Les Feldick Bible Study

What did James say at the Jerusalem council about God visiting the Gentiles?

James declared that God at first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. He said this agreed with the prophets, citing Amos that after this calling out, God would rebuild David’s fallen tabernacle, build again its ruins, and set it up.

At the Jerusalem council, after Peter quieted the Jews opposing Paul, James answered, “Men and brethren, hearken unto me.” He recalled that Simeon, or Peter, had declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. James then said the prophets agree, quoting Amos: after this calling out of a people for His name, God will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down, build again its ruins, and set it up. Les explains the conclusion was made that yes, God is going to call out of the Gentiles a people for His name. Les also notes Gentiles do not come into the same intimate relationship God had with Israel when He called them “My people”; Israel will again be called God’s people when they return in complete belief at the return of Christ. Apart from this Acts portion, Gentiles are more correctly referred to as His born ones.

Acts 15:13

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

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