David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 15:19-21

 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

We are not fans of minimum performance standards. In our opinion all these do is lower the standards by which people judge themselves and generally convey an attitude that seeks to do just enough to get by. We first encountered this with our sons in clemently school many years ago. Somehow they got the idea – although they had plenty of intelligence – that they needed to perform only to satisfy the minimum standard. Now I see it when people – employees or co-workers seek to do just enough to get by. I don’t want to have to tell someone how much they need to do in order to make it to the minimum level of performance; I want people to be all in for the work which they have undertaken.

In the case of the new Christian converts – the new Gentile believers – James makes a case for minimum standards of a different sort. These minimum standards were for proper and n0n-offensive behaviors on the part of the new believers – especially in relation to the Jewish believers. These standards flow from a controversy in the Early Church about what it means to be followers of Jesus, who was a Jew, and the fullest expression of a Son of Abraham; all in relation to the new reality of non-Jewish converts coming into the fellowship of the Church.

Not too long ago a quasi minimum standard for proper “Lutheran” worship was offered: Scripture readings, confession and absolution, use of the ecumenical creeds, and celebration of the sacraments were the foundational standards. This, also was offered in the context of those who have long-standing appreciation for traditional liturgical worship forms in the face of growing numbers of those who prefer a more contemporary and less-formal worship style.

Relationships within the Body of Christ ought to be marked by respectful appreciation of ancient traditions even as we see new expressions of faith and new forms of faithfulness spring up around us. This is never a problem when the church is in maintenance mode. When no growth or new people groups or outside influences come our way, we don’t have to accommodate different modes of thought or practice. But when God is stirring people and bringing people into the church, and those who are being brought do not have the same appreciation for traditions and practices we treasure, there comes the rub.

It is interesting that this issue is framed, finally, on the minimum requirements toward the new converts, and not toward the necessity of the established believers to accept these people. The first implies the second. But the minimum requirement proscribed is an act of acceptance and recognition that God’s grace is for all people. We may have to limit our requirements if we are to live in fellowship with those who are not like us. That never calls for dumbing-down the truth of God’s word, but it may well call us to examine some of the ways we apply those truths to our lives and in our churches.

Those of us in the church will well think not of minimum standards, but of our high calling as followers of Jesus who died for the sins of the world, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Jesus went far beyond the minimum standards for us, and calls us all to go the second mile for the sake of our brother or sister.

Acts 15:12-21

And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”