Tag Archives for " Acts 15 "

On Trial for His Life Paul Takes the Stand

The Book of Acts, chapters 25 and 26. It is Paul’s last attempt to share Gospel in Israel. This time it is to both the new ruling Governor Festus, and the pseudo-king of Israel, Herod Agrippa. After these two chapters Paul will begin his final journey towards Rome and eventual martyrdom for the Gospel. This time we see some classic objections to the Gospel including “This is all much too incredible to be true” and “I just need more time." Paul’s response to these is perfect!

So the First Century Church continues to spread, and is bearing great fruit amongst the Gentiles. But behind this wave of conversions follows another wave of well-meaning “Judaizers” who desperately need to get these Gentiles on board with "REAL" righteousness. Mainly…get the men circumcised! This of course would put a bit of a damper on the evangelical zeal happening in Antioch, so the Church sends Paul and Barnabas (Paul needed some encouragement perhaps) up to Jerusalem to sort this out. Circumcision may be a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but this is a huge moment for the Church, not only to choose a path towards grace, but also about how decisions get made in the Kingdom of God.