LEADERSHIP MEETINGS: OF WHAT DID THEY CONSIST? PART 1: ACTS 20:17-38 BY GLENN GILES There are several examples of leadership meetings in the New Testament. In an effort to help us be guided Biblically concerning those meetings, I want to share some preliminary insights that I have found from the New Testament. These are not to be understood as exhaustive 1 but perhaps may uncover some of the heart of the concerns, practices, purposes, and passions that were the impetus for these meetings. This will be a three part series covering the following three passages: Acts 20:17-38, Galatians 1:18-2:21, and Acts 15. The passage considered in this first article is Acts 20:17-38. I. Acts 20:17-38 and the example of Paul s leadership meeting with the Ephesian Elders. In this passage of Scripture we find that Paul was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). He was going to travel past Ephesus but did not have time to stop to see them, so he asked the elders of the church in Ephesus to come and meet him at Miletus, a city south of Ephesus. The elders arrive (20:17-18) and Paul begins to lead the meeting. He speaks out in verses 18-21 with the following points: 1. Paul reminds them that how he lived the whole time he was with them (vs.18). Why did he recall to them his life? It would seem to me that he was calling to their attention his example. Should we call attention to the example of others and ourselves as we follow Christ in our meetings? I think we can if it gives glory to God and is a teaching tool for others. 2. Paul speaks of his service to the Lord with great humility and tears even though he was severely tested by the plots of the Jews(vs. 19). Why did he speak of this? Is it prideful to speak of one s humility and tears and one s persecutions? It must not be the case or it would seem that Paul would be in sin here. Can it be the case that true humility can indeed speak of itself in humility giving Glory to God? I am thinking that is possible. Paul was pointing out his tears which seem to show perhaps a heart of compassion, a heart that indeed wants to communicate his emotional distress for others to others. I do not believe this was Paul s tears for himself, but for others. Persecutions: Why speak of that? Could it be that speaking of persecutions identifies him with Christ and other Christians who also go through them? 3. Paul speaks that he did not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house (verse 20). Paul s whole purpose in preaching to them would be to help them. Also, nothing he taught was in secret. It was all open and public. He 1 Indeed, all of I and II Timothy and Titus might be considered leadership meeting material via letter. Again, these are just some of the things I am discovering from the example of Scripture. The Bible quotations in this article are from the NIV version.
so wanted to help that he preached from house to house. So we see here Paul s heart to teach publically and in smaller groups so as to help Christians seemingly in any way he could. Why does he tell the Elders this? Could it be that he is trying to share his heart, his love, his commitment to them, something that would inspire them to do the same with their people? 4. Paul speaks that he has declared (the Greek is diamarturomai, which is a solemn (originally an oath) statement and can be translated testify (of), bear witness (to) 2 ) to all (both Greeks and Jews) that it is necessary for everyone to repent and have faith in the Lord Jesus (vs. 21). Why would Paul make this solemn statement? It must have been extremely important. Paul even stresses it to elders! Did not they already know this? Could this be an indication of what even those older in the faith need? It seems Paul s leadership meeting included a reminder of repentance to God and faith in Christ. 5. Paul then speaks of his plans to go to Jerusalem and knows that prison and hardships are facing him. He knows this because the Holy Spirit has been warning him in every city (verses 22-23). So Paul speaks of what he hears the Spirit speaking to him and tells of his plans in spite of the persecution and suffering that he will endure. 6. Paul then speaks of his HEART commitment. He says, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me the task of testifying to the gospel of God s grace. He says he does not consider his life worth anything to him. But only that he might finish the race and task the Lord Jesus has given him. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles and has the task of testifying to them (and others) the gospel of God s grace (as we all do). He was sharing the task he had. He was not necessarily saying that they all had the exact task as he did in every detail. He knew they had a somewhat different task or it would seem he would have told them to go to Jerusalem with him. As we will see later, they had the task (spiritual gift and assignment if you will) of serving as elders. He seems to be inspiring them by his heart dedication to fulfilling the task God have him. That would seem to be an inspiration to them to consider their lives as worth nothing so that they too might finish the race and complete the task (including at least their eldership) God has given THEM as overseers of the flock in Ephesus as well as their part in testifying to the gospel of God s grace. 7. Paul then tells them that they (to whom he preached the kingdom (i.e., the rule of God)) will not see his face again (vs. 25). This seems to be a goodbye. He then states that he is innocent of the blood of all men. Why? It seems that it is because he did not hesitate to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Note that Paul does not say that he was innocent of the blood of all men because he had taught all men about the kingdom, BUT because (gar in Greek) he had not hesitated to proclaim (Greek is 2 Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, translated by William F. Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974), 185.
martureo, which means to bear witness to ) God s whole will to them, the elders! It is interesting that he did not feel guilty that he did not share his faith with every living human being! Rather, he was innocent of all men s blood because he had bore witness to them, the leaders, the elders in this case, the whole will (the word will here is from the Greek boule which means purpose... resolution, decision... of the divine will... purpose 3 ) of God. It would seem to me that Paul s leaders meetings of the past involved declaring, testifying, and bearing witness to the will or purpose of God. It is important I believe that we see that what Paul proclaimed was not part of the will of God but all of it or the whole of it. What is the will or purpose of God? Could that not be a major part of the agenda of leadership meetings? I am convinced it should be. We need to educate one another deeply in the whole will of God. 8. Paul then goes on and gives specific instructions to the elders for doing the task assigned to them (vss. 28-32). He tells them to a. Keep watch over themselves. They are to watch their life and doctrine b. Keep watch over the flock. They had a certain flock to watch and shepherd. c. They were to continue to realize that the Holy Spirit made the overseers. (1). Could this be an exhortation to use their gift of eldership and realize it is a gift given by the Spirit? How did God make them thus? Could it be by the recognition of their gift by other leaders and their meeting the qualifications in passages such as Titus 1? (2). They are declared overseers. This is the Greek word episkopos which means guardian... superintendent 4, or overseer. They were to be guardians and superintendents and Godly overseers of the flock. I do not think this stops at the eldership (although God has given them the oversight above, if you will, the rest of us yet under Christ). Rather all of us as leaders are to be guardians of the flock. (3). They were told to be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood (vs. 28). They are to be those who take care of the sheep. d. Of what are we as guardians and shepherds to guard? Paul goes on to say it is from savage wolves who will come in and not spare the flock (vs. 28-29). These wolves will even be men from inside the flock, even men among their number. Could it be that even among these elders there will be wolves? It seems to be what he is saying. So shepherding and guarding the flock would mean that 3 Bauer, 145. 4 Bauer, 299.
5 Bauer, 188. leaders will shepherd and be guardians of each other as well as the sheep. What will these men, these, wolves, do? (1) They will distort (Greek is diastrepho which means make crooked, pervert,... mislead 5 ) the truth (literally speaking distorted things ). Distorted truth must be guarded against and the real truth of God, found in the Bible must be spoken. (2) These men will also seek to get disciples to follow them. NIV says they will distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Their purpose is not to help disciples follow Christ but to follow them. It would seem that self-aggrandizement is in their heart instead of the purpose of glorifying Christ. Leaders are to guard against this type of speech and purpose both within ourselves and in other leaders. (3) This was so important that Paul said be on your guard and reminded them that he had warned each of them day and night with tears that things like the above would happen. It would seem that in Paul s leadership meeting that there was a constant reminder of the things listed above. His leaders needed to constantly be on guard individually for themselves, themselves as a group, and for the flock. Paul was so urgent that he shed tears over the fact that some would rise up, distort the truth, and draw away disciples to their own way instead of God s way. May we have such a heart and urgency in our leadership meetings! 9. Paul then commits them to God and the word of his grace so that they can be built up and can receive the inheritance (verse 32). What does it mean to commit them to God? Paul will no longer be there to shepherd them. They must seek God and his will through his word of grace (today the Bible including the NT). Paul releases them to serve God guided by God s word. He has laid a foundation, a foundation that allows him to leave and them to press on in following God in His true way. 10. Paul urges them to realize by his example that he was out for their good and was following Jesus words, It is more blessed to give than to receive (verses 33-35). Paul reminds them of his actions toward this end: (1) He never coveted anyone s silver or gold or clothing (2) His hands supplied his own needs as well as the needs of his companions. Why he even worked to support those whom he was training! (3) In everything he showed that it was by hard work that one should work to help the weak Paul showed in his life and actions that he was not out for himself but for the good of those he led, trained, as well as the weak. He seems to have wanted to help them realize that his intentions were impeccable! May our leader s meetings exemplify this example in us. 11. Paul kneels down and prayed with them (vs. 36). Paul s leadership meeting included prayer. I am thinking this was not just a traditional beginning
and ending of the meeting prayer but one from the heart that involved all. 12. They wept, hugged and kissed at this leadership meeting. That seems to mean that they shared their emotions (here of sadness of their not being able to see him again). They were open with their affection toward Paul and presumably toward each other. They even accompanied him to his ship when he was ready to leave (vss. 37-38). II. Possible gleanings for leadership meetings A. In humility, share our lives with each other as examples of how to live for Christ to the glory of God. Speak of how we serve the Lord with great humility and tears. (Of course that great humility and tears must actually happen for us to speak of it. Are we seeking that life of great humility and compassion and heart? Perhaps our meetings can help us get to that point). We must ponder, What would it take for one to speak humbly of his/her own humility? Oh, the depths of that true humility! May we help each other to get there. I believe it can only happen as we are totally sold out to give God all the glory, something that can happen I believe as we approach complete selflessness. May God help us to get there. B. Do not hesitate to speak anything that would be helpful to the other leaders C. Solemnly remind each other that all people must repentant to God and have faith in Christ. D. Share our plans with each other and how we feel the Holy Spirit is moving us to serve God (including the use of the spiritual gifts God has given us) even in the face of persecutions and trials. E. Share our commitment to Christ, that our life means nothing to us in order that we might complete the task God has given us (including I think our spiritual gift tasks) to testify to the gospel of God s grace. F. We should not hesitate to proclaim the whole purpose of God to each other. How much of the whole purpose are we all lacking? G. We should talk about being guardians and shepherds (care givers and helpers) of God s flock, being on guard concerning ourselves and for those leaders (even among us) who might become savage wolves, who arise up to distort the truth and draw away Christians (disciples) to follow them instead of Christ. This was so important that Paul warned and reminded them day and night with tears. His heart and soul was totally engaged in guarding against this! H. Be willing to commit leaders to God and the word of his grace. God can change all of us and help us all to grow and mature. I. Be willing to show and speak by our lives and actions that we are not out for ourselves or our own glory, but for the good of those whom we are training and leading, as well as the weak. J. Prayer together. We need much prayer TOGETHER. K. Showing of emotions of affection toward one another.
Brothers and sisters, what an incredible leadership meeting Paul had with his leaders! I believe we can to the same. There are so many spiritual things here, so many ways to encourage one another spiritually! So many great opportunities to help one another as leaders. I believe we can have these types of incredible leadership meetings too! These exemplify Paul s heart for his people. May we exemplify that heart toward one another and for our people as well!
LEADERSHIP MEETINGS: OF WHAT DID THEY CONSIST? PART 2: Galatians 1:18-2:21 BY GLENN GILES In this Part 2 of our study of what took place in leadership meetings in the New Testament, we will look at Paul and his meeting with the Apostles in Jerusalem and Antioch in Galatians 1:18-2:21. This passage details three leadership meetings of Paul and the Apostles. Meeting 1: Paul and Peter and James in Jerusalem: Gal. 1:18-24. This passage reads with Paul speaking: Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles--only James, the Lord's brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me. In this passage, Paul went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter. In the process he also met James, the Lord s brother. The Greek word here for get acquainted is historeo. This word means visit for the purpose of coming to know someone 6. Earlier Greek had the idea of inquire but by the time of Jesus it meant visit or get to know. In the context, Peter is attempting to help his readers understand that he got his gospel from a revelation of the Lord Himself (1:12) and not from any man (1:16-17), nor originally from the Apostles (vs. 17), nor from the disciples in Judea (verse 22), and here not from Peter or James. In our present passage he simply states that after three years he went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted or visit Peter. He only stayed 15 days. His point seems to be that he did not go to Peter to learn the gospel from him but just to visit or get to know Peter. Hence this particular leaders meeting consisted in the purpose of getting to know another leader or leaders. There was no particular agenda except that one. It was a fellowship, or getting to know one another time. Meeting 2: Paul and Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem: Gal. 2:1-10. Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. [This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain 6 Bauer, Arndt and Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974, 383. Scripture quotation is from the NIV version.
with you. As for those who seemed to be important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance-- those men added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, {Greek uncircumcised} just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. In this passage we see the purpose of Paul s visit this time was in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles (verse 2). God had given Paul a revelation to go to Jerusalem and meet with the leaders to set before them the gospel he was preaching. Perhaps it was to help them think through their Jewish Christianity. We are not totally sure. But Paul goes on to say But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. [This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. It seems that Paul was afraid of running his race in vain and it had to do with some false brothers who were attempting to force him to accept circumcision as part of the gospel he should preach to the Gentiles. F. F. Bruce 7 states He set forth what he preached to Jerusalem leaders so they could see that it was basically the same gospel as they themselves preached among the Jews... the circumcision-free emphasis on Paul s proclamation of it to the Gentiles had naturally no counterpart to Jews, who were already circumcised. The word set forth here is anatithemi which means declare, communicate, lay before someone for consideration 8. Paul feared (verse 2) that he had been running in vain. The word for in vain is kenos which means empty, to no purpose, without result. 9 Bruce (p. 111) comments, What Paul was concerned about was not the validity of his Gospel (of which he had divine assurance) but its practicability. His commission was not derived from Jerusalem, but it could not be executed effectively except in fellowship with Jerusalem. A cleavage between his Gentile mission and the mother-church would be disastrous. Christ would be divided, and all 7 Commentary on Galatians. New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982). 109. 8 Bauer, 61. 9 Bauer, 428-29.
the energy which Paul had devoted, and hoped to devote, to the evangelizing of the Gentile world would be frustrated. Note how this seems to be supported by the text in that (1) Titus, a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised, (2) Paul did not give in to the false brothers for a moment because of this matter of slavery ( We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you ), (3) those who seemed to be important made no difference to Paul, and (4) they added nothing to his message. Paul seems to have gone down to Jerusalem to attempt to keep the unity of the faith. His gospel would be hindered to the Gentiles if this issue of circumcision was not dealt with. So it seems Paul did not go to Jerusalem so as to check out his message but to attempt to create unity between his ministry to the Gentiles and the ministry that involved the Jews. Paul could have just went his own way and forgot the Jewish brothers and could have not sought unity but he did not. The whole church of Jesus Christ must be united. Hence, this leadership meeting was for the purpose of creating unity among brothers. The Gospel is hindered when there is lack of unity even if that lack of unity is with others in another part of the world. Verses 7-10 state: On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, Greek uncircumcised}just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. During the meeting several things were agreed upon: (1) The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem accepted that Paul had been entrusted by God with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles (God had given Paul a special task, as special spiritual gift of Apostleship, if you will) just as Peter was to the Jews, (2) the same God was working through both Peter and Paul, (3) James, Peter, and John (Jewish church pillars) extended the right hand of fellowship (i.e., full acceptance as brothers (koinonia)) by recognizing the grace given to Paul 10, (4) they agreed that Paul and Barnabas should go to the Gentiles and James, Peter, and John to the Jews, and (5) they were eager to help one another across ministries (in this case asking Paul and Barnabas to help the poor in the Jewish church, vs. 10, cf. Acts 24:17 and Rom. 15:25-27 11 ). One of the main issues here was recognition by leaders of the grace given to other leaders. This term grace given is tied in several places in Paul s writings to spiritual gifts given by God to individuals (note Romans. 12:3, 6; 15:15-16; 15:9-10; II Cor. 4:1; 12:4-31; Eph. 3:2, 7; 4:7-11; Peter 10 Bruce, 121, commenting on the grace given to Paul states, The grace given to Paul is his apostleship to the Gentiles; cf. 1:19 above (Rom 1:5; 12:3; 15:15; I Cor. 3:10; Eph. 3:8; Phil 1:7) 11 Bruce, 126, states that the poor are primarily the poorer members of the Jerusalem church.
even uses like terms in I Pet. 4:10). Hence, one of the major items here that seems to shine forth is recognition of the different grace or spiritual gifts or God-assigned tasks that God had given to each leader. This recognition extended to include complete fellowship and complete agreement for each to be free to exercise that gift or grace and to help one another in each other s needs. Hence, this leader s meeting was about the gospel, about accepting the special gifts of grace God had given to each leader, to be free to practice that gift in complete unity and fellowship and harmony with each other, and about taking care of those in need. Meeting 3: Paul and Peter in Antioch: Gal. 2:11-21. These verses state: When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? "We who are Jews by birth and not `Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. "If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" This passage highlights a meeting between Peter and Paul in which Paul confronts Peter on his hypocrisy in front of them all. Paul says of Peter, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. The truth of the gospel was at stake. The issue was that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. One is not saved by following the law but by following Christ. Hence, this leader s meeting indicates that there are times when we as leaders need to confront each other s sins. There comes a point when it gets so bad that other leaders were falling into sin (even Barnabas was carried away with this hypocrisy and was separating himself from the Gentiles) that that confrontation even needs to be open before them all. We must never set aside the grace of God or Christ died for nothing! Hence from this leader s meeting, one sees that we as leaders are to keep each other in check with respect to the truth of the Gospel and even rebuke each other if needed when hypocrisy is taking place. We must keep each other true to the Gospel.
In summary, In this passage concerning three leaders meetings I am gleaning the following as to the purpose of those meetings : 1. Getting to know other leaders. One purpose of getting together was to get to know other leaders. For some meetings, there does not need to be any particular agenda except to learn about each other. It was a fellowship, or getting to know one another time. 2. (a) To create unity among brothers no matter how far apart the live in the world. (b) Recognition of each others spiritual gifts and complete agreement for each one to be free to exercise those special gifts of grace and God assigned tasks, (c) Extending complete fellowship to one another in our special ministries. (d)helping meet each other s needs and the needs of those in the church. We must strive for unity and facilitate the use of each others spiritual gifts for the sake of the spreading of the Gospel around the world. 3. To keep each other in check with respect to the doctrinal truth of the Gospel and even rebuke each other if needed when hypocrisy is taking place. We must keep each other true to the Gospel.
LEADERSHIP MEETINGS: OF WHAT DID THEY CONSIST? Part 3: Acts 15 And Summary of Parts 1-3 I. In Acts 15 one finds a meeting of the elders and apostles to discuss the role of circumcision and obedience to the Law of Moses. The first few verses state: Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. The issue to be discussed was a salvation issue addressing whether or not one could be saved if he was not circumcised and did not obey the Law of Moses. In verse 5 some of the believers who were of the party of the Pharisees (a prominent Jewish Leader party) stated, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the Law of Moses. This doctrinal position caused sharp dispute and debate (verse 2). As a result, Paul and Barnabas were appointed by their church in Antioch to go to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders there about this question. It seems that Paul and Barnabas had already received the right hand of fellowship from Peter, James, and John, concerning their gift or apostleship to take the Gospel to the Gentiles as is noted in Galatians 2 12 and that the apostles there added nothing to Paul s message (Gal. 2:6). The issue however was not totally resolved and it was beginning to cause great problems between brothers. So it seems that in order to insure unity between the two groups (the Jewish brothers and the Gentile brothers) and to come to agreement about this issue, they went to Jerusalem to speak with the elders and apostles. In this meeting one sees several things: 1. Even though Paul and Peter (note Acts 11:1-18) were already totally convinced that the Gentiles did not need to be circumcised or required to follow the Law of Moses, they were still willing to meet to consider this question (Acts 15:6). 2. Even though Peter and Paul were convinced of the above, they allowed much discussion (Acts 15:7). The term discussion is the Greek word zetesis, which means investigation, controversial question, controversy, discussion, debate 13. 3. It was then, after much discussion, that Peter got up and addressed the group telling of his personal experience of how God had accepted the Gentiles through his own preaching by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us and that he made no distinction between us and them (Acts 15:9). He goes on and says: 12 That is of course if one takes the visit to Jerusalem by Paul as recorded in Galatians 2 to be the same as the one in Acts 11 (especially note verses 29-30, and the term Judea ) and not the same as that in Acts 15. 13 Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, translated by F. W. Gingrich and William F. Arndt (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974), p. 339.
"Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (15:7b-11). 4. Then, The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them (15:12b). Testimonials of the experiences of God working miracles and wonders (hence giving God s stamp of approval or his confirmation on Paul and Barnabas ministry) was shared by Paul and Barnabas. 5. Then James, the Lord s brother, got up and supports this position from Scripture. He quotes Amos 9:11-12 and states: After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things that have been known for ages James then adds his judgment and direction: "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood 6. All of these culminated in a unified team decision. The unity is indicated in verse 15 which states that the apostles and elders, with the whole church decided to send some of their own men and a letter to the Gentile believers to dispel those who had disturbed them. Verses 24-29 state: 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.
II. Summary: The characteristics of this leader s meeting included the following: A. Decisions on issues involved discussions involving many leaders (in Acts 15 both elders and apostles), but eventually the final decision as to how to handle the decision included the whole church B. It (in Acts 15) dealt with a doctrinal issue, a salvation issue, an issue that it seems was so important that it got both Gentile and Jewish apostleships as well as the Jerusalem elders together to resolve it C. Discussion of issues was allowed even though the most prominent leaders had already determined the answer in their minds, experience, scripture, and hearts. They still wanted to let there be a discussion about it. Perhaps this is a good way to help others learn? D. Much discussion was allowed. Many sides of the issue must have been discussed. People were allowed to express their beliefs and explore the beliefs of others. E. Personal experiences and testimonials were shared which had bearing on the issue F. Apostle s words (including those of Paul, Barnabas, and Peter) were allowed to be determinative. (Apostle s words today, of course, are recorded in the New Testament). G. Scripture (here, Old Testament Scripture) was determinative. H. The whole group of leaders came to a unified decision as a result of the above which then in some way this decision was communicated to the whole church which joined with the leaders in that decision and decided with them to choose men from among them to take the decision and letter to those who initially sent Paul and Barnabas to them with this question. This ended up involving the whole church at least in the practical side of the issue of choosing men from among them who would carry the decision to those who posed the question, those in this case in Antioch. (Note how similar this is with the issue in Acts 6:1-4. The leaders (1) hear a problem from the people and decide to deal with the issue, they then (2), having determined that the issue must be dealt with, gather all the disciples together, (3) give the disciples direction as to how to take care of the problem (by having the disciples choose men with talents to take care of the problem, i.e. seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom 14 ), and then solve the problem (4) by giving those men their approval and blessing, and giving them responsibility over that ministry). 14 I think it is interesting that they were directed to choose men who had the Spiritual Gifts needed for solving the problem and doing this ministry (i.e. full of the Spirit and wisdom). They were not just told to choose any one but those whom God had equipped for that need, that ministry.
III. A Summary of Parts 1, 2, and 3: Leadership Meetings: Of What Did They Consist? Possible gleanings for leadership meetings include: A. In humility, share our lives with each other as examples of how to live for Christ to the glory of God. Speak of how we serve the Lord with great humility and tears. (Of course that great humility and tears must actually happen for us to speak of it. Are we seeking that life of great humility and compassion and heart? Perhaps our meetings can help us get to that point). We must ponder, What would it take for one to speak humbly of his/her own humility? Oh, the depths of that true humility! May we help each other to get there. I believe it can only happen as we are totally sold out to give God all the glory, something that can happen I believe as we approach complete selflessness. May God help us to get there. B. Do not hesitate to speak anything that would be helpful to the other leaders C. Solemnly remind each other that all people must be repentant to God and have faith in Christ. D. Share our plans with each other and how we feel the Holy Spirit is moving us to serve God (including the use of the spiritual gifts God has given us) even in the face of persecutions and trials. E. Share our commitment to Christ, that our life means nothing to us in order that we might complete the task God has given us (including I think our spiritual gift tasks) to testify to the gospel of God s grace. F. We should not hesitate to proclaim the whole purpose of God to each other. How much of the whole purpose are we all lacking? G. We should talk about being guardians and shepherds (care givers and helpers) of God s flock, being on guard concerning ourselves and for those leaders (even among us) who might become savage wolves, who arise up to distort the truth and draw away Christians (disciples) to follow them instead of Christ. This was so important that Paul warned and reminded them day and night with tears. His heart and soul was totally engaged in guarding against this! H. Be willing to commit leaders to God and the word of his grace. God can change all of us and help us all to grow and mature. I. Be willing to show and speak by our lives and actions that we are not out for ourselves or our own glory, but for the good of those whom we are training and leading, as well as the weak. J. Prayer together. We need much prayer TOGETHER. K. Showing of emotions of affection toward one another. L. Getting to know other leaders. One purpose of getting together was to get to know other leaders. For some meetings, there does not need to be any particular agenda except to learn about each other. It was a fellowship, or getting to know one another time.
M. (a) To create unity among brothers no matter how far apart the live in the world. (b) Recognition of each others spiritual gifts and complete agreement for each one to be free to exercise those special gifts of grace and God assigned tasks, (c) Extending complete fellowship to one another in our special ministries. (d) helping meet each other s needs and the needs of those in the church. We must strive for unity and facilitate the use of each others spiritual gifts for the sake of the spreading of the Gospel around the world. N. To keep each other in check with respect to the doctrinal truth of the Gospel and even rebuke each other if needed when hypocrisy is taking place. We must keep each other true to the Gospel. O. Decisions on issues involved discussions involving many leaders (in Acts 15 both elders and apostles), but eventually the final decision as to how to handle the decision included the whole church P. Discussions (in Acts 15) dealt with a doctrinal issue, a salvation issue, an issue that it seems was so important that it got both Gentile and Jewish apostleships as well as the Jerusalem elders together to resolve it. Q. Discussion of issues was allowed even though the most prominent leaders had already determined the answer in their minds, experience, scripture, and hearts. R. Much discussion was allowed. Many sides of the issue must have been discussed. People were allowed to express their beliefs and explore the beliefs of others. S. Personal experiences and testimonials were shared which had bearing on the issue(s). T. Apostles words (i.e., New Testament) were allowed to be determinative. U. Scripture (Old Testament Scripture) was determinative also. V. The whole group of leaders came to a unified decision as a result of the above (O through U) which then in some way this decision was communicated to the whole church which joined with the leaders in that decision and actively participated in the issue s resolution. I hope this study has been helpful and we can implement these examples in our leadership meetings. Glenn