"I shall . . . rebuild the booth of David."—Acts 15:16. ⛺️?⛺️?⛺️

[Bible Speaks]

"I shall . . . rebuild the booth of David."—Acts 15:16.

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Through the prophet Amos, Jehovah foretold that the time would come when He would raise up “the booth of David,” that is, the royal line leading to the Messianic Kingdom. (Ezek. 21:26, 27) 

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Would Jehovah once again deal exclusively with fleshly Jews as a nation? No. The prophecy adds that “people of all the nations” would be brought together as “people who are called by [God’s] name.” 

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Remember, Peter had just testified that God “made no distinction at all between us [Jewish Christians] and them [Gentile believers], but purified their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:9) In other words, it is God’s will that Jews and Gentiles alike be brought into the Kingdom as heirs. (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 2:17-19) 

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Nowhere did such inspired prophecies suggest that the Gentile believers must first be circumcised in the flesh or become proselytes.

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Moved by such Scriptural evidence and the powerful testimony he had heard, James went on to offer these words for consideration: “Hence my decision is not to trouble those from the nations who are turning to God, but to write them to abstain from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. For from ancient times Moses has had in city after city those who preach him, because he is read aloud in the synagogues on every sabbath.”—Acts 15:19-21.

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When James said “hence my decision is,” was he asserting his authority—perhaps as chairman of the meeting—over the other brothers and arbitrarily deciding what was to be done? Not at all! The Greek expression rendered “my decision is” may also mean “I judge” or “I give an opinion.” 

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Far from ruling over the entire body, James was proposing for their consideration a course of action based on the evidence heard and on what the Scriptures say about the matter.

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Was James’ proposal a good one? Obviously it was, for the apostles and the older men later adopted it. With what benefits? On the one hand, the recommended course would not “trouble,” or “make it difficult for,” Gentile Christians by imposing upon them the requirements of the Mosaic Law. (Acts 15:19; New International Version) 

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On the other hand, this decision would show respect for the conscience of Jewish Christians, who over the years had heard “Moses . . . read aloud in the synagogues on every sabbath.”* (Acts 15:21) 

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The recommended course would surely strengthen the bond between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Above all, it would please Jehovah God, reflecting his advancing purpose. What a fine way to resolve a problem that threatened the unity and well-being of the entire congregation of God’s people! And what an excellent example this is for the Christian congregation today!

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102009057?q=acts+15%3A16&p=par