ACTS 15:19

Concerning those who were new in the faith, James said in Acts 15:19-21, “Wherefore, my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.” In the last message we looked at the first thing that James said to new believers: to abstain from idolatry. In other words to make sure that they keep God as the priority of their lives. Do not let anything replace God being number one in everything that you do and why you do it.

The second thing that James told new believers was to abstain from fornication. In the Greek culture and in the Roman society of two thousand years ago sexual immorality was very common. Sexual immorality is a misunderstanding of the way in which human beings should relate to one another. God made them male and female so that a man would leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife. That is what Jesus said. In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus said, “Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning, made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”

That is the ideal life. That is the way life should be for everyone who does not remain celibate: one man and one woman joined in marriage as partners and friends and lovers throughout their entire lives. That is the ideal that God has set before us to strive for. If we can find that and accomplish that, we will be the happiest that humans can be. That is why God established marriage: for the benefit of mankind. Sex was created by God, but only for marriage. Sex is good and decent, but only in marriage. Whenever we go against that which God has established, we will lose that which is good and beneficial, and we will gain that which is harmful and destructive to us. James said to new believers to abstain from fornication. Think of the things that go wrong in the lives of those who commit sexual fornication without repenting of it. There are millions of people who become afflicted with sexually transmitted diseases, and sometimes death is the result and sometimes an incurable disease is the result.

If everyone followed God’s plan for sex and marriage, there would be no sexually transmitted diseases; and there would be no unwanted pregnancies. Abortion would not be an issue politically or socially or otherwise because no one would have a need or a desire for an abortion. There would be a lot fewer broken marriages, because many marriages are ruined by sexual infidelity. Even Jesus said that adultery was a justifiable reason for divorce. If everyone followed God’s plan for sex and marriage, there would be no young boys or young girls forced to grow up without a father. Over night the world would be transformed if only this one principle were followed: abstain from fornication. Do not believe the lies of the world or of the entertainment industry. The fantasies that they create are false. If you want to have the life that God means for you to have from this point forward, repent of any sins that you have committed, and from this day forward abstain from fornication. Many have pierced themselves through with needless sorrows because they did not heed these warnings about sexual immorality. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

The third thing that James recommended to new believers had to do with their diet. God wants our bodies to be as healthy as they can be. Life is precious, and we should do everything that we can to prolong it. In the Old Testament dietary laws were given, not to make meaningless restrictions, but to improve the health and quality of life of God’s people. When James told the believers to abstain “from things strangled, and from blood,” he was telling them to remember the Old Testament teachings in regards to diet, not for the purpose of keeping the law but for the purpose of keeping themselves healthy. Are you careful about what you eat so that it will help you to maintain as healthy of a life as you can? You should be. Paul touched on the same theme when he wrote to the Corinthians and said in First Corinthians 3:16-17, “Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” Everything is lawful to eat because we live in the age of grace and we are not under law, but we still should look after our health; and just because the people of the world include something in their diet that is not healthy does not mean that believers have to.

The Bible says in Acts 15:22-27, “Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.”

One of the things that is very noticeable in this passage of scripture is the unity of the church in Jerusalem. When they decided to do something, they got everyone involved in the process and they got everyone’s agreement somehow. They started out by saying, “Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church.” In their greeting they said, “The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting.” In other words they were making it clear that it was not just the apostles and elders sending this letter: it was all of the believers. Of course, they called the other believers “brethren.” They are emphasizing the fact that they are all in the same family, the family of God. Finally, they said, “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord.” No wonder that the early church had such power. They had something that is rarely seen today: unity. There is strength in unity. In fact we need each other. Without each other we are weaker and less able.

We each are individual members of a body: the body of Christ. We are only able to do what we are meant to do when all of us are joined in to one body and then that body is functioning as it should. This spiritual principle is explained in detail in First Corinthians chapter twelve. It says in First Corinthians 12:12-21, “For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not of the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” And it says in First Corinthians 12:12-21, “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

The Bible says in Acts 15:28-29, “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. From which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” The first thing that the apostles said was, “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us.” No wonder they knew what to say. They found out what the Holy Spirit wanted them to say and do, and then they did it. That is exactly how the Christian life is supposed to take place. The same Spirit who led you to Jesus wants to lead every step of your life. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” There are two important questions to ask: are you willing to do and say whatever the Spirit might lead you to do or say, and do you know how to seek and to find the leading of the Spirit? Many Christians are so selfish and self-willed that they cannot hear the Spirit, who often speaks in a still, small voice.

The apostles heard the Spirit, and therefore they knew that they could lay upon them “no greater burden.” Laws and restrictions and regulations and requirements, when emphasized in the wrong way, can put a great burden and weight upon the shoulders of those who are taught such things. This ought not to be. Christians have a tremendous liberty and freedom. Christians are not under law, but under grace. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Yes, have standards and morals, but learn to enjoy the liberty that you have in Christ. That is the point that Paul was making in Galatians 5:1 when he said, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

The things that are taught by teachers of God’s Word, instead of putting a burden on people, should have the effect that this passage of scripture had on its readers. Acts 15:30-35 says, “So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle; Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.”

If the Word of God is used rightly, it will cause rejoicing and consolation for those who receive it willingly. The word that is translated “consolation” in verse 31 means to comfort or exhort. It is the same word that is translated “exhorted” in verse 32, and it is the same word that Jesus used in John chapter 16 when Jesus said that He would send another “comforter” to us. That Comforter is the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16:7, “Nevertheless I will tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” The Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter, uses the Word to comfort us. If you are saved, you have the Holy Spirit; but you also need to be hearing the Word so that you can be comforted. The Lord knows that we all need to be comforted. Remember what Paul said in Acts 14:22 “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

The Bible says in Acts 15:36-41, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other; and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” It probably would have been better if Paul and Barnabas had continued together. We do not know for certain. But one thing is certain: they both continued to serve the Lord even as they went their separate ways. Perhaps you have had some division or separation due to some human frailty or inability to get along. Just make sure that you do what Paul did: keep serving the Lord no matter what. At least they continued to realize that they were dependent upon the grace of God: “being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”

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