 Okay, we are at acts 14 now. We'll see what happens. We saw how the initial welcome turned to envy and Barnabas and Paul were expelled out of Antioch of Sidia. They moved to a place called Iconium We've already seen the picture of the first missionary journey, but just for Us to register, you know once again, let me quickly show you that picture and Then we will continue Okay, so here we are. We've seen How Antioch to Celusia and then we saw how a little bit of ministry teaching happened in Salamis Then pathos That's the point where we had John Mark We had the ministry to Sergius Paulus and then from here, you know, they go to Perga, but From here, you have John Mark departing from them, but they still continue They move on to Antioch of Sidia. Good ministry takes place here, but you know The Jews are not willing to listen. So the Gentiles are the new audience and from here They are expelled. So now they're coming to Iconium and then we'll see from Iconium They'll move to Listera Derby and then, you know, the same way back. They are going to come back to Antioch the base church. So I also want to encourage us You can study from a publication EPC publication named revivals visitations and moves of God The book of Acts because the book of Acts is a revival that took place with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the kind of revelation of Scripture the way, you know, God worked through the believers at that time and The gospel went out to different regions. So it is a revival. So it's covered in this book and You know for positive of time, I am not sharing all the details, you know with you From this book, but if you can study that chapter, I think it would be Chapter 3 if I'm not wrong in that book revivals visitations and moves of God You have many more details. You have many more details Chapter 2 actually, it's the title of that chapter is a journey through the book of Acts So you have many more details timelines And also descriptions of the cities I shared a little bit about the church of Antioch, but about the city of Antioch and all of that So, you know that can make for your additional Leading, okay, so please make sure that you you look it up. Okay, let's move on now We are here now at Acts 14. So this is this place is known as Iconium. What's going to take place over here? From verse one now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews and so Spoke that a great multitude Both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed, okay, praise God, you know, there is some acceptance for Jews and Greeks are believing Verse 2 but the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren unfortunately There were some unbelieving Jews in the group and they start to You know speak against and as it is mentioned here poison the minds or against the brethren Verse 3 therefore, they stayed there a long time speaking boldly in the Lord Who was bearing witness to the word of his grace granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands So the ministry is continuing the way Jesus did remember when we started the book of Acts we said that Jesus Jesus preached and he did right. He healed he he demonstrated the works of power So what kind of ministry are his disciples involved in same kind of ministry preaching and Demonstrating the kingdom of God. So you notice We don't have the list of all the wonders signs which Barnabas and Paul did but they did Because we have a mention here granting signs and wonders to be done By their hands so God was faithful to Reveal his power through his ministers verse 4 But the multitude of the city was divided part sided with the Jews and part with the Apostles So remember that there were some of these unbelieving Jews. So what happened? There was a division in the city some where okay with the message of Paul and Barnabas the others They sided with the unbelieving Jews. So obviously there's tension, right? There's tension. There was tension in Antioch now there is tension in Iconium verse 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the gentiles and Jews with their rulers to abuse and Stoned them. So there are these unbelieving people. What are what are they doing now? They've come to the extent of Abusing and stoning them. Okay, so it's really bad Iconium their experience is turning out to be I don't know if they were mentally prepared for this form of opposition Okay, and for Paul It's nothing new because he was a part of such You know persecution earlier on he was on the other side though But now he's at the receiving end and you know, they are being abused. They are being stoned and Versic says they became aware of it and fled to Lister and Dabi So you see how even the adverse circumstances are pushing them in a certain route and a direction So out of Iconium, they go to Lister and Derby so these cities of Lyconia, so basically it's it's part of that region and to the surrounding region and they were preaching the Gospel there so Due to circumstances and we've discussed this earlier, you know Louie also brought it up. We know that What's going on is not good, but God is a God Who can accomplish his purposes? despite The challenges that we face, okay, but we just have to remain in faith and God can still do it So opposition is there, but they are continuing in the work of the ministry Moving on was it they come to the next place Lister. What happens in Lister? Okay, let's see and in Lister a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting Crippled from his mother's womb. Okay, does that ring a bell? Yeah, it does because we can recall Such a thing happened A lame man in Acts chapter 3, you know, that was Peter ministering and here is Paul in Acts 14 Reaching out to a man who is crippled from his mother's womb who had never walked Okay, so similar isn't it but the power of God is available For any kind of miracle at any point in time. So this time around through Paul. What happens was nine This man heard Paul speaking Paul Observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed. Okay, very beautiful Okay, so you you've got to see this there There are some differences in that miracle that took place in Acts 3 and here You know again acts 14. So in this case faith is built up in This man who is listening It was not the case in Acts 3. They just saw this beggar and they said silver and gold We don't have but he had an expectation. We don't know if his expectation was for healing or not, but Something supernatural was administered to that man. Okay, but in this case Faith is being built up in the crippled man because was nine says this man heard Paul speaking Faith comes by hearing hearing by the word of God. So there is a Preparation so we've got to understand that when we share the word when we preach the word and that is why many a time in our churches In our services, we share on a particular subject Maybe we're sharing about healing and then we pray for healing. What happens people begin to receive healing because Faith is built up by the word of God and then it is easier for people to receive because their faith has been lifted up So that is the principle that we see in this case the man this man Heard Paul speaking So when we speak when we minister what should happen? Faith should be built up in the hearts of people. That's when they will receive the works of God in their lives So faith was built up in this man and notice it also says Paul Observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed. Okay, wonderful discerning that comes by the Holy Spirit So Paul is able to discern how can you look at people's faces and tell whether or not faith is there in their hearts? You need a spiritual discernment and so Paul had that so and as he looked at this man He could see see what see physical see visually, you know with his natural life. No spiritual perception he could see that Faith was there in this man to be healed. And so he makes use of the opportunity. Okay, what does he do? I said with a loud voice stand up Straight on your feet and he leaped and walked amazing, isn't it? So earlier we saw Peter He held that man and strength came to his feet is what the Bible says but in this case Pete Paul commands with a loud voice. He just commands So when we study about healing and deliverance, there are different ways in which we have to declare You know proclamation and action when we do the key when we've done the keys to Supernatural Ministry We've learned about that. So we declare it We proclaim it and then, you know, we've got to do the action. So in the case of Peter he did it. He held that man and strength came to his feet. He raised him up in this case There was a proclamation and the action was you know on the part of the Person who received the healing he leaped and walked so that person I believe he had the faith and he probably just tried to get up according to what had been spoken over him And he was able to walk. So this is spectacular a man who has never walked is now walking So what is going to be the response? Are the people of Lister are going to be more receptive of Paul and Barnabas? Let's see verse 11 now when the people saw what Paul had done They raised their voices saying in the Lyconian language the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men so These people had a concept care belief in which they they thought, you know, it's like Greek Mythology they believe that gods became humans from time to time and they perform miracles and you know did things among the people And so when the miracle happened, they knew that this was not, you know, part of their dimension This had to be supernatural. So they came up with an explanation. What was that? Explanation explanation the explanation was that these two people Paul and Barnabas are gods Okay, so for any minister of God, you know, it's sort of it boosts your ego and somebody Looks at you and says, oh, wow, you know, you you're so powerful. You're so anointed You're so mighty. Okay. And in this case the highest kind of applause that These men could get they are called gods and people are saying gods have come in the likeness of men So I'm Paul and Barnabas going to be very happy about This response or what are they going to do verse 12? Barnabas they call Zeus and Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker. So they've given the names also Apparently the person with authority. There was a God called Zeus And they felt that Barnabas fit that role and since Paul was a speaker, they had another God, Hermes They gave that name to Paul Then more things are being done verse 13 The priest of Zeus whose temple was in front of their city brought oxen and garlands to the gates Intending to sacrifice with the multitude. So the multitudes are now beginning to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods Verse 14 the reaction or the response of Paul and Barnabas But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude crying out and saying men Why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you And preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living god Who made the heaven the earth the sea and all the things that are in them Who is by gone in by gone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways Nevertheless, he did not leave himself without witness in that he did could Give us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling out our filling our hearts with food and gladness And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. So When they are getting this godlike treatment Paul and Barnabas faithful servants of god, you know, as they are they are so upset You remember even Peter did that and he said why are you looking at us as a weed in these miracles? So the believers in the book of facts give us a good Standard to live by whenever supernatural things take place from our lives. We must be careful to give god the glory You know, uh, we must be careful to give thanks to god and when people start putting The ministers on a pedestal we have to clarify and say what has taken place is by the power of You know the name of Jesus The power of a god and it's not us who have done the supernatural work And that is how Paul and Barnabas respond to this very situation Uh, and you also notice that they try to actually preach to them about the nature of god They talk about god as a creator so that the minds and hearts of the people Move towards worshiping god instead of, you know, their own Um, you know philosophies and their own imaginations Uh, and you know all their stories about gods coming as humans. So you notice how The ministry which is being done is so much in context. You don't see Paul Break out with scriptures and you know talk about Abraham Because this group in Lystra may not have understood they are uh, uh, you know They they are mindset about god is something completely different Okay, so they are talking to these people in their own language and trying to make them understand The god that we are talking about he's not a finite god. He is the creator He's this great god And glory should go to him not to us who are his ministers. Okay, uh, and so Paul and Barnabas do their best To stop these people from Worshiping them so verse 18 it says and with these sayings they could scarcely Restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. So it just shows us that there was chaos People in Lystra were still sacrificing and treating Paul and Barnabas as gods. Okay now Unfortunately, you know, you have the the crowds which went against Paul and Barnabas from Antioch Iconium following them, you know to Lystra and they begin to stir things up against This ministry team so it was 19 then the jewels from Antioch and Iconium came there and having persuaded the multitudes Look at the multitudes, you know, that is why we say, you know, don't just go by popular opinion Don't just go by what people say about you because one day they say wonderful things, you know, they are saying Oh, you are gods this and that next day being convinced by People from Antioch and Iconium. What happens? They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city supposing him to be dead Same multitudes. They are sacrificing to them saying. Oh, you are gods then they are stoning So, you know, it's really a lesson for us that we should always look to god and who god says We are our strength must come from there, you know people their opinions will change But that must not affect Our identity in Christ neither should it affect our assignment in Christ But we carry on we carry on doing what god wants us to do and notice here Paul pays a very heavy price Okay, uh, they've been ill treated all along. They've been ill treated Expelled we read in Antioch. That doesn't sound nice at all. Uh, even Iconium, right Iconium They began to have all kinds of Opposition rising up abuse and stone Okay, so that happened. But here in Listra, it's worse He was stoned so badly and they had this practice apparently that when somebody is stoned really badly They have to be taken out of the city. So we can imagine that Paul was hurt Very badly. No wonder. He was dragged out and we are told supposing him to be dead So, you know, again, uh Commentators write some of them say that he was probably dead because the stoners knew which You know when to drag a body out of the city So some commentators say that Paul was probably Dead that is why he was dragged out of the city. Some others say no He was just badly injured and it looked like he was dead. So we don't know because Luke doesn't tell us Exactly, uh, what the situation was but the onlookers felt that Paul was dead after the stoning So he was dragged out of the city Was 20 very amazing. So you see in the book of acts You see the power of a community the power which is released when a community seeks God in acts 12 We saw how the believers prayed for Peter. Okay, and uh, a supernatural deliverance took place He was brought out of the prison Now Another minister of God Paul He's badly stoned Was he dead? Was he very very, uh, you know, uh, I mean I he was in a bad shape We don't know exactly what happened but verse 20 says However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city and the next day He departed with Barnabas to derby Amazing very quickly Okay, Luke did not Bother to explain himself Further He's just saying look Whatever was Paul's situation The disciples gathered around him Gathered around him. What do we, uh, you know, uh, understand this as obviously they would have prayed Right, they would have prayed for Paul Now whether he was, uh Fully distorted broke it Or he was dead whatever Did Paul rise from the dead? We don't know we can't tell that Exactly, but we know that whatever condition Paul was in the power of God worked in his body Okay, so when we pray for people today We have the confidence God can restore the wounds. He can you know bring healing to to, um, you broken flesh broken bones Uh, you whatever maybe he was dead God brought resurrection life to Paul. We don't know But can our God do it? Yes, he can do it because he said that you know, I am the God that he led the he's over alpha The Lord our healer. He's the creator of our bodies. He knows how to fix it. Okay, and not only that Jesus said I am the resurrection in the life So when believers prayed We don't know whether healing took place or resurrection took place, but it took place So even today as we pray we gather together And the disciples gathered around him and we gather around people through our prayer Okay, uh, these things happen and it's so amazing That was a person who was dragged out of the city You you notice in the next couple of sentences and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derby It's as simple as that. So he was restored back to wholeness It's amazing. It's amazing. What the power of God did so many things that we read in the book of acts it's not explained in detail, but we've got to use our imagination And you know see with with our with our eyes Uh What God could have done the wonders God has done The very next day Paul is fit enough to continue the missionary journey Okay, amazing Okay, truly amazing. So he moves to the next place Derby All right verse 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples They returned to Lister. I remember I mentioned they go to Derby. That's the last place and then you know, just go back to the earlier regions as well. Why? It's not just enough for us to preach the gospel and um, you know see believers In different places those believers have to be equipped. They have to be discipled Uh, they have to uh, you know be Based on God's call on their lives. We have to raise them up equip them as ministers of God So there's a lot of work to do So you see the approach of the leadership in the book of acts They are not just content with the fact that oh, we have 100 believers wonderful praise the Lord Let's go home now. Let's just go back to Antioch No They want to make sure that the people who have believed in Jesus are doing okay How is their spiritual health? What more can we impart to them? Is there any more learning which they require? So many things to think about when you have a set of believers. So that's a very pastoral heart Okay, so very pastoral heart the apostolic ways. Yeah, you go go to the new regions go to the new regions, but There are believers now But that's not the end of the story We have to build them up. So you see that pastoral heart. So they go back They return to Lystra Iconium and Antioch is it dangerous to go back to these places? very much there are you know people in authority Jews who don't like them but It was important that Paul and Barnabas go and you know take stock of how are these believers doing? And you know, what can we do for them? So they're being faithful ministers in that sense. So they're taking care of these believers And moving on verse 22. It says strengthening the souls of the disciples Exorting them to continue in the faith and saying we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God So they're bringing encouragement There is a lot of persecution and especially in the time of persecution. They felt it's important for us to Encourage let's encourage these believers so that they don't give up Following after God. Yes, there will be trials. There will be challenges. But Through all this, you know, we must Keep moving forward as far as the kingdom of God is concerned. Okay first 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church and prayed with fasting They commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed so, you notice all these practices of the early church So they visited they strengthened. They encouraged now what? appointed elders so so far We didn't read about elders or anything. We just read about volunteers in act 6. You know, suddenly There is a need for elders. Why? because These guys will move on Paul and manabas are going to leave the city and they will continue in their ministry But there's got to be somebody who will Provide spiritual oversight so Elders for the church who are elders not necessarily by age but spiritual maturity People who can continue to lead the others. Okay in this path of discipleship So elders were appointed. What other practices do we see? prayer Fasting committing people to the Lord Right. So these were things that Paul and manabas did In their first missionary journey as they return now verse 24 And after they had passed through Sidia. They came to Pamphylia Now when they had preached the word in purga, they went down to atalia. So There's a little bit of ministry that was happening there as well But we don't have the details of what exactly they did So purga atalia Verse 26 from there they sailed to Antioch where they had Been commended to the grace of god for the work which they had Completed. So where did all this begin act chapter 13? It began there. They were in Antioch of Syria So they've finished that trip and come back to their base church verse 27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together They reported all that god had done With them and that they and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles So they stayed there a long time with the disciples. So, you know, usually this happens, right? Like when we go on missions or When we take a trip to minister to others We always come back to our group and we say, hey, you know, what happened and we begin to report We begin to share with them. These are all the wonderful things god has done. These are the key things that You know, he led us into so that's exactly what this missions team is doing. They're letting the others Probably the church back home was praying for them Are we right in saying that church of Antioch was praying for them? Most most probably Because we see that Practice everywhere. So they must have been praying and they must have been so eager to find out Hey, what happened? Paul Barnum is what did god do through you in in these cities? So they would have said, hey, come on. Let's tell you we've been to these these these cities You know, all this happened and, you know, god opened the door main thing is god opened the door for the Gentiles. Okay, so that's how this first missionary journey culminated and as I said earlier with all of us The first missionary journey Was for a duration of about two years. Okay, so ad 44 to ad 46 So all this going all over the place coming back to Antioch took two years Okay, two years of time and For now in acts 15. They are just There in Antioch church. So acts 15. They're back in Antioch. So let's pause a little bit and then I will continue with acts 15. So any thoughts? Any points to discuss before we go to Okay, so, uh, yes, uh, Louis. Did you raise your hand again or was that the No, no, no. Oh, you did. Okay. All right, sure, then we'll we'll uh hear from say he he's raised his hand Yes, pastor. I was just wondering that where was banner bus in in the midst of all this going on When pa was stoned. It is like, I don't know what to say whether he left or I don't know It's just interesting that he was together with pa When they called both of them god, I may be mistaken, but it seems like But I was just left pa alone. I don't know What do you think ma? Yeah, I think we should ask one of us But uh, you know, we're not able to ask him So let's make an assumption I I what I feel is maybe the disciples would have somehow rescued barnabas is what I felt the the mob Uh would have gone crazy Paul got caught in it, but barnabas was probably rescued temporarily and then he joins him, you know, once pa was back Okay, I think I was a good An explanation from our imagination Thank you, pastor. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, yes, louis um, just I don't know. I'm shame be It's just the future of the temperament Like pita was always very upfront, you know, it was very vocal Um, so you want to get to a place maybe because of um, paul's temperament temperament It was the one that always was the vocal one and barnabas was just like the Lead back one. So, uh, when it comes to the things that have to be Come in confrontational with the jews Um, what's his name? Uh, paul was always in that in that thing. So maybe from a human perspective Barnabas that they're feeling like, you know, it's like paul is now the sea um over sea of this ministry You know, maybe and towards the end they had that clash because of um John mac and they went the separate ways. So sometimes maybe it's just I'm just trying to from a human perspective Um, at that point in time, I've been going on so much that Barnabas was never Head up after then again, just that support Yeah, sure, uh, louis and that that is a very important point actually because we we can see a a huge difference in the personalities of You know paul and barnabas Yeah, the kind of accommodating And I am assuming, you know gentle Person that barnabas was paul is very You know, he's very passionate cellist guy, uh, and uh in listra He he was the one who was named her Hermes. Yeah, her miss because he was speaking a lot. So, uh Probably, you know paul Somehow became that central person that people went against and uh, you know, the ministry became more about paul leading it. So, yeah personality differences, correct? So, uh, if if ever anyone, you know Things of making a movie or something. We know we already have one acts of the apostles, but Just with all this additional Imagination, so that would be interesting to to watch. Okay. So now let's use our imagination. Okay. So as these things unfold. So thank you everyone for sharing your views We can continue. We can continue. Um acts 15 Okay, uh now for just want to clarify that some portions like what we were speculating just now what happened to barnabas We don't have the We may not get the right answer for that. So whatever each one of us shared is is just a possibility Okay, it's just a possibility Um, so yeah, so some things will will remain in that realm alone We don't know accurately, you know, what exactly took place. So coming to 15 now. So what's happening in 15? Uh acts 15 is something we have talked about earlier. So, uh, you know, hopefully this will be easy to understand Verse one And certain men came down from judaea and taught the brethren Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of moses. You cannot be saved. So everything is going amazingly well in anteo and Now come people with wrong teaching Okay, so that is uh You know, it it's Uh, not pleasant at all So let's see what the team of elders at anteo do When wrong teaching comes in verse two therefore when paul and barnabas had Therefore when paul and barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them They determined that paul and barnabas and certain others of them should go up to jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. So Uh In anteo when the wrong teaching comes in through these men from judaea Thankfully people like paul and barnabas are, you know, they are proclaimers of the word. They are teachers. Remember, we saw that team You have mannean, simon Uh lucius. So these people know the scriptures really well So verse two tells us that they had a Uh, a very big quarrel Okay, so terms like uh dissension dispute And it says not it was not a small dissension and dispute. So paul and barnabas we could say that they were very angry At the wrong teaching that had entered the church. Why didn't this teaching come to the church of anteo? It was a gentile church Uh primarily and so Uh, here are men from judaea bringing a law upon the Uh, a gentile congregation. What is that? Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of moses You cannot be saved. So they're putting in another prerequisite for salvation. What is that? It's not good enough to Believe in your heart confess with your mouth, but you also need to be circumcised If you're not a jew, you're not circumcised, but you get circumcised then you get saved So paul and barnabas were so upset with this kind of a wrong teaching Uh that had come into the church. They were angry. They quarrelled with these men And they were so upset that they wanted to get this uh get the record straight So they go to jerusalem to clarify matters with you know the ultimate authorities at that point Apostles in jerusalem apostles and notice by now Uh luke is saying apostles and elders This concept of elders had come into the church by now Okay, so apostles and elders They go there to get their opinion. What do you say? About this new teaching was three. So being sent on their way By the church they pass through finicia and samaria Describing the conversion of the gentiles and they cause great joy to all the brethren, you know, it's like Amazing they are going to jerusalem to clarify a matter but en route. They can't keep quiet They're continuing the work of the ministry. They they must have taught and they must have You know shared reported Encourage the believers in places like finicia and samaria and you read there was great joy to all the brethren so It's nice to see this kind of passion among the believers and the leaders Was four and when they had come to jerusalem. Okay, so finally they reached their destination They were received by the church and the apostles and the elders. So you see the whole The the entire Set That they wanted to to visit. So there's the congregation. There's the apostles. There's the elders So they come there and they reported all the things that god had done with them But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up saying it is necessary to circumcise them And to command them to keep the law of most so even in the church of jerusalem There were some believers who had come from a very traditional background Okay, Pharisees Pharisees, we know they had all these rules and they kept the laws So though they have become believers, you know, sometimes it happens, isn't it? We become believers and there is a kingdom mindset There is a kingdom lifestyle, but We can get stuck in our customs and traditions Which don't match the kingdom mindset and the kingdom lifestyle. So what's happening to these believers in jerusalem They're bringing in their background and they're saying, yeah, what is wrong with the teaching? It is necessary to circumcise according to the law of moses And even believers are saying what this wrong teaching is saying, you know, which made paul and barnabas angry So what is the decision That is going to be taken regarding this matter verse six now The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. Okay. So there's a lot of confusion now Let the leaders, you know, take up this matter and think about it and share with You know the the congregation and the churches involved What about circumcision is circumcision necessary for somebody to be saved verse seven? And when there had been much dispute So it was not an easy matter even in the council of the apostles elders and uh, you know paul barnabas There's a lot of tension How what do we do many gentiles are coming to know the lord? Uh, should we tell them to be circumcised? There's a lot of confusion. It says much dispute argument quarreling, okay Even among the leaders, they don't know what to uh come up with. So you have peter Based on his personality peter rose up and said to them So peter tries to bring a solution for this problem He says men and brethren, you know that a good while ago god chose among us that by mouth By my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe So Where when did this happen conelius? Remember conelius when he had to explain To the listeners and say god gave the vision and that's why I went and you see god poured out the holy spirit So god is working among the gentiles. How can we say uh that you know, this this is not acceptable So he reminds them God is moving among the gentiles Okay, and his use me also with the gentiles was it So god who knows the heart Acknowledge them by giving them the holy spirit Just as he did to us and made no distinction between us and them Purifying their hearts by faith Now therefore, why do you test god by putting a yoke on 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 in the same manner as they so he's encouraging the church and saying look Gentiles are getting saved This is a move of god This is a move of god and god is working among them So, you know, we we should not make it more difficult for the gentiles Okay, sometimes what happens in churches? God is ready to bring in you know groups of people into his kingdom But the believers make it more difficult. We put rules. We say no, no, no You should stand like this. You should talk like this. You should sit like this All these rules Which have not been mentioned in scripture for us So that's what peter is saying Why are we making it difficult for the gentile believers and bringing in Something like circumcision circumcision. Yes, it is there in the old covenant, but Jesus didn't teach us this for salvation. So why are we making it difficult? So thankfully after peter spoke verse 12, then all the multitude kept silent and listened to barnabas And paul declaring how many miracles and wonders god had worked through them among the gentiles So all of them are trying to convince the leadership here and say god is working among the gentiles Okay, and circumcision was never an issue Verse 13 and after they had become silent James answered saying, okay, so Now James will bring a conclusion to this matter And you know, he will settle the matter with the final decision That circumcision is not a prerequisite for salvation among the gentiles So what do we see here? Basically a leadership structure has emerged Okay Earlier Peter was making the decisions one person leader. Oh, peter. We think you're our leader. Just tell us what to do But now after about You know our two decades The dynamics has changed Peter cannot make the decision alone. There is the set of apostles. You have elders Uh, you you have uh leaders from the church of anti-op your leaders from other churches Everyone is discussing. So we call this the Jerusalem council So this is another another structure of leadership that you see emerging in the church. How are decisions being taken? There is a council Everyone discusses And then they come out with the decision But who gives the final word there? James James is now the leader of the church So this James is the half brother of Jesus who is the leader of the church We saw another James who um was killed by Herod who was the son of zebedee. Okay. So we'll come back and we'll pick up from um James's decision here in the next class. So I know we haven't prayed but could somebody please pray so that we can wrap up today's class K. Siddhant Please The spirit is working Lord, we thank you for all things. Thank you for the teaching Lord, thank you for building us. Thank you for this one. It's one of the same. Thank you for Your goodness mercy We are one of you Lord We surrender everything to you Amen, thank you. Thank you Siddhant. Thank you everyone. God bless you. Have a wonderful weekend. We will meet again next week Thank you pastor. God bless you too