"Disciple Debate"

EPISODE 137

Discuss Without Division

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The stage is set. It's an election year, which means plenty of public debates where candidates of all sides speak up about their platforms. But as is the tendency in our culture today, so often these once civil discussions quickly devolve into divisiveness and name-calling.

But in Acts 15, Luke records a debate between the disciples regarding the Gentiles, which went a very different way. The issue:

"But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses"" (Acts 15:5).

Peter Speaks

"... why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will" (Acts 15:10-11).

Circumcision was a staple of the Old Law. Beginning with Abraham, circumcision was a symbol for every male Israelite of their unique relationship with God. But Peter points out how the requirements of that Law were unbearable.

Outward signs or symbols don't save today, but inward transformation by the grace of Christ (Rom. 2:29). We'll never be "good enough" or "perfect enough" to earn salvation. It's either his gift of grace or nothing at all.

Paul & Barnabas Speak

"And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles" (Acts 15:12).

Paul and Barnabas were busy teaching the Gentiles and performing signs among them. God enabled them through the Spirit to back up their words with proof. So, if they were missing an essential aspect of transformation and salvation (circumcision), why would God help them to spread misinformation?

To their credit, they were very attentive listeners. It seems so rare in any debate, but the disciples were sincerely seeking God's answer on the matter. And all the evidence was under consideration!

James Speaks

"… just as it is written, "'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant 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 15:15-18).

Employing Jesus' strategy of referencing the prophets (Luke 24:45-47), James points them back to Amos (Amos 9:11-12). God promised long ago to restore the remnant of Israel — and to call the nations by name. James' advice: don't bother the Gentiles with circumcision (Acts 15:19)! And that's what they agreed to do.

So, let's take a lesson from the disciple's debate, being good listeners, looking at all the evidence, and searching the Scriptures when dealing with questions today!