15:3,4
On their way to Jerusalem they passed through many places in Phoenicia and Samaria, telling them the news of what had happened with the Gentiles being converted. This is one of the advantages of a time when travel was slower! Luke is showing that most of the church was highly receptive to the Gentile converts and rejoiced in the news, the Judaisers are portrayed as very much a minority, though highly troublesome, faction. When they did arrive in Jerusalem they were welcomed there also, and they told them everything that had happened.
15:5
We now get the “opposition”. At this time the Pharisees were dominated by the strict faction, after the fall of Jerusalem the more liberal faction dominated. This strict faction had a very strict adherence to the Law of Moses. Now, they were also believers, but there past involvement in the Pharisees also greatly coloured their thinking. We all need to be aware of how our upbringing and cultural background can influence our thinking. Sometimes this will be for good, but not always.
15:6
“The apostles and elders met to consider this question”. It is interesting that the elders and apostles are in some ways on a par. Their roles are different, but one is not superior to the other, indeed that applies to all roles within the church. And they considered the matter. Ie they thought about it. Spiritual wisdom, prophecy etc do not obviate the need for Scriptural study nor the use of intelligence, wisdom and common sense.
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