Introduction

• Acts 15:3-4 – Paul and Barnabas knew the answer to the question of circumcision of Gentiles already because of what God had revealed.
• Acts 15:5 – They were not deciding what the Gentiles should do. They were figuring out what God had already said.

Background

• Acts 10
  • Acts 10:10-16 – Vision of unclean animals; “kill and eat”
  • Acts 10:19-20 – Holy Spirit tells Peter to go with these men.
  • Acts 10:22 – Peter learns an angel had told Cornelius to send for him and hear his message.
  • Acts 10:28 – Peter infers: “God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.”
  • Acts 10:45 – “the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles”
• Acts 11
  • Acts 11:1-4

Exhibit A: Peter – Cornelius (Acts 15:7-11)

• No mention of the Law of Moses.
• Peter is pointing back to what God has already revealed.

Exhibit B: Paul and Barnabas – preaching trip (Acts 15:12)

• Acts 13:45-47

Exhibit C: James – Amos’ prophecy (Acts 15:13-19)

• Amos 9:11-12 – “… all the Gentiles who are called by my name …”

Conclusion

• Acts 15:19
• God has included Gentiles without the requirements of the Old Covenant (such as circumcision).
• What happened:
  • They gathered relevant information (commands, examples, inferences, and statements) and acknowledged God’s will.
  • This is what we should do, too!
• What did NOT happen:
  • Majority rule
  • Opinion rule
  • Expert rule
  • Tradition rule
  • Etc.
• I Corinthians 14:37-38