A Word from the Family Acts 1513-21 13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 ‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, 17 SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’ 18 SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO. 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. 21 For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Being a part of the family of God is a great and thankful blessing. And when members of our natural family come to knowledge of Jesus, this is icing on the cake. I remember when my brother Graham and I received calls to the ministry. Graham met the Lord first, and began his studies for the ministry and then I received my call a year or two later. It was a few years later that we began to discuss our call to serving the Lord and as time passed, our relationship as servants of the living God, became something that I will forever cherish. Since Graham was ten years older than I, and had experienced much more of life, there were times in my early Christian growth that he became a source of encouragement and blessing. But perhaps one of the best personal joys was when Graham and I were students at the same Christian College, then known as Eastern Baptist College; now known as Eastern University. I mention this because one of the most respected apostles and leaders at Jerusalem was none of than James, the earthly brother of our Lord Jesus. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15 that Jesus appeared to His brother after the resurrection, and that encounter made room for James to grow into a mature Christian leader. So here in Acts 15, James counsel and advice carries both wisdom and weight. But there is something else I want us to notice here. James gives us a great example of how to apply scripture to life situations. The challenge that faced the church was significant and could have been a cause for sharp division. We need to remember that he is addressing primarily a group of Jewish believers. Regardless of how many Gentiles may have been present, the majority of the people at this Jerusalem Council would have had deep roots in the Jewish culture and of course the Torah and the Tanach (the first five books of Moses, and the rest of what we call the Old Testament. This fact is important in understanding how James applies a quote from 2 Chronicles to the present challenge facing the Church. Let me briefly give you the background. For the most part the original Tabernacle that Moses built in the wilderness was largely gone. The Ark of the Covenant had been captured by various nations with the Philistines being the last ones to have secured it. It was David and the men of his army who were largely responsible in capturing it back and returning it to Jerusalem. However there was really no adequate housing available for the Ark, so David erected a tent and placed the Ark there for protection from the elements, and also to let the people know that it had been returned. Here is the scripture that explains this: 1 Chronicles 16:1 “So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.” Now let me also explain what James and all the Jewish believers knew about the “tent” or tabernacle of David. First, James use of the word Tabernacle implies that some type of worship occurred there. And he is correct. For David would often enter this “tent” and offer praise and worship to God. But here is the significant part. David was not of the tribe of Levi; he was neither a priest nor a Levite. So in the truest sense of the instructions of Moses, David could not and should not have entered in the “tent” to come before the Ark. Yet, God permitted this because of the heart of David was after God’s own heart. James and the other Jewish believers were aware of this unusual custom. Now we need to understand that James interprets that God’s mercy in allowing David to come before Him is the same kind of mercy that God is extending to the Gentiles. There is no reference to the incident of the day of Jesus’ crucifixion about the veil of the Temple being torn from top to bottom, indicating an openness to God presence, but I’m convinced that this too would have been a part of the knowledge and understanding of at least James, the Apostles, and Elders of the church. So the conclusion that James presents to the Council is that the way to approach heaven and the presence of God is now totally open to all and especially the Gentiles who have come to Christ through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. Now let’s look at the full quote of scripture that James uses to preface his conclusion. 16 ‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, 17 SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’ 18 SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO. This is a direct quote from Amos 9:11, 12 where God promises to restore not only the nation of Israel, but includes the Gentiles as a part of His plan. Therefore, based on James correct interpretation of scripture and the witness of Peter and Paul of how God has opened salvation for the Gentiles, look at one James declares as the needed conclusion and direction for the church to embrace. 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. 21 For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” The implications of this declaration are just too important to discuss at the end of this post, so Lord willing, tomorrow we’ll study this further. Be blessed by the Lord and seek to keep your heart open to whatever God might desire to do.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 13:09:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015