Live in the Law of Love

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Acts 15:1–5 (ESV)

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.” And 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. 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.”

Tension rising between the Judaizers and gentile converts

They seek counsel from the other Apostles

As they were on their way, Paul and Barnabas talked about their ministry to the Gentiles

This is a massive point of tension

Acts 15:6–11 ESV

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 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.”

After there had been much debate Peter stood up

Peter received a vision earlier in Acts that opened up the door to salvation for the Gentiles, as well as the Jews

The Holy Spirit is saving everyone now regardless of Jew or Gentile.

There is now no distinction of Christian, there is just Christian

No Jewish Christian

No Gentile Christian

No white Christian

No African Christian

No European Christian

We have all been cleansed by the same blood

Don’t add anything to salvation and make it required of salvation

This can be done with anything

Circumcision

Following the ceremonial law

Baptism

Communion

Pews

Hymns

We are saved by nothing other than Jesus' Sacrifice

Acts 15:12–18 ESV

And 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. 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.’

The assembly fell silent, Peter struck a nerve with everyone

Then Paul told them everything that was accompanying the ministry of the Apostles

Tongues

Prophecy

Divine healings

These were the gifts of the Apostles and those associated with them for the spreading and authenticating of the Gospel message.

Then James, the half-brother of Jesus speaks up, He rattles off this prophecy from Amos, which was fulfilled in Jesus and is being fulfilled now.

The throne of David has been restored in Christ who is reigning at the right hand of God.

A remnant of the Jews are believing in Jesus, but the rest are rejecting Him.

But the Gentiles are coming to faith and calling upon the name of the Lord, just as God foretold in many of the prophets of old

Acts 15:19–21 ESV

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.”

James sums up basically what Jesus tells us, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light

He doesn't want the Gentiles to conform to what the Judaiisers think is necessary, but He doesn't want them to be a stumbling block to the Jewish community either

Let’s clear up some confusion here, all of these things were central to the Pagan practices of the day

Idols were everywhere

Sexual immorality was rampant

Pagans care nothing about what they ate

So James is saying to stay away from what has been polluted or corrupted by these things for the sake of your Jewish brothers

We know that later Paul says that we can eat meat sacrificed to idols because Idols are not real and are just-food

We know we are not going to sin or be unclean if we eat a steak that's a little rare

But in no capacity or extent should we engage in anything close to or associated with Sexual immortality.

This list is not categorized as things that used to be a big deal and now that Jesus came they are no longer a big deal and we just obtain for the weaker brother.

The theme of the list is things that are rampant among the Gentile community that need to be put in check

Application

Stay away from the isms

Legalism

We are not under the Old Testament sacrificial Law anymore, Jesus fulfilled the law as being the perfect sacrifice for us.

Drowning bow who loses a hat

Antinomianism

We cannot do whatever we want to as Christians. We are free to love God and love our neighbor, without compromising either of those. This sums up the entire moral law.

Summary:

Majoring in Minors

Enrolling and not showing up or taking any tests

Conclusion

Live in the law of Love

1. Have you ever felt like you needed to add anything to your faith to make it complete? If so, what was it and why did you feel that way?

2. What are some examples of “isms” that can distract us from the simplicity of the gospel? How do we guard against them?

3. How can we balance being sensitive to the needs of others with the freedom that we have in Christ?

4. What are some things that we can do to help build unity in the church, even when we have different backgrounds and perspectives?

5. How can we use our spiritual gifts to help spread the gospel message in our community and beyond?

6. What are some ways that we can reach out to those who are different from us, whether culturally or socially?

7. How can we stay grounded in our faith when we face opposition or persecution for our beliefs?

8. How can we keep our focus on Jesus and avoid getting bogged down in legalism or other distractions?

9. How can we encourage one another in our walk with Christ, even when we face difficult times?

10. What is one thing you can do this week to help spread the message of the gospel to those around you?