Acts 15:12-35
12 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. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘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, 17 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 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Reflection
If circumcision cannot earn salvation, then why do the apostles place certain other restrictions on the Gentiles (non-Jews; Acts 15:20, 29)? Here in Acts 15 we see an example of loving and respecting a “weaker” brother (cf. Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8). These instructions were not encouraging Gentiles to earn their salvation, but to demonstrate love and respect for the Jewish Christians. Because of their background, Jewish Christians would have struggled to share a meal with Gentiles who boastfully rejected traditional Jewish dietary customs (cf. Acts 15:19–21). The Gentiles were not only to abstain from obvious sin (“sexual immorality”) but also to serve their Jewish brothers and sisters. The joyful response of the Gentile believers shows that they hardly view these requirements as burdensome (v. 31). As Christ laid down his freedom for their sake, so they find joy in laying down their freedoms out of love for others.
Revelation 3:14-22
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Reflection
Jesus is the faithful and true witness (Rev. 3:14), and therefore the church in Laodicea should follow his counsel (v. 18). The one who knows all things is aware that the Laodiceans are neither hot nor cold— they are lukewarm followers, and if they do not change, Christ will spit them out of his mouth (vv. 15–16). Once more we are told to listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Those who respond to Christ’s warnings will have clothing for their nakedness and ointment to restore their blinded eyes (v. 18). They will sit with Jesus on his throne, having conquered as he did (v. 21).
Psalm 40:17
17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
Our freedom from sin does not excuse us from the responsibility to love others. Just as the Gentiles were asked to care about the well-being of the Jews (Acts 15:28–29), so all Christians should extend God’s grace and care for the well-being of others. Be mindful of God’s care for you, and ask him to help you use your freedom from sin in ways that intentionally serve and bless others.