Circumcision Conflict
The Gentiles are being saved, but the Jews are upset. Gentiles didn’t have to go through the same requirements. A conflict over circumcision arises.
Being Jewish meant a WHOLE LOT of requirements. The first in every male’s life was circumcision. This decision is made for him without even consulting him. At eight days old, circumcision was required for God’s people.
Now the Gentiles are being welcomed into the ‘family’ without having to follow the requirements. The apostles and elders are called to weigh in on this debate. Can a man be saved without being circumcised? Let’s rejoin the story and find out the answer.
Holy Spirit, I know I’m late getting started today. There were so many other tasks that required my attention. NOT that You are not first in my life, but… Help me focus on Your words, their meanings, and the heart behind them. Let me see with my eyes and heart, Your heart for man.
♥ ♦ ♥
Paul and Barnabas are glad to be home. It was a wonderful trip, and MANY souls were added, but there is ‘no place like home’. It takes two days before they stop feeling the sway of the ocean beneath their feet. Another three days to get everything back in its place. And another day to simply sit still.
“I never thought I would say this brother, but I am enjoying the quiet. No one trying to stone us or run us out of town. Only good brothers and sisters holding us up in prayer.”
“Barnabas, you are SO right! The trip was exciting, but I’m glad to be sitting still. This isn’t the last of my journeys though. I WILL be back on the road, reaching the Gentiles for the Lord. Just, not today.”
News has filtered through all the churches regarding the Gentiles who accepted Jesus as their Savior during Paul and Barnabas’ travels. When it reaches Jerusalem, hackles are raised. The group who protests the most focuses on adherence to the Jewish laws and requirements. In particular, the covenant of circumcision.
“The Lord told Abraham that any male not circumcised in his foreskin had no part in Him. How can these Gentiles then receive salvation, unless they undergo circumcision?”
“Of this there can be no doubt. Unless they are circumcised, they are NOT followers of Christ.”
“We must bring this matter to the attention of Paul and Barnabas. They are doing these Gentiles a disservice by not completing the covenant requirements.”
It is agreed and a group of four men set out first thing in the morning for Antioch. It is a long journey, but one that MUST be undertaken, for the sake of the Body of Christ.
Two long weeks of walking. Two weeks of discussing the matter and arriving at the same conclusion. Two weeks of planning how to introduce this subject to the Gentile church. The men are physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted by the time they reach Antioch.
The elders of the church in Antioch welcome the visitors from Jerusalem with open arms.
“What news do you bring of our brothers in Christ?” asks Simeon.
“There is so much going on that we wouldn’t know where to begin. However, we do have an issue we need to discuss.”
“That sounds serious. Is something wrong?”
“It is a matter of utmost importance and urgency. We would like to meet with the full leadership first, before bringing our concerns to the brothers.”
Simeon’s face reflects the concern he hears in the representatives’ voices. “I will call a counsel meeting for this evening.”
Evening sees all the elders of the church at Antioch, Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Paul gathered together in the home of Paul and Barnabas. The men wait expectantly as the men from Jerusalem prepare to speak.
Rather than an eloquent warm up, their leader throws it out there. “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1).
The leaders of the Antioch church are initially stunned silent. After a second, Barnabas begins to chuckle. “This is a joke, right?”
Head shakes and stern faces greet his reply.
“Are you serious” demands Paul.
“Absolutely. We must address this problem immediately, if the Gentiles are to have any hope of salvation.”
“Who said the Gentiles have no salvation apart from circumcision? Did you hear this from the Lord? Is it an edict handed down by the counsel? Who? What authority?” questions Simeon.
“It clearly states it in the Torah. When God spoke to Abraham. He said that any male that was not circumcised would be cut off from the promise.”
“He was speaking of the future Jewish nation. NOT Gentiles” protests Paul.
“Would you not consider those of Abraham’s company Gentiles? Only Abraham’s descendants through Issac and Jacob would become Jews. His household was a collection of Gentiles. And they ALL underwent circumcision to partake in God’s promise.”
“When the Lord spoke to Peter regarding preaching to the Gentiles, He did NOT tell him to circumcise them. He didn’t even tell Peter to ask if they followed the customs of the Jews. Yet, He poured out the Holy Spirit on all of those present. If God accepted them, as they were, how can you say they are not saved?” argues Paul.
“It was a temporary allowance. To complete their salvation, they must be circumcised.”
“When Barnabas and I went through the region of Galatia, we circumcised no one and they are strong and faithful believers. They believed the word of the Lord, and accepted them with joy. He has called me to preach no other words.”
This debate rages long into the night. It is not settled, but both sides are firmly entrenched in their beliefs. The leaders plead with the visitors to hold this back from the believers until they can come to some form of agreement between themselves.
After going back and forth for a month, the group from Jerusalem breaks this agreement. They begin calling out to the believers themselves.
Fear, confusion, anger, despair, and a host of other emotions surge from the believers. They don’t know what to believe. The very idea that they might not be saved crushes many spirits.
Paul is angry at the group for violating the leader’s trust. And he is tired of getting nowhere with this debate.
“We need to take this to the apostles and have them decide. We will abide by their ruling.”
Paul, Barnabas, and several other honorable men in the church ready for the trip to Jerusalem. The men who brought this weighty matter remain in Antioch, hoping to convince some of the believers to submit to circumcision.
The trip to Jerusalem runs a little longer than a straight trip would. Paul and Barnabas stop in Phoenicia and Samaria to share the results of their recent journey with the believers. Everyone is excited and praising God for the wonders He has done. Yet there is a question on everyone’s minds.
“Brother Paul, some men came from Jerusalem recently and said that Gentiles aren’t really saved unless they are circumcised. Is this true?”
“My brothers, take heart. That is the reason for our journey. I fully believe that is false doctrine. I have witnessed the Lord working in the hearts and hands of MANY Gentile believers. In NO WAY do I believe these works could be done apart from the Spirit of the Lord. And where His Spirit is, there is salvation.”
“What should we do then?”
“Do noting, for the time being. We are on our way to discuss this with the elders and apostles. I am certain that they will seek the Lord and receive an answer. Only then will we make any decisions about the future of the Gentile believers.”
Both churches are buoyed by Paul’s determination to see this matter resolved. They have faith in him, and in the Lord. If anyone can argue their case, it is Paul. And they have heard his skills in presenting his case first hand.
Paul, Barnabas, and those sent with them reach Jerusalem after three months. They devised a strategy along the way. “We will bring the good news of the missionary trip, including the healings. Next, we will recount the churches that have been established to continue the work. Then we will move on to the issue of circumcision. This way, they will hear the evidence of Gentile believers moving under the hand of the Lord.”
The first stop, once inside Jerusalem is the home of John Mark’s ima. Barnabas wants to make sure that he made it home safely, and ask why he left.
Mary greets them warmly. “Shalom brothers. Please come in and rest. I will bring you refreshments.”
John Mark is working in the back of the house when the men arrive. Hearing Paul and Barnabas’ voices, he struggles with how to respond. He wants to see them again, but he is afraid that they are angry with him for returning home, instead of continuing on with the mission. Uncertain what to do, he remains where he is, until his ima calls to him.
“John Mark, come and help me. Bring water for our guests to wash their feet. I will be in with bread and wine shortly.”
“Yes Ima.”
John Mark refreshes the pitcher beside the door, empties the basin, and gathers fresh towels for their guests. As he works Paul is staring a hole in him. Barnabas also watches the young man, but not with the intensity of Paul.
When all is ready, John Mark brings the basin, pitcher, and towels to their visitors’ feet. He begins to humbly wash each man’s feet. Even Paul softens when he sees this act and gladly accepts John Mark’s ministrations on his behalf. After having completed the task, John Mark bows his head, gathers his supplies, and leaves. His ima chooses that same moment to appear with her offerings.
“Please, eat” she encourages.
Barnabas takes this opportunity to sneak away and speak to John Mark privately.
“Brother, it has been a while since we talked. Would you honor me with a little of your time?”
John Mark blushes. He believes that he is the one being honored, not Barnabas. He nods and extends his hand to a bench nearby. “Would you care to sit?”
“I would indeed. We have been traveling for some time and it is always nice to find a comfortable seat and have a good friend to share it with.”
John Mark ducks his head, shame coloring his cheeks this time. He sits beside Barnabas, not certain where to start, so he lets Barnabas continue on with the lead.
“How was your journey home? Did you encounter any difficulties?”
“It was uneventful. The only ‘difficulties’ I encountered is my own conscience.”
“How so?”
“Not two days after leaving you and Brother Paul, I began to regret my decision. I longed to turn around and rejoin you, but there was no going back. My voyage had been struck and I had to complete it.”
“Can you tell me why you left in the first place?”
John Mark drops his head, not certain that Barnabas will understand, and ashamed of his own reasoning.
“Please, brother. There is no need to hide this from me. I asked because I want to hear your heart.”
After a deep sigh, John Mark begins to pour his heart out. “As we were traveling, I kept seeing the signs the Lord worked through you and Paul. I listened as you shared what the Lord spoke to you. And I began to wonder. The Lord did not speak to me even once, nor did He do any works through my hands. Maybe I was of no value to Him in this work. Maybe you would do greater works without me hindering you. Maybe I wasn’t worthy to be with you in the first place.”
Barnabas’ heart breaks for the young man. He knows the same ‘wonders’ expressed by John Mark. He has had them himself. He reaches out and puts a comforting hand on John Mark’s shoulder.
“I understand your concerns. I went through my own ‘growing pains’ as I stepped into the role the Lord has given me. I needed to wrestle with those doubts, to learn from others, and to push beyond what I believed were my limits to be where I am today. No one steps into ministry ready to take on the world. Besides all that, you WERE a value to the trip. Your humble service to the believers testified to them more than words ever could. Your character and love were your ‘miracle works’. And you were an enormous help in the daily tasks for both Paul and myself.”
“I was?”
“You were. And do NOT let anyone tell you different; even yourself.”
John Mark smiles for the first time since the visitors arrived. His doubts are still there, but they are pushed a little farther away right now.
“On our next missionary trip, I want you to come with us.”
“I would be honored to serve you and Brother Paul in whatever way I can.”
Barnabas and John Mark rejoin the others in the house. Paul still maintains his distance from the youth, but he says nothing hurtful or accusing. After they leave, Paul asks Barnabas about his absence.
“I was visiting with John Mark.”
“Were your questions answered to your satisfaction?”
“They were. John Mark shared his feelings of inadequacy with me and I assured him that ALL of us needed time to grow into the men God has called us to be.”
Paul nods and drops the subject.
The next stop is the home of the apostles.
As the group approaches, a watchman announces their presence. Peter goes out to meet them.
“Shalom brothers! It is wonderful to see you. Please come in and rest a while.”
“Thank you, Brother Peter. We have rested already from our journey, but would love to share with you the tales of our travels. The hand of God was surely on our journey!”
“Is it possible for you to assemble all the elders and apostles, that we may make a full report, ensuring that all hear the same words from our mouths?”
“That can be arranged, but it will take a day. Stay with us the night and we will begin sharing tomorrow, once all have assembled.”
Runners are dispatched to the homes and hiding places of the others in leadership. It is not safe for them to remain together all the time.
The evening meal is filled with stories of the church in Antioch and Jerusalem. Paul reserves the stories of the missionary journey for tomorrow, and the debate regarding circumcision.
Morning brings the elders to the home of Peter. It is a bit crowded once everyone is assembled, but no one complains.
“Brothers, our esteemed brother, Paul and Barnabas, have come to share the news of their first missionary journey.” Peter turns to Paul and motions for him to begin.
“Shalom brothers, honored leaders. Barnabas and I returned not too long ago from a trip through Cyprus and into the heart of Galatia. The outpouring of the Lord was present everywhere we preached. Gentiles and Jews received the news of the gospel with gladness. There were of course those who opposed the message, but that did nothing to stop the growth of the body of Christ.”
Paul shares the story of the whole town turning out in Antioch Pisidia, the conversion of the proconsul, and the churches that were planted. He holds the story of his own stoning and the peoples’ reaction in Lystra until the end.
“The Jews who opposed us in Antioch and Iconium came seeking us in Lystra. They convinced many of the people in Lystra to join their cause. A great mob developed and they came seeking me.”
Paul looks around at his audience thinking: They are not going to believe what comes next.
“They found me and they stoned me. Afterwards, they dragged me from the city and threw my body into the road.”
Shock ripples through the room, then skepticism. “How can you stand before us and say that you were stoned?”
Paul holds up a hand. “The brothers gathered around me, weeping. The Lord was apparently not through with me, and I rose up before their very eyes.”
Heads turn and look at Barnabas. He does an emphatic head nod to corroborate Paul’s story.
“Praise be to God” resounds around the room.
When the excitement dies down Paul continues with his story. “I need to share something else that happened earlier in Lystra, before sharing what happened after I stood up again.”
Every man is on the edge of his seat, hanging on Paul’s every word.
“When we first entered the city, we went to the Temple of Zeus, as there was no synagogue to preach in. We began sharing the word with the people. There was a lame beggar who was listening intently and I could actually see faith rising up within him. The Spirit urged me, and I called out to him to stand up. He immediately jumped to his feet and began walking around.”
Smiles and praises flow through the room again until Paul holds up his hand.
“After he was healed, the people began saying that their gods had come in the form of people. They called Barnabas Zeus, and me Hermes.”
Shock and anger replace the smiles of a moment ago. Paul speaks over the noise developing.
“We told them to stop. We had to actually flee from them, proclaiming all the time that we ARE NOT gods and that there is only one true God.”
Nods fill the room.
“Now, let’s get back to my stoning.” Paul pauses to make sure everyone is with him. “After rising back up, we went BACK into town.” Paul waits for this to sink in. “The same people who stoned me, and those who called us gods, saw the hand of the Lord as I walked among them and proclaimed the gospel.”
Cheers break out as well as praise to the Lord.
“I don’t know if I would have given them a second chance at me” calls James.
“We made sure to visit Iconium and Antioch as well. Those responsible for my stoning received living proof of God’s hand as well. We were able to plant churches in every city we came to, in spite of the opposition.”
The opening into the matter Paul and his group made the journey presents itself.
“It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses” (Acts 15:5) some call from a group of believers who favor the Pharisees teachings.
Paul looks towards the men and holds his hand out, palm up. “This my brothers is another reason we asked to see all of you together.”
Paul looks about the whole room. “When we returned from our journey, men came from Jerusalem, saying this very same thing. That the Gentiles were NOT saved unless they accepted the mark of circumcision.”
Some heads nod while others shake.
“We have witnessed first hand the Lord working in and through the Gentile believers. We implore you to consider this matter prayerfully and return with an answer that will settle this matter for all time. I personally do NOT hold with this teaching. NONE of the Gentiles we observed the Lord working through are circumcised.”
Paul sits down and a heated debate begins. Those speaking loudest for circumcision are those who hold to the beliefs of the Pharisees. Those speaking loudest against imposing such a requirement are those who have personally worked with Gentile believers.
Hours roll by with neither side willing to concede. Peter finally stands and addresses the whole group.
“Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will” (Acts 15:7-11).
The room falls silent. After a minute, Peter holds his hand out to Paul. “Share with us again the signs and wonders God did through you while you were among the Gentiles.”
Paul recounts the healings, the demons fleeing, and the evidence of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles. After he finishes, James stands to address the room.
“Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘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, 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 known from of old.’ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 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. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues” (Acts 15:13-21).
Not a single person raises an argument after this. A letter is carefully written and copied several times, relating the words agreement proposed by James. To ensure there is no misunderstanding or false teaching after this, several of the brothers from Jerusalem are sent with Paul and his group back to Antioch.
They carried the letter to the Gentiles stating: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 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, 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, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 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” (Acts 15:23-29).
Before the group departs, Peter takes Paul aside. “Thank you for sharing the news of your travels and this matter with us personally. I am not certain that I would have believed such tales if not from the mouth of the man who experienced it himself.”
Paul and Barnabas are glad to be home, and they remain in Antioch for quite a while.
(to be continued)
Let me start off with, I HATE arguments! Some people thrive on them. My first husband used to get angry with me because I wouldn’t argue with him. Paul was one who never backed away from an argument. And it was those skills of persuasion that God use in him.
Paul believed in everything he stood up for. He had the background to back it up too. He had the training as a Pharisee, the encounter with Jesus, and the experience watching the Gentiles receive the Lord. He used these to stand up for a people who had no one to stand for them. A group that was only recently being welcomed into the body of Christ.
And GOD gave Paul those ‘proofs’ to bring with him to the table. HE made sure that the Gentiles were welcomed into His family. He also made certain to share that same welcome in front of one of Jesus’ own disciples; Peter. NO ONE argued with Peter regarding his story. God paved the way; every brick, every stone, and every pebble along the way. Nothing was left undone for you and I to become part of the body of Christ.
Thank You Father God for planning ALL of this FAR in advance of the day it was needed. You even spoke it in Your word, ensuring that all who listen, hear it clearly. You are God of the Jews AND Gentiles. You are MY God. And, IF YOU ask me to stand and declare truth, I will NOT run away. If I start to, You have my permission to pour ‘super glue’ on my feet so I can’t run away.
