Rejoicing in the church

📖 Acts 15:30-31

29th Apr 26 | 05:28

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Acts 15 - Series 2/Episode 23 - Wed, 29th Apr 2026 - Rejoicing in the church - Acts 15:22-35 - THE ANNOUNCEMENT - Galatians 03:26-29

Acts 15:30-31 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. (31) When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

The letter from the Jerusalem Council was delivered to the church at Antioch, with full interpretation and understanding. When this took place, the church rejoiced over the encouragement that they received from the decision of the Jerusalem Council.

What were the reasons for the joy of the church?

They were now affirmed that they were together as the body of Christ, and that there was no middle wall of separation between Jew and Gentile. Ephesians 2:13-16 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (16) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

This understanding brought great joy to the church then, and so it must now be for us, for we are all one. Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise._

The agenda of the false teaching was to bring people to bondage. Whereas in Christ we are free. Galatians 2:4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), / Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

In Jesus, we have freedom. John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. (32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." / John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

This freedom that we have in Christ is that we are set free from sin by His grace. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. We come to the great paradox. Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

This freedom that we have in Christ causes us to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

The church rejoiced because they had a fresh understanding of circumcision. Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Circumcision is not of the flesh but of the heart. Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; (29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

The understanding that came to the church was that they were circumcised with the circumcision not made by hands but by God. Colossians 2:10-12 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (11) In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, (12) buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

The realisation came to the church that we are now separated to God, from the world. Jews and Gentiles were baptised, and they understood that *baptism was the real circumcision that they undertook to be separated from the world and separated for God*.

As those who were the circumcision of God, they could together worship God in the Holy Spirit, rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in the flesh. The Lord had opened the way for them as Jews and Gentiles to worship together and be the habitation of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:18-19 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (19) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

The church in Antioch rejoiced.

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