GOD'S WORLD MISSION PURPOSE

Passage: Acts 15:12-21

Key verse: 14

NIV

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders(A) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(B) 13 When they finished, James(C) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(D) 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return
    and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
    and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
    even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b](E)—
18     things known from long ago.[c](F)

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(G) from sexual immorality,(H) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(I) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(J)

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
  2. Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  3. Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul (A)as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, (B)James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 (C)Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them (D)a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

16 (E)“‘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[a] of mankind (F)may seek the Lord,
    and all the Gentiles (G)who are called by my name,
     says the Lord, who makes these things 18 (H)known from of old.’

19 Therefore (I)my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who (J)turn to God, 20 but should write to them (K)to abstain from (L)the things polluted by idols, and from (M)sexual immorality, and from (N)what has been strangled, and from (O)blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, (P)for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 15:17 Or rest
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. God's purpose revealed in Scripture (12-18)

Barnabas and Paul testified to the assembly about the wonderful work of God among the Gentiles. James (the brother of Jesus and moderator of the Council) made a decision based on Scripture, not just on experience. The prophets looked forward to the time when the Descendant of David, the Messiah, would rebuild David's fallen tent, a time when all the Gentiles who bear the name of the Lord would come into that tent and be God's people. God chose the Jews and blessed them so that they could be a kingdom of priests to bring all the world back to God.

2. Don't make it hard for new believers (19-21)

So James concluded that God's people should welcome Gentile believers and not make it difficult for them to come to God. Only faith in Jesus is necessary for salvation. There are some things, however, which are offensive to God. Those who love God should know this and try to please him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep your scriptures and your world mission purpose in my heart, so that I can discern your will.

One Word: God wants us to be missionaries