Making Significant Decisions (Acts 15:1-36)

- The Jerusalem Council -

The Bible Teacher's Commentary

Paul J. Bucknell

Resolve the Problem- James

Acts 15:13-18

Decisions Acts 15:1-36 | Make Acts 15:1-5 | Discuss Acts 15:6-12 |
Scripture Acts 15:13-18 | Decision 15:19-21 | Council Acts 15:13-21 | Communicate Acts 15:22-36 | Acts 15 Video Making Significant Decisions

Purpose: Acts 15:13-18's Bible exposition on Resolve the Problem gives us an excellent model on how to use the scripture to discern God's purposes and make important decsions especially when there are differing opinions. (Part 4 of 7).

Resolve the Problem (Acts 15:13-21) - James

“And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. “And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, IN ORDER THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’ SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM OF OLD” (Acts 15:13-18).

(1) The Importance of the Scriptures (Acts 15:13-18)

James affirmed Peter’s (Simeon) experience but needed to put it through the test of the scriptures. Do the scriptures support this interpretation of Peter and others regarding this event. Notice how affirms this in verse 15.

“And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written” (Acts 15:15).

In contrast to the above discussion they turned to think about what the scriptures said regarding this whole matter (only small parts of the New Testament was written). The verses that James quotes (some Bibles use all capitals to refer to a quote as above). James simply points out that the Old Testament scriptures confirms what Peter and others had experienced. He quotes from the prophets.

James quotes from the book of Amos 9:11-12. He says that this expansion of the gospel to the world is exactly what the Old Testament predicted.

In essence, James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, affirms that this rebuilt tabernacle of David is what we now call the church. The tabernacle (i.e. a tent) was a clear picture of God’s people. It could move and be expanded. The temple which was fixed in one location. The tabernacle would be wherever God’s people were.

We should note the purpose of rebuilding the tabernacle. “In order that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who are called by my Name.” He rebuilds it so that He can gain believers from all over the world. This is similar to the argument Paul made in Romans 9-10. God will rebuild the tabernacle of David. He will restore it so that all the Gentiles are called by His Name. This is what was being done right before their eyes (and ours too)!

Remember it was not this way before. It was a wholly new concept to the Jews, even though it was repeatedly spoken in this Old Testament and clearly spoken of by Jesus such as in Acts 1:8.

Next ->(2) The Important Decision (Acts 15:19-21) clearly defines how the Jerusalem Council made an important decision regarding faith and salvation and required the Gentiles three things.

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