Peace Among the Brethren
Peace Among the Brethren
"We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth." Acts 15:27
In the grand scheme of things, this verse would appear to be of little significance. Looking over the context, this is just one of the sentences found in the Jerusalem decree that was sent to the Gentile believers regarding the error of the Judaizers. However, in this verse, there is no doctrine, no refutation of legalism, no exposition of the nature of grace. Just the fact that, hey, we're sending a couple of our guys down, with our decision, to say what we have said.
Why? Well, from a cultural point of view, this was important. You see, in those days a written document did not carry the same weight as a personal testimony. A person's word was regarded with more veracity than anything on paper or papyrus for that matter. Here the Apostles send two witnesses to confirm their decision to the Gentile believers and therein lies the significance and beauty of this particular passage. The Apostles wanted there to be no doubt regarding the position in Christ that their Greek brothers had.
As you read the Book of Acts, you quickly understand that God is building and expanding the church. In fact, He moves so fast that the Apostles cannot keep up with the conversions. Before they know it God drops the Samaritans in their laps. They barely get adjusted to that when, Boom! the Gentiles become their brothers in Christ. The Gentiles!
Read again, Acts chapter 10. Remember how God prepared Peter for his meeting with Cornelius by giving him the vision of a sheet full of clean and unclean animals descending from heaven? Remember the awkwardness when the two groups met for the first time? Here is a situation where two peoples could not be more different culturally, religiously, and racially. They simply didn't have much to do with each other. Hence the reason God prepared both sides for their encounter. Even after Cornelius' and companies' conversion, Peter would be confronted with fellowshipping with the uncircumcised (Acts 11). By fellow Jewish Christians. His reply was that,
'...the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning." The salvific grace that the Gentiles experienced was no different than that of the Jewish people. Their ethnicity made them opposites. Grace made them family.
So now when their Gentile brothers are being troubled by teachers saying that they have to become Jews before they could become Christians, the Apostles respond by sending not only a refutation of this error but also the cultural equivalent of a notary public--two of their guys. Judas and Silas, "chosen men," are sent to substantiate the message so as, "...to lay upon you no greater burden..." . The response from Antioch was one of rejoicing, "over its encouragement". Judas and Silas stuck around for some days exhorting and strengthening the brethren. Afterwards, they were sent back, "with greetings from the brethren to the apostles."
The harmony between these two groups is unexplainable outside the grace of God. And for the Jewish Christians to take the first step denotes how far faith and loving obedience had reshaped their ideas.
This historic "reaching out" by the Apostles was precipitated by nobleness in the Antioch Christian community. They were the first to contribute to the anticipated needs of the Jewish believers when Agabus the prophet warned of impending famine in Judea. Also the disciples were first called "Christians" in Antioch. Sure it may have been a derisive term but it was a mark of identity with Christ nonetheless.
There is a lesson here for us. We should endeavor to encourage, challenge, correct, and love every true believer that we can. Our differences should always be open for discussion and we should be ready to change our minds if the Word of God so dictates. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus charges His listeners with, "...if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?"
June 2nd was a wondrous day for the Highlands Study Center. More than 150 people gathered for a feast and a friendly discussion on differences in the realm of apologetics. First we shared together the food God has blessed us with. Then we chewed on a difficult issue. R.C. took the Classical approach while our dear friend and local OPC pastor, Rob McCurley represented the Presuppositianal camp. Everyone spread blankets on the grass in the warm afternoon air and listened to these two fellow soldiers present their views. The mood was relaxed. The crowd, attentive. The speakers, witty, informative and above all, gracious. We were at peace together as we discussed strategies of war against an unbelieving world. After the debate and before questions were taken from the attendees, R.C. handed Rob a cigar, both men embraced, and then like free men, lit their cigars and answered questions from the crowd until after nightfall. Brothers caring for brothers. Whether it is famine relief, encouragement, correction, exhortation, or greeting and receiving, it is the way of Christ. It is the sign by which we are to be known.
Now don't worry that your favorite dynamic duo, Bob and Larry Boy, are getting soft out here in Virginia, at least in our convictions. We're not planning a Promise Keepers rally or forging another version of Evangelicals and Catholics Together. We are simply doing what we can to strengthen the body of Christ. To promote peace and purity in the church. Our desire has and always will be to challenge what is accepted as normal by what is biblical. Sure we may see things differently, but we are family, not just in the church, but with all those who have tasted that the Lord is good. And as family in Christ, we have the responsibility to engage each other, in love. So, you chose who you want to be, Antioch or Jerusalem and we will be the other group. Now let's talk!