What are these verses in Acts 15 talking about?

strike through kings, JUDGE among the heathen ... this is what the NT teaches too. He will destroy all power and authority and put all things under His feet.

Then people will say "come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to learn His ways and walk in His path" and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks."

Amos according to
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
9:11-15 Christ died to gather together the children of God that were scattered abroad, here said to be those who were called by his name. The Lord saith this, who doeth this, who can do it, who has determined to do it, the power of whose grace is engaged for doing it. Verses 13-15 may refer to the early times of Christianity, but will receive a more glorious fulfilment in the events which all the prophets more or less foretold, and may be understood of the happy state when the fulness both of the Jews and the Gentiles come into the church. Let us continue earnest in prayer for the fulfilment of these prophecies, in the peace, purity, and the beauty of the church. God marvellously preserves his elect amidst the most fearful confusions and miseries. When all seems desperate, he wonderfully revives his church, and blesses her with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. And great shall be the glory of that period, in which not one good thing promised shall remain unfulfilled.
Does Romans 11:25 belong here???

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Considering the Hebrew meaning of Adam is equivalent to the English mankind, Esau ('s lands) is often referred to as Edom, which is another form of Adam. That Esau was a "man of the field" and Jacob dwelt in tents is explained by Esau's "manliness," that is a sort of "man of the earth," while Jacob is nomadic which alludes to a one looking toward the heavenly home such as his parents Abraham and Sarah, who have renown among the faithful. There is also a teaching about the harrier a man is the more his tendency to be compelled by his "lower" nature, using Esau as example. I'm not sure how accurately that indication holds true though, but it seems to be at least at first glance.

this really is a question. perhaps someone more qualified can answer.

what if we think of it as the house of David? did God promise David a forever King from his line?

Take time to pray and consider that this may be referring to a time yet future not the 1st Advent. Give it a little thought a little prayer a little meditation then read the verses in Amos. Seems there is more here. Peter had already been to a Gentiles house, centurion, and knows that Gentiles are now also accepted by Jesus. So at this time bringing up verses from Amos' prophecy goes beyond the 1st Advent. If you don't see that possibility that's ok. Just realize that there are prophetic verses throughout the OT & NT. You should be aware of that. These verses certainly seem to be more likely future event than past event. The people here in this council were all 'Spirit' led and aware of Messiah. Seems almost certain they must be thinking something about future events or at least the writer, Luke, was led to record this for posterity and not necessarily perfectly understood while this council was occurring. Consider that James had the final say here. Why didn't Peter or Paul give final say? More here than meets the eye.

thank you; i will do that.

do you agree that even if Luke didn't perfectly understand, the Spirit Who inspired the words did?

i don't believe Paul was part of the council at Jerusalem, just for the record.

Acts 15:12 ¶ Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

i stand corrected! thanks! guess it's time to leave the Old Testament for a while and re-read Acts.

ps-- i think part of our difficulty is i'm not dispensational, but i appreciate the interchange.

This all new to me and I don't understand all these titles. I listen to Spurgeon and I understand some think that is Calvinist. So what. Why don't Christians just focus on Calvary and the rest is peripherals.

i agree first that Spurgeon is a good listen, and second that there's a core truth we must agree on and not every belief is an essential one to be in the faith.

i was just trying to explain that one's view of eschatology can differ from another's. this can make it hard to be understood. does that make sense?

David was promised a tabernacle that God would build for him not the other way around . The earthly tabernacle was what man built based on the pattern Hod gave Moses but what your talking about is founds here

“

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God said he would build David a house , he would set up an eternal
Kingdom and David’s seed would sit on the throne forever



the temple God raised for his people is here it’s the only place we can worship him and is something we really do need to accept the body of Christ

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

But he spake of the temple of his body.

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”
‭‭John‬ ‭2:19-22‬ ‭

in the body of Christ is our temple for worship


“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
‭‭John‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s the home God made for us “ the body of Christ “ and why we say we’re “ in Christ “

Hey brother Pilgrimshope check out post #25 of this thread and get back to me. I would like your input.

i usually try to look at the whole of what’s being said and accomplished so let’s do this and sort of observe the bc text that sets up chapter 15 and it’s resulting answers let’s look at the issue being addressed

“And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:1-

So we can see there was a dispute between Paul and barnabus and the Jews insisting on observance of the old covenant circumcision and law Of Moses they go to settle the dispute to the apostles and elders of the church

We see peters argument against the idea of adding circumcision and the law to Jesus disciples

“But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:5-10‬ ‭

peters final conclusion

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we ( Jews ) shall be saved, even as they.”( gentiles )

Peter is saying “we don’t believe anyone needs to be circumcised and keep the works of Moses law to be saved”

then Paul and barnabus are witnessing that the holy spirit has been working among gentiles ( un circumcised and not under the law of Moses form israel ) which wotnesses that God has accepted them apart from those rituals and carnal commands of the flesh.

“Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:11-12‬ ‭

Then it leads to mines witnessing that this is true because of what the prophets foretold

“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, And will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, Saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

( James argument leads us to his conclusion )

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:13

Which they go on to agree and wrote this letter sent with Paul and barnabus to gentile churches who were disputing all these things about circumcision and adherence to Moses law it was an issue they came together to answer but it’s still an issue even today

“forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

James is quoting what Simeon foretold about God choosing his people from gentiles as well abrams flesh line. The prophets were all witnessing the resurrection brother when they discuss God rebuilding the temple it’s just hidden until we start hearing the gospel and revelation of Jesus

They didn’t understand him because they were looking for a man made building and not Gods work to resurrect his temple as he promised

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.”
‭‭John‬ ‭2:19-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

remember why they made the temple ? It is where Gods presence would dwell among the people hidden inside the temples inner most room upon the seat of mercy where the blood was shed once per year

“And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭25:21-22‬ ‭

That’s a pattern for a Christian and tbier heart where we need to accept his testimony the gospel and believe so he can meet us there and commune with us there we don’t need a building we are his temple where his presence dwells

we aren’t going back to a pattern without Gods spirit in us so why would we need to send one man into his presence to hear from him commune with him and then come out of his presence and tell us what he said ?

once you receive Gods holy spirit there’s never going to be another need to enter a temple in order to worship God ot was a pattern of what’s true in heaven

now we have gods presence here in our inner room

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this is where God meets us at his testimony now inside his living temple

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:15-18, 23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

See the reason Paul says this

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬


is because we can look at the temple and see the pattern of gods spirit dwelling inside our heart in the most holy place when we realize the revelation that we are the temple and Gods home is in the center of our heart and as the temple was we need to be dedicated to Gods worship.

not by sacrificing animals and spreading blood upon a golden altar inside a building that’s been destroyed for almost two thousand years and has no use for anyone who has the Holy Spirit in them but by living our life following after the lord who taught us the gospel of were in Africa or Canada Russia or North Korea of Gods spirit is in us we are his temple d there is no need for another mediator Jesus already reconciles us

Did you notice how God said hed rebuild the tabernacle of David so men would seek him ? This part

“And will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, Saith the Lord,”

and how Jesus said he was going to raise up the temple they destroy ? When Gods temple was raised back up from ruin people who believed would seek him he would draw men to him through rebuilding his temple for its ruins

He raised Jesus body his temple up from death after men destroyed it and this would cause men to seek him believing the gospel

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:32-33‬ ‭

men would destroy the “son of David “ the messiah but God would raise him up and send him to all nations gathering his people from among Jew foret and also gentile this won’t happen someday when a man made temple is rebuilt on this earth but it happens when we look to Jesus and hear the revelation of the old testsment in the gospel

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
‭‭John‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, Saith the Lord,”


If we look through the gospel at other scripture it interprets itself
right now the temple is on heaven

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭

but someday the temple will return to earth

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:22‬ ‭

The people here in this council were all 'Spirit' led and aware of Messiah
Hey brother this is getting like what happened Acts 15 .......Why would they be debating a point which they were all convicted of by the Holy Spirit. Something other than the 1st Advents veracity is conveyed to us. Those at this council were all well aware of 1st Advent. Including James I would think. And why would Peter and Paul, 'Respected' , individuals give James the final word? Luke may even have inserted the passages by Inspiration for benefit of future generations. Just as OT prophets recorded passages to which they at their time were oblivious as to significance. Possibly same method God worked here by the Holy Spirits guidance. So now like Acts 15 debate until the Holy Spirit reveals truth.

As I read it, James is using this quote from Amos to make his point about the Gentiles. But the first part seems to be talking about the future restoration of Israel (the tabernacle, or house, of David). It's all connected. The offer of salvation to the Gentiles being part of it.

Future is what I see too. Plus more than one group. Translations of Amos 9 referenced here vary. Some say Edom and some just say 'men' as I recall. Some uncertainty or discrepancy needs sorting out maybe.

Another thought on this council. Luke may also have been there. Acts 15 may not have recorded all participants.

Consider these verses in cojunction with Acts 15:15...................................Romans 11
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,g so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,h and he will turn Israeli away from ungodliness.
27And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”j

28Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will sharek in God’s mercy. 32For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
33Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

34For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?l

35And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?m

Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: .............This verse mentions the people to be rescued first as 'all Israel' and secondly as 'Jacob'. The 'turn away ungodliness' is accomplished by 'the Deliverer' and 'the Deliverer' is noted to 'come out of Sion'. The NLT is 'one who rescues will come from Jerusalem'. It seems that this would be indicating Jesus rescuing what Paul refers to as Jews in this chapter of Romans. A cursory reading of some commentaries gives the sense of no consensus on this verse. Verse 25 mentions the events which precede the 'rescue' concerns Gentiles of a 'full' number must 'come to Christ'. This 'rescue' may be a group of Jews that have gone thru what is referred to as 'Jacob's trouble'. Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.