Mission Purposes
Acts 15:24-26
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:
As I said before, it is just like fishing. You might see lines going everywhere. From the text it is necessary to pull and tug on certain strings of doctrine. I work them this way and that until they become untangled again. See, God is here in all our history whether you are in an early church or not. Here he is doing something. You might call it a new work of Isaiah 43:18. But look with me at how the text is written to the Gentile believers. Something is happening; I believe God very much would like us to see it. There were some false teachers in the church as we saw. These same brought the words of Judaism in among them. Hebrews taught us that God came to fulfill the law, abolish the debt, and make himself a forever priest unto man. So, it makes no sense to keep Judaism in the house after God has cleansed it. Remember, it was his household of faith and Abraham's seed. Once many came to Jesus these also forsook the ways of Judaism. Can you see now how the church called it a subversion and a trouble unto the soul. Paul was right when he said, 'what nonsense is this.' But if I had to perfectly sum up the teaching of Hebrews, here it is in just one verse. This is why we see none of the Jewish faith present with the believers. It is not that the early church has forgotten them. Rather, it is better to leave off the old ways which are not unto salvation nor yet of God. See, there is nothing wrong with some cultural heritage. Yet it comes with keeping the law and being circumcised. It is no different than separating Hispanics from trash talking or Asians from their rice. At this point it is almost expected like a cultural norm. Such has no place in the household of faith. Now can you understand how God sends the letters unto the believers of the Gentile church. They had nothing left to do but believe unto salvation. Here we can clearly see the early church had a problem.
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
How wonderful is it when the message was read, received, delivered to the churches scattered in the area. Not only that, the disciples at Jerusalem also gave Paul's epistles the weight of God's approval. But he already had this behind him without their help. So, we see it is with great tenderness that the elders addressed the believers. My, they have been through some things. It makes sense to choose and send these men to grow the church. Just as beloved as Paul and Barnabas were, so would these others soon be. More than that, these elders let the believers know to fear no more. They were not just random men off the street bent on fleecing their way through the apostles. Rather, there is some unity with the sending purpose. No matter what the little church went through, they were remembered by their brethren everywhere. So, they also mattered to God. Nor had the first two visitors forgotten about them all and left as had some. My, some of us just need the comfort of God. It is good to read Hebrews 11 and hear how some risked their lives for Jesus' name. It is even better to hear the "well done good and faithful servant" of Matthew 25:23.
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, I know the mission of apostle is hard indeed. For Paul and all the rest have been put in danger for the gospel. But Hebrews 13 somewhat comforts the church. Herein will Paul be restored unto them sooner if they submit to those over them. So also, in the letter of few words should they suffer the Word of exhortation. I know, the preaching is uncomfortable sometimes and the pews hard. Often is the service long and tiresome. But how many of you know there is some comfort, hope, and teaching to be found here. Like Paul, a certain man called Timothy also had been held captive for Jesus' name. He had just been set at liberty. For so Paul also hoped to bring him unto the churches. It might seem a strange thing indeed that the church should grow at the life of the saints. But even so did it from Jesus for it is his body. Thus, we bear his name whether bond or free, in his service or not. Italy sends salutes to all and so do the believers likewise. But the rest of the church sends greetings and hopes they will soon be better. For it is all found in Jesus' name anyway. Even so this is his church, his house, and his body. Some of you really ought to know just what that means.