Acts 15

The first Church finds their first hurdle with false teaching.

How should we handle it? What do you do when someone quotes scripture that's not really in the Bible? One of the quotes I've heard the most is, "God helps those who help themselves." That sounds very Biblical doesn't it? But it didn't come from the Bible, it came from a forefather of the United States: Benjamin Franklin...and he got it probably from a fable about Hercules, a Roman god!

If it's one thing I've learned in our Bible study it's to remember that no matter who said it...look it up! I don't care of Billy Graham said it and you think it's true...If it's not in the Gospel, it's NOT gospel! John 1:5-14

So in Acts 15 we find "false brethren" trying to lead new Christians astray by saying they need to convert to Judaism first, get circumcized and then they could become Christians. That's a lot of hurdles, wouldn't you say? As Christians we are delivered from the law into Grace, the unmerited favor of a living God. The thief on the cross was welcomed that day into Paradise, and he probably hadn't been to synagogue in a while.

These false brethren were missionaries sent out to teach "except ye be circumcised". Being from Jerusalem, they seemed to have authority over the Apostles so there was "no small dissention".

As the Apostles reported their work being successful, it spurred more dissention--maybe even from some of Paul's old friends? He used to be an official, he knew people in high places.

This was a meeting of the remaining Apostles and elders of Jerusalem in A.D. 51, some 20 years after Christ's ascension. James, the brother of Jesus, was not an apostle but a leader in the Christian church in Jerusalem. Historians say he was like a pastor or bishop. He has since been regarded as a leader of the Judaizing Christians. Galatians 2:12 supports this:

For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.

Peter makes a point that it's the circumcision of the heart that matters the most! James answered with Amos 9:11-12. It was the scripture that spoke to men's hearts.

So a letter was written, a standard that was particularly for the Gentiles. It gave an outline of common practices:

1. Abstain not just from food from idols, but idolatry
2. Chastity
3. Do not eat cooked meat from animals that were strangled. This was a dietary law from the Jews. You see, if an animal was strangled, the blood was not allowed to flow from the animal, it remained in the flesh. In those days, the Romans drowned fowls in wine and then cooked them. It was also common to drink wine "fortified" with blood.

So with a clear guideline, the new Christians could be more unified when facing false teachers or prophets.

So it is with us. When we stay in the word, we study it and allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the wrong things the world wants us to do, we are stronger and can resist. Slowly the world is turning up the heat on people and testing the boundaries of what is right and wrong morally. So many have fallen into the trap and sipped from the cup...so many have been lied to.

And we, as women, have listened to those lies. Get back to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Don't let false teachers lead you astray.

Later, Barnabas insists on taking his relative John Mark on the trip. Paul refuses and pairs with Silas. If you think about it, Paul is very black and white. John Mark was either sick or homesick on that last trip. And Paul didn't want anything hindering the Gospel.

As we walk in our faith, we need to beware of Christians who try to tie on extra baggage during our walk. If a church teaches more than what scripture says, RUN!

Beware that you yourself do not add any requirements to those you evangelize. It's easy to fall into that trap. Stand strong, stay studied up and pray at all times my sisters!