Gospel Confirmed

Doctrinal Differences Need to Be Addressed

Paul, Barnabas, and Titus went to Jerusalem to resolve a doctrinal issue regarding the gospel. There was a group of people that came from Jerusalem to Galatia that stirred up trouble in the church. They were teaching that a person had to be circumcised in order to be saved. Paul knew that they were wrong, but they had such influence in the church that the church decided it would be best to get guidance from the apostles at Jerusalem.

15 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had [a]great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.

Paul had been preaching the gospel for 17 years. The Lord was doing mighty things with the Gentiles at Galatia. They were being saved and growing in their faith. When the Lord is at work, Satan tries to disrupt what God is doing. Paul was doing the Lord’s work and Satan sent church folks to mess him up.

Issues in the church

There are many issues that tend to cause conflict in the church. Most of which are trivial matters that get blown way out of proportion. I have experienced a church split over a building campaign. This has no place for conflict in a church. A church is called to be united and an example to a lost and dying world. If Satan can get us fighting against one another, then he knows we will not be effective in reaching those in our community.

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

A church that fights with one another tends to be inward focused. They are more concerned with their own personal preferences than with reaching others with the gospel of Jesus. The things that Satan uses to cause disruptions in the church can be somewhat silly. Tom Rainer has a list of 25 things churches have fought over

1. Argument over the appropriate length of the worship pastor’s beard (I think I saw a verse in Scripture that indicated it is to be no more than 1.5 inches longer than the pastor’s beard.).

Argument over the appropriate length of the worship pastor’s beard (I think I saw a verse in Scripture that indicated it is to be no more than 1.5 inches longer than the pastor’s beard.).Fight over whether or not to build a children’s playground or to use the land for a cemetery (I’m dying to know the resolution of this one.).A deacon accusing another deacon of sending an anonymous letter, and deciding to settle the matter in the parking lot (The church could have sold tickets to this event and raised a lot of money.).A church dispute of whether or not to install restroom stall dividers in the women’s restroom (I’m calling unfair on this one. The men should have their stall dividers too.).A church argument and vote to decide if a clock in the worship center should be removed (I think this one is a timely argument.).A 45-minute heated argument over the type of filing cabinet to purchase: black or brown; 2, 3, or 4 drawers (This one is an official cabinet meeting of the church leadership.).A fight over which picture of Jesus to put in the foyer (I just want to know who took the pictures.).A petition to have all church staff clean shaven (No church planters are allowed.).A dispute over whether the worship leader should have his shoes on during the service (I vote for shoes, shirts, and pants.).A big church argument over the discovery that the church budget was off $0.10. Someone finally gave a dime to settle the issue (I have to admit this issue is ten times more important than the church missing a penny.).A dispute in the church because the Lord’s Supper had cran/grape juice instead of grape juice (Of course it should be grape juice. It’s right there in Hezekiah 4:11.).Business meeting arguments about whether the church should purchase a weed eater or not. It took two business meetings to resolve (Wow. This fight was really whacky.).Arguments over what type of green beans the church should serve (I could have resolved this conflict quickly: none.).Two different churches reported fights over the type of coffee. In one of the churches, they moved from Folgers to a stronger Starbucks brand. In the other church, they simply moved to a stronger blend. Members left the church in the latter example (Perhaps they started a new church: The Right Blend Fellowship.).Major conflict when the youth borrowed a crockpot that had not been used for years (I bet it was a bunch of crocky old adults.).An argument on whether the church should allow deviled eggs at the church meal(Only if it’s balanced with angel food cake for dessert).An argument over who has the authority to buy postage stamps for the church (The members were licking their wounds over this issue.).A disagreement over using the term “potluck” instead of “pot blessing” (I get it! The concept of luck contradicts the theology of a sovereign God. This issue is very serious. Good luck trying to resolve it. ).A church member was chastised because she brought vanilla syrup to the coffee server. It looked too much like liquor. (Beth Moore confessed she was the culprit who brought the syrup. Don’t you know, Beth, we Baptists cannot have vanilla syrup at anytime? Chocolate is fine though.).An argument in church over who has access to the copy machine (I think a calendar should be made where every church member has at least five minutes access to the copy machine each year. You can have a business meeting to vote on each five-minute increment.).Some church members left the church because one church member hid the vacuum cleaner from them. It resulted in a major fight and split (Thus the Second Electrolux Church was born.).An argument over whether to have gluten-free communion bread or not (I thought gluteny was a sin.).A dispute over whether the church should allow people to wear black t-shirts, since black is the color of the devil (Are you sure he’s not red? That’s what I’ve heard.)A fight over whether or not to sing “Happy Birthday” each week (I’ve got an idea. Alternate it with the doxology.).An argument over whether the fake, dusty plants should be removed from the podium (Just give them a little water. They should be fine.).

2. Fight over whether or not to build a children’s playground or to use the land for a cemetery (I’m dying to know the resolution of this one.).

3. A deacon accusing another deacon of sending an anonymous letter, and deciding to settle the matter in the parking lot (The church could have sold tickets to this event and raised a lot of money.).

4. A church dispute of whether or not to install restroom stall dividers in the women’s restroom (I’m calling unfair on this one. The men should have their stall dividers too.).

5. A church argument and vote to decide if a clock in the worship center should be removed (I think this one is a timely argument.).

6. A 45-minute heated argument over the type of filing cabinet to purchase: black or brown; 2, 3, or 4 drawers (This one is an official cabinet meeting of the church leadership.).

7. A fight over which picture of Jesus to put in the foyer (I just want to know who took the pictures.).

8. A petition to have all church staff clean shaven (No church planters are allowed.).

9. A dispute over whether the worship leader should have his shoes on during the service (I vote for shoes, shirts, and pants.).

10. A big church argument over the discovery that the church budget was off $0.10. Someone finally gave a dime to settle the issue (I have to admit this issue is ten times more important than the church missing a penny.).

11. A dispute in the church because the Lord’s Supper had cran/grape juice instead of grape juice (Of course it should be grape juice. It’s right there in Hezekiah 4:11.).

12 Business meeting arguments about whether the church should purchase a weed eater or not. It took two business meetings to resolve (Wow. This fight was really whacky.).

13. Arguments over what type of green beans the church should serve (I could have resolved this conflict quickly: none.).

14. Two different churches reported fights over the type of coffee. In one of the churches, they moved from Folgers to a stronger Starbucks brand. In the other church, they simply moved to a stronger blend. Members left the church in the latter example (Perhaps they started a new church: The Right Blend Fellowship.).

15. Major conflict when the youth borrowed a crockpot that had not been used for years (I bet it was a bunch of crocky old adults.).

16. An argument on whether the church should allow deviled eggs at the church meal(Only if it’s balanced with angel food cake for dessert).

17. An argument over who has the authority to buy postage stamps for the church (The members were licking their wounds over this issue.).

18. A disagreement over using the term “potluck” instead of “pot blessing” (I get it! The concept of luck contradicts the theology of a sovereign God. This issue is very serious. Good luck trying to resolve it. ).

19. A church member was chastised because she brought vanilla syrup to the coffee server. It looked too much like liquor. (Beth Moore confessed she was the culprit who brought the syrup. Don’t you know, Beth, we Baptists cannot have vanilla syrup at anytime? Chocolate is fine though.).

20. An argument in church over who has access to the copy machine (I think a calendar should be made where every church member has at least five minutes access to the copy machine each year. You can have a business meeting to vote on each five-minute increment.).

21. Some church members left the church because one church member hid the vacuum cleaner from them. It resulted in a major fight and split (Thus the Second Electrolux Church was born.).

22. An argument over whether to have gluten-free communion bread or not (I thought gluteny was a sin.).

23. A dispute over whether the church should allow people to wear black t-shirts, since black is the color of the devil (Are you sure he’s not red? That’s what I’ve heard.)

24. A fight over whether or not to sing “Happy Birthday” each week (I’ve got an idea. Alternate it with the doxology.).

25. An argument over whether the fake, dusty plants should be removed from the podium (Just give them a little water. They should be fine.).

As you can see, Satan can use the most silly things to create conflict in the church. Although these examples are far fetched, they really happened.

Paul did not have silliness like this, but his issue was doctrinal in nature. Even more so, it was foundational, being that it regarded the gospel. If there is to be a dispute in the church it should be over things that matter.

Paul brought the issue to the leaders of the church.

Paul privately submitted his gospel to the church leaders of good reputation. Paul knew that he needed to keep the issue at hand in the hands of those that were of good reputation. He knew that if he opened the issue up to the whole church, he would not get resolution for the conflict.

It is important when you have an issue in the church that you keep the issue to a small group of trusted, godly people. If you don’t than the issue becomes church gossip and causes division in the church.

Paul genuinely sought what was right regarding the gospel.

Legalism Has No Place in Salvation

The men from the church at Jerusalem were proclaiming that in addition to circumcision, a person had to keep the law of Moses. This was a requirement for salvation. This is a false doctrine that eliminates the grace of God. Any time you add to the grace of God for salvation it is a false doctrine.

The law of Moses was given to show that we cannot keep the entirety of the law. That we need the grace of God regarding the law. The grace of God comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When a person receives Jesus Christ as their savior by faith, the law has no bearing on their salvation. They are freed from the law.

7 Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?2 For the married woman is bound by law to her [a]husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law [b]concerning the husband. 3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in [c]the members of our body to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the [d]Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

The law has no authority in your salvation. It does has benefit for your living. Just because you are not bound by law to lying, it is still a good practice not to lie.

A Christian is freed from the law to live for Jesus

Though the law does no t have authority to judge a Christian, Jesus does. When we receive Jesus as Savior we are not judged for salvation, but reward in heaven.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for [a]his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

When a makes Jesus Lord of their life they will want to please Him by following his commandments.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

So although, we are not bound by the law, it doesn’t mean that we can live any way we choose. Our lives should be a reflection of our love for Jesus.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Regarding the law, the difference between legalism and grace is requirement verses love. Legalism says you have to keep the law or you are not saved or you lose your salvation. Grace says I am saved so I desire to please my Lord.

Titus was a gentile that was distraught with the thought that he wasn’t saved because he wasn’t circumcised. He knew the truth and was not going to give in to the pressure of the Judaizers. Paul said that he did not give into the false teaching for even an hour. he knew the gospel of grace was right and that liberty is found in Jesus.

Don’t Let anyone steal your liberty in Christ

There will be people that try to make Christians fit into a moral box. If they do not fit the box, or step outside the box then they must not be a Christian. Christianity is not a list of do’s and don’ts. It is living in relationship with Jesus Christ. Here is the interesting thing about living with Christ. Your life will reflect your walk with Christ. Let me give you some examples i have heard:

If you drink alcohol then you are not a “good” christian.

If you go to the casino then you cannot call yourself a christian.

How can you be a democrat and be a christian.

How can you cuss and call yourself a christian.

If you are divorced then you are disqualified from Christian work

Christianity is not about checking another person’s “Christian Box”. It is about following Jesus Christ. This may shock you but I know Christians that drink alcohol, gamble, are democrat, and cuss. Chances are you may know some of these people to.

People that judge your salvation based on what you do tend to be legalist. Christians have no room to judge the salvation of anyone, however they do have a responsibility to make disciples.

The Gospel of Grace is Confirmed

When Paul brought the issue to the church at Jerusalem, Peter stood up and defended the gospel of grace.

7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that [a]in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

There you have it! “we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus”. He discredited the Judaizers. He said that faith in Jesus Christ is enough for salvation. He went on further to say that when you add anything to the gospel of grace you put God to the test.

To further affirm the gospel of grace James writes a letter and sends people from his church to Galatia to confirm the gospel of grace.

19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from [j]things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since [k]he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 and they [l]sent this letter by them,

“The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.

24 “Since we have heard that some [m]of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 25 it seemed good to us, having [n]become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have [o]risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; [p]if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

There you have it! Salvation is by grace alone in faith alone. There is no work that you have to do to receive salvation.