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Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. Acts 15v2
First the funny side. 1/
Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. Acts 15v2
First the funny side. 1/
If I summarise...
Paul and Barnabas: You're wrong! It's grace!
New Guys: Nuh-uh! You can't ignore the law! Moses said!
This goes on for a few hours until...
P&B: That's it! I'm telling the Apostles!
NGs: Not if I tell them first!
*Both shoves to get out door first* 2/
Paul and Barnabas: You're wrong! It's grace!
New Guys: Nuh-uh! You can't ignore the law! Moses said!
This goes on for a few hours until...
P&B: That's it! I'm telling the Apostles!
NGs: Not if I tell them first!
*Both shoves to get out door first* 2/
Ok. So that is not how it happened and in no way am I trying to make fun of this scripture! The reality is that they had a massive, (seemingly) very heated conflict regarding the theology of what is to become known as the Old vs New Covenant.
Law vs Grace
One assumes they both
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Law vs Grace
One assumes they both
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used scriptures to back their theological points.
The word "dissension" in Greek is στάσεως meaning "rebel, revolutionist". It used as "insurrection / uproar". It is a very forceful word denoting something akin to a hostile revolution against a power like a government.
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The word "dissension" in Greek is στάσεως meaning "rebel, revolutionist". It used as "insurrection / uproar". It is a very forceful word denoting something akin to a hostile revolution against a power like a government.
4/
This debate was "not small" in scale of emotion it seems. It is like they had Twitter back then too! 
But the question seems to be one of the first major theological ones that the new church faced. And the answer had huge implications.
So how do the Apostles solve this?
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But the question seems to be one of the first major theological ones that the new church faced. And the answer had huge implications.
So how do the Apostles solve this?
5/
1st, they debated it. V7
2nd, Peter because of his earlier vision (direct revelation) from God tells how God confirmed it with pouring out His Spirit on the Gentiles (God's presence). V8-9 So why add to the gospel? V10-11
3rd, Paul and Barnabas declared "how many miracles and
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2nd, Peter because of his earlier vision (direct revelation) from God tells how God confirmed it with pouring out His Spirit on the Gentiles (God's presence). V8-9 So why add to the gospel? V10-11
3rd, Paul and Barnabas declared "how many miracles and
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wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles." (Experiential knowledge) V12
4th, most crucially James then points out that this all lines up with scripture. V13-18 "Therefore" (I conclude) that we choose grace over law with a few guidelines. V19-20
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4th, most crucially James then points out that this all lines up with scripture. V13-18 "Therefore" (I conclude) that we choose grace over law with a few guidelines. V19-20
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And even Moses would agree. V21
This seemed to settle it.
So although they confirmed that grace over law is correct through: 1. direct revelation, 2. God's presence, and 3. experiential knowledge, it was looking to scripture as it's basis that confirmed it. But...
8/
This seemed to settle it.
So although they confirmed that grace over law is correct through: 1. direct revelation, 2. God's presence, and 3. experiential knowledge, it was looking to scripture as it's basis that confirmed it. But...
8/
it was not scripture alone. It was the logical outworking of the scripture with the other evidence.
Scripture must be our foundation. But if we exclude logic and other ways for God to confirm His word in our lives, it is a recipe for living under the works rather than grace.
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Scripture must be our foundation. But if we exclude logic and other ways for God to confirm His word in our lives, it is a recipe for living under the works rather than grace.
9/
Bonus side note:
It is beautiful to see the flaws and successes of the Apostles. Paul happy to start WW3 at the beginnings of his ministry. But then by the time he writes to Timothy, we can see the sanctification process he has gone through as noted in 1 Timothy 5v1-2.
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It is beautiful to see the flaws and successes of the Apostles. Paul happy to start WW3 at the beginnings of his ministry. But then by the time he writes to Timothy, we can see the sanctification process he has gone through as noted in 1 Timothy 5v1-2.
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And 2 Timothy 2v24-26: "A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses
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and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
Thank you if you made it this far. I hope it blesses you like it did me today.
#BibleStudy
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Thank you if you made it this far. I hope it blesses you like it did me today.
#BibleStudy
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