The caring of the Holy Spirit Acts 15:12-18
Translator: Choi, Jaeho
Caring means visiting to someone in need or grief.
Let us think about the care of the Holy Spirit.
1. Caring is down to those persons eye level.
Peters heroic defense quietened the audience.
As Peter was confident and clear enough.
Paul and Barnabas got speaking rights after all.
Paul and Barnabas spoke first about marks and miracles to Judaistics.
As Judaistics were weak in faith, so Paul and Barnabas had to be down those eyes level.
After seeing marks and miracles, not all but some Judaistics began to believe.
Judaistics liked visible marks and miracles thus.
Judaistics were fascinated by the miracle which raised the cripple.
But Jesus said the only miracle is Jonahs miracle.
This means the Cross.
Paul and Barnabas were kicked out of Antioch of Pisidia by the Judaistics.
They also encountered stone-throwing at Iconium,
They encountered deadly stone-throwing at Lystra even after the miracle of the cripple.
Nevertheless, Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel.
This is the marks and miracles.
Moreover, Paul and Barnabas didnt use a shortcut passing Antioch of Syria back home.
Despite death threats by Judaistics, Paul and Barnabas retraced their journey.
The journey lead to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia.
On their way back, Paul and Barnabas checked if the gospel was delivered there firmly.
That is the marks and miracles.
Paul and Barnabas explained the marks and miracles to the Judaistics at their levels.
Paul and Barnabas made a mission report to the Beatitudes to the disciples.
2. Caring is Gods visit
(1) God visit Jacob.
Jacob appeared unexpectedly at the Assembly.
Jacob shouted 'Dear brothers!' even more confidently than Peter.
Because Jacob was the chairman of the Assembly.
But, even Jacob like other Jews criticized and didnt believe in Jesus until Jesus died.
Jacob took Jesus for an illegitimate child.
Jacob dis so, as the Virgin gave a birth, punishable by stoning in such humiliation.
For this reason, none of brothers stood by Jesus in Jesus lifetime.
But after the Resurrection, Jesus visited Jacob intimately [Corinthians 15:7]
Jacob was visited by the God and changed at once.
Why did Jacob shouted at the Assembly?
For the last verdict, God made Jacob the chairman as Peters testimony was not enough.
For the legitimacy of the Evangelical mission, Jacob took on the role, for all mankind.
Jacob said 'In the past I did blame on Jesus just like you guys, but now Ive changed'
Jacobs role showed that a authentic, trustworthy leader is needed to reach a conclusion.
Respected or not, being a brother of Jesus was inconceivable privilege then.
Knowing this, Jacob treat himself the same as others and shouted 'Dear brother!'
Likewise, neither Peter nor Jacob had anything to brag about.
Peter and Jacob realized that we all are sinners. thus Jacob shouted 'Dear Brothers!'
(2)God visit Gentiles.
Peter and Jacobs answer was followed by the testimony that even Gentiles were saved through Gods visit.
Peter and Jacob summarized the Salvation in a word Gods caring.
Caring is ampepsilonamppiampiotaampsigmaampchiampepsilonampomicronampmuampalphaampiota or ejpiskevptomai in Greek and paqad in Hebrew.
The Greek word ejpiskevptomai means to look into if it exist or not
Simply, this is checking attendance and this is the expression of concern about someone.
If one is concerned, he or she will take a look.
A clear expression of caring is to visit.
Likewise, visit means the same in churches.
Thus, Jacob described Peters visit to Cornellius as Gods visit to Gentiles.
So, the best caring is Gods visit and that is the caring for the Salvation.
To advise, to look and to visit is Gods caring today.
Therefore, caring is to visit.
Both Jacob and Gentiles turned into important people like pillars.
3. Caring should be equal to the Word
Peters testimony, Paul and Barnabas mission report and prophets word all are the same.
Even when God visit, the conclusion should be equal to the Word.
Though one accepts Bible but not led by the Word, his or her speech and act do not match the Word.
Jacob explains this match by quoting Amos 9:11~12
Jerusalem church collapsed in the era of prisoner of Babylon.
The reason only Jesus will restore Davids fallen tent, is because
the Lord wanted Christ among the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear his name.
Jacob interpreted Amos 9 spiritually by quoting Greek version of Septuagint Bible.
Jacob focused on Gentiles and quoted Greek version of Bible, while Amos did in Hebrew.
The Lord declared that all the nations that bear his name will restore Davids fallen tent.
Therefore, Gentile mission is the one that corresponds with Word.
That is, what Barnabas, Paul and Peter said is the same as what Amos said.
Even in different era, Jesuss Word are the same.
The consistent truth is that even Gentiles get Salvation.
The conclusion is that our speech and act should match the Word.
Whether we saw marks and miracles.
Whether we are taking care of someone or weve been taking care of.
May God visit to all of you and have a week full of the Holy Spirits care!
