“Moving Out of Jerusalem” Acts 15:22-35

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.

Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.

And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Acts 15:22-35

The Decision at Jerusalem

In order to understand this decision we need to understand their world.

The Decision at Jerusalem In order to understand this decision we need to understand their world. Due to the lack of refrigeration they consumed meat infrequently.

The Decision at Jerusalem In order to understand this decision we need to understand their world. Due to the lack of refrigeration they consumed meat infrequently. Most of the time this occurred at a religious festival.

The Decision at Jerusalem The one exception might have been the eating of fowl.

The Decision at Jerusalem The one exception might have been the eating of fowl. The Jews viewed the life as being in the blood. Thus eating blood was considered abhorrent.

The Decision at Jerusalem What if the decision had been otherwise?

The Decision at Jerusalem What if the decision had been otherwise? The decision could have required circumcision.

The Decision at Jerusalem What if the decision had been otherwise? The decision could have required circumcision. This decision would have made Jerusalem the center of the Christian religion.

The Decision at Jerusalem What if the decision had been otherwise? The decision could have required circumcision. This decision would have made Jerusalem the center of the Christian religion. The decision moves the center of gravity of the early Christian church from Jerusalem to Antioch.

The Decision at Jerusalem This was providential.

The Decision at Jerusalem This was providential. Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:1-2 (ESV)

The Decision at Jerusalem This was providential. In about 20 years Jesus’ prophesy would be fulfilled.

The Decision at Jerusalem This was providential. In about 20 years Jesus’ prophesy would be fulfilled. Thus, shifting out of a Jerusalem oriented movement would turn out to promote and foster the development of Christianity.

The Decision at Jerusalem This was providential. In about 20 years Jesus’ prophesy would be fulfilled. Thus, shifting out of a Jerusalem oriented movement would turn out to promote and foster the development of Christianity. The new centers of Christianity would be Antioch, Alexandria, Ephesus, and Rome.

The Shifting Location of Christianity

Christianity has been conceptualized as a primarily northern and western religion.

The Shifting Location of Christianity Christianity has been conceptualized as a primarily northern and western religion. It is rapidly becoming a southern and eastern religion.

Christian Communities of the Future

USA270350

Christian Communities of the Future USA Brazil190234

Christian Communities of the Future USA Brazil Philippines116162

Christian Communities of the Future USA Brazil Philippines Ethiopia 65160

Christian Communities of the Future USA Brazil Philippines Ethiopia D.R. Congo 70150

Christian Communities of the Future USA Brazil Philippines Ethiopia D.R. Congo Mexico127130

Christian Communities of the Future Many of these communities have thrived in the midst of persecution and war.

Christian Communities of the Future Many of these communities have thrived in the midst of persecution and war. Many of these communities are intense in their desire to evangelize and send out missionaries.

Christian Communities of the Future Many of these communities have thrived in the midst of persecution and war. Many of these communities are intense in their desire to evangelize and send out missionaries. Frequently they are very socially conservative, this has led some North Americans to look to them for leadership.

Christian Communities of the Future They are more likely to be Pentecostal.

Christian Communities of the Future They are more likely to be Pentecostal. They are more likely to pay attention to such things as dreams and visions as a form of divine communication.

Christian Communities of the Future They are more likely to be Pentecostal. They are more likely to pay attention to such things as dreams and visions as a form of divine communication. Many are intensely interested in the issue of spiritual warfare.