Week of October 25

An old maxim states, “Error does not become truth because it is widely accepted.” The prevailing belief among a widely influential group of Jews was that there was no salvation apart from belonging to their covenant community. The conviction was that the Mosaic Covenant still was binding, even though Christ’s death had forever done away with it (cf. Hebrews 8:13). The great danger, then and now, resides within the belief that any one person or group speaks without question for the Lord!

The beauty in the passage that we will take to heart today is that the issue of salvation was to be deliberated upon by the whole church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and word of God. Here’s the important truth. “Salvation is a work of God for man, rather than a work of man for God” (Louis Sperry Chafer, 1871-1952).  This Christian doctrine had to be preserved in the era of the early church and the same holds true today.

Sincerity does not ensure accuracy. Several key movements in this section of Acts bear directly upon our Christian lives. First, we should notice the assertion that was made by some Jews (15:1, 5). They claimed that circumcision was necessary for a person to be saved. In other words, unless one satisfied the requirements of the old covenant, then the new covenant would be void! These fellows took matters into their own hands by insisting that the Mosaic covenant was necessary for salvation (Bruce, 303). This was dangerous to the Gospel advance and to the fellowship of the church. Their sincere, yet incorrect, doctrinal belief was being used to drive a wedge between Jewish and Gentile believers, since the Jews would refuse to be associated with the Gentiles. This claim also challenged the witness that the Good News was for all humankind (cf. Galatians 2:12). Think about it this way: The Gospel, which was assigned to the Church, is too valuable to be left in the hands of only a few (cf. Acts 1:8). 

Recognize the key source of doctrinal authority. The early Church made certain to establish clearly the proper source for ultimate authority in the body of Christ—God, who had been active through His Spirit (15:8). God had been the one that gave an “evident token” (Holy Spirit) of His acceptance of the Gentiles. This held implications for all of Paul’s missionary journeys and, if we connect the missionary dots, our own lives as Christ-followers! This elevates the challenge to an entirely different level and, in my view, places the learned Christ-believing Pharisees on the same level as the unlearned Peter and Barnabas. Notice also that the disciples were grounding their argument in the deeper Biblical claim that God always intended for the Gentiles to be grafted into the vine (cf. Amos 9:1, 12). The Scriptures, properly interpreted and applied with the aid of the Holy Spirit, were authoritative in the life of the early Church. The leaders used their voices to lead people to the Scripture and the Spirit’s aid! Let’s consider one other important truth.

Follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. The springboard that vaulted the church beyond this obstacle was the determination by the early believers that they must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (15:8; see also John 14:16-17; 16:5-11; Acts 1:8; and 2:17-21). Notice that the Church deliberated and determined that it “seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements” (15:28). How refreshing. Too often contemporary pastors claim to “speak for God to my church” and “tell them what they need to believe.” The early church, however, concluded rightfully that the proper question for Christian fellowship was: “How we can we require more of the Gentile converts than God has required?” The Spirit brings life, not death. I personally believe we should raise our voices to call for silence until we hear the Spirit’s whisper to the church through the word of God.

There were deadly dangers in World War II which included more than bombs and bullets. False propaganda was heralded to Allied troops to dishearten them in their mission. Tokyo Rose, who was no doubt sincere, broadcast lies to break the resolve of Allied forces to complete their mission of freedom from tyranny. 

Here is the spiritual point. There will always be voices in the church that seem to have a better way to carry out the Gospel mission, but churches already have the “Way” to follow (John 14:6)! Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Listen carefully. Search the Scriptures. Follow the Spirit.

1. The antidote to erroneous teaching is to know clearly the Gospel. Commit yourself to careful, ongoing, biblical study and application.

2. For Families: This biblical truth is an important one both to young and more mature believers in your family. A good way to reinforce listening to the Spirit is to play a rousing game of “Mother May I?”

In this game, all of the players line up along a horizontal line, except for the leader, who is “Mother” or “Captain” (an older title for the game). The goal is for each person to try to reach “Mother,” who stands some distance in front of all the players. Mother then calls on a child by name and gives them instructions so they can move forward. For instance, “Emma, take 2 GIANT steps forward.” 

The child who is called on must then say, “Mother, may I?” Mother then responds. If she/he says, “Yes, you may!” the child can take the steps forward. If Mother replies, “No,” the child must comply. If another child takes the steps out of turn, or if a child forgets to ask, “Mother May I?” they must also go back to the starting line. The first child to reach Mother, wins! Children may skip, hop, take backward steps, or dance. Let them be creative!

This game not only teaches listening skills, and respect for authority, but it also shows a picture of how Gospel-Kids are to make every effort to listen to God each day, and to obey Him according to His word. “Father, May I?” is always the best response any of us children can make.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock