Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    1 Chronicles 26, Acts 15

    DateVersionReading Plan
    December 30, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

    1 Chronicles 26

    Observation & Interpretation

    1 Chron. 26:10 – Hosah’s son, Shimri, was made chief although he was not the firstborn son.

    1 Chron. 26:14 – Shelemiah, Zechariah’s son, is described as a “shrewd counselor”.

    • The selection of leaders for each gate was made in the cont4ext of family membership, but capability must have been an overriding consideration. In those cases where sons and fathers seemed to be equally qualified, they were not held back because they belonged to the same family. Both son and father were placed in command of their own gates. This was true of Shelemiah and his son Zechariah, as well as for Obed-edom and his sons. (CSB Notes)

    1 Chron. 26:24 – Moses’ descendant, Shebuel (son of Gershom), was in charge of the treasuries.

    1 Chron. 26:1-32 – There was…a need to both provide security against illegal (e.e, not clean) entry and theft or damage and to be responsible for financial and material resources. The organization of such matters is the concern of this chapter, the appointment of “gatekeepers” (26:1-19) who will also have oversght and administration of “treasuries” (vv. 20-28) and related eternal matters (vv. 29-32). (ESVEC – Section Overview)

    • Whether within the life of a local congregation or in the community, all contribute; the work of cleaners and maintenance people can enhance or distract from the work of pastors and evangelists. (ESVEC – Response)
    • While not temples, church buildings require ongoing maintenance, and thus both people responsible for their care and the resources to perform it…All is to be done as “ministry to God.” (ESVEC – Response)

    Acts 15

    Observation & Interpretation

    v. 1, 6, 19-20, 32, 37-40

    Acts 15:1 – Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers that they needed to be circumcised in order to be saved.

    • Some men came down from Judea and attempted to modify Paul’s approach to non-Jews. By insisting that Gentiles be circumcised, they made observance of Jewish ritual a requirement for salvation. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 15:6 – The apostles and elders gathered together to consider the matter of whether one needed to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses in order to be saved.

    • The central issue of the Jerusalem Council was whether Gentile Christians had to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Given the Jewish roots of Christianity, it is understandable that he church had to grapple with this issue in an era of transition. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 15:19-20 – James stated his judgment that they should not trouble the Gentiles who turn to God, but instead write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled and from blood.

    • James’s position as the first among equals in the Jerusalem church is seen in his summarizing conclusion to the debate. In his judgment, Jewish believers should not cause difficulties for those turning to God from among the Gentiles. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 15:32 – Luke describes Judas and Silas as prophets.

    • Judas and Silas, who were prophets in addition to being leading figures from the Jerusalem church, encouraged and strengthened the believers in Antioch with a long message that Scripture nowhere records. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 15:37-40 – Barnabas wanted to take John (called Mark) with them in their return to every city in which they proclaimed the Word of the Lord, but Paul thought it best not to take him with them as Mark had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. This led to a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, such that they separated; Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus and Paul departing with Silas.

    • That Paul and Barnabas parted company over John Mark shows that even within the apostolic fellowship, perfect unity was not always obtainable. Sometimes God’s workers have to agree to separate ways, byut there is always hope for reunion (Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11, Phm. 24). Paul took with him Silas, one of the men who carried the Jerusalem letter to Antioch (vv. 23-24). Barnabas is not mentioned in the book of Acts after this incident. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 13:1-15:25 – The council was not promulgating new covenant ways to become Christians but rather was issuing requirements for how these new covenant believers were to live their Christian lives in their own context. Faith in Jesus without faithfulness to his teaching is no faith at all. (ESVEC – Response)

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