Acts 15:1-35
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’ 18 things known from long ago.
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [34] [d] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Diversity: Lessons from Acts 15
Acts chapter 15 gives us a clear picture of a pivotal moment in the early church: the debate over accepting people from diverse cultural backgrounds into the community of believers. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing individuals from all walks of life and welcoming them into the family of God with open arms and hearts.
The narrative in Acts 15 centers around the Council of Jerusalem, when the apostles and elders came together to discuss whether Gentile believers needed to conform to certain Jewish customs in order to be considered part of the church. This debate demonstrated the tension between preserving tradition and embracing the inclusive nature of the gospel message.
As the discussion unfolded, Peter stood up and reminded the church leaders that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, not one's cultural distinction or religious affiliation. He emphasized that God shows no favoritism but accepts people from every nation who believe in Him.
The Council of Jerusalem’s decision was a groundbreaking moment in early church history. The leaders recognized that salvation is available to all, irrespective of cultural or religious differences, and that the unity of the body of Christ transcends human distinctions and divisions. This decision paved the way for a more inclusive and welcoming community of believers, embracing diversity as a reflection of God's vast and inclusive love.
As Christ’s disciples today, we are called to embody the same spirit of acceptance and inclusivity that characterized the early church in Acts 15. We are called to transcend cultural barriers, prejudices, and stereotypes to welcome all who seek refuge and belonging within the church community.
Embracing individuals from different cultures and backgrounds enriches the body of Christ with a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and gifts. Each person brings a unique contribution to the community, showcasing the manifold wisdom and creativity of God in creating a tapestry of believers from every corner of the earth. Revelation 7:9 says, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
Embracing diversity in the church should foster unity, mutual understanding, and empathy among believers. It can cultivate a spirit of collaboration. We are all members of one body, each with a vital role to play in advancing God's kingdom.
As we reflect on the lessons from Acts 15, let us be inspired to build bridges of understanding and acceptance within the church. Let us celebrate the diversity of God's creation and recognize that unity in Christ is not uniformity, but a beautiful mosaic of different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences united in love and faith.
Acts 15 clearly challenges us to uphold the value of unity in diversity within the church, embracing individuals from all cultures.
Reflection questions:
1. How can we actively cultivate a culture of acceptance and inclusivity within our church community, drawing inspiration from the example set in Acts 15?
2. In what ways can embracing diversity enhance our understanding of God's love and purpose for His diverse creation?
3. Reflecting on the decisions made at the Council of Jerusalem, how can we navigate the tension between cultural traditions and the message of the gospel in welcoming individuals from different backgrounds into our church?
Author Bio
Genghis currently serves at the Canadian Pacific District office as the Assistant District Superintendent overseeing Chinese and Vietnamese churches. He previously served as Senior Pastor of South Edmonton Alliance Church for 21 years and was the chair of the Canadian Chinese Alliance Churches Association (CCACA).”
https://pacificdistrict.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/cpdoffice/
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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