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Acts 15

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

What does Acts 15:16 mean?

Explanation

[Acts 15:16] speaks of a prophetic restoration of the dynasty of King David, which by the time of the New Testament, had long ceased to hold political power in Israel.

The verse is a quote from the Old Testament prophet Amos, specifically Amos 9:11. The “tabernacle of David” symbolizes the united kingdom of Israel under David’s rule, which by the first century A.D. had become divided and ultimately dominated by foreign empires.

The verse, spoken by James the Just during the Council of Jerusalem, is used to support the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian church without forcing them to follow Jewish customs.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 15:16 is set during the Council of Jerusalem, which is an assembly described in the Acts of the Apostles that takes place around 50 A.D.

The early Christian community was grappling with whether non-Jews who converted to Christianity needed to follow Jewish laws, particularly circumcision.

The gathering resolved significant tension between Jewish Christians who believed in adherence to Jewish law and Pauline Christians who advocated for a version of Christianity more inclusive to Gentiles (non-Jews).

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse can be viewed from different perspectives:

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Some Christians interpret this restoration as being fulfilled through the ministry of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be from the lineage of David and whose spiritual reign fulfills the prophecy.
Inclusion of Gentiles: From a New Testament perspective, the rebuilding of the tabernacle indicates the expansion of God’s covenant to include the Gentiles, integrating them into the fold without the necessity of adhering strictly to Jewish customs.
Eschatological Significance: Other interpretations may view the prophecy as an eschatological promise that will be fully realized in the end times, when Christ returns to establish his kingdom.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse encourages inclusion and acceptance among believers regardless of their background. It prompts a reflection on the barriers that might exist within modern communities of faith and calls for unity under a common belief system rather than division by cultural practices.

Cross-References

"And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd." Ezekiel 34:23
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth." Jeremiah 23:5
"In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:" Amos 9:11

Language Study

"Tabernacle": The word in Greek is "skēnē," which can refer to a tent or dwelling place, harking back to the tabernacle in the wilderness that was the spiritual center for Israel during their journey to the Promised Land.
"David": Rooted in the Hebrew name "Dāwīḏ," which may have meant "beloved." The reference here is symbolic of the Davidic kingdom.
"Fallen down": "Peptōkan" in Greek, a perfect participle implying a state of ruin or collapse that has already occurred.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The notion of a fallen royal house being restored is not unique to Judaism and Christianity. Similar themes are found in other ancient myths and religions, including the concept of a “golden age” to be restored or a fallen king whose line will be renewed.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse is not inherently scientific, as it discusses the restoration of a dynasty and God’s covenant with humanity, which are theological and historical concepts. Modern science does not directly address theological prophecies or eschatological beliefs.

Commentaries

Commentators and biblical scholars have provided varied perspectives on this verse:

Historical-Critical Scholars: They may argue that James used the prophecy from Amos to assert the legitimacy of the church's mission to the Gentiles and to give historical depth to the emerging Christian identity.
Conservative Commentators: Often view it as a futuristic prophecy that speaks to the second coming of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom on earth.
Eschatological Theorists: Some see the fulfillment of this prophecy as something still to come, a promise of God's ultimate intervention in human history.
Ecumenical Perspectives: They may apply the verse in a broader sense, suggesting that Christians from all denominations are called to rebuild the spiritual unity that was envisioned in the Davidic covenant.

Explanation

[Acts 15:16] speaks of a prophetic restoration of the dynasty of King David, which by the time of the New Testament, had long ceased to hold political power in Israel.

The verse, spoken by James the Just during the Council of Jerusalem, is used to support the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian church without forcing them to follow Jewish customs.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 15:16 is set during the Council of Jerusalem, which is an assembly described in the Acts of the Apostles that takes place around 50 A.D.

The early Christian community was grappling with whether non-Jews who converted to Christianity needed to follow Jewish laws, particularly circumcision.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse can be viewed from different perspectives:

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Some Christians interpret this restoration as being fulfilled through the ministry of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be from the lineage of David and whose spiritual reign fulfills the prophecy.

Inclusion of Gentiles: From a New Testament perspective, the rebuilding of the tabernacle indicates the expansion of God’s covenant to include the Gentiles, integrating them into the fold without the necessity of adhering strictly to Jewish customs.

Eschatological Significance: Other interpretations may view the prophecy as an eschatological promise that will be fully realized in the end times, when Christ returns to establish his kingdom.

Cross-References

"And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd." Ezekiel 34:23

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth." Jeremiah 23:5

"In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:" Amos 9:11

Language Study

"Tabernacle": The word in Greek is "skēnē," which can refer to a tent or dwelling place, harking back to the tabernacle in the wilderness that was the spiritual center for Israel during their journey to the Promised Land.

"David": Rooted in the Hebrew name "Dāwīḏ," which may have meant "beloved." The reference here is symbolic of the Davidic kingdom.

"Fallen down": "Peptōkan" in Greek, a perfect participle implying a state of ruin or collapse that has already occurred.

Commentaries

Commentators and biblical scholars have provided varied perspectives on this verse:

Historical-Critical Scholars: They may argue that James used the prophecy from Amos to assert the legitimacy of the church's mission to the Gentiles and to give historical depth to the emerging Christian identity.

Conservative Commentators: Often view it as a futuristic prophecy that speaks to the second coming of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom on earth.

Eschatological Theorists: Some see the fulfillment of this prophecy as something still to come, a promise of God's ultimate intervention in human history.

Ecumenical Perspectives: They may apply the verse in a broader sense, suggesting that Christians from all denominations are called to rebuild the spiritual unity that was envisioned in the Davidic covenant.

Acts 15

Acts 15

What does Acts 15:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 15:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?