Acts 15

Newborn babies and newly born-again Christians both need care. It is a mistake to believe that just because a new Christian grew up in a church home they are prepared for their new life in Christ. The early church did not make up this mistake. They recognized that even though most of the early converts came from a background of Judaism they still needed to learn what it meant to be a follower of Christ. Not only did they need to know how a follower of Christ thought and acted, they also had to learn to put that knowledge into action. This is why the people from Judea in Acts 15:1 were so dangerous to the early church of Antioch. The converts at Antioch were still learning what a Christian is and did not know the requirements of Judaism were contrary to the freedom found in Christ. Legalism was a burden even the Jews could not bear.

Paul, Barnabas and the other leaders protected them from this false requirement. When they returned with a letter from the Jerusalem church, the people read it and its message encouraged and strengthened them. As well as sharing the letter, Judas and Silas also preached to the congregations at Antioch. When Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch and along with many others, taught and preached the word of the Lord. This was not primarily an evangelistic time, but was a time of discipleship. They were caring for and training up the new Christians at Antioch to enter Christian ministry on their own.

People who would never consider abandoning newborn babies lead people to Christ and then abandon them to find their own way as newborn Christians. This may not be criminal, but it is tragic and wicked. It serves no purpose to allow a newly born-again Christian to starve spiritually for lack of instruction. The church can and must do better. Evangelism is essential, but it is not enough. Effective evangelism creates a necessity for discipleship.