Acts 15:13-35 Are you called by His name?

Acts 15:13-35 Are you called by His name?

James’s Judgment

      13After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14“Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15“With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

      16‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return,
            AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN,
            AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,
            AND I WILL RESTORE IT,

      17SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD,
            AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’

      18SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.
19“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21“For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

      22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23and they sent this letter by them,

“The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.

24“Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls,
25it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27“Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:
29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”
      30So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. 33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34[But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.] 35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.


14: Simeon. Peter (see verse 7). James uses Peter's Hebrew name in its Hebrew form (Simeon is a variant of Simon).
Peter was the Christian name given to him by Jesus! Jesus see's our heart, our true being, with all our strengths and weaknesses. One day He will give you a new name that only you will know.

"17SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’".
Are you called by Jesus' name? Is He tugging on your heart? Do not deny Him. He calls you because He loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him! But you say; I am not worthy, He wont forgive my sin. Really? Read the bible! Great King David, a man after His heart, committed adultery and murder! God forgave him, and God forgave my sinful past. Why wouldn't He forgive you also?

"18SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.".
God words are true, they will not become void. If He says it it WILL happen.

"24“Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls,".
Galatians 1:7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Scripture meaning is defined by scripture in context. Where did Jesus say you must be circumcised for salvation? Are you saved by grace or by works?

"26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We in the United States rarely risk our lives for Jesus. But the day is coming that it will happen. Christians in other parts of the world risk their lives for Jesus daily. Look at and read the news. Read Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

"31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement."
Do you encourage others in Christ?

"encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message."
I pray God uses my lengthy message to encourage others. I fear some put it off, delete it, surf past it because it's too long, takes too much time. How much time do you devote to God? How much time is your soul worth? An eternity in hell?

"teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord."
How do we teach and preach with many others the word of the Lord? That is the great question. This was one of the reasons for starting the Stanford Sanctuary Scripture Studies blog. Has God led you here by chance?

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you bless and protect everyone that seeks you today. Touch them with your word. Draw them to your Son. Give them the free gift of salvation through your grace. Forgive their sins. Give then hope and Your love. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Blessings David