At a meeting, someone mentioned “the Acts 15 experience.” Everyone else seemed to comprehend the reference, so I chose to not interrupt by asking for an explanation.
Since then I’ve read Acts 15 and searched online for answers. (An online search provided only a handful of matches, which weren’t helpful.)
As I contemplate this, I’ve come up with some working ideas of what the Acts 15 experience might be:
1) To encouragement to seek consensus
2) An embrace of people from different ethnic groups and cultures
3) A warning to not place requirements on people that God didn’t intend
I wonder if all three might be correct understandings of what this phrase means. But if so, what is the composite message? What is a concise summary?
How about: to agree (consensus) to accept everyone (embrace all people) without loading them down with manmade expectations (requirements God didn’t intend).
Could this simply be a narrative for church unity? If so, we have a lot of work to do if we are to achieve its potential.
Read more about the book of Acts in Tongues of Fire: 40 Devotional Insights for Today’s Church from the Book of Acts, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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