A GOSPEL OSBSTACLE
Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Again I want to welcome everybody that is joining us online today.
And for those joining us for the first time, I especially want to welcome you and would encourage you to take a moment and fill out a digital connect card at mcf.life/online so that we can better connect with you and send you some information about our church.
If you are new to our church, it would also be helpful for you to know that here at MCF we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”.
What that means is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then studying them from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to better understand what the Bible says and how it applies to our lives.
That being said, we are currently doing that through the book of Acts. A NT book written by a first century disciple named Luke, who wrote it for two primary reasons:
First, to give us a history of the church. How it started. Who was there, the circumstances that surrounded it.
Second, to give us a ministry template of sorts. A template for how to accomplish the mission Jesus has given us to take the gospel to the entire world.
So, if you haven’t been with us, I would encourage you to go online to MCF.life where you can watch or listen to all the messages leading up to today.
However, today we are closing out Acts 14 and moving into Acts 15, which is a pivotal point in the book of Acts.
Pivotal because from this point on the book of Acts will focus primarily on the ministry of the Apostle Paul and the Gentile mission.
Which makes this next portion of Acts especially important for you and I, since we as Gentile believers, we are a direct result of Paul’s ministry and advancement of the gospel to the rest of the world..
That being said, the second half of Acts is going to be extremely insightful and applicational for us as we further learn what it means to live out our faith and take the gospel to a lost and dying world.
All that too say, this next half is going to be an exciting half.
However, before Paul can move forward in his ministry to the Gentiles, there is what you might call, a gospel obstacle that he needs to overcome.
An obstacle that if not addressed could literally undo or bring into question everything Paul’s accomplished up to this point. A gospel obstacle, that quite frankly, we still deal with today.
Now, you might be wondering, “What’s this gospel obstacle?”
We’re going to get to that in moment. But first, I want to begin by asking you a question that I think will help set the stage and build some framework for what we are about to read and talk about.
Question - Have you ever tried to join a group, an organization, or a club, only to discover, in order to become a member of that group, organization, or club, there was some sort of initiation or membership process you were going to have to go through to become a member?
For example, let’s say you like playing golf, so you decide to join a Country Club.
What you would quickly discover it there’s more to joining the club than just signing up. That with it comes a membership process and a financial investment.
In fact, it might surprise you to know the average annual cost of a golf country club membership is about $6,240 per year and some high end clubs can cost between $100,000 - $300,000 per year.
Not only that, but many clubs require you to spend a minimum amount of money on food and amenities each month which can total hundreds of dollars.
But it doesn’t stop there. Along with the fees, most clubs have a membership process that may require a referral from another club member, a membership application, a background check, and an interview process.
Why all of the steps? Well, becoming a member of a Country Clubs is often a prestigious honor that assigns a person a certain social status or place in society. So that’s one example.
Another example would be a fraternity or a sorority, which are popular on many college campuses. A club that has requirements to join.
For example, in order to be considered, you have to have maintained a certain GPA in high school.
In addition to that, there will be recruiting events you will have to attend during an event called rush week.
During rush week you will be evaluated and it will be determined by the fraternity through a vote if they want to invite you to be apart of their fraternity.
But it doesn’t stop there, because if you are accepted, you will have to pledge yourself to the fraternity, which in many cases is a lifelong pledge. This will then lead to other requirements to stay in the fraternity which include academic requirements, membership fees, following certain rules, and growing in a deeper understanding of the history and background of your fraternity.
All that to say, it’s quite a process to go through in order to become a Sigma Chi, or a Pi Kappa Alpha, or a Sigma Pi Epsilon, or whatever other Greek letters you want to combine.
So, why all the steps? Because for many joining a fraternity or sorority opens relational doors and actually becomes something a person may even rely on for future connections and employment opportunities.
One final example would be church membership, which is often encouraged or even required in some churches and denominations.
For instance, in order to become a member of some churches, a person may have to attend for a certain period of time. Or maybe even attend a membership class in order to become eligible.
Other churches may even require some sort of ritualistic process. For instance, I know of one denomination that requires a person to go through a process where a sponsor is assigned and several ritualistic steps must be taken as the sponsor leads them towards membership within the religous community. A process that could take several years.
You might ask, “Why such a process to become a church member?” Well, the reasons for and the purpose of membership vary from denomination to denomination and from church to church.
For some churches, membership is about belonging. In other churches it’s about accountability. For others its about having a say in what happens. And in some, it’s about salvation. Meaning, in order to be saved, you have to be a member of that church.
Or it could be a variation of all of those depending on the denomination and church.
Now, at this point, you might be thinking, “Ok pastor, that’s all very intersting. But what does any of this have to do with the book of Acts or Paul’s situation? Where are you going with this and how does this apply to me?”
The reason I ask you to consider this question of club or organizational membership, is because as we come to Acts 15 today, it’s all about membership.
But in the case of Acts 15, it’s not about membership into a Country Club, or a fraternity, or a church.
It’s actually much more serious and important than any of those things. You see, what Acts 15 is all about is what it takes for a person to become a member of heaven.
In other words, what it takes for a person to be saved from their sin and assure themselves a place in heaven when they die.
I’d say that’s a pretty important, right? Probably something we all need to understand.
So, what does it take? How does a person attain membership in heaven?
That’s what we are going to find out today. And to do that, we are going to look at a situation Paul faces in Acts 15 where that very question is being asked, debated, and decided upon.
And so, if you’ve ever wondered, “What does it take to get into heaven?”, this message is for you. Because by the end of this message, we’re going to have that answer.
So, to get us started, let’s jump back into Acts as Luke leads us into this important question. And to get us started, we’re actually going to begin at the end of Chapter 14 as Luke leads us up to what’s about to unfold. Beginning in Acts 14:24, Luke writes:
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.
Luke picks at the tail end of Paul’s first missionary journey to a region known as Galatia. A journey that as we learned, had its ups and downs, but in the end resulted in many people coming to faith in Jesus.
And now, with his mission complete, Luke says Paul returns to his home church in Antioch where he will give a report of all that God had done during their journey. Luke gives us the details of his report in the next verse. Luke writes:
27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
Luke says as Paul begins to share all that God has done, his main focus is what had happened with the Gentiles and how the Gentiles had put their faith in Jesus.
And this would have been a big deal, because as we’ve learned, up until this point, many Jewish Christians had questioned whether Gentiles could be saved.
But Paul now affirms, such is the case. And that through his mission journey many Gentiles had come to faith in Jesus. Something indeed to be celebrated.
But unfortunately, the celebration doesn’t last long. Because as the celebration over Gentile conversion takes place, a gospel obstacle arises as chapter 15 begins with a “but”.
Don’t you just love it when somebody throws a “but” into the conversation. It’s almost like they’re raining on your parade. “You did a great job on the project, but...” “You’re getting a raise, but...” “You don’t have cancer, but...” Your like, “Couldn’t you just let me enjoy the moment before you gave me a but?”
That’s what’s about to happen to Paul, because a but is coming.
So, what’s the but in Paul’s instance? It has to do with the Gentile’s faith in Jesus. And as I said earlier, it has the potential of unraveling all that Paul has done up until this point.
So, with that said, let’s jump into chapter 15 and find out what the “but” is all about. Beginning in verse 1, Luke writes:
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.”
Wow, do you see why this is such a big deal? It’s a big deal because as Paul and the church at Antioch celebrate the Gentile conversions, a group of Jewish Christians arrive from Jerusalem, and are now questioning the conversions.
And not just questioning them, but actually refuting them. Because that’s what they mean when they say, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Now, you might be thinking, “Ok pastor, you lost me. In fact, this is getting a little weird. When you say circumcision, are you talking about what I think you’re talking about? Because that’s really odd. And if so, what in the world does circumcision have to do with salvation and whether a person is saved or not?”
That’s a great question. And the answer to that question is simple and complex all at the same time.
You see, what you have to understand, is for the Jewish person, circumcision was one of Judaism’s most important religious practices and was central to Jewish identity.
You might ask, “Why was it so important?”
It was important because circumcision represented a physical mark on the body that tied a Jewish person to a promise God had made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. A promise that goes back to Genesis 17. Listen to how the writer of Genesis puts it:
11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.
In this passage God promises Abraham that through his offspring will come a great nation. A nation from which the promised Messiah will eventually come. And as a sign of this promise, God gives Abraham the practice of circumcision. A practice that will represent and symbolize the covenant between God and Abraham and the generations to come.
But not only will it be a sign of the covenant, but a sign of separation. A separation between the people of Israel and all other people groups.
And so, for the Jewish person, this represents not only a covenantal promise, but their national identity. This is what makes them Jewish and others Gentile. For the Jewish person of that day, nothing was more important than circumcision. Because that’s where it all starts.
In fact, it was so important, if a Jewish baby wasn’t circumcised, the belief was that it could bring a curse not only on the baby, but upon the entire nation.
All that to say, circumcision was the sign you were a Jew, it was the entry point for Judaism, the sign of national identity, and ultimately determined one’s ability to have a relationship with God through the covenant promise. Meaning, if you weren’t circumcised, you weren’t a part of the covenant people and promise, meaning, you weren’t saved.
And this is the issue these Jewish Christians have with Paul’s news of the Gentiles. Because apparently as Paul tells them about the salvation of the Gentiles, the question comes up as one of the Jewish Christians asks Paul, “So, when they put their faith in Jesus, were they circumcised?”
So, why do they ask this question? They ask it because as far as they’re concerned, in order to be a Christian and be saved, you must first become a Jew.
In other words, you have to be willing to identify with the Jewish people and Judaism first. You have to be willing to take the mark of the covenant and everything that comes with it including all the traditions and religous rituals. As far as they’re concerned circumcision is necessary to begin the process of salvation.
And apparently Paul doesn’t agree with them, because apparently he says no and then says that’s not necessary for them.
How do I know that was his answer? I know because of what Luke tells us happened next. Luke writes:
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.
Luke says as Paul shares what has happened with the Gentiles, and the question of circumcision comes up, a big debate between Paul and these Jews from Jerusalem breaks out. Why?
Because obviously, Paul doesn’t agree with their statement. He doesn’t believe Gentiles need to become Jews. And he definitely doesn’t believe circumcision is necessary for these Gentiles to be saved.
So, why does Paul not believe that? After all, Paul’s a Jew as well, so why are his views different?
Paul doesn’t believe that because he understands something these Jews haven’t grasped yet.
Paul understands circumcision was the symbol of the promise of salvation, but not what actually saves a person.
You see, what Paul believes, is that salvation comes by faith and faith alone in Jesus. What Paul believes is that outside of faith, there is nothing we can do to be saved. That even if a person is circumcised and is Jewish, that doesn’t mean they’re saved. That the only thing that can save a person is faith in Jesus, that’s it.
In fact, Paul makes his case about this in the book of Romans. And he uses Abraham to do it. And what Paul argues, is that before Abraham was circumcised, he was saved by faith. Look at what he says in Romans 4:
13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Paul says the promise God made Abraham wasn’t based on circumcision or the law, but on faith. He goes on to write:
9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
What Paul is saying here is that circumcision had nothing to do with salvation. That Abraham’s faith in the promise is what made Abraham righteous, not the circumcision.
And that circumcision was simply the symbol of the promise, and that what actually saves a person is their belief or faith in that promise. The promise that God would one day provide a savior for mankind. That’s why Paul goes on to write:
22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Paul says, “This is why the Bible says Abrahams faith was counted as righteousness. Because that’s what actually saved him. Not the circumcision, not the law, not the traditions, not the rituals, but his faith.”
But not only that, Paul says it saves anybody that puts their faith in the promise. The promise that came to fruition through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Because Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise. He is the promise. And that promise is for anybody that would believe regardless if they are a Jew or a Gentile.
You see, what Paul is saying is, it’s not about the physical, but the spiritual. Listen to what he says about this in Colossians 2:
11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Paul says faith in Jesus isn’t about physical circumcision, but a spiritual circumcision. A circumcision that comes through faith in Jesus as God now cuts out the old you and turns you into a different person. A person who is now set apart form the rest of the world.
All that to say, circumcision doesn’t save you.
You see why I said answering this question is simple but complex?
So, this is Paul’s position, and the Jewish Christians from Jerusalem obviously don’t agree with him.
So, at this point, the only way to settle it is to take it to Jerusalem, and that’s exactly what they decided to do, because Luke says:
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.
But, before we get to how this plays out in Jerusalem, I want to stop for a moment and talk about how this applies to us.
Because the reality is, nobody in the church today is arguing over whether circumcision is necessary for salvation. And nobody is saying in order to be a Christian you have to be a Jew first. So, a great question would be, “How does this issue of circumcision apply to us?”
It applies in this sense.
The reality is, while actual circumcision and Jewish identity aren’t the topics of debate in the church today, the topic of how a person is get’s saved still is.
And the fact is, churches and denominations today continue to have their over versions of salvation that involve some sort of circumcision and organizational identity.
In other words, we have our own versions of rituals, traditions, and associations that we have attached salvation to.
Rituals, traditions, and associations that some churches and Christians say are necessary in order for a person to be saved.
Let me give you some examples of what I’m talking about:
In some churches it is taught that in order for a person to be saved, it begins with water baptism or sprinkling, and that doesn’t happen, then that aren’t or can’t be saved.
And they would even say this of babies or children who haven’t been baptized.
For churches like this, baptism is necessary for salvation to take place. In fact, in some denominations, they believe baptism starts the process of grace and salvation in a persons life.
But here’s the problem with that. The Bible doesn’t say that. In fact, there’s not one scripture in the Bible that would support that idea. Not one.
But what you will find in the Bible about Baptism, is that it is always by full immersion and always follows salvation.
What you will find is that Baptism isn’t what saves you, but what symbolizes your salvation. That baptism is meant to be a symbolic testimony of your new faith in Jesus. A public and physical demonstration of a spiritual reality. That through your faith in Jesus, the old you has been washed away and the new has come. And there’s example after example after example of it throughout the NT.
That’s what Biblical baptism is all about and why it should be practiced.
So, here’s a great way to remember it:
Baptism is a symbol of my salvation, not the means for my salvation.
Another example are churches that would tell you, in order to be saved, you have to be a member of their church. That you have to go through their rituals and their process of membership. And that if you aren’t willing to do that, then you can’t be saved.
But guess what, the Bible doesn’t say that either.
Because the fact is, no church has the market on salvation. No church has the ability to save you. The only person with the power and ability to save you is Jesus. And Paul says it’s as simple as this:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Paul says salvation comes by one way, through faith in Jesus, and Jesus alone. Not a church. Not church membership. Not a set of rituals. But through Jesus.
So, what that means then is, you don’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops to join a certain church or denomination in order to be saved. All you need in order to be saved is faith in Jesus. That’s it.
Now, does that mean you don’t need church? Of course not. You need church because church is where you continue to grow in your faith. Church is where you continue to be challenged in your faith. Church is where you surround yourself with people of like faith who can encourage and challenge you. That’s why the writer of Hebrews writes:
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The writer says, “Church is a place where you grow with other people.”
But it’s not the place or entity that saves you. The only person with the power to save you is Jesus.
So, here’s a great way to remember it.
Church membership or association doesn’t save me, only Jesus can do that.
So, that’s another example.
One final example would be the idea that in order to be saved, you need additional works of grace in your life.
Again, this is another form of circumcision that has been added by some in the church today. It’s the idea, that in order to keep or add to your salvation, you must obtain more grace through good works, rituals, and church attendance in order to be saved.
And there’s two problems with this thinking:
First, the idea that you need to add more grace to your life in order to be saved implies that Jesus’s work on the cross wasn’t enough. That His death didn’t pay the price for your sin. Which is completely unbiblical. Look at what the writer of Hebrews says about this:
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
The writer says, through a single sacrifice and his death on the cross, Jesus provided everything you need for salvation.
Which means, rituals, sacrifices and sacraments do nothing to save you. If anything they symbolize what Jesus did for you. But they don’t add too it. They don’t give you more grace. The fact is, Jesus has provided all the grace you need simply by putting your faith in Him. That’s why Paul writes in Ephesians:
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Paul says when you put your faith in Jesus and make Him Lord of your life, you are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Meaning, the deal is done. And there’s nothing you can add to it to make it more sure.
The second problem with the more grace idea, is it implies not only was Jesus’s sacrifice insufficient, but because it was, you have to add to it by doing works.
But again, that’s not a Biblical truth, because here’s what the Bible says about grace and works when it comes to salvation. In Romans 11 Paul writes:
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Concerning salvation, Paul says it’s by grace we are saved, not works.
He also says in Ephesians 2:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Paul then says it’s a grace that comes by faith, not works. And not only that, but it’s a gift, not something you can earn or add too.
Which is why Paul says this in Romans 5:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Paul says since we have been saved by faith, we now have peace. Why do we have peace? We have peace because through faith we have obtained the grace of God’s salvation in our lives, and in that we rejoice in the hope we now have.
The point being here that grace and salvation is something you can’t earn through works.
Now, when I say that, some might say, “But pastor, doesn’t the Bible say that without works faith is dead?”
It does say that. James actually says that. He puts it like this:
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
On the surface, it would almost appear that James is saying the opposite of Paul. But if you look at the passage in context, James is actually making a different point.
What James is saying here is that if a person says they have faith, but their life doesn’t evidence that, then they don’t have saving faith.
How do we know that’s what he means? We know by the example he then gives. Because in the next verse he says:
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
To clarify what he means, James gives us an example. And the example is of a person who says they’re a Christian, but when somebody in need expresses a need, they do nothing to help them. Which would be un-christ like.
So, what he’s saying is, “If you say you’re a Christian saved by faith, but your actions, attitude, and behavior don’t back that up, then something’s wrong.” In fact, James says, ‘I’m not sure you have saving faith’.”
You see, James isn’t saying that works save you. What he’s saying is that our works should now serve as evidence of our faith in Jesus. In other words, they should be a natural outflow of our new faith in Jesus. They should solidify what you claim.
All that to say, when it comes to salvation, you can’t earn it or add to it. Salvation comes by grace through faith and faith alone in Jesus. A faith that should produce an outward change in your lifestyle, behaviors, attitude, and actions.
But sadly, this idea of works for salvation is a real trap for a lot of people.
For some people, it’s a trap because it has led them to believe, that as long as they jump through certain hoops, follow certain rules, do some good works here and there, and perform certain rituals, that they are saved, even though their life may not evidence that.
But the reality is, if they haven’t put their faith in Jesus and made Him Lord of their life, and there hasn’t been a transformational work of the Holy Spirit in their life, none of those works or rituals will make a difference. Because we aren’t saved by works.
For others its a trap because it leaves them feeling like they could never do enough. And that’s true, we can’t. Because we could never earn our way into heaven.
But because they’ve been led to believe works are necessary, they end up living their lives hoping they’ve done enough. Hoping they’ve been good enough. Hoping that when they die, they have enough grace to get into heaven.
What a miserable way to live. But the truth is, we don’t have to live that way. Because the reality is, we aren’t good enough, won’t be good enough, can’t be good enough, and that’s what makes Jesus gift of salvation so amazing.
Because when you put your faith in Jesus, it’s not about being good enough anymore, because Jesus was good enough on your behalf. And because he paid the price for your sins, if you put your faith in Him, you are automatically justified in the eyes of God. Paul writes:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Paul says because of our faith in Jesus we have been justified before God, and now we can live in peace, knowing that because of Jesus, we don’t have to fear death. That his sacrifice was sufficient to pay for our lack. And that we have a place in heaven with Him.
You see, this is compeltely applicational to all of us. Because the fact is, we’ve all come from backgrounds where we’ve been told that we need to be circumcised.
We’ve been told we need to belong to a certain church or a certain denomination.
We’ve been told we need to perform certain rituals or go to a certain set of classes.
We’ve been told in order to be saved there are all these other things we need to do.
But the fact of the matter is, we only need one thing to be right with God. One thing to assure our membership in heaven. All we have to do is put our faith in Jesus and make Him Lord of our lives. That’s it.
Now, you might be thinking, “That sounds great Pastor. But how do you know Paul was right about that? Because it sounds like there were other Christians that didn't’ see it that way?”
We know he was right because Paul’s not the only one that believed that. Let me show you what I mean as Paul heads to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the disciples.
Luke writes:
3 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. 4 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. 5 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.”
Luke says after the debate with the Jewish Christians, Paul travels to Jerusalem where he is met by the apostles and elders. And there he shares with them all that God had done concerning the Gentiles, and it’s at that point, the same group from before steps forward and says, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
And so here we are again, back at the same question of circumcision. And now a decision is going to be made. So, what’s decided? Let’s find out:
“The apostles and elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them...” Acts 15:6-7a (ESV)
Luke says as the apostles consider Paul’s claims, a great debate takes place among the Jewish Christians. A debate that finally leads the Apostle Peter to stand up and speak. And I want you to notice what he says:
“…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.” Acts 15:7b-9 (ESV)
As Peter stands up to speak, he begins by referencing an incident that had taken place back in Acts 10. An incident where through a vision, Peter was directed to the Gentile home of a man named Cornelius. A man that Peter led to faith in Jesus. In Acts 10 we read:
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Peter’s point here is to remind the Jewish Christians that Gentiles can be saved, and that it’s God’s will that they are. So, that’s not something that even needs to be debated.
He then continues by saying this:
10 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? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
After confirming that Gentiles can be saved, he addresses how they are saved. And he does it by asking the Jewish Christians why in the world they would want to put the burden of rituals and tradition on the Gentiles. Rituals and traditions that even the Jewish Christians knew wouldn’t save. And then Peter says, “And isn’t that why we believe that we are saved through faith in Jesus?” And if that’s true for us, it’s true for them. And that’s where Peter drops the mic. Because Luke writes:
12 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.
Luke say’s Peter’s words ring true, and it leads to the entire assembly being open to what Paul has to say. Which then leads to a final judgment. Because Luke writes:
13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “ ‘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,
17 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 18 known from of old.’
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. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Luke says, after Paul shares, James stands up and makes a statement. And in his statement, he references the OT prophecy that confirms God’s desire to save not just the Jews, but all people. And then he makes a final judgment. And he basically says, “We need to accept that any Gentile that puts their faith in Jesus is a Christian. And if anything, we need to encourage them and to challenge them to start living a life that represents their new faith.”
And then James lists several lifestyle changes that need to take place, specifically in the area of sexual immorality and the worship of false gods. Which should be true of anybody that puts their faith in Jesus. But the bottom line is this: The Gentiles are saved just like we were, through faith in Jesus.
Here’s what I want you to see and the application for us. When it comes to your belief about salvation and how a person is saved, what are you going to base it on?
Are you going to base it on membership to a certain church or denomination?
Are you going to base it on traditions, rituals, or spiritual heritage?
Are you going to base it on how many good works you’ve done or performed?
Or, are you going to base it on what the Bible says? On what Peter, James, and Paul say. People who walked with and knew Jesus. People who say it’s not by works, or association, or membership that make you right with God. But instead, through one thing. Faith, and faith alone in Jesus.
Because if you’re not willing to do that or you haven’t done that, then you have what I would call a gospel obstacle in your life. Something that is keeping you or has kept you from experiencing what true salvation is. Something that has been attached to your salvation that you think you need in order to be saved. And I’m here to telly you today, on the basis of God’s Word, all you need is faith in Jesus, that’s it.
And if you’re willing to accept that, then I want to challenge you to take three steps today:
Step #1 - Let go of your gospel obstacle.
Get rid of whatever has convinced you that you need something else in addition to Jesus. Because that’s not the gospel.
Step #2 - Put your faith in Jesus, and Jesus alone.
Make a decision today to make Jesus Lord of your life. Accept his free gift of salvation. Commit your life to following Him, and Him alone.
Step #3 - Find a church that teaches the Bible.
While going to church won’t save you, you do need to surround yourself with other christians and be a part of a church that teaches what the Bible says.
So, find a church that puts the Bible before tradition. Find a church that takes its cues form what Jesus says and not some man made tradition or ritual. Find a church that will help you grow in the grace and knowledge of your new faith in Jesus.
Because at the end of the day, getting into heaven isn’t about church membership. And it’s not about completing certain tasks or rituals. Getting into heaven is about who you know. It’s about knowing Jesus. It’s what Paul writes and I close with:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Let’s Pray