Acts Of The Apostles 31 Of 39

For example, if you remember in the Old Testament, Moses sent out the ten spies to scout out the land and they came back and gave their report.

Some of them gave a very negative report. They said that they should not attempt to invade the land because there were giants in the land, and they would be like grasshoppers.

In other words, even though God promised them the land, in their estimation they would be smashed!

Caleb gave a very positive report. We read in Numbers 13:27-30, “And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”

Isn't it strange how a group of people can see the same thing, and give two different reports?

In our text, the Apostle Paul met with the leaders of the church at Jerusalem and gave them a REPORT of what God had done among the Gentiles.

Paul was warned several times not to come to Jerusalem, but he chose not to heed the warnings, because he wanted to witness to his Jewish brethren. No one can accuse Paul of giving a negative report when it came to what God was doing. His report brought praise to God, but at the same time it brought about a problem.

Look at-

I. THE PARALLEL IN THIS SITUATION

The first thing we see is:

A. THE PRAISE

Look at verses 15-22, we read, “And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.”

WHAT WAS HE DECLARING UNTO THEM?

Two things:

(1) How God was providing salvation for the Jews.

(2) How God was providing salvation for the Gentiles.

Notice, when he declared this, the Bible says, “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord…”

This was THE PRAISE , but let us look at-

B. THE PROBLEM

Look at verses 20-21. We read, “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs..”

Look at the problem.

Illus: When Paul gave his report of praise, the Jewish leaders said (paraphrase), "Paul, we have something we need to talk to you about. Since you came to Jerusalem, you have been able to see how the church has grown into thousands. " They said, "Paul, among these believers there is a nasty rumor that you are teaching the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake the law of Moses. That is, you are teaching them they do not need to circumcise their children, and they are not required to walk after the customs of their forefathers. "

Actually, Paul was teaching them what the Bible said about salvation, but you can rest assured that anyone who gossips behind someone’s back will give their own slant on the situation.

Gossip is a terrible thing. The devil has successfully used this tool to destroy church after church. Notice the congregation had grown into thousands, and the leaders knew that this gossip had traveled among everyone of them, and they felt that Paul should at least know about the rumors.