You're not a Christian unless....

Context: Where does this fit in the Big Picture of God's Glory?

Acts 15:1–5 CSB

1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue. 3 When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

Overview: What's going on here?

Conflict

Peter makes it clear:

Acts 15:10 CSB

10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

Reflection: Why does this matter?

The only

Only

ONLY

Thing that you are not a Christian unless is surrendering to Jesus Christ and living in relationship with the God who made you, died for you, saved you, and is coming back for you

Expectations: What do we do about it?

You’re not a Christian if you do not belong to Jesus; so admit your need for salvation, confess your sins and put your trust in Jesus who died and rose again

As individual believers, your salvation is secure in Christ Jesus, not in what you do

So is everyone else’s.

As a church: salvation is found only in Jesus, so HE is who we advocate for.

We also pick up the opening behavioral guidelines for believers:

PURE WORSHIP

PURE LIVES

Communicate the steps of discipleship in an encouraging fashion

And care enough to listen and get it right