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Apostles Sent to the Gentiles with a Letter of the Council
Will any of the Twelve travel to Antioch Syria from Jerusalem? Or will the Apostles send their Epistle to the Gentiles with other reliable messengers?
Who are these Apostles to the Gentiles?
Acts 15:
ἀπόστολος – apostolos – apostle
ἔθνος – ethnos
Paul
Barnabas
Judas called Barsabbas
Silas
The Council Adjourns
Acts 15:22b-29 Text of the Council’s Epistle
A.D. 49 – Jerusalem Judea in Roman occupied Syria

Who are these Apostles to the Gentiles?

Recall that the current crisis of the Church involves both Jews and Gentiles and that the Church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to clarify the Law of Moses.

A Council of Church Leaders meets under leadership of the Apostles of Jesus, the risen Christ witnessed my the Twelve and many leading men of Jerusalem.

Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20

Acts 15:19-20a – James: Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them..

Acts 15:

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers..

ἀπόστολος – apostolos – apostle

a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

This is exactly what the Council of Jerusalem has ordered.

in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers
- of Barnabas
- of Timothy
- and Silvanus
They SEND these apostles with their epistle of encouragement and specific instructions to the Church and its other leading men in Antioch, obeying Christ’s command to go into all the world — theirs, a gentile world — with the Gospel.
- ἀπόστολος – Apostle
- a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
  - specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ
- ἀπόστολος apóstolos, ap-os’-tol-os; from G649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
ἔθνος – ethnos

The KJV translates Strong’s G1484 in the following manner: Gentiles (93x), nation (64x), heathen (5x), people (2x).

We have recently spent time on this on Paul’s first missionary journey, but for clarity definitions which apply here:
- in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles
- Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians
ACTS on Mission

Paul

The Church is already quite familiar with Saul of Tarsus or Paul; who following his first mission from Antioch to the Gentiles along with Joseph of Cypress (Barnabas) has precipitated this Council in Jerusalem.

In a later Epistle of Paul to the Romans he writes:

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
Letter of Paul to the Romans 11:13-14 ESV

Think about it, my fellow gentile brothers and sisters in Christ.
1. Paul identifies himself as an apostle. The Council sent both Paul and Barnabas as apostles for this next mission to the Gentiles.
2. The Apostle Paul also magnifies his mission is to the Gentiles (although a remnant of Jews will be saved).
On their first missionary journey the Apostle Paul had proclaimed Christ to the Jews first and then preached the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Barnabas

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

– Acts 4:36-37 ESV

It was Barnabas, a trusted Jew of the priestly line, who brought Paul to the Apostles after his encounter with the risen Christ (and having heard their former nemesis preach Christ crucified and risen to the Jews in Damascus).

When a report came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem after some men of Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to the Hellenists in Antioch (and a great number turned to the Lord), they sent Barnabas to Antioch. – from Acts 11:20

Judas called Barsabbas

Βαρσαβᾶς – Lexicon :: Strong’s G923 – barsabas

Barsabas [or Barsabbas] (i. e. son of Saba)

(Not to be confused with another important disciple and deacon of the church in Jerusalem * possibly also present with its leading men of the Council, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus [Acts 1:23] put forth along with Mathias as a candidate to replace Judas Iscariot in the Twelve Apostles.)

2. the surname of a certain Judas: Acts 15:22, (B. D. under the word Judas Barsabas].

* Could Luke’s wording indicate that both were present & this Barsabbas is Judas son of Saba rather than Joseph son of Saba? (And might they even be biological brothers? [again, my speculation])

Silas

Σιλᾶν – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4609 – silas

Contraction for Σιλουανός (G4610) – Silvanus, the same man who in Acts is called Σιλᾶς (which see): 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12.

Silas or Silvanus is a Roman Citizen (as is Paul) sent with the Apostle to the Gentiles on this second mission and other journeys to preach the Gospel to all the world of the Roman Empire.
A.D. 49 – 51 Secondary Missionary Journey with Paul

The Council Adjourns

Acts 15:22b-29 Text of the Council’s Epistle

They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

23 with the following letter:

“The brothers, both the apostles and the elders,

to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.

Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:

that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch…

ACTS of the Apostles TO BE CONTINUED…

in Antioch Syria…

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
January 12, 2023
Who has believed our message?
יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Isaiah) 53 :: מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ וּזְרוֹעַ יְהוָה עַל־מִי נִגְלָֽתָה׃

and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Paul and Barnabas SENT with the Gospel

Now in the church that was at Antioch [Syria]..

.. the Holy Spirit said,

“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

ACTS of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas 13:1a,2b NKJV

Saulos of Tarsus has just completed an exhortation in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch.

Who is asking to hear more of the Gospel?

The response of the brothers gathered for worship on the Sabbath will determine who has believed the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ (Χριστός Greek) of the Jews.

Many proselytes also sought the message of God in this Hellenist-Roman city near Pisidia Antioch.

Who has heard these messengers of Good News?
Saul’s Sermon – part 1

Saul’s Sermon – part 2
Acts of the Apostles 13:

“Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
Acts 13:40-41 NKJV

ACTS 13:42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Although some Bibles translate from the Greek, ‘the people,’ Luke clearly points to the Goyim or gentiles [ethnos] included in the Sabbath, many who are proselytes seeking the true God.

Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas,
who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts of the Apostles 13:43 New King James Version

The physician and gospel-writer Luke has included some details in his account of their response:
- πολύς Ἰουδαῖος
  - MANY of the Jews
- AND of the
- σέβω προσήλυτος
  - God-fearing proselytes
Mission accomplished?
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So it would seem..
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One week later:

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

We might speculate from Luke’s account that too many gentiles in this capitol city of Galatia, Antioch (with most of the citizens either Roman or Greek) may have shown up to hear Paul at this little local Jewish synagogue.

So it may have been surrounded by much bigger crowds than a small synagogue could hold.
- “MANY JEWS,” but also many “God-fearing” Greek and Roman citizens of Antioch
- PLUS crowds from nearby towns.
What should the Jews expect?

Judean or Hellenist, the Jews knew their Scriptures.

Each Sabbath the Law and the Prophets were read not only in the Temple of Roman-occupied Jerusalem, but read in every synagogue throughout the Roman Empire.
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Context of this time of Paul's first mission;
A.D. 47-49, the years of this mission trip:
Claudius is Emperor of Rome.
Claudius had intended to bestow Judea to his family friend Herod Agrippa but instead appointed a Prefect or Governor.
Tiberius Julius Alexander, a Roman general born of a Jewish father became Judea's Governor

(And closer to Cypress, Asia and Pisidian Antioch)

Sergius Paulus may have been the first of several successive senators named Lucius Sergius Paullus, of Antioch, Pisidia - 
source
Could the Roman Governor of Galatia have been one in the same as we just convinced of the Gospel in Paphos?
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The renowned Saul of Tarsus has just proclaimed that those in Jerusalem

.. had fulfilled all that was written concerning a savior iēsous..

“But God raised Him from the dead.

Last Sabbath the Jews of Antioch heard Saul proclaim the gospel of Christ crucified and risen! We are now more than a decade after this fulfillment of Scripture. Furthermore, by now many more must have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Those who seek God MUST know more!

So they go to Antioch to hear Paul’s Gospel.

What did the Gentiles expect?

What rumors and witness had circulated among these Romans of Galatia and Greeks seeking Good News of the One God?

(For these Gentiles had formerly worshiped many gods.)
- .. the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
  - – Acts 10:45
- Some Jews in Jerusalem had said, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
  - – Acts 11:18
- Several years ago a Roman Centurion in Capernaum had met Jesus, who healed his paralyzed servant by only His word.
  - – Matthew 8
- Other Roman Centurions had followed The Way once they had witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion personally.
  - “Truly this was the Son of God!”
  - – Gospel of Matthew 27:54
- Many Romans knew the witness of Cornelius of the Italian Regiment from not so long ago:
.. I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing [and Jesus’ Apostle Simon Peter proclaimed to me and my family in Caesarea] “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.“
Witness of the Roman Centurion Cornelius, excerpts from ACTS 10

So the Crowds converged in Antioch to hear the Gospel

Acts in Pisidian Antioch continued:

The next Shabbat almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.

But when the Yehudim saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Sha’ul, and blasphemed.
Acts of the Apostles 13:[44,]45 Hebrew Names Version

No Second Sermon in the Synagogue

Now what?

ACTS of the Apostles 13 of Saul of Tarsus and Joseph of Cypress in Pisidian Antioch: To be continued…
October 26, 2022
Divinity, Doctrine and Denomination
As I pointed out in our last Saturday Post WE, the church, seem to have some differences dividing our approach to divinity.

Denominations / Why can’t we all just get along?

~800 MILLION Protestant Christians [37% of the world population] can be divided into < 40,000 denominations

What does it mean to be called a “Christian?”

Who are all of those ‘denominations‘ that call themselves, ‘Church?’

And what do doctrine and divinity have to do with it?

Divinity

God IS God! (and WE are NOT)!

Anyone who denies THIS has a humility problem!

Look it up:

ĕlōhîm – אֱלֹהִים

θειότης – theiotēs From θεῖος from Godhead

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 LSB

Doctrine

This entire Saturday Post series (including Church) addresses doctrine. READ MORE: What is Doctrine?

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.
Titus 2:1 Legacy Standard Bible

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7 LSB

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.. Romans 1:18

Denomination

Martin Luther originally gets much of the blame for his PROTEST against false teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

Luther’s theology stood on the truths of Scripture and faith.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH.” – Romans 1:16-17 LSB

Denominations / Why can’t we all just get along?

Scripture tells us how false teachers leaven the Church and the faithful must discern the dangers of false preaching.

Church DE-NOMINATIONS seem to be doubling-down lately into divisions over SOCIAL issues.

AND this phenomenon of churches redefining themselves is not limited to any particular denomination.

What does it mean to be a church?

RE-fitting YOUR church vision to accommodate changing cultural mores doesn’t really seem to have anything to do with divinity or sound doctrine rooted in Scripture and proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As you have seen in my previous Saturday Posts, although gaining downhill momentum toward the pit of destruction, this trend is nothing new.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. .. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words..
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been kept. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity, they entice by sensual lusts of the flesh, those who barely escape from the ones who conducted themselves in error..
Second Letter of the Apostle Peter to the Church 2:1,3,17-18 LSB

In the beginnings of the first century Church the Apostle Peter mentions an earlier fall of Israel as an example of the ever-present danger of false teaching.

Can we be a ‘church‘ without doctrine?

Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach..
“My teaching is not Mine, but from Him who sent Me. “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God..
Gospel of John 7:14b,16-17a LSB

TEACHING IS DOCTRINE!

Is the Doctrine YOU hear in YOUR church from God?

If YOU think the preacher of the church YOU ‘attend‘ doesn’t have some ‘NON-NEGOTIABLES’ of Doctrine, it’s time for you to listen closer (and think for yourself).
- What DOESN’T he/she say — EVER?
- What Truth will the man or woman with the mike REFUSE to PREACH from the pulpit or have you hear in the good-feeling lyrics of the amplified sounds of worship?
- Which Bible verses have to be bent just a little to connect to OUR audience?
  - DARE WE EVER preach REPENTANCE before grace?
  - Let’s bring Christ down from heaven just a bit, so he feels closer to OUR audience just for an hour (and only on Sunday).
  - As in my previous post on Everythingology for an all-inclusive church, perhaps I’ve overstated this (just a bit) by hyperbole once more.- RH
What makes a CHURCH Christian?
Have BIBLE verses evaporated from the wall of worship behind the stage of OUR worship service?
Does OUR pastor hesitate to mention Christ Jesus?
Is a pressing social issue important to the growth of our church?
Can OUR church be BOTH christian AND other?
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Although I am a lay theologian; that is, I study God and I study Scripture and I study Jesus Christ, I must once again point you toward the teaching of a most respected Christian theologian. 
Although I will add my comments here, seek your own answers about the church you belong to locally. 
(And once your read this and think through the doctrine YOU hear, why not ADD your COMMENTS to this post?)- RH
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Divinity, Doctrine and the Christian Life

“The great divorce of doctrine and life will destroy the Christian life.

Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life: Doctrine and Life as Fuel and Fire
Foreword by Sinclair B. Ferguson By Jason C. Meyer, Series edited by Stephen J. Nichols, Justin Taylor, Foreword by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Doctrine and life are fuel and fire, not oil and water.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

THINK DOCTRINE, EMBRACE TRUTH, ACT ACCORDINGLY
1. doctrine comes to mind
2. truth captures the heart
3. which then moves the will to act
The Bible starts with God the Father always, everywhere and we must do the same — because that is the order of the blessed Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
Gospel of John 17 – from the High Priestly prayer of Jesus Christ to the Father

..theology must first concede that the finite cannot fully know the infinite. Therefore, theology is sometimes an exercise in negation.
Lloyd-Jones pictures theology as the act of building a fence around the incomprehensible mystery of God.
Jason Meyer
- Does the world HATE you because of any witness of Jesus Christ you claim by faith?
- WE are in the world, so do we recognize the evil one?
Have you even heard your pastor caution his/her church about the evil one?
- Jesus did.
- Do others worshiping the Lord alongside you recognize that Christ has set YOU, me and members of His Body the Church apart for salvation?
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession. – Hebrews 4:14 LSB

EMBRACE this TRUTH:

Sinful man CANNOT intercede with the HOLY GOD (who WE are NOT) without accepting our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Perfect Sacrifice for our sins – the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Our partial knowledge of God is real knowledge, but it falls far short of comprehensive knowledge.. God alone is
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”
Jason Meyer, quoting the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 4:8b
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NEXT, God-willing, we will continue with Jason Meyer's overview of the doctor of doctrine Martyn Lloyd-Jones and his prescription for this brief moment of our our Christian lives.
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September 17, 2022