Sermon Tone Analysis

· 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.