UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES
We resume our excursion through the Book of Acts. Here again are Dave and Tom: In this, our Understanding the Scriptures segment, we are in the Book of Acts Chapter 15. Dave, as we’ve been progressing through this, if somebody was listening last week they probably noticed that we, not only did not move forward we actually moved back a verse.
Dave:
Really!
Tom:
Well, sometimes we do that, we go back over some things, and so on. So, not to be alarmed, but we will get through Acts Chapter 15, eventually, if the Lord tarries. But we are going to pick up with Verse 21. “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day. Then 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 he brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greetings unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:”
Dave:
Well, Tom, maybe we are trying to move faster today.
Tom:
Dave, that wouldn’t be hard compared to last week, but that’s not the point. The point is, are we exegeting the Scriptures, are we bringing some understanding?
Dave:
Well, I think, first of all what they are saying, and this is James, of course, who seems to have a position of leadership, not Peter, and we know when I think of a week or two ago that Paul comments in Galatians chapter one, that James intimidated Peter. So, I don’t think he was the pope. Of course there was no such thing, but anyway, the controversy has come up whether Gentiles need to be circumcised and keep the law, and so forth. And they have meant to discuss this and they have come to the conclusion that that is not right, that’s not part of the gospel. This was what Paul’s big argument of them was. This is the gospel we’re talking about, how do you get saved and how do you get to heaven. And then as far as how do you want to live the life, what rules should we go by, and so forth. They says, Well, Moses, hath of old time in every city those who preach him, it’s read in the synagogues every Sabbath day. So, there’s an influence from the law, we could go beyond that, that influence is in every conscience Romans Chapter 2 tells us. So, in other words we don’t have to go into details, don’t lie and steal and kill and so forth, don’t be covetous. But there are some things that they want to emphasize, and that’s what they are talking about now. So, the apostles and elders, that is, in Jerusalem, they sent chosen men with Paul and Barnabas and they went back to Antioch to deliver this, because the church in Antioch was really troubled by this. These men came from headquarters, seemingly, there’s really no headquarters, but this is---
Tom:
The Judaizers, they are still trying to put them under the law.
Dave:
Right, this is where the church began, this is where Christ was crucified and rose from the dead, and it’s from Jerusalem that the gospel spread out around the world, so, you know, they must have some authority back there. And Paul is saying, Look, our authority comes from the Lord, not from some men. But anyway, I don’t think that’s what the apostles and elders back there really believed. Let’s go back and have a discussion with them, and have it out with them. And of course, that’s what this chapter is about.
Tom:
So, the letter that they write begins: “Forasmuch 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:” That’s pretty straight forward.
Dave:
Yeah, these guys came up with this on their own. Like Peter Wagner, I shouldn’t even bring him in, but what are they going to do? We’re going to have a new college of cardinals, or some kind of authority? No, and the authority comes from the Lord, the authority comes from His Word. And of course, the Bible is in the process of being written at this point, inspired of God. And so we are getting a little insight into what went on at the very beginning. Paul the apostle---it’s very important that he, I believe, was the chief apostle, he certainly wrote most of the epistles, he certainly corrected Peter, and he claimed to have been in touch with Christ. I certify you brethren, Galatians 1, the things that I learned. I didn’t go up to those who were apostles before me in Jerusalem, I learned this from the Lord Himself. I have met the resurrected Jesus Christ. Okay, that’s where the authority comes from. So now, the apostles and elders are of one mind, they have discussed this, and they send this letter back to Antioch to kind of put out the fire that was there.
Tom:
Well, it goes on, “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.”
Dave:
So, being assembled of one accord, in other words, there’s not a division about this, we all know that this is God’s will. The law was not for Gentiles, and Tom, we have that teaching today, Seven Day Adventists, for example, they must keep the Sabbath. As I have often commented---in fact, earlier in the program we mentioned that the law has been written in every human conscience. Well, does any human conscience have written in it to keep the Sabbath? No. The Sabbath was only for the Jews, and we can prove that from many Scriptures. We won’t take time for many Scriptures, but we will just go to one. Psalm 147:19, “He, (that is, God) showeth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for His judgments, they have not known them.” So, He didn’t deal this way with any other nation. God’s dealings with Israel were very special. And then, if we went to Ephesians chapter 2, of course which we could quote, but we might as well turn there. “Ephesians 2:2, Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, (you Gentiles), according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” It goes on and he says: Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision of the flesh made by hands that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise have no hope, and without God in the world. But of course, now you have learned that you’ve got to keep the law so you can join us Jews---not what it says. But now, in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. That’s what they are talking about here. It’s salvation is in Christ, He paid the penalty for our sins, and we are one now, and it has nothing to do with keeping the law of Moses. And that was strictly for the Jews, especially the Sabbath. And there is nothing here ---here they are in Acts 15, they are going over this. If anybody doubts it, they are having it out over this very issue. Must we keep the law Seven Day Adventists? Better think about this, or others who want to be under the law. No, the early apostles and elders in Jerusalem have discussed this very thing. And they concluded that we are not to keep these ceremonial rules that were laid down. There is a moral law that we all know that has nothing to do with keeping the Sabbath or these sacrifices, and so forth.
Tom:
Well, Dave, the letter concludes with an admonition. It says: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That 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.”
Dave:
Well Tom, I would say, You’re not commanded to eat Kosher, it might be healthier if you do.
Dave and Tom will take up their discussion on the topic of salvation next week, we hope you can tune in. This is Search the Scriptures Daily, a radio ministry of The Berean Call. Would you like to expand your knowledge of God’s Word? We offer a wide variety of items that will greatly assist you, from books and tracts to audio and video recordings, CD-ROM, our website and much more. For a complete list of materials, or to get a copy of today’s broadcast, write to us at POB 7019, Bend, Oregon 97708. Call us at our toll free order number 877-882-4253, that’s 877-88Bible, or visit our website at www.thebereancall.org. If you would like a copy of this broadcast on tape or compact disc, ask for Program #3906, and be sure to mention the call letters of this station. Get a pen or pencil ready, we’ll repeat our contact information in just a moment.
Next week we will continue our series of programs based on Dave Hunt’s book, When Will Jesus Come? and, What will the earth be like at the Rapture? In Religion in the News, Democracy in Iraq. We’ll take a look at that story, and address the question: Can people be demon possessed today? We hope you can join us. If your have questions or comments about this program, we urge you to contact our offices. Search the Scriptures Daily Radio Ministry is made possible by God’s grace, your prayers and your financial support. I’m Gary Carmichael, and for Dave, Tom and everyone here at The Berean Call, I would like to thank you for tuning in, and invite you to join us again next week. Until then, if you desire to know God’s truth, search the scriptures daily. You’ve been listening to Search the Scriptures Daily, a radio ministry of The Berean Call. For more information about The Berean Call, write to us at POB 7019, Bend, Oregon 97708, call us toll free at our order number 877-882-4253, that’s 877-88Bible, or visit our website at www.thebereancall.org. Join us again next week for Search the Scriptures Daily, featuring Dave Hunt and T. A. McMahon.
