When All the Multitude Kept Silent

Acts 15 was and is one of the most important chapters in the word of God.  You have to understand what has just taken place.  The multitude has always played it’s role, for good or evil.  They have always had something to say.  

The multitudes are different today.  Then, they flocked to the Lord on His time here on earth.  They marveled at his doctrine and miracles.  Jesus had compassion on the multitudes.  They also came with Judas to betray Him, as well as wanting Barrabas to go free to see Christ crucified.  The multitude always had those who believed, and those who did not (Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.) 

The multitude or masses controlled politicians and religious leaders of their times, the same way they do today.  Why do politics change their politics?  The multitudes. But Acts 15 was the game changer. Acts 15 was what the Pharisees, Sadducees and Chief Priest were trying to quell when the Lord was killed and when the Acts of the Apostles began.  

If it helps, think of it as a uprising or a revolution. There are many references to a new way.  A new doctrine, a new commandment, a new testament. Remember the accusation of Jason, they turned the world upside down.  They would lie, cheat, discredit, and do whatever they could to stop men saying such things as; Neither is their salvation in any other. For there is none other name, under heaven given among men whereby we MUST be saved! (Acts 4:12)  

It was a paradigm shift.  Nearly 4,000 years of hardcore, Jewish tradition, customs, religious culture, and even the “God honored” priesthood was now rendered obsolete.  The temple, the veil that was rent, the altar, the incense, and the “holy things” were no longer the standard of worship.   

With this, many of the religious leader’s seats, leadership and positions were now suddenly being threatened and brought into in question. But something happen in Acts 15 immediately after Peter proclaimed the “Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The very next verse is one of the most important verses in the bible in my opinion. 

Did You Call?

Our logic is jacked and selective at best.  What I may say next is not derived from a desire to be heard or to preach in these pastors' “bull” pits. I just think we should examine our own logic on this front of being called of God. To imply a call implies that someone called you.  If they are called to preach, they are of course talking of being “God called”.  And since they are “the called” they have to have a place and people present to exercise it.  

So, what if others are “called"?  What if God selected some young men in the church, gave them a voice, a heart, and a desire to minister, preach, or teach the word of God?  Are they ever allowed to exercise this gift?  Why does it seem like "the call" is only applicable to those in a position of authority? Why is the call only applicable to those who have surrendered to the full-time ministry or those going to seminary? What about some young 20-something kid, who has a heart right with God, but works a regular job?  What about his call?  What about his gift?  Is it allowed to be exercised, or do we just find a mold of ministry more suitable for him?  I mean, with all our varied ministries we have created, we can find something for them to do, as long as they aren't standing challenging the established doctrines.

Most pastors just influence them or find positions more suitable for them.  Some send them off to seminary, because the pastor doesn’t need the young preacher boys, not yet ruined by fundamentalism and religion, to tell him or the church anything.  They need them properly brainwashed and trained for their own definition of what the ministry is. So they go off to schools, get brainwashed the same way, and have their own churches and ministries in the vicious life sucking machine of the fundamentalist religion.