True Unity

· INTRODUCTION: Good morning GPC. Would you turn in your Bibles with me to Acts 15? Acts 15:1-21 is our passage today. We’ve spent the last month diving deeply into Acts 14; the conclusion of Paul’s first missionary journey. Today, we get to see the first CHURCH COUNCIL!

o As you turn there, I just want to highlight a few announcements (March 5- baby dedication, Nauvoo at Night this week, Prayer meeting at 8:30, SCRIPTURE MEMORY STARTING UP- take a card from the book table, etc.)

o Would you stand with me for the reading of God’s word? We’ll read vs. 6-11. (Read, Pray, you may be seated, drink)

· The Church councils are really fascinating. See, over the history of the church, specifically the early church, there were a few issues that came up. These issues were resolved at councils made up of all the leaders of the church.

o The reason for that? Because it reflected what we see in Acts 15. Two of the most famous councils were the First Council of Nicea and the Council of Chalcedon.

§ The Nicene Council was convened by Emperor Constantine because of a heresy known as Arianism. Let me be clear, I said Arianism, NOT ARMINIANISM! Those are two very different things. This is also where St. Nick, yes, Santa Claus, punched Arius, the leader of this heresy in the face!

o Both of these are famous documents. You may recognize the beginning of the Nicene creed, that the council produced. It begins, “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things, visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father.

§ It continues on, but that is the most famous part.

§ The Council of Chalcedon was called to strike down a heresy known as Nestorianism and Kenotic Christology. Basically, heresies about Jesus had entered the church and a council convened to issue a statement based on scripture!

§ These councils showcase two things. First, the importance of CORRECT KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE AND THEOLOGY! But secondly, unity!

· Let me be clear; both of these matter! If the theology is perfect but there is no unity and love, we have what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 as a “Clanging cymbal, or a clashing gong.”

· On the other hand, if we have unity around incorrect theology, then we will face another issue; and that is potentially a lack of salvation!

o Today, as we walk through this passage, I want us to consider how “Biblically Based Theology Builds Unity!”

· BODY: Acts 15. This is truly a beautiful, one of a kind passage. In fact, there’s a very strong argument that this is the FIRST COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH! Throughout church history, things like the council of Chalcedon and Nicea helped us protect doctrine.

o How cool is it then that we get to see the FIRST council here in Acts 15?

· Every church council was convened because there was an issue facing the church. The issue for this first council is made clear in Acts 15:1. We read, “But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

o The first real theological debate has broken out! Remember, our attention is in Syrian Antioch.

o A group of men come to this church from Judea and they come saying that the gentiles must be circumcised like the Old Covenant required, in order to be saved.

§ It really isn’t an issue of circumcision though, The real thing going on here is a desire to make all believers follow the Levitical law and the law that was under the Old Covenant.

§ Essentially, these men are saying that to be saved you need, “FAITH AND LAW-FOLLOWING.”

· They argue that because these believers haven’t obeyed the Old Covenant, they can’t be saved!

· Paul and Barnabas take exception to this and in verse 2 we see that, “After Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.”

o Paul and Barnabas, who in Chapter 13 we saw listed as teachers, or elders, or pastors, of the church in Antioch, argue against this false doctrine!

§ Paul often tells believers to be on guard against false doctrine. He knows what that’s like first hand! He’s been there, done that!

· Let’s be quite clear; this matters! We can take some level of comfort in the fact that these are not just empty words from Paul when he tells us to be on guard! This is something that HE LIVED OUT!

o Paul and Barnabas faithfully guard the flock that has been entrusted to them and to others. They are in part responsible for the teaching at this local church and they handle this situation well.

§ They refute what is said and then they are SENT to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem.

· This is an opportunity to get the best minds together; the very people who walked with Jesus to come up with a statement on this.

· Let’s be clear; the church in Antioch doesn’t do this because they think that the believers in Jerusalem are so much better, they do this because they want some help!

o It’s an act of humility and an act of community, that should remind us of how churches are to work together to further the gospel!

o As Paul and Barnabas travel, they stop in Phoenicia and Samaria and give updates about their journey throughout Turkey.

§ This is another example of the early churches working together and understanding that they are all a part of the GLOBAL CHURCH!

· These people are filled with GREAT JOY as they hear about the work that Paul and Barnabas have done!

o They aren’t jealous, or angry, or worried about who’s name is behind this missionary trip; they are just THRILLED that God worked!

§ Remember, believers at this time had given up EVERYTHING to follow God! Their lives were totally different, families disowned them, and they faced heavy persecution from all sides!

§ That was a hopeless feeling. But, these believers are FILLED WITH JOY, GREAT JOY, because of what God had done!

· In verse 4 we see their arrival in Jerusalem. We read, “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

o When the traveling party from Antioch arrive in Jerusalem they are welcomed and once again Paul and Barnabas recall WHAT GOD HAS DONE!

o They provide an update for the Church in Jerusalem on what God has been doing ALL AROUND THE MEDITERRANEAN.

§ This has to be such a comforting thing! Think about it! Imagine if every Christian you knew was heavily persecuted, including yourself. Now, imagine hearing that God was ACTIVELY WORKING! That would be exciting!

o But, unfortunately, the good times can’t last forever.

§ Instead, even as they are sharing about what God has done, the party of Pharisees; sometimes called the circumcision party by Paul, stand up and they have an announcement to make.

· They want all believers to be circumcised as they are!

· Let’s be clear; this is not just an issue in Jerusalem and Antioch; this is an issue for ALL the churches!

· In verse 6 we read, “The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.”

o The apostles and the elders want to come together to study scripture and to pray about this issue! All issues like this are far too important to give a flippant answer to!

o The elders and apostles set us an example of studying scripture together to more fully understand THE GOSPEL OF JESUS!

· In verses 7-11 we read, “And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

o Let’s be clear, there is much debate about this topic! In the Old Covenant, circumcision was man’s sign of obedience to God. So to drop that altogether really troubles the Jewish believers and I think that makes sense if we put ourselves in their shoes!

§ The super bowl just happened. Imagine if instead of being the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chiefs were known as, “Team A”

§ It would be different to cheer for them. For the Jewish believers, it seems like a big part of their belief has been stripped away and they’ve been asked to root for “Team A!”

The way they’ve obeyed God for generations has been taken away. Although, as we’ll see, it’s taken away for good reason; it is not necessary for salvation!

o As the debate closes out, Peter stands up to speak. He recounts how God has welcomed the Gentiles into the church by giving the Holy Spirit. He makes clear that God welcomes all people the same way, regardless of background!

§ So, Peter’s challenge to the council is simple. “Don’t put a yoke on their necks!”

§ Rather than making this harder, Peter reminds the believers that the GRACE OF JESUS is what saves each and every one of us; not circumcision!

· See, even in the Old Covenant, Circumcision was just a sign. It was a sign of faith in God. But what really saved people was FAITH; NOT A PHYSICAL ACT!

· In verse 12 we see that “All the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.”

o Paul and Barnabas once again share about what GOD HAD DONE AMONG THE GENTILES!

§ This is groundbreaking. Their ministry, a ministry specifically aimed at the Gentiles, is totally new and it is very important in this conversation!

§ Why? BECAUSE GOD HAS BEEN WORKING! Clearly, God has been pouring out HIS spirit on the Gentiles!

· God is open to Gentiles coming to faith. The challenge is clear for the council; are they humble enough to welcome the gentiles and to put aside silly and foolish rules?

o And yes, I do mean HUMBLE enough. Unfortunately, by the time of Jesus, some of the Jewish people had allowed the Old Covenant to fill them with PRIDE!

§ They were “better” than the gentiles; at least in their minds.

§ So for the council, this was a challenge to BE HUMBLE!

· In verses 13-18, James speaks. Here’s what Luke records, “After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.”

o This James is the half-brother of Jesus; born of Mary and Joseph. James becomes a key part of the church in Jerusalem.

§ James is really a remarkable figure. In Mark 3 for instance, in a situation also recorded in Matthew and Luke, James and his family try to stop Jesus’ ministry because they think he’s gone insane!

· BUT, GOD WORKS IN JAMES HEART AND TRANSFORMS HIM!

James is an example that no matter what WE SEE in someone’s life; GOD IS STILL WORKING!

o At this point, James is one of the key leaders in the church. He speaks about how Simeon; that is another name for Peter, first saw God move in the Gentiles.

§ He then reminds everyone that the words of the prophet Amos agreed with what Peter was saying.

· James is well-respected by all those involved in this situation seemingly and when he speaks, he speaks with a purpose. He shows the people how God foretold that Gentiles will be saved on account of REPENTING AND CALLING ON THE NAME OF JESUS!

· In verses 19-21, we see the final judgement that James gives. Listen to what he says. “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

o James final judgement is that circumcision does NOT SAVE THE GENTILES!

§ Instead of adding this on as a requirement, James suggests that there should be letters written to the Gentiles clarifying what it means to live a Christian life and to obey the teaching of Jesus and HIS EXAMPLE!

· After all, that’s what we are seeking to do!

o James can sometimes be misunderstood. Oftentimes, people see James 2:24 as a confusing statement about salvation as James talks about salvation needing works. But, when we look at what James says here, we see James’s outlook on salvation.

§ Justification; that is being made right before God happens through repentance AND FAITH IN JESUS!

· But, what James ALSO AFFIRMS in his ministry, IS THAT SANCTIFICATION IS CRUCIAL! If we are not going through the process of sanctification, or becoming more like Christ, we should wonder if we are saved!

o As Christians, we should NATURALLY become more like CHRIST!

o The epistles in the New Testament are crucial for this! Let’s be clear; these are letters sent to the churches containing the same and similar information to what James suggests right here!

§ I say all this because I want to be clear. Our salvation is simple. BUT, that doesn’t mean that our lives shouldn’t be transformed!

§ The Gentiles were not saved by circumcision, but there were good things in the law of Moses about keeping our eyes on God for instance, that they were unfamiliar with!

§ These believers; just like all believers need GUIDANCE as they seek to follow God.

· For us, we may read these items and not understand why we need guidance on them today, but we do!

· It isn’t about the meat that we eat, but do we battle sexual immorality in our culture? ABSOLUTELY!

· Do we battle other forms of idolatry? Absolutely! Do we battle disunity? ABSOLUTELY!

· We need to be ready to run to God’s word to solve our challenges too!

· CONCLUSION: The Christian life is not easy. There will be hard times and there will be disagreements about what to do! Yet, what we’ve seen in Acts 15 is an example of the biblical way to handle disagreements!

o The disagreement we saw today? What can save someone! How did the believers work through this disagreement? Through scripture, prayer and in submission to the Holy Spirit!

o At the end of this passage, James provides a list of things that should be addressed to gentiles.

§ It may seem like that is what we should talk about in conclusion. But, that’s not what I want to apply to our lives today, although, it does matter!

· Instead, I want to ask us to questions. Do you understand AND BELIEVE the gospel? Does the gospel transform your life?

o Two “simple” questions. Let’s talk about them.

o First, Do you understand and believe the gospel?

§ This is a nice Yes or no question. Either you DO UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL, OR YOU OD NOT!

· God, Man (Colossians 1:21- alienated and Hostile to God), Christ, SALVATION (Colossians 1:22- RECONCILED, presented holy nod blameless because of Jesus ! GOSPEL!

· On the other hand, Does the gospel transform your life?

o Does the gospel change how you live? Does the realization that you are FREE IN CHRIST control you! Do you understand that you live under the law of the SPIRIT!

§ I know that’s a lot of questions, but here’s what I want to challenge us with. At the council of Jerusalem we saw the importance of unity.

§ Regardless of background, everyone was united by one thing; JESUS and FAITH IN HIM!

· They were in disagreement, but they HAD JESUS! They understood what JESUS HAD DONE FOR THEM!

· And their final decision? That only FAITH IN JESUS was necessary to be saved.

o So for us, does that reality; that our salvation is totally a GIFT that we could never earn; that reality, should change our lives.

o DOES IT? DOES GOD’S AMAZING MERCY, GRACE AND LOVE CHANGE OUR LIVES AND OUR WORLD?

§ Our lives should be shaped BECAUSE of the gospel! Because of this gift, we can be in relationship with God! Do we tell the world about it?

§ Or on the other hand, do we GIVE IT THE PLACE THAT IT DESERVES IN OUR LIVES!

· DO WE THINK ABOUT IT, CONSIDER IT, PRAISE GOD FOR IT? Or, do we allow ourselves to spend our time and energy on something else?

· It’s abrupt, but Acts 15 is abrupt. Let me call on all of us to take a second in prayer to REPENT of the areas where we’ve constructed an idol, or been like the Ephesians church in Revelation and LOST SIGHT OF OUR FIRST LOVE; JESUS!

o That’s why we are here! If our focus is on anything else, then we have missed it!

o So let’s take a minute and consider this. Let’s take a minute AND REPENT!

§ Let’s do it right now. Joni and Michael, could you just play through Only a Holy God as we take a few minutes to pray?

§ (After a few moments- Let me pray for us to close out today.)