Untitled Sermon (10)

Outline of Message

The controversy over circumcision of Gentiles breaks out at Antioch (15:1-5).

The Pharisees demand the Gentiles to be circumcised at Antioch (15:1)

The Gentiles at Antioch call for a council at Jerusalem to decide the matter(15:2).

The Gentiles salvation is a matter of great celebration for the Jewish brothers (15:3)

The Pharisees demand the Gentiles to be circumcised (15:5).

The Jerusalem Council embraces the Gentiles according to the Law and the Prophets (15:6-21)

Peter calls for no requirements for the Gentiles to be saved (Acts 15:6-12).

Acts 15:6–12 HCSB

Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 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? On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.” Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Circumcision did not give Cornelius the Spirit, faith in Jesus did (6-9; cf. Acts 10-11).

Circumcision in not just a cut it a commitment to keep the whole Torah (Acts 15:10)

God’s salvation is a gift apart from any act of obedience a person can perform (Acts 15:11)

God’s wonders are told to the entire assembly (Acts 15:12).

James wants 4 requirements for Gentiles to be in community (Acts 15:13-19).

Acts 15:13–19 HCSB

After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers, listen to me! Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name. And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: After these things I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again, so the rest of humanity may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, declares the Lord who does these things, known from long ago. Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God,

James argues Peter’s experience was predicted in the Prophets (13-14).

James argues the Prophets predicted Gentiles would come into the future temple as Gentiles and not as Jews (15-18; cf. Amos 9:11-12; Hos 3:5; Jer 12:15-16; Isa 45:20-21).

The Book of Acts in Its First Century Setting, Volume 4: The Book of Acts in Its Palestinian Setting 2. The Speech of James (Acts 15:13–21)

Thus whereas Gentiles could not enter God’s presence in the old Temple without becoming Jews, in the new Temple of the messianic age, the Christian community, they could do so as Gentiles. Probably no other scriptural text could have been used to make this point so clearly.

Acts 15:20–21 HCSB

but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”

James argues the Torah has four requirements for Gentiles living in the midst of Jews as part of the future people of God (Acts 15:19-20).

Abstain from things polluted by idols ( Lev 17:8-9).

Blood is prohibited (Lev 17:10, 12).

Things strangled are prohibited (Lev 17:13).

Sexual immorality is prohibited (Lev 18:26; cf. Lev 18:6-23).

James argues these four laws which apply to Gentile Christian are not novel inventions, but have been read out in synagogues from ancient times (15:21)

The controversy is resolved and God’s people rejoiced together (Acts 15:30-31).

Acts 15:30–31 HCSB

Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.