Changing Places
Acts 15:1-4
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
My, it seems that the church at Jerusalem and elsewhere is being overrun. Now when questioned, any good devil worth its' salt will tell you that this is Satan's next favorite tactic. If he cannot kill and destroy the church, then he will instead seek to divide and conquer. So, from the Judean men arose a new sect. These began with the circumcision of Moses. Soon they will spread to the law of Moses. Finally, the end of the matter will be with the body of Moses in Jude 1:9. This is why it was better for the church to have left Judaism entirely than to be dealing with what they are now. One minute the apostles find themselves contending for the faith. The next they are being summoned to appear as if before a tribunal for their ungodly behavior. See, faith in Christ will always come against the traditions of men. I believe Revelation 22:17 when it says that "whomsoever will" may come. Then will he also give them the power of John 1:12 "to become the sons of God." The name of Jesus my friends, brings life. In it is power. Therein is freedom for the body, spirit, and soul. So, it matters not if the devil has divided the church and left it for the pickings. When you claim the name of Jesus, he is your strong tower. Note there is but one defense. It is not to pound nails and doctrinal dissertations upon church doors. Rather you ought to preach the name of Jesus. There is much power to be found in what he has done for you and me as we will soon see. You have all no doubt heard of the me-too movement advocating sexual freedom. But have you ever heard of the Jesus too movement. This is the beginning, the birthplace, right here.
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
See this great joy the move of God has caused. I know the apostles left what is known as Syrian Antioch to their north; now they are passing through Phenice and Samaria on their way to Jerusalem. All this travel has been done entirely by land since I see no references to either boats or sailing. Phenice is a region properly referred to as Syrian Phenice in the land of ancient Phoenicia just above the land of Israel. Samaria is also a town of this region located a little closer to their destination. Some have confused Phenice with the ancient city of Phenixe on the phallic-shaped island of Crete. If you know not where that is, it is in the middle of a small ocean found half-way to Rome. Now I know the apostles took the most direct route there. But some of you with learning and knowledge mean to tell me the apostles left a land city that is connected to others on a straight line. You plan on taking a boat out to a remote island near Rome and coming back again just to escape the questioning in Jerusalem.
Before you do, please hire a captain or do it yourself because neither Paul, Jesus, nor I am going. Now I know the devil is a liar. Some of you would be a little happier if you took your directions from the Lord. See, what nonsense this is. It sounds rather like our modern city of Venice, home to the Vatican, does it not. Now I have nothing against the Vatican. I am sure, should you go, they will be quite happy to have you. But when you follow Jesus, you must resist the urge to go some unnecessary and uncomfortable places. I am not saying avoid everything. But if he does not walk you there personally, chances are it is not necessary. Nor should you seek as have some, to go yourself. See, the gospel of Christ came not only with power but also with moderation. He gives you power to teach all men; but he also gives you some wisdom to know how to handle it. I know, this situation might seem funny to some of you. But was this not the issue with the church at Jerusalem who allowed localized teachers of such remote nonsense. The past of Psalm 103:12 had been removed about as far as the east from the west. Yet still, the church in Jerusalem perceived it not.