Untitled Sermon

Today as we continue our study of the letter of 1 Corinthians, I want to lay one more foundation point for us before we move forward.

I want to tell you the story of the issue that took place at the council of Jerusalem which is found in Acts 15.

The issue at stake is circumcision and whether or not one can be saved without being circumcised. For sake of time, we will not be going into this matter, because the issue of circumcision isn’t the foundation for 1 Corinthians I need us to understand.

Peter addresses the matter of salvation in Acts 15:11

Acts 15:11 ESV

11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

But what happens to the Gentiles then who have put their faith in Messiah?

After discussion between Paul and these other men, the matter is settled by none other than James, the brother of Yeshua. In Acts 15:19-20

Acts 15:19–20 (ESV)

19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 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.

These four requirements were not and are not intended to be the end all of how we are to live out our lives as Christians. Instead they are a starting place.

Question 1: How do you think James arrived at these specific requirements?

We find that these four requirements here in Acts have their roots in Leviticus.

The purpose of the instructions in Leviticus 17:14 and Leviticus 18:6-23 in the Old Testament was to establish guidelines for ethical and moral conduct within the community of Israel. These laws were meant to promote holiness, sexual purity, and reverence for life. They were also part of the broader framework of the Mosaic law, which governed various aspects of Israelite life, including dietary practices and moral behavior.

Now Acts 15:28-29

Acts 15:28–29 (ESV)

28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

This is the basic requirement for entry into the fellowship of believers. This is not James, Peter, John, or even Paul, this is according to the Holy Spirit.

The word burden can have such a negative connotation in the Scripture. We think of it as something that means a heavy weight and that is a true interpretation. But what the LORD wants us to understand from this word is the concept of authority.

Becoming a Christian encompasses more than saying some special words, it involves more than church attendance, doing good works, becoming a Christian requires out submission to God and His authority.

For us, I think this too is a good place for us to begin as a church. These essentials should be the starting point for us. But that is only the starting point because I want to emphasize the end of verse Acts 15:21

Acts 15:21 (ESV)

21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

The idea here is that we have a starting point and then a path to walk out in our lives.

Moses being read each Sabbath in the synagogue refers to a lifestyle of regular studying of Torah. Hearing and obeying God’s Word. This is the purpose and foundation of why we gather.

The Biblical Hebrew word for worship is "שָׁחָה" (shachah). This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and conveys the idea of bowing down, prostrating oneself, or showing reverence and submission before a deity, often as an act of adoration and praise.

We must bow down under the authority of a Holy God, submitting to Him and His Word.

When we do this, we are a community that is united in Messiah

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV)

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

Paul would have used these principles in establishing the church at Corinth. I wanted to start here, because I think we need to know this information, keep it in the back of our minds to help us interpret Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1:1–17 ESV

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Just like the utensils in the Temple were set apart for God, so also is His church.

This set apartness, according to Paul should include some observable behavior. Something that others can see. This set apartness if for the purpose to take the name of God, the worship of God to every place, every nation. It is about bringing the world under the authority and into the kingdom of God.