“Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.” (Ac 15:31 AV)
A little context here is necessary.
Paul had been used by the LORD to reach a number of Gentiles with the gospel
of Christ. That is what the LORD called
him to do. However, this caused issues
with the Jews. Believing they were God’s
chosen people, in which they were, they were confused as to the availability of
the gospel and indwelling of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. This was caused by ignorance in the scriptures. Several passages foretold the gospel going to
the Gentiles by the ministry of Israel.
This contention was so sharp, Paul and Barnabas were recalled to Jerusalem
to attend a summit with the assembled Apostles over this issue. After careful examination of the scriptures
and hearing repeated testimony of how the Spirit moved among the Gentiles, the
council concluded that indeed the gospel had gone to the Gentiles. Letters were sent by the hand of Paul and
other Apostles to the Gentiles in Antioch outlining the counsel’s position. In essence, these letters officially welcomed
the Gentiles into the fellowship of the gospel.
These letters are the purpose of the great rejoicing they experienced in
Antioch.
Affirmation and cooperation are essential. They are a source of great joy among God’s
people. To accept another as a brother or
sister in Christ is one of the most important things a church can do in the
early life of the believer. My home
church had a tradition which I hope they have continued to this day. It was the greatest single experience a new believer
could go through to assimilate into his new family. Upon salvation, baptism, and joining the
church, a picture was taken and posted on a wall with the title ‘New Members’. Then once a month, the church would host a
new member’s reception. After the
evening service, the new members of that month and the church would gather in
the fireplace room. There would be
finger foods and punch offered. The new
members would be introduced, prayer for them offered, and fellowship would
follow. For an hour or more, these new
members would be showered with attention.
They would be welcomed into the fellowship and called ‘brother’ or ‘sister’
for the first time. Knowing one had the
friendship and sense of identity when a long way in keeping the new saint from
being snatched up by the world or some competing cult. Affirmation and identity are so important to
the establishment of the new believer.
In our text above, no doubt the church at Antioch would have continued with
or without those letters. Paul would not
have ceased his ministry to the Gentiles if the Jewish counsel decided contrary
to Pauls’ position. The gospel would
have gone on. The Gentiles did not need
affirmation to exist. Paul did not need
permission from the council to continue to reach the Gentiles. But what this affirmation also dis was to
establish unity among God’s people. The
council was not acting as an authority to rubber-stamp the existence of the
Gentile church. They were merely
agreeing with the evidence of the work of Paul’s ministry and the scripture’s
authority to declare the gospel went to the Gentiles. Knowing the Jews had accepted the reality of
the work of the Holy Spirit gave them great joy and relief. Knowing the conflict has ceased and they
could get beyond this theological debate is what mattered. Knowing the Jewish church submitted to the will
of the Father and accepted the Gentile church as a work of God, equal to their
own, is what brought the affirmation they appreciated and for which they were
grateful. Affirmation and cooperation
are essential for unity, purpose, and fellowship among God’s people.
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