The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions, “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. 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 in chapter fifteen and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter”, where we read:
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
The verse begins, “And the apostles and elders came together ...” Luke began with the words, “and the apostles” which means “and Jesus' delegates, messengers and sent forth ones” “and elders” or “and senior ranking Christians who presided over the churches” “came together” which means “assembled and gathered with one another”. Luke shared how the “sent forth ones who believed in Jesus” and the “overseers” of the church assembled for the following reason.
The verse goes on to say, “... for to consider of this matter.” Luke continued with the words, “for to consider” or “with the purpose of perceiving, knowing and attending” “of this matter” which means “to the sayings, decrees, mandates and moral precepts of circumcision and keeping the law of Moses”. Luke shared how the “messengers of Jesus and the overseers of the church” assembled so they could discuss whether the “Gentiles” should be “circumcised” and observe the “law of Moses”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the leaders in the church assembled so they could discuss whether the “Gentile believers” should be “circumcised” and follow the “law of Moses”. Jesus' “apostles” were there. The “elders” of the church were there, and Paul, Barnabas and the contingency of believers from the church in Antioch of Syria” were in attendance as well. This “first council” of the church met to discuss the future for the believers in Jesus Christ, and whatever they decided would be carried forth for the life of the church. God's desire is to “save” every person from the penalty of sins which is death, and when they yield themselves to His Son Jesus they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Those who are wise will carefully study this meeting of the church and understand God was working His plan for salvation and forming the methods of the body of believers known as the church.
Next time Luke shares, “when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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