The Church Fight that went Right
A church fight that went right
Acts 15:1-35
Objective: There will be times when we disagree and there will times when we struggle with a particular doctrine. We must always be willing to discuss and then come to a godly solution.
INTRODUCTION:
1. What do you do when you disagree with someone else?
2. Facts will give the truth.
3. Acts 15‑‑Church Doctrine
What was the problem?
What was done about it?
How was it solved?
The problem was over Church doctrine and preaching.
4. Problem
a. Saved by circumcision?
b. Saved by keeping the Law
Acts 15:1-2 ESV 1 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.” 2 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.
I. Background‑‑
A. The Jews thought they had something special when they had salvation by the law and faith.
B. When they had Christ, they had something special also and were not about to share it.
C. Peter broke the ice by sharing his experience about Cornelius with the church. Acts 10
D. Paul and Barnabas again `violated' the Jewish thinking by going to predominantly Gentile territory.
E. Circumcision—Genesis 17—
1. Covenant with Abraham
2. Circumcision is the sign
3. If you are not circumcised, you are cut of from the family
4. God’s promise to make Abraham the father of many nations—Abraham laughed Gen 17:17
5. “I have Ishmael”—Gen 17:18
6. Sarah will give birth—Gen 17:19
7. Abraham and Ishmael circumcised at 99 & 13
8. Circumcision of the flesh become a sign
Romans 2:15-3:3
--What is the problem?
--They could not keep the law
--Circumcision of the heart is essential
II. Internal problems Acts 15:1‑2
A. Salvation by the law (circumcision) or by faith alone?
1. There was no small dissension
2. Breaking with tradition—OUCH
Traditions were those teachings sent down over the years
Traditions could be from God or man
At times, this was the teachings of Moses
Matt 15:1-9—Jesus curse on the Pharasees who honor God with their mouth but their traditions separate them from God
B. Wise decision—v. 2b‑5
1. Problems do not resolve themselves
2. There must be wise and open discussion
a. Honest constructive discussion with the option to be able to disagree
b. It is not going for the jugular of another person but constructive discussion
c. There must be freedom to disagree and dialogue openly without a disaster.
III. The investigation at Jerusalem Acts 15:6‑12
A. Statement of purpose v. 6
B. Method of discussion v. 7
1. Each side debating and willing to discuss the problem openly with willingness to listen.
Ways of listening
--Listen to answer
--Listen to understand
2. Freedom to share and listen
C. Peter's testimony—v. 7b‑11
1. God chose him to be a spokesman to the Gentiles
a. They heard and believed
b. They experienced the Holy Spirit and inner cleansing
2. He emphasized the impossibility of Keeping the Law v. 10
3. Both Jews and Gentiles are saved by faith in God v. 11
D. Experiences of Paul and Barnabas—Acts 15:12
E. Resolution of the problem Acts 15:13-35
1. James speaks—13-21
2. Letter sent back to Antioch 22-29
3. Letter delivered by Judas and Silas 30-35
IV. Application from the study so far
A. No conflict is ever easy
B. All conflict can be beneficial. It strengthens us and results in our growth
C. Any kind of conflict calls for honest appraisal. It really makes us think.
V. They were trying to determine what were the essentials for salvation and for living a Godly life.
A. What are the matters of life that I consider to be essentials?
Essentials--Unity
B. What are the matters of life that I consider to be non‑essentials?
Non-Essentials--Liberty
C. What are some specific things I have done recently to demonstrate that I am a person committed to unity?
D. What are specific things I have done recently to demonstrate that I am a person committed to liberty?
E. How have I demonstrated love recently?
All Things--Love
VI. Review of the disagreement‑‑
A. Salvation is according to keeping of the Law v. 1, 5
OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR OR
B. Salvation is by Grace Alone v. 11
VII. Solution to the disagreement Acts 15:13‑35
A. They never argued or fought (really?)
B. They did debate
C. V. 13‑22
1. God is doing a new work and not man—v. 14
2. Scripture is being fulfilled and not contradicted.
‑‑Quoted from Amos 9 and Jeremiah 12
3. Life-style of obedience and love must follow . . .not license.
D. Put the solution in writing—v. 23‑29
E. Made public announcement of the solution v. 30‑35
VIII. The people responded favorably.
A. There was rejoicing—v. 31
B. There was a balance between law and grace.
1. Saved by Grace alone
2. Determine to live Godly—Is that law or love of God
IX. Closing comments and results of each extreme
A. Legalism results in an emphasis on works. The impact is guilt
B. License results in an emphasis on self. The impact is offense.
C. Grace results in an emphasis on Christ. The impact is love.
X. Two sides of the same coin for the Christian
A. Freedom ‑‑Read the book of Galatians and find a dozen things that Christ has freed us from!
B. Responsibility ‑‑Read the book of James and find ten areas where we have great responsibility and need to put our faith to work.
Conclusion:
1. Your salvation is by grace through Faith ALONE in Christ
2. As a result of your salvation, there will be a change in your life.
3. We must continually work toward a unity of the body.
4. Traditions must never get in the way of truth.