Acts 15
Is circumcision necessary for salvation? verse 1- 4
And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren
and said
Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses
you cannot be SAVED
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension
and disputation with them
they determined that that Paul and Barnabas
and certain other of them
should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elder
about this question
And being brought on their way by the church
they passed through Phoenicia 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
Peter speaks at business meeting of church verse 5- 11
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees
which believed saying
That it was needful to circumcise them
and to command them to keep the law of Moses
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter
and when there had been much disputing
Peter rose up – and said to them
Men and brethren
you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us
that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the
word of the gospel and believe
And God – which KNOWS the hearts – bare them witness
giving them the Holy Ghost – even as HE did unto us
And put no difference between us and them
PURIFYING their hearts by faith
NOW therefore why tempt you God
to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples
which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
BUT we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
we shall be saved – even as they
Barnabas and Paul speak verse 12
Then all the multitude kept silence
and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul
declaring what miracles and wonders God
had wrought among
the Gentiles by them
James the brother of Jesus speaks verse 13- 21
And after they had held their peace
James answered – saying
Men and brethren – hearken to me
Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles
to take out of them a people for HIS name
And to this agree the words of the prophets – as it is written
After this I will return
and will build again the tabernacle of David
which is fallen down
And I will build again the ruins thereof – and I will set it up
that the residue of men might seek after the Lord
and all the Gentiles
on whom MY name is called
says the Lord
who does all these things
Known unto God are all HIS works
from the beginning of the world
Wherefore my sentence is – that we trouble not them
which from among the Gentiles are turned to God
BUT that we write unto them
that they abstain from pollutions of idols
and from fornication
and from things strangled
and from blood
FOR Moses of old time has in every city them that PREACH HIM
being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day
Letter of decision written verse 22- 29
THEN pleased it the apostles and elders – with the whole church
to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul
and Barnabas – namely – Judas surnamed Barsabas
and Silas chief men among the brethren
AND they wrote letters by them after this manner
The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting to the brethren
which are of the Gentiles in Antioch – Syria – Cilicia
FORASMUCH as we have heard
that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words
subverting your souls
saying
You must be circumcised – and keep the law
to whom we gave no such commandment
It seems good unto us
being assembled with ONE ACCORD
to send chosen men unto you with our beloved
Barnabas and Paul
men that have hazarded their lives
for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas
who shall also tell you the same things by mouth
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost – and to us
to lay upon you no greater burden
than these NECESSARY things
that you abstain from meats offered to idols – blood
things strangled – fornication
from which if you keep yourselves
you do well
Fare you well
Paul and Barnabas take letter to Antioch verse 30- 31
So when they were dismissed – they came to Antioch
and when they had gathered the multitude together
they delivered the epistle which when they had read
they rejoiced for the consolation
Judas and Silas talk to church in Antioch verse 32- 35
And Judas and Silas – being prophets also themselves
EXHORTED the brethren with many words
and CONFIRMED them
And after they had tarried there a space they were let go in peace
from the brethren to the apostles
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch
TEACHING and PREACHING the word of the Lord
with many others also
Paul and Barnabas separate over John Mark verse 36- 41
And some days after
Paul said to Barnabas
Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have
PREACHED the word of the Lord – and see how they do
AND Barnabas determined to take with them John
whose surname was Mark
BUT Paul thought not good to take him with them
who departed from them from Pamphylia
and went not with them to the work
AND the contention was so sharp between them
that they departed asunder one from the other
and so Barnabas took Mark – and sailed unto Cyprus
AND Paul chose Silas – and departed
being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God
and he went through Syria and Cilicia
CONFIRMING the churches
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. (“saved” [sozo] means heal, preserve, be whole, or to rescue from danger or destruction)
DEVOTION: The early church had doctrinal issues from the beginning. This was one of the top ones we read about right after the first missionary journey of Paul. The men who were converted from being Pharisees thought that those Gentiles who chose to follow Jesus had to be circumcised and obey the laws of Moses. If this didn’t happen, they couldn’t be really saved.
Today we have churches that add to salvation as well. If those who are followers of Jesus do not follow certain practices than this group thinks they are not saved individuals. Some of the ones that are added to salvation can be smoking, drinking, dancing, movies or going out with people who do. The problem is that when people hear this they want to not have any guidelines for their Christian lives.
The Bible give specific guidelines for our walk with the LORD. The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit regarding things we do and don’t do. We need to let the Bible and the Holy Spirit guide individuals to a proper walk with the LORD. The church can establish guidelines for external behavior but the more important issue is the internal behavior of individuals who are followers of Christ. Remember that there are two extremes in the church: legalism and license. Both are bad. There is a balance and it takes WORK to keep it in our individual lives and in the life of the church.
Now we need to get back to the early church. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between the Jews and God. The sign of the covenant between Christians and God is baptism. It doesn’t save and is not part of salvation but it is a sign of a relationship between God and the individual.
The church had to have a business meeting to discuss the issue. At the business meeting there was much discussion. Peter stood up. James the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, stood up and presented a plan. The church voted and accepted the plan. They included some external rules for the Gentiles to follow.
Barnabas and Paul delivered the plan. They told the Gentile converts that they didn’t have to be circumcised to be save. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. They traveled back to the churches they had established to tell them the recommendations of the church in Jerusalem. Barnabas traveled with John Mark the author of the Gospel of Mark. Paul traveled with Silas. So there were two groups of missionaries traveling. Sometimes conflict can advance the kingdom of God.
Realize that there is going to be conflict in the Christian life but there needs to be reconciliation between Christians too. Paul and John Mark reached this later in ministry. The church in Jerusalem resolved the problem through a discussion and vote.
CHALLENGE: Not all votes are Biblical in some of our churches but this one was. Be a minister of reconciliation in your home and church!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (1163 “needful” [dei] means must, ought, should, it is necessary, to be required by obligation, compulsion, or convention, or be proper)
DEVOTION: Christ plus nothing equals salvation. The early church had to struggle against Jewish religious leaders who became believers. These leaders taught that all the Gentiles that became believers had to be circumcised to complete their standing with God. They didn’t think the blood of Christ covered all the sins of them.
This caused a great problem in the church. One group was teaching this and another was saying that it was unnecessary for Gentiles to be circumcised. The church had to call a business meeting to discuss this problem and come to a solution.
The solution was that circumcision was unnecessary for salvation. Nothing is necessary for salvation but repentance of sin and a commitment to Christ. Those who were saved were also baptized right away but that was not a necessary part of salvation but a symbol of a change of leadership in a person’s life. It was a step of obedience.
There had to be a doctrinal statement that helped the people understand what they needed to do for salvation and then manifest their commitment by obeying New Testament commands.
The church established four things that were not to be done by the Gentiles as a sign that they were willing to manifest a difference between believers and those who were not following the LORD. The four things were: (1) abstain from meats offered to idols; (2) drinking blood; (3) eating animals that were strangled and (4) fornication or pre-martial sex.
Today we have commands that we are to follow to show that we love the LORD. They are not part of salvation but part of our sanctification. We only need to repent and follow Jesus to be saved.
CHALLENGE: Our desire after that is that everything we do brings glory to the LORD.
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: 36 And some days after Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. (1980 “visit” [episkeptomai] means look out, to look upon or after, to inspect, examine with the eyes, to look upon in order to help or to benefit, or to visit someone in order to determine his condition)
DEVOTION: Too many pastors and evangelist don’t follow up on those who have become believers under their ministry. They bring them to a knowledge of salvation but there is no growth in many people who come forward at meetings in churches or special meeting or crusades.
These people are expected to grow on their own by finding their own church and listening to someone during Sunday School, Worship service and Prayer meeting. The problem is that many churches don’t have all three of these services. Many times there are not opportunities to ask personal questions that need answering. Many times there is not special prayer for special requests. Many people don’t want everyone to know their personal business and so they don’t share openly with the congregation that they would share with a pastor or group of pastors.
Here we find Paul and Barnabas concerned with those individuals who became believers under their ministry. They set up elders to help the people but they still wanted to make sure there was more instruction for all concerned.
Every believer should want to have more education in how to get to know Christ better. Remember there are three stages of growth in a believer: baby, young man and fathers according to the epistles of John. Many believers move from baby stage to carnal stage. Some may have never made a genuine commitment to the LORD.
God wants all of HIS children to be fruitful. Only those who are fruitful are genuinely saved. If there is no growth it is that persons responsibility but if there is no one to train him it is the fault of the church and it’s leaders.
Training was important to the LORD. Training or follow up was important to the disciples. It should be important to all believers to make sure those around them are growing in the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Pastors should have times of visiting with each member separately at least once a year to see how they are doing. It is very necessary today.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. (3948 “contention” [paroxusmos] means an inciting, irritation, sharp disagreement, argument, exasperation, intense difference of opinion, provocation, dispute, or stirring up)
DEVOTION: Above we find that the church had to settle some issues regarding the witness to the Gentiles. They established some rules that they thought the Gentiles should hold to if they were going to be considered believers.
Now we have a sharp dispute between Barnabas and Paul. Paul didn’t want to take Mark with him because he left them on the first missionary journey. Barnabas who was an encourager wanted to take him on their second missionary journey. Paul didn’t want to give him another chance to repeat what had happened on the first missionary journey.
Here are two men who wanted to serve the LORD had a real disagreement but settled it by each one going their separate ways. They couldn’t agree so they agreed to disagree and go their separate ways.
There is going to be sharp disagreements today with those who truly worship the LORD. Many denominations were started over individuals who didn’t agree completely on a teaching of a doctrine. Remember there will be no denomination in heaven. Disagreements can be settled in love. We need to be sure not to hurt those who are genuinely followers of Christ with our conflicts. We too need to agree to disagree.
We do know the rest of the story. Paul compliments John Mark. He asks him to join him. There is a restoration of fellowship between the two men. It is great to know that each of us mature as we grow in the LORD. Those we disagreed with earlier can be our best friends later if the LORD is in it and both stay faithful.
CHALLENGE: Christians need to settle differences in love. There should always be room for genuine believers to reconcile. It might happen over time.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Synagogues verse 21
Sabbath verse 21
Consolation verse 31
Exhorting verse 32
Teaching verse 35
Preaching verse 35, 36
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Moses verse 1, 5, 21
Law of Moses verse 5, 24
Words of the Prophets verse 15
Prophet – Amos verse 15
Tabernacle of David verse 16
Word of the Lord verse 35, 36
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God verse 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 40
Knows hearts of men verse 8
Seek after the Lord verse 17
Foreknowledge of God verse 18
Beginning of the world verse 18
Grace of God verse 40
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Lord verse 11, 17, 26, 35, 36
Jesus verse 11, 26
Christ verse 11, 26
Lord Jesus Christ verse 11
Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ verse 11
Name of our Lord Jesus Christ verse 26
Word of the Lord verse 35, 36
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Holy Ghost verse 8, 28
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Phenice verse 3
Samaria verse 3
Conversion of Gentiles verse 3, 7, 12, 14, 17, 19, 23
Cyprus verse 39
Syria verse 41
Cilicia verse 41
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
False teaching verse 1, 24
Circumcise
Keeping law
Tempt verse 10
Yoke on neck verse 10
Abstain from pollutions of idols verse 20, 29
Fornication verse 20, 29
Things strangled and blood verse 20, 29
Troubled believers verse 24
Subverting souls verse 24
Meats offered to idols verse 29
Abstain from blood verse 29
Abstain from things strangled verse 29
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Saved verse 1, 11
Brethren verse 1, 23
This doctrinal question verse 2
Conversion verse 3
Joy verse 3
Apostles verse 6, 22, 23
Elders verse 6, 22, 23
Word of the gospel verse 7
Believe verse 7, 11
Witness of Holy Spirit verse 8
Purifying their hearts verse 9
Faith verse 9
Disciples verse 10
Grace verse 11, 40
Miracles and wonders verse 12
Trouble not with circumcision verse 19
Preach verse 21, 35, 36
Assembled with one accord verse 25
No greater burden verse 28
Exhorted verse 32
Confirmed verse 32, 41
Teach verse 35
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Judaea verse 1
Circumcised verse 1, 5
Manner of Moses verse 1, 5, 21
Jerusalem verse 2, 4
Sect of the Pharisees verse 5
Fathers verse 10
Tabernacle of David verse 16
Church (New Testament people of God)
Paul verse 2, 12, 22, 25, 35, 36, 38
Barnabas verse 2, 12, 22, 25, 35- 37, 39
Went to Cyprus
Dissension verse 2
Disputation verse 2, 7
Certain others of them verse 2
Apostles verse 2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 33
Elders of church verse 2, 4, 6, 22, 23
Church verse 3, 4, 22
Great joy verse 3
Brethren verse 3, 13, 22, 23, 33, 36, 40
Declared: mission report verse 4
Church counsel verse 6, 22, 23
Peter verse 7
No difference between Jews and Gentiles verse 9
Disciples verse 10
James verse 13
Simeon verse 14
Chosen men to Antioch verse 22- 25, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35
Barsabas (Judas)
Silas
Delivered epistle
Rejoiced for the consolation
Wrote letters verse 23
Cilicia verse 23
Hazarded lives verse 26
John Mark verse 37, 38
Departed from Pamphylia
Contention verse 39
Silas went with Paul verse 40
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
The reason for their going their separate ways was not a happy one and involved a major disagreement between them (vv. 37–39). John Mark was the center of contention. He was Barnabas’s cousin, and Barnabas suggested that he accompany them as he had on their first mission (13:5). Paul did not think this a wise move since Mark had abandoned them on that occasion (13:13). It is possible that there was an additional source of tension between Paul and Barnabas. Galatians 2:11–13 speaks of an incident that took place in Antioch, evidently after the Jerusalem Conference, in which Peter and Barnabas gave in to pressure from “certain men” from James and withdrew from table fellowship with Gentiles. Paul sharply confronted Peter on that occasion for his “hypocrisy” and was none too happy with Barnabas for following Peter’s example. Even though Paul had now been sufficiently reconciled to Barnabas to request his companionship on the mission, there may have been lingering wounds and possibly still some differences over Paul’s “law-free” Gentile outreach. Mark may himself have represented a more conservative Jewish-Christian outlook. However that may be, Paul did eventually become reconciled to Mark and mentioned him as a coworker in several of his letters (cf. Col 4:10; Phlm 24; 2 Tim 4:11). Standing in the background was Barnabas, always the encourager, showing faith in Mark when others had lost theirs and eventually redeeming him—ironically, for Paul. (Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 341). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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37–39 John Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (cf. Col 4:10), probably became convinced of the appropriateness of Paul’s Gentile policy by the action of the Jerusalem Council, despite earlier qualms about it (see comments on 13:1–3). Barnabas had evidently called him back to Syrian Antioch to minister in the church there. Barnabas’s earlier involvement in the dispute at Antioch showed that his natural sympathies lay principally with Jewish Christians (cf. Gal 2:13), and it was also natural for him to want to take Mark with them in revisiting the churches. Paul, however, for what seem to have been reasons of principle rather than personal ones, did not want to have so unreliable a man with them day after day (note the present infinitive symparalambanein). The scar tissue of the wounds Paul suffered in establishing his missionary policy was still too tender for him to look favorably on Mark’s being with them—particularly if, as we have assumed, Mark was in some way responsible for inciting the Judaizers to action.
The fact that Luke does not gloss over the quarrel between Paul and Barnabas shows his honesty. The Greek word for “disagreement” (paroxysmos) is so neutral as not to touch upon the question of responsibility, and it is idle for us to try to apportion blame. Yet far from letting the disagreement harm the outreach of the gospel, God providentially used it to double the missionary force, with Barnabas taking Mark and returning to Cyprus (cf. 13:4–12). Acts tells us nothing more about the mission to Cyprus or the missioners there, though Paul’s letters refer in cordial terms to both Barnabas (cf. 1 Cor 9:6; perhaps also, as Luther and Calvin suggested, 2 Cor 8:18–19) and John Mark (cf. Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11; Philem 24). (Longenecker, R. N. (1981). The Acts of the Apostles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, pp. 453–454). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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A sharp contention (παροξυσμος [paroxusmos]). Our very word paroxysm in English. Old word though only twice in the N. T. (here and Heb. 10:24), from παροξυνω [paroxunō], to sharpen (παρα, ὀξυς [para, oxus]) as of a blade and of the spirit (Acts 17:16; 1 Cor. 13:5). This “son of consolation” loses his temper in a dispute over his cousin and Paul uses sharp words towards his benefactor and friend. It is often so that the little irritations of life give occasion to violent explosions. If the incident in Gal. 2:11–21 had already taken place, there was a sore place already that could be easily rubbed. And if Mark also joined with Peter and Barnabas on that occasion, Paul had fresh ground for irritation about him. But there is no way to settle differences about men and we can only agree to disagree as Paul and Barnabas did. So that they parted asunder from one another (ὡστε ἀποχωρισθηναι αὐτους ἀπʼ ἀλληλων [hōste apochōristhēnai autous ap’ allēlōn]). Actual result here stated by ὡστε [hōste] and the first aorist passive infinitive of ἀποχωριζω [apochōrizō], old verb to sever, to separate, here only and Rev. 6:4 in the N. T. The accusative of general reference (αὐτους [autous]) is normal. For construction with ὡστε [hōste] see Robertson, Grammar, pp. 999f. And Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus (τον τε Βαρναβαν παραλαβοντα τον Μαρκον ἐκπλευσαι εἰς Κυπρον [ton te Barnaban paralabonta ton Markon ekpleusai eis Kupron]). Second infinitival clause ἐκπλευσαι [ekpleusai] after ὡστε [hōste] connected by τε [te]. The same participle is used here minus συν, παραλαβοντα [sun, paralabonta] (second aorist active). Barnabas and Mark sailed out (ἐκπλευσαι [ekpleusai] from ἐκπλεω [ekpleō]) from the harbour of Antioch. This is the last glimpse that Luke gives us of Barnabas, one of the noblest figures in the New Testament. Paul has a kindly reference to him in 1 Cor. 9:6. No one can rightly blame Barnabas for giving his cousin John Mark a second chance nor Paul for fearing to risk him again. One’s judgment may go with Paul, but one’s heart goes with Barnabas. And Mark made good with Barnabas, with Peter (1 Peter 5:13) and finally with Paul (Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11). See my little book on John Mark (Making Good in the Ministry). Paul and Barnabas parted in anger and both in sorrow. Paul owed more to Barnabas than to any other man. Barnabas was leaving the greatest spirit of the time and of all times. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ac 15:39). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
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15:36–41. Later when Paul proposed to Barnabas a return trip to confirm the churches established on their first journey, Barnabas wanted to take … Mark with them. Paul disagreed with this suggestion because Mark had deserted them earlier, in Pamphylia (cf. 13:13). The argument became such a sharp disagreement (paroxysmos, “provoking, stirring up, arousing,” the root of the Eng. “paroxysm”) that they parted company. The Lord overruled in this dissension for through it two missionary journeys instead of one were formed—one to Cyprus with Barnabas and Mark, and the other to Syria and Cilicia and ultimately Europe with Paul and Silas. Probably both Paul and Barnabas were right in their assessments of Mark. It may have been too soon for Mark to venture out with such a pro-Gentile apostle as Paul, but Barnabas certainly and correctly saw good raw material in his cousin Mark (cf. Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; Phile. 24; 1 Peter 5:13). Paul later spoke of Barnabas in positive terms (1 Cor. 9:6; Col. 4:10). The Apostle Paul owed much to Barnabas and it appears they remained friends despite their contention over Mark.
Neither Mark nor Barnabas are seen again in the Book of Acts; the same is true of Peter following the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). (Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 396). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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15:37–39a. Barnabas hesitates not a moment in welcoming Paul’s proposal and assumes they will also take Mark along. At first, it would seem, the difference is merely in discussion, Paul taking the position that he did not want “to have this one with them continually.” Luke doesn’t hesitate to tell us the reason for Paul’s concern—Mark had deserted them.
Here we have a classic confrontation: the choice between disqualifying a person who has made a major blunder or seeking to restore that person to a ministry role. Did Mark still seem unrepentant about his behavior earlier? Did Paul feel Mark might water down the new freedom of the Jerusalem Council decision? Was the anger of the Judaizers at Jerusalem aroused by Mark and his reports from Pamphylia? Luke does not tell us. He does tell us that this difference, this obvious disagreement, became a paroxysm, a blowup between these two dear friends. The only other New Testament use of this word appears in Hebrews 10:24, where the writer used it in the positive sense of provoking good behavior in others. (Gangel, K. O. (1998). Acts (Vol. 5, pp. 254–255). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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That Barnabas would champion John Mark is certainly no surprise. He and Mark were cousins (Col. 4:10, nasb), and the family ties would be strong. But even more, Barnabas was the kind of man who eagerly tried to help others, which is why the early church named him “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He was ready to give John Mark an opportunity to serve the Lord and to prove himself. Barnabas “kept on insisting” (wuest) that they take Mark along. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 466). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 37. And Barnabas determined, &c.] Or consulted, and contrived in his own mind, and purposed within himself; the Alexandrian copy, and two of Beza’s, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read, he would, or was willing; he had a mind, a very great desire, to take with them John, whose surname was Mark; of whom see ch. 12:12 he being his, sister’s son, Col. 4:10 him they brought with them to Antioch, when they returned from Jerusalem thither, where they had been sent by the church at Antioch, with money for the relief of the poor saints; see ch. 11:29, 30 and 12:25 and who seems to have come with them from Jerusalem again; for thither he went, when he parted from them at Pamphilia, ch. 13:13.
Ver. 38. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, &c.] He did not think him worthy, or a fit and proper person to go with them, as the word used seems to signify, and therefore he refused to take him: the Syriac version renders it, but Paul would not take him with them; and the Ethiopic version is very express, though it renders it in softer language, Paul prayed, or entreated Barnabas that he would leave Mark; that is, behind them at Antioch: his reasons were as follow: who departed from them from Pamphilia, ch. 13:13 see the note there; either through the fatigue of the journey, or fear of danger, or weariness in his work, or affection to his mother; or he it what it will, it seems in the apostle’s opinion of the matter, he was very blameworthy, and on account of it very undeserving, at least at present, of being a companion of theirs in their travels: and went not with them to the work; the Arabic version adds, of preaching; that is, the Gospel, in the several places whither they went, and to which the Holy Ghost had called them, and for which the church at Antioch had separated, and sent them forth; but in the midst of this John deserted them; and which the apostle resented, he having, as yet, not given any evidence of his sense of his evil, and of his repentance for it, to his satisfaction; though it seems as if he afterwards did, since in Col. 4:10, 11 he speaks of him with great respect, as one of his fellow-workers, and who had been a comfort to him.
Ver. 39. And the contention was so sharp between them, &c.] About this matter; Barnabas insisting on it, that John Mark should go with them, he being a relation of his; and in whose favour it might be urged, that his mother Mary was an excellent good woman, who had received the saints into her house, in a time of persecution; and that it should be considered, that this her son was but a young man, and could not be thought to have that courage, resolution, constancy, and solidity, as older professors and ministers; and that his crime was not very heinous, and should be overlooked. Paul, on the other hand, opposing his going with them, as a very unworthy person, because he had behaved so cowardly, and had shewn such a coldness and indifference to the work of the ministry, and had so shamefully left them; and thus they disputed the point till there was a paroxysm between them, as is the word used: they were irritated and provoked by one another, and were so warmed and heated on both sides, that they departed asunder one from another; thus as soon almost as peace was made in the church, a difference arises among the ministers of the word, who are men of like passions with others; and though it is not easy to say which was to blame most in this contention; perhaps there were faults on both sides, for the best men are not without their failings; yet this affair was overruled by the providence of God, for the spread of his Gospel, and the enlargement of his interest; for when these two great and good men parted from one another, they went to different places, preaching the word of God: and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed unto Cyprus; see the note on ch. 13:4. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 289–290). London: Mathews and Leigh)
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FROM MY READING:
April 20, 2013 Visit
“Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” (Acts 15:14)
Our English word “visit” has come to mean a social call, but not so in the Greek, where it can mean to inspect, to look upon in order to help, or benefit.
For example, when Christ said “sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not” (Matthew 25:43), He had in mind more than a social call. The prisons of the day were miserable places with no amenities whatever. Prisoners desperately needed help from the outside. Paul wrote to Timothy from his Roman prison: “The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee” (2 Timothy 4:13). By better understanding the word “visit,” Christ’s teaching takes on a richer meaning involving more the idea of a personal commitment.
The events surrounding the birth of the Messiah were considered a “visitation” by Zacharias when he prophesied over the baby Jesus: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people . . . the dayspring from on high hath visited us” (Luke 1:68, 78). After Christ raised to life a dead boy, the people exclaimed, “a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people” (Luke 7:16).
In that light, consider our text for today as James explained to the church leaders Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. With our expanded understanding of the word “visit,” we could now expand the verse to read, “how God for the first time did look upon the Gentiles, in order to help them. In doing so He took out of them a people for His name.” God, in His grace, has done all that was necessary to help us, to bring us out of bondage to sin, and to stamp on us His holy name. JDM
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J.C. Ryle, a nineteenth century Bishop of Liverpool, was right: “We must be holy, because this is one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world … Jesus is a complete Savior. He does not merely take away the guilt of a believer’s sin, he does more – HE breaks its power (I Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:29; Eph.1:4; 2Tim. 1: 9; Heb. 12:10. My fear is that as we rightly celebrate, and in some quarters rediscover, all that Christ has saved us from, we are giving little thought and making little effort concerning all that Christ has saved us to. Shouldn’t those most passionate about the gospel and God’s glory also be those most dedicated to the pursuit of godliness? I worry that there is an enthusiasm gap and no one seems to mind.
(p. 11, The Hole in Our Holiness by Keven DeYoung)
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That God is continuing His work of redemption in calling out a people for His name in the church, the body of Christ is distinct from any previous body of redeemed people in its nature, characteristics, time and promises.
(p.153, Dispensationalism by Charles C. Ryrie)
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Revelation 4
John describes an astounding vision of the throne of God in heaven.
INSIGHT
At Christmas our thoughts are on Jesus’ birth, focusing on His humanity. By radical contrast, this Christmas Day we see the throne room of heaven and the surroundings which magnify His deity. In the center is a throne – behind which an emerald-colored rainbow arises. Dignitaries dressed in white robes and gold crowns are seated around the throne. The floor of the massive room is like crystal. Unusual looking creatures constantly give verbal praise to God and the dignitaries form a celestial choir, worshiping and praising God. This is the normal abode of God’s Son. Yet we usually think of Jesus as a child in Bethlehem, a teacher on a hillside, or the One who bore our sins alone on a cross. Revelation balances that picture with a glimpse of Jesus’ majesty and grandeur.
(Quiet Walk)
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A PRAYER OF A BACKSLIDER
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51:3
The fifty-first Psalm is what you might call, if you like, “a prayer of a backslider.” Here we are shown the steps through which a man inevitably passes when he becomes convinced and convicted of his sin.
The first is this: He comes to a knowledge of and an acknowledgment of the fact that he has sinned. Listen to David: “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” The first thing that happens to a man when he becomes convinced and convicted of sin is that he faces his sin and really looks at what he has done in an honest manner. This whole story [of David and Bathsheba] tells us that was exactly what David had previously not done.
Is there not something almost incredible about this, that a man could do the things that David did and yet really not face them? Surely David must have felt he was doing wrong; yet he did it! But he did not face the fact of wrongdoing, and he went on refusing to face it. And having done these terrible things, David would still not have faced them were it not that God sent the prophet Nathan to him and made him face them by giving him details of the same thing as had happened but in a different form. Thus David saw the truth, and he was humbled to the dust. That is how he came to write this fifty-first Psalm. This is always the first step. We must stop and think; we must pause for a moment and face ourselves and face the life we have lived and what we have done and what we are doing.
Now I know this is very unpleasant, and people dislike a gospel that says a thing like that. But if you want to know God’s salvation, you have to repent; and the first step is conviction of sin, and the first way to become convicted of sin is to stop and look at yourself.
A Thought to Ponder: The first step is conviction of sin.
(From Out of the Depths, pp. 22-23, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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God in the Garden
“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.” (Genesis 2:8)
This was the world’s first garden, and it must have been a beautiful garden, for God had planted it Himself. Every tree was “pleasant to the sight”; there was a lovely river “to water the garden” (Genesis 2:9-10), and God was there.
Then one day God was “walking in the garden” only to find that “Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). Sin had entered, and Adam and Eve had to be cast out, leaving God alone in the garden (Genesis 3:23).
Many years later, God entered another garden with His loved ones. “He went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples” (John 18:1). There in the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples soon fell asleep, once again leaving Him alone in the garden, “withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast” (Luke 22:41). There He “offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears” (Hebrews 5:7) as He faced the death He had pronounced on His very first loved ones long before in that first garden.
There was yet another garden where He must be alone. “In the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus” (John 19:41-42). God had walked alone in the first garden, seeking His own. He knelt alone in the second garden, praying for His own. He was buried alone in the third garden, having died for His own. Therefore, in the new “paradise of God” where the pure river flows and the tree of life grows eternally, “his servants shall serve him” and reign with Him “for ever and ever” (Revelation 2:7; 22:1-3, 5). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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