Spiritual and Deacons are the Pastor’s helpers. And of all your administrative duties, Apt to teach. So, Bible Study is your number ONE.

Actually, Paul was expressly commanded by God to go to Jerusalem; “1Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain” – Galatians 2:1-2. “I went up by revelation” in Acts 15:2 literally means, “I went up in obedience to, or guided by, a Divine Revelation.” God wanted Paul to affirm once and for all the place of the Gentiles in His Program.

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It was easy for these Jewish Believers to be confused about God’s Program. They knew the Old Testament teaching that the Gentiles could be saved only through Israel. The only Gentiles that the Jerusalem Church had seen saved were won by Peter, not Paul, and this had been a special Act of God (Acts 11:18). News traveled slowly in those days, and they did not know all that God had done through Paul and Barnabas on their First Missionary Journey. These men were sincere, but they were sincerely wrong. As Paul explains in Gal_2:6, they preached a “Gospel,” but it was an incomplete Gospel. They believed in the Death and Resurrection of Christ, but they had not yet progressed to see God’s Program for the Gentiles through the Apostle Paul.

II. The Deliberation at Jerusalem – Acts 15:3-21.

3And 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.4And 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.5But 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.6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.7And 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.8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.10Now 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?11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.12Then 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.13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

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It appears that there were at least four different meetings involved in this strategic conference:

1. A Public Meeting during which the church welcomed Paul and his party (4And 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 – Acts 15:4;

2. A private conference between Paul and the key leaders, “2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain” – Galatians 2:2;

3. A second public meeting at which time the strong Jewish party presented their case, “ 5But 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, - Acts 15:5 and “3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you – Galatians 2:3-5; and

4. The council proper which made the final decisions, “ 6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter” – Acts 15:6. (Read Gal. 1-2 carefully as it gives Paul’s report of the matter.)

The debate continued and no progress was in sight until Peter arose and made his speech. It is interesting to note that his final act in Acts was to endorse Paul and his Ministry, as did also Peter’s last written words, found is II Peter 3:15-16, he said, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

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In the meeting, Peter reviewed God’s dealings with him relative to the Gentiles, Acts 10-11, emphasizing that God Himself had accepted the Gentiles by giving them the same Spirit He had given the Jews at Pentecost. They were saved by Faith (9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith” – Acts 15:9) and Grace (Acts 15:11). Note what he says in Acts 15:11 : “We [Jews] shall be saved even as they!” It is not, “They should be saved the way we were,” but the reverse. Not only was the law not applicable to the Gentiles, but it was no longer applicable to the Jews! “By grace, through faith” is the message, not “obey Moses and be circumcised.”

Paul and his party were the next witnesses, and their reports of God’s Work among the Gentiles completely silenced the opposition. Then James took the floor and gave the final decision. This James is the Lord’s Brother who had become the Leader of the Jerusalem Church in Peter’s place. His words in Acts 15:14-21 must be understood if the Church is to carry on God’s Program in this Age. What is God doing today? He is taking out from the Gentiles a People for His Name. Jew and Gentile stand on the same ground as sinners before God, and the Program of “to the Jew first” no longer applies.

But what about the Promises to the Jews concerning the Kingdom? James answered this, “15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,16After 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:17That 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” – Acts 15:15-17, quoting 11In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:12That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this” – Amos 9:11-12. Note that James did not say that the “Calling out of the Gentiles” is a fulfillment of Amos’s Prophecy, for the Church is nowhere prophesied in the Old Testament James said that Amos’s words agree with this new Program: afterward, when the full number of Gentiles is saved, Christ will return and build again the house of David (“tabernacle” means “house” or “family,” – II Samuel 7:25-29) and establish the Kingdom for Israel.

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Read Romans 9:29-33 and Romans 11:1-36 for Paul’s explanation of this New Program. Romans 11:25 is key: “hardening in part has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (NKJV). When the full number of Gentiles has been saved, then the Church will be Raptured, followed by a time of Tribulation for seven years during which Israel shall be purged. Finally Christ shall return to earth to restore David’s Throne.

III. The Deputation to the Gentiles – Acts 15:22-35.

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22Then 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:23And 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:24Forasmuch 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:25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;29That 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.30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

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The council agreed with this decision and wrote letters concerning it to the Gentile Churches, sending these letters with Paul and his associates. These admonitions were not official dogmas handed down by a superior body; they were wise suggestions that Spiritual men had received as led by the Holy Spirit. Compare Acts 15:25, (It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, and Acts 15:28, “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.” These prohibitions were not another “Law” but were rather admonitions that would help the Gentile Christians in their relationship with Jews, both saved and unsaved. Compare Acts 15:29 “What 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” with Genesis 9:1-5, “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.2And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.3Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.4But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.5And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.”

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It was right that Paul and his associates should carry this report back to their home church. After all, had not God used them to open a door of faith to the Gentiles? Had they not risked their lives for the Gospel’s sake? When they returned, they met with the entire church, and there was much rejoicing over the decision of the council.

The tragedy is that the decision of the Jerusalem Council is rarely heeded today. Far too many churches are still following the emphasis in the early part of Acts, seeking to “bring in the kingdom.” Others try to “mix Peter and Paul” by making strange combinations of law and grace, of Israel and the church. It’s time we began to listen to the chosen messenger to the Gentiles, God’s special prophet to the church, the Apostle Paul. There is a curse pronounced on any who do not preach the Gospel of the grace of God (Galatians 1:6-9), and this does not apply only to “modernist” interpreters of the Gospel. It applies equally to churches where the Word of God is not rightly divided, and where kingdom truth is mixed with Church Truth.

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IV. The Dispute Between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41)

36And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

It is sad when Christians agree Doctrinally (Acts 15:12) but not personally. Since he was related to Mark, Barnabas did have an obligation to help the young man; but Paul felt that Mark was a failure. Perhaps both men were too severe, for later Paul accepted Mark (II Timothy 4:11), and God used him to write the second Gospel. While Paul and Barnabas were ministering at Antioch, Peter had come up and debated Paul again about the Gentiles. Read Galatians 2:11-21, and note that even Barnabas was “carried away” by the Jews’ hypocrisy. This may have been another reason why Paul chose Silas as he started on his second journey, for Silas had been a faithful servant (see Acts 15:22 and Acts 15:32). Differences between God’s servants need not hold back God’s work. “There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord” (I Corinthians 12:5).

SUMMARY

This chapter records a pivotal event in the early church: it confirms God’s plan before the foundation of the world and what Jesus accomplished on the Cross was the creation of One New Body, in which both Jews and Gentiles were to have the same access to God through Faith in Jesus Christ and not the Law of Moses (cf. Ep 2:11-18).

Men from Judea came to Antioch teaching the necessity of circumcision and keeping the Law. Paul and Barnabas disputed this, and the decision was made to send them to Jerusalem to talk with the Apostles and Elders. Along the way, Paul and Barnabas described the conversion of the Gentiles which caused great joy (1-3).

At Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas first reported to the whole church. When Pharisees who were Believers said that circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses were necessary, the Apostles and Elders met to discuss the issue further. 

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After much dispute, Peter spoke of how God chose him to be the first to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, how God acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, and how God made no distinction, purifying their hearts through faith. Peter thus questioned why they should put a yoke on the Gentiles that even they themselves were unable to bear. Rather, by the grace of the Lord both Jews and Gentiles could be saved in the same manner. Barnabas and Paul again reported the miracles and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles (4-12).

Finally James, the Lord's brother, offered Amos' prophecy in support of what Peter said. He then recommended they not trouble the Gentiles, but that a letter be written asking them to abstain from things offered to idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality. The apostles and elders, with the whole church, agreed to send the letter, and to have Judas and Silas accompany Paul and Barnabas to confirm its authenticity. The letter, its counsel approved by the Holy Spirit, was delivered, and joyously received by the brethren in Antioch. Judas and Silas offered their exhortation and strengthened the brethren before Judas returned to Jerusalem (13-34).

After some time teaching and preaching in Antioch, Paul wanted to visit the brethren in the cities they had traveled to on his first missionary journey. Barnabas was willing but determined to take John Mark. Paul insisted they should not take John because he left them on the first trip. Unable to reconcile, Barnabas took John and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas, and with commendation from the brethren in Antioch went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches (35-41).

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OUTLINE

I. CONFLICT OVER CIRCUMSION (1-3)

A. TROUBLEMAKERS FROM JUDEA (1-2a)

1. Individuals from Judea teach the brethren in Antioch they must be circumcised.

2. Paul and Barnabas dissent and dispute with them

B. CONTINGENT SENT TO JERUSALEM (2b-3)

1. Paul, Barnabas, and others sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders.

2. On their way, they tell of the conversion of Gentiles, causing great joy.

II. CONFERENCE AT JERUSALEM (4-29)

A. THE MEETING WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH (4-5)

1. Paul and Barnabas report what God had done with them

2. Pharisees who believed demand circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses

B. THE MEETING WITH THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS (6-21)

1. After much dispute, Peter speaks.

a. He reminds them how God:

1. Chose him to preach the gospel to Gentiles.

2. Acknowledged Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit

3. Made no distinction between Jew and Gentile, purifying their hearts by faith.

b. He offers his conclusion:

1. Why test God by demanding that Gentiles do what Jews could not?

2. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus both will be saved in the same way

2. Paul and Barnabas then speak.

a. The multitude remain silent and listens.

b. As they recount the many miracles and wonders God did among the Gentiles

3. James then speaks.

a. Providing OT prophecy (cf. Am 9:11-12) to support what Peter had done.

b. Offering his judgment that Gentiles who turn to God not be troubled.

c. Suggesting that a letter be written

1. Telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, what has been strangled, and blood.

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2. Seeing that Moses has been read every Sabbath in the synagogues for generations.

C. THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER (22-29)

1. The apostles and the elders, with the whole church, agree to send:

a. Judas and Silas to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas

b. A letter to Gentile Christians in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia

2. The letter from the apostles and the elders states:

a. That the troublemakers had not been sent by them

b. That Barnabas and Paul are beloved.

c. That Judas and Silas will offer confirmation by word of mouth.

d. That they and the Holy Spirit place no greater burden on them than to abstain from:

1. What has been sacrificed to idols.

2. Blood

3. What has been strangled.

4. Sexual immorality

e. The Gentile brethren will do well if they keep themselves from these things.

III. CONSOLATION IN ANTIOCH (30-35)

A. THE LETTER IS DELIVERED (30-31)

1. Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, the multitude gather together.

2. The letter is read, the people rejoice over its encouragement.

B. THE CHURCH IS STRENGTHENED (32-35)

1. As prophets, Judas and Silas exhort and strengthen the brethren with many words.

2. After a while, Judas is sent back with greetings from the brethren to the Apostles.

3. It seems good for Silas to remain in Antioch.

4. Paul and Barnabas remain also, teaching and preaching with many others.

IV. CONTENTION BETWEEN PAUL AND BARNABAS (36-41)

A. THE ARGUMENT (36-39a)

1. After teaching and preaching in Antioch for some days, Paul wants to visit the brethren where they preached during the first missionary journey.

2. Barnabas is determined to take with them John Mark

3. Paul is insistent that John should not go since he left them in Pamphylia.

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4. The contention became so sharp they parted from one another.

B. THE RESULT (39b-41)

1. Barnabas takes Mark and sails to Cyprus.

2. Paul chooses Silas, commended by the brethren to the grace of God, and passes through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches.

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1. What are the main points of this chapter?

2. What were some people from Jerusalem teaching the brethren in Antioch? (1)

3. Who disagreed with them? What actions were taken? (2)

4. On the way to Jerusalem, what did Paul and Barnabas do? (3)

5. When they arrived at Jerusalem, with whom did they first meet? What did they tell them? (4)

6. Who then stood up, and what did they say? (5)

7. Who then came together to discuss the matter? (6)

8. Who spoke first? What did he say? (7-11)

9. Who spoke second? What did they say? (12)

10. Who spoke last? What did he say? (13-21)

11. What was the reaction to James' suggestions? (22-23)

12. What are key points in that letter? (24-29)

13. How did the brethren in Antioch react to the letter? (30-31)

14. What did Judas and Silas do? (32-34)

15. What did Paul and Barnabas do for a while in Antioch? (35)

16. After some time, what did Paul recommend to Barnabas? (36)

17. What was Barnabas determined to do? (37)

18. What did Paul insist? Why? (38)

19. When the contention became strong between Barnabas and Paul, what did they do? (39-41)

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