Legal-ish
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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We are living in ‘UN-PRECENDENTED’ times...
ever heard that statement? that means this has never happened before...
When Covid hit, we said that…in 2020—but only to find out that in 1918—during the Spanish flu—people were forced to wear masks and socially distance—and people were very divided..
or maybe with the election and politics this year—this is unprecedented in terms of its importance…but just go back to 1968—a year filled with uncertainty—and Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and George Wallace were running for the President. 2 assassinations occured in Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. violence and rioting swept major urban areas.
it can be easy to think that our time is the most unique…but history gives us perspective...
or maybe we as the church think we are more divided than ever before---or the church is under attack more than ever before...
but if you read our Bible today—we see that 2,000 years ago the church was threatened with major division and disunity—like today—Acts 15 is all about unity and disunity.
If you have your Bibles, please turn to Acts 15…Acts 15...
we are looking at what Jesus continues to do in the life of the early church..after his death and resurrection and ascension...
Acts 15:1 (NIV)
1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be... saved.”
show map—
from the mother ship—Jerusalem—which had mainly Jewish background believers...
—to the multi-cultural—church in Antioch made up of Jewish background believer and Gentile background believers...
notice—what they are saying—unless you CIRCUMCISED...
Now if you don’t know the Bible, we are thrilled you are here—but this is confusing.
The rite of circumcision was by God to Abraham and his descendants in the OT and all the Jews as a sign of God’s relationship with them:
10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.
14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
this was a big deal to them...
so these people are saying—to the Gentile believers (those who were not circumcised) that circumcision is not just optional but REQUIRED for salvation.
if they are going to be forgiven, put right with God, and live with God for eternity—it is a requirement.
2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:3 (NIV)
3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. (probably b/c most of them are Gentile or not fully Jewish)
Acts 15:4 (NIV)
4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. (so chapters 13-14—1st missionary journey)
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
so this group of Pharisees were religious leaders—they were saying not only must you be circumcised—but you must follow the OT law of Moses...
found in first five books of Bible
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
things like you can only eat certain foods—that are clean vs. unclean.
You must keep the Sabbath.
Those are REQUIRED for someone to be saved.
so it’s not just believing in Jesus. it’s believing in Jesus PLUS good works.
so here is the question they are wrestling with:
what is required for someone to truly be saved before a holy God? is it only faith in Jesus, good works, or Jesus plus something?
do Gentiles have to be circumcised and follow the OT Mosaic Law to be saved? In other words, does a Gentile have to become Jewish to really be a Christian—what are we to make of the entire OT law...
7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?
11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
so Peter tells the story of Acts 10-11 where God used him to go to the household of Cornelius and believe, the first Gentiles. and how God showed up then—God made the choice—God knows their hearts—God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit.
BTW—this is the last time Peter is mentioned in Acts...
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
Paul and Barnabas add to it and what God did in Acts 13-14.
13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.
James is the half brother of Jesus—he wrote the book of James
Acts 15:14–18 (NIV)
14 Simon (Peter) has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.
15 The words of the prophets (Old Testament) are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 “ ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—
18 things known from long ago.
James quotes from the OT book of Amos—to prove that God would restore David’s line—that happened through Jesus Christ....God would restore His people…and that would include not just Jews, but Gentiles.
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
he only give them requirements…now there are 2 ways to interpret vs. 20—and the 4 requirements...
one way that is common is that the Jerusalem Council is telling the Gentiles—not to do these 4 things b/c the Jewish Christians were extra sensitive about them—you can’t eat blood-those are ceremonial laws. but I don’t think that totally works b/c what about sexual immorality? that is not a ceremonial law but a moral law.
the better way is to see these 4 things as being associated with the Gentiles background. before the Gentiles came to Christ—they were involved in pagan temple worship. They would go to a pagan god and offer pagan sacrifices, eat meat with blood in it or animals strangled and maybe even participate with a temple prostitute. so James is telling them—steer clear of idol and temple worship. break away from that past life. vs. 21—the Law of Moses is against Idolatry too.
I am so thankful for this Jerusalem Council..it is part of our heritage.
Gentiles do not have to become Jewish to be saved. They don’t follow circumcision or the law of Moses.
We are saved by grace alone—through faith alone—in Christ alone...
What do we learn from this: 3 lessons...
We are all in danger of legalism.
what do I mean by legalism: working to earn God’s favor and obtain salvation. A legalist believes they must work (follow God’s law) to obtain the blessing of God and earn salvation.
now good works are important—our life should be characterized by holiness—but good works are the fruit of our salvation and belief, not the basis. we are saved for good works not by them.
it’s easy to look down on those people in this chapter who were saying you must be circumcised or follow the Mosaic Law. Those things were commands given by God in the OT—but now that Jesus has come—He has fulfilled those laws---those laws were pointing to Him…so we no longer follow the OT law—we follow the Law of Christ—summed up in the NT—love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and soul…and your neighbor as yourself.
They didn’t have the NT yet—so I actually believe that before we criticize them…,,we have to understand our form of legalism today:
one writer says there are different degrees of legalism: and he gives 4 classes of legalists: (Dan Doriani: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/legalist1/)
class one legalists - believe you must work to earn God’s favor and obtain salvation
in this case—they taught you must be circumcised (vs. 1) or follow the OT law of Moses (vs. 5). the rich young man said “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” many religions of the world are like this. Do this and you will be saved…this is salvation legalism.
class 2 legalists - require believers to submit to man-made commandments and tradition—they add to God’s law and put them on the same level. Pharisees were very much like this—adding rules to follow the Sabbath or to avoid sinners. we do this so we feel part of the in group vs. the out group. we become judgmental. this is a rules legalism.
class 3 legalists - obey God and do good in order to retain God’s favor. so they may start in God’s grace but now they are saved must prove it by good works. and must work to now keep God’s favor. My standing before God today depends on my performance rather than Jesus’. and if something goes wrong—they may ask what did I do to deserve this? Is God punishing me. daily performance legalism
All 3 of these classes is a form of legalism. The first is the most obvious—and the 2 is pretty obvious, but some of us experience that 3rd form of legalism, too.
and then a 4th class…is kind of borderline—a person who overly focuses on obedience to God’s law. Yes God’s law is good—but they are Nike Christian—the bible says to give money generously so I do it. It says to pray, so I pray. It says to witness so I witness. I’ll just do it. but this can be dangerous too—b/c it sees the law as merely a command.
one writer calls this “tone based legalism.” Not salvation based or rules based—but legalism in spirit. they affirm salvation by grace—but are often heavy-handed, crushing, and even oppressive focus on law-keeping—people often feel watched, criticized, and picked apart, and even fearful for stepping out of line.” (Michael Kruger - https://michaeljkruger.com/what-exactly-is-legalism-its-more-complicated-than-you-think/)
They forget that the law points to God’s incredible character—that obeying the law requires His strength and help—and it molds us more and more into His image. “We don’t kill because God gives life. We are faithful in marriage because he is faithful. We tell the truth because God always tells the truth. We are kind to the poor and the alien because God cares for the poor and the alien.” - Dan Doriani
if you think of legalism in terms of these 4 classes—we may not relate to circumcision and that requirement—but based on these definitions—we all are in danger of it.
that takes me to my 2nd point...
In other words (though we may not be full blown legalists in the 1st class) all of us at times are legal-ish… (maybe not full blown legal-ist—but legal-ish…)
if you are still not convinced…you struggle with legalistic tendencies...
finish vs. 1, fill in this blank...
look at verse 1 again:
1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
unless you are _________ you cannot be saved. How would you finish that? You my say—well—unless I believe in Jesus Christ and His grace…and that’s the right answer…but if we are honest are there other answers. we may know and say the right theology but what do our lives show. Unless you are __________ — what would you fill in the blank...
or here’s another way I often hear it. “True Christians are or True Christians __________.”
let me give you some examples of how I have seen this sentence finished...
one category is very action-oriented—true Christians...volunteer enough, give enough, go enough, serve enough. all of those are important by the way—follow the commandments enough...but those can become the basis of our salvation rather than the result if we are not careful. these forget that you can do all the right things but from the wrong heart motive (I.e. Pharisees). the heart matters.
another category I see are more minor, less clear doctrinal issue—if you don’t have the same end times theology, you are not a true Christian... if you don’t agree with me on this issue…you might not be a real Christian...
another category is very comparison oriented—True Christians are not as bad as so and so…(Pharisees prayer in Luke 14) or as bad as that group over there. I praise God because I am not like those people over there… “The Sprungers...” I just named half our congregation. or I attend or volunteer more than those people.
another category I see is related to politics..True Christians belong to this political party. vote this way. will not vote for that guy this coming fall. while voting is important—opinions are important—our admittance into the kingdom of God is not based on political party affiliation or who we vote for.
another category I see is gift or passion related. We tend to view Christianity and the world through the lens of our gifting or passion in ministry. so if I am really passionate serving the poor and the downtrodden—and if I feel you are not as passionate as me, then obviously you are not a true varsity Christian, just JV, or you may not even be a Christian.
if you are not as passionate about abortion as me…or immigration…or racial reconciliation…or…this type of ministry…then you can’t be a real Christian...
the world of parenting opened up a whole new world of legalism. Before I was a parent, I was an awesome parent. I had incredible opinions about things…and thought “why would those parents allow that...”
but when I became a parent—it humbled me. and I saw a whole new world of legalism…as certain trends in parenting happened. There was a book called Baby Wise—and some parents could be legalistic about it— “Oh you don’t follow Baby—wise...” You must not love your child.
I have seen this with all kinds of fads—diets, foods, whole foods, organic foods, gluten free foods…if you don’t follow those—then your must be a real Christian and hate your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.
This is the danger of legalism—it sets up another law another category—that I judge everyone else by (including myself.)
danger of it—personally...
arrogant if I am winning and become judgmental, arrogant and a jerk.
but if I am not living up to my stand, I became crushed, deflated, incredibly, maybe even suicidal if I am not living up to the standard I imposed
it’s very chaotic to live in legalism—it’s up and down, herky-jerky, I am very sensitive to criticism, I am very insecure. Often someone who is very insecure —whether it’s obvious and they lack confidence or they try to over-compensate and bully people—at the root of their heart belief system—is they are soaking in the waters of legalism.
danger of it theologically (just read the book of Galatians—acts 13 and 14—is for the most part—especially 14—all about the region of Galatia) Paul probably wrote Galatians between chapters 14 and 15 or on his way to Jerusalem in chapter 15.
see map - Pisidian Antioch (13), and chapter 14 - Iconium, Lystra, Derbe
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
Galatians - they were adding to the Gospel. when we add to the gospel—Jesus plus theology—yes believe in Jesus but you must be circumcised or work for it. when we add to the Gospel we actually delete and take away. Addition in Gospel mathematics = subtraction.
Peter described it as a yoke —
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?
living under legalism—is oppressive…do you feel that way?
The Gospel or grace must be at the center of all we say and do.
11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
grace = God’s favor—His undeserved favor that He richly poured out on us through Christ
it is received by faith
9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
in fact it is so gracious—God chose us...
Acts 15:7 (NIV)
7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
this grace is available to us—even though we are sinners—even though we have turned our backs on the king of kings and lord of lords who made us—we tell God “I know best—like a 2 year old defies his parents” we do the same—thinking we are God. and God is righteous and perfect b/c He is so utterly perfect and holy that we deserve justice.
but God in the good news of the Gospel—sent His Son—on a mission to live the life we constantly fail to live---and die the death that we deserve on the cross—satisfying the justice of God, and rising victoriously.
if you look at our logo here—you see our values---Worship, Grow, Connect, Serve, Reach—and at the center is the Gospel. good news—it doesn’t just tip us into the kingdom—It nourishes us everyday.
how do we know this Gospel is at the center of all we say and do:
signs of this in our lives individually and as a church:
rest - true inner rest. no longer do I have to compare myself to others—whether I feel like I am winning or losing—no—I can be at rest—b/c my inner identity is settled. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live—but Christ lives in me. I am dearly beloved. what would happen if we believed this? what joy would result b/c of it—no matter our circumstances. I don’t blame God for things in my life that happen—I question, I cry out, I get upset, but I ultimately find peace in God. a legalist feels like God owes them “God you owe me for this...” but a true Christian — when they trust and keep trusting in Jesus feels like the yoke has been lifted. (Matthew 11:28-30 (come to me all you are heavy laden and I will give you reset..)
interpreting the OT—it all points to Jesus. no longer are we under the OT law—it all has been fulfilled in Jesus. We are under the new covenant that Jesus brought—and his law is 2fold...
relationships—we seek to elevate others…I don’t have to be the center of attention or get credit—I can truly look not to my own interests but to others b/c Christ did that for me… and I am eager to give people the benefit of the doubt…and I even seek our forgiveness when I mess up and relational reconciliation. i am propelled to live out the one another passages—I seek people out—even annoying people—and I seek to do rich community—I am not embarrassed to share vulnerable information (appropriately) b/c I am covered under the grace of Christ…and the Spirit produces that fruit of love, joy peace patience…etc.
we don’t have to add anything to this Gospel. sometimes we think that the Gospel is boring or something else must be added to make church or our Christian life better or more exciting. While the Gospel propels us to do new things and take risks—we never tire of looking into and exploring this rich Gospel in all of Scripture—both in the OT and the NT. The Gospel truly can be the main burden, the main passion of our church. It’s like the hubcab on a wheel—where all the spokes flow from—if we are excited about this Gospel in Christ. (show values!?)
I want to invite the worship team forward.
are you legalish?
where do you need to return to Jesus and the Gospel...
One thing this chapter explores—and we will see it next week too—is this theme of Gospel unity.
there are things worth discussing, debating, even dividing over. the Gospel is one of those. I don’t know how these Pharisees and others reacted to the council…but if they didn’t accept it—they were not part of the church at the time. it’s worth fighting over Gospel issues—even dividing over.
there is a time to do that—unfortunately—we often make other issues central or Gospel that are not truly that—next week—we will see some division—. I encourage you to read next week’s chapter—chapter 15....
want to wish all our fathers a happy Father’s Day..
There are things worth dividing over.
Only the Gospel has the resources to be the center of all we do.
3 questions:
do Gentiles have to be circumcised and follow OT Mosaic Law to be saved?
How should Gentile believers behave going forward and for what purpose?
Do Jews have to lose their Jewishness?
There is a time to fight and disagree. A time to divide. And a time to unite.
