Saturday, November 14, 2026

Opening Scripture

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, I praise You for all that You are and all that You’ve done. I praise You for Your abundant blessings to me in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Your Son. I praise You for Your Spirit, who lives in me, comforting, counseling, and guiding each day. Thank you for adopting me into Your eternal family. I offer myself to You this day, through Jesus Christ, who rules and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever more. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Acts 15:22-41

Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul – men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Reflection 

Chapter 15 begins with some angry legalists from Judea heading up to Syria to rain on the Gentile-conversion parade. These Judaizers were holding on to the old paradigm that a person must keep the law of Moses to be saved. Of course, Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed, but these legalists were causing a division in the church, so it was decided that a group would travel to Jerusalem for an official ruling. On the way, Paul and Barnabas made sure to let everyone know that Gentiles were coming to faith in Jesus.

Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, a sacred assembly was convened to discuss the matter. The legalists spoke up first and admitted that “circumcision” was a code word for an entire way of life, built around strictly keeping the law of Moses. They seemed to think salvation was still only for the Jews or that Christianity was something added to the Law, rather than the fulfillment of the Law.

After much discussion, Peter – who had been in the middle of the dispute from the beginning – shared his experience ministering to the Gentiles. He declares, “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” In other words, God has graciously allowed Jews to be saved the same way Gentiles are.

Next, Paul and Barnabas recounted their missionary journey and the amazing things God was doing in Antioch. Finally, Pastor James (Jesus’ half-brother) stood up and rendered the verdict. “It is my judgment that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” That verdict brings us to today’s passage.

It was wisely decided that the Council should document the decision in writing to help resolve any further disagreement on the matter. The Jerusalem Church chose Judas and Silas to return to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to make the formal announcement.

The main points of the decision were part concession and part compromise – intended to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Both Jews coming out of legalism and Gentiles coming out of paganism, who may have a weaker faith, were provided for here.

These guidelines were designed to promote purity in life and unity in fellowship among the new humanity known as the Church. The word “abstain” (apechó) in this context means to avoid, be distant, or keep away from.

• Abstain from things polluted by idols.
• Abstain from sexual immorality.
• Abstain from that which is strangled.
• Abstain from blood.

By avoiding pagan temples, fornication, and consumption of blood – which were all prevalent in Antioch and elsewhere – Gentile Christians would maintain a high moral standard and keep from offending their Jewish brothers and sisters. Jews and Gentiles are equal before God, and the New Covenant applies to everyone. However, some cultural accommodation was requested to facilitate harmony in the Church.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

When the news from Jerusalem was shared in Antioch, everyone was happy and the issue was mostly resolved. Ironically though, the Jerusalem Council’s attempt to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” in the Church was insufficient to keep Paul and Barnabas together in ministry.

At some point after peace was restored in Antioch, Paul wanted to take a second missionary journey with Barnabas to go check on the churches they had established on their first mission trip. Barnabas wanted to take his cousin, John Mark, with them again. Paul refused because John Mark had abandoned them the last time. The two leaders could not agree, so Barnabas took Mark and headed home to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and headed toward Asia.

While that separation was no doubt painful, it resulted in expanded ministry and, ultimately, all parties were reconciled. Paul eventually forgave Mark’s desertion. In Colossians 4:10, Paul sends greetings to the church on behalf of “Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.” In his second letter to Pastor Timothy, Paul says, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).

Thankfully, Mark’s failure was not final. Peter – who also knew a thing or two about bouncing back from failure – would later write, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Mercy and forgiveness are powerful forces. They enabled John Mark to compose the first recorded Gospel.

Do you need to receive mercy and forgiveness?

Do you need to offer mercy and forgiveness?

This week’s collective prayer: Lord, deepen my love for all people. Amen.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!