"The Development" (Acts 15:30-35)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 4/4/2018 9:12 AM

My Worship Time                                                                              Focus:  The Development

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Acts 15:30-35

            Message of the verses:  “30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 [[But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.]] 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.”

            It was truly a good day when Barnabas, Paul, Silas and Judas came to Antioch to read the letter to the church who were probably anciently waiting to find out what the Apostles at Jerusalem had decided. 

            John MacArthur writes that the delegation evoked four responses from the assembled believers.  “The first was celebration: ‘the rejoiced.’”  They rejoiced because salvation was by grace alone and not any works that go along with becoming a true believer in Jesus Christ.  “The second response was consolation, ‘because of’ the letter’s ‘encouragement.’”  These Gentile believers need not fear that their salvation was not genuine, as legalism does produce great fear, and also guilt and pride, while on the other hand grace along brings comfort and hope.  “A third response was confirmation, as ‘Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.’  The two leaders from Jerusalem added their own heartening words to those of the letter.  Then, ‘after they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out’ and returned to Jerusalem.  Legalism produces neither confirmation nor edification; it is ‘the word of His grace’ that is ‘able to build’ up believers (Acts 20:32).  The final response was continuation.  Verse 34 is not in the best manuscripts, but verse 35 notes that ‘Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others also, the word of the Lord.’”  So Paul and Barnabas actually picked up from where they were before this discussion about adding something to salvation came up, and they continued to preach and teach the believers at Antioch.

            John MacArthur concludes: 

“The apostolic church thus survived the greatest challenge it had yet faced and established the doctrine of salvation by grace.  Satan’s attempt to inject heretical teaching was thwarted.  So also was his attempt to split the church along racial and cultural lines.  With the vitally important truth about salvation safeguarded, the church experienced greater days of ministry than ever before.

“There has always been, and always will be, only one way to be saved.  No one expressed that truth any clearer than the apostle Paul when he penned the familiar words, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast’ (Eph. 2:8-9).”

            There is no greater truth found and for that I am thankful, for if I had to do it on my own I truly would fail as everyone in the world also would fail.

Answer to yesterday’s Bible question:  “Gold” (1 Kings 7:48).

Today’s Bible question:  “How did Zacchaeus promise to repay those from whom he had taken dishonestly?”

Answer in our next SD.

4/4/2018 9:32 AM