In the beginning of this chapter we see the ripples caused by the work that God had done among the Gentiles through Peter. The first ripples were those of opposition. Just as Peter had the wrong attitudes toward Gentiles and believed that it was unlawful to eat with them, so the "circumcision" group in Jerusalem criticized Peter as doing something unlawful.
There was never any law of God not to eat with Gentiles, but this is a good example of man's law that made it's way into the religious group that became viewed as God's law. Jesus spoke against such man-made laws and traditions, especially when they cause us to disobey God's laws, which this one clearly did (Mark 7:8-11).
However, after Peter told them all about first the vision that God showed Peter and then that the Holy Spirit came on the Gentiles, then they realized that this was God's plan and that God was granting forgiveness and new life to the Gentiles. I think it is interesting that it says "when they heard these things they fell silent" (v 18). I can just picture a large group of people that Peter is talking to and as he is speaking they are still grumbling and murmuring about the things that he is saying, especially every time he said "Gentile". Then when they heard what God did, they became silent and then gave glory to God. So they all changed their attitudes, at least partially, toward Gentiles. But as Justin pointed out in a comment, this prejudice is not dead yet and Peter himself will be swayed later by the pressure of the circumcision group (circumcision being the sign of the Mosaic covenant and here would probably just refer to those who are circumcised and then later, or perhaps already, they take the stand that to become a true follower of God, you must be circumcised.) This topic of circumcision is one that we will read later about and will see that it is not in fact something required of Gentile believers.
We then see the ripples of God's word going to Gentiles in the city of Antioch. In the early days as believers went out from Jerusalem and Judea they only spoke to Jews and so all of the believers in Jesus were still only Jewish. But then some in Antioch began to speak to Greek speakers - this time to non-Jewish Greek speakers.
Another point of interest is that in Antioch the term "Christian" first was used. Before that we saw the term "followers of the way" and before that they were simply "those who had been with Jesus".
Barnabas, who the apostles had so named because he was an encourager (son of encouragement - Acts 4:36), we see bringing Saul back onto the scene. Barnabas first brought Saul to the church in Jerusalem that was afraid of him, and now brings him back from Tarsus to help Barnabas in teaching the new believers in Antioch. Barnabas and Saul begin their work together. Barnabas was one who was able to see potential in people and encourage them and walk with them and bring them out of hiding and walk beside them and help them to grow in their life in Christ and in the gifts that God has given them.
Lord Jesus, help me to be like Barnabas to see the potential in others and to encourage them in growing in you.
I think it's interesting to see how the believers in Jerusalem are responding to Peter when they think he is doing something wrong and they are skeptical of him even though apparently there is something good going on--the salvation of Gentiles. They are questioning whether this is from God because it contradicted their view of what is righteous Jewish behavior, and apparently contradicted God's ways. I think in general I need more courage of conviction to know what is right and wrong based on Scripture, not just the cultural values, and have discernment over what is going on spiritually. Maybe something apparently good is happening, such as stories of "healing and salvation", but maybe there is an evil spirit ultimately behind it leading away from Jesus Christ. I need to look for the fruit of the Holy Spirit and glory and praise given to Jesus as God.
ReplyDeleteI was also touched that the Scripture describes Barnabas as a "good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith." I think it is always encouraging to know that the power of God can transform and sanctify us so that we can be free from the past sins, and live a new life in Christ, and the new man can be "good" and full of the Spirit of God. I also want to be more like Barnabas, to see the potential and spiritual gifts in others and encourage them to follow God and grow in their faith.
Amen
DeleteOne confusion I have - Jesus clearly stated that "no one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18). Yet here, we see Barnabas described as a "good man." How can both statements be true?
ReplyDeleteGreat question! I think that in Mark 10 when Jesus responds "no one is good except God alone" he is responding in the context of the question "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" In that context, goodness is weighed against the perfection of God, who is the only one good in the sense of having perfect moral purity. We are all deeply stained sinners and have no hope of salvation, even though most think of themselves as generally good people (it is always interesting when neighbors or a mother of a person who commits a horrific crime often say "they are a good person").
ReplyDeleteIn the context of goodness that merits salvation, no one is good except God and no one can earn or deserve to inherit eternal life.
On the other hand, in this context, Barnabas is "good" in that the Holy Spirit is working through him and bringing out the fruit of goodness. That goodness is first of all, not based on Barnabas but rather the work of the Holy Spirit through him. In the context of a believer following Jesus Christ, as we give control of our lives to God, we are being renewed and sanctified and formed into the image of God and being transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are being made holy as he is holy, but as Paul points out, it is a righteousness that comes not from ourselves but from God.
On the other hand, we can also look at "good" in another context: Bad people can do good things. Hitler can be kind to a child; a serial murderer may be kind to his parents; we can do acts of kindness even if we are not transformed by God. I think that this is due to the latent image of God that is within us from creation. That goodness is however greatly scarred and marred by sin, both our own along with societal, inherited and humankind's sin. I don't think that Jesus's statement that "no one is good except God alone" is saying that no one can do good (some would claim this - utter depravity). I would say that doing good actions does not make a person good any more than some of the examples given (e.g. Hitler being kind to some children), but that doesn't mean that people in general, who according to Jesus aren't good, can do good things (You who are evil give good gifts to your children (Matt 7:10)).
So in summary, no one is "good" in that they can deserve or earn eternal life. In general, we are all evil and selfish and have turned from God, but at the same time we are capable of some "good" acts based on the image of God that is still present within us to some extent, but these good acts neither save us nor make us good. As we come to Christ Jesus and receive his forgiveness and are born again and made new, the Holy Spirit works in us to change us and make us more into God's image and as that image shines through and as we surrender to God, then that goodness begins to be worked in us. That is why "goodness" is one of the fruit or inner workings of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) and it is a character quality that should be added to our lives as we grow in Christ (2 Peter 1:5).
Great question! I pray that we grow in goodness so that God's goodness can be seen in and through us!