Doctrinal Dissension

The council of Jerusalem dealt with the first and most fundamental doctrinal issue in the Christian church - the nature of salvation. We must cling to that truth with all we have, and endeavor to follow their example in seeking God's truth while fostering healthy Christian unity.

Let’s consider...

The importance of the issue

The approach of the church

Things to be grateful for (Takeaways)

The Importance of the issue

v.1-2

Truth and Love are key Christian priorities - always important

God’s Word is an extension of God Himself. When we misrepresent it, we misrepresent who He is. (GC - Love the Lord...). He is truth.

John 17:17 NASB95

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Some truth isn’t relative - what we prefer, but instead is what we discover reality to be. God reveals Himself. He reveals truth. We want to get to the truth. Where the truth is fuzzy and of little significance we can easily disagree and let it go, but where it is clear and critical, we must labor to ensure we understand and adhere to it.

Unity in love is also important. (GC - Love your neighbor - especially your brothers and sisters in Christ!)

John 13:34–35 NASB95

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 4:3 NASB95

being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The issue of the law threatened to rip apart the unity of the church. If conversion to Judaism was required for salvation, the door that had seemed to swing open to all the nations was suddenly secured shut once again, isolating and alienating the non-Jewish believers. Then again, there was the natural divide of Jews not being able to freely gather with gentiles due to the dietary laws and many offensive pagan practices

When issues arise, prioritize. Not everything is important.

Ex. Difference between scratch and a broken bone, or carpet color and doctrine of salvation. What about the nature and timing of the millenium reign of Christ?

This was critically - eternally - important. It cuts to the very core of the nature of salvation itself.

They were saying if you didn’t convert to Judaism, you cannot be saved. This is a real problem for non-Jews.

Laws: dietary and ceremonial, rituals, feasts, circumcision

If you don’t keep the Old Covenant, then the new covenant, initiated by the blood of Jesus Himself, is nullified. Worthless.

God’s gift of grace in Christ to those who believe is only part of what is needed to accomplish full and final justification. We must fulfill the rest.

Not new. Man has always been drawn to what we can do earn favor with God. We still are.

Most world religions are setup this way. Our Catholic friends have a similar take on Salvation (God’s grace in Christ starts it, then other means of grace keep it - baptism, confession, penance, communion, etc.).

Christianity distinguishes between our standing before God, and our personal Holiness that makes us more like Him - Justification and Sanctification. This was a question of Justification.

Isn’t the idea to become a good person? Isn’t this splitting hairs? Does it matter, or is it worth dividing over doctrine?

What’s the risk? What if what we are teaching about salvation is wrong? Eternal judgement, condemnation.

John 3:16–18 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Imagine you are lost at sea and drowning. Along comes a big beautiful boat that promises salvation. Behind it in the distance is another, smaller, dingier, not near as beautiful or majestic. And yet as you look at the first boat you notice there is a large hole in the hull and it is taking on water. What will you do? You board the boat that will save you. It doesn’t matter it’s size, it’s looks, or anything like that. What matters is - is it safe? Is it sea-worthy?

So it is with the doctrine of salvation - it doesn’t matter if it suits our sensibilities, but is it true?

There is a judgement to come whereby God will punish those who persist in their rebellion against Him. It is referred to as “the day of wrath” (Rom 2:5), “the day of judgement” (2 Peter 3:87, Jude 6), and “the second death” (Rev 2:11, 20:6, 14, 21:8)

We have to get this right. Failing to do so risks people’s eternal souls, the reputation of God and Christ, and the very existence of the church.

The Approach of the Church

They didn’t:

Claim apostolic authority and diverge into different sects according to what they felt was right

Nor did they simply ask the Holy Spirit to give them a word (although He was intimately involved!)

Instead they came together to reason and seek out an answer.

They looked to the apostles and elders, but they didn’t assume they already had an answer

A leader who assumes the answer is proud and a poor leader. Leadership listens and considers.

They listened.

Paul and Barnabas and the others - v.2-4

The party of the Pharisees (aka, the Judaizers, or party of the circumcision) - v.5

They debated. They reasoned.

Proverbs 18:17 NASB95

The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.

What a blessing disagreement can be. They needed to clearly understand both sides to come to a solution. One was right, and the other was wrong, but it is about more than being right - it’s about truth and love.

How different would it be, dear brother and sister, if we valued both truth and love in public discourse! If we desired to win over someone who we disagree with rather than just win against them in some shallow, self-serving way?

How much more important in the body of Christ!!!

That’s when Peter stood up and chimed in, reminding all of what God had revealed to Him (v.6-11)

Here was the authoritative Word of God to Peter and now enshrined in scripture for us all. Clear as day, God had revealed that the gentiles were accepted as Justified, Forgiven, Children of God in Christ by faith alone, according to Christ’s work alone.

Peter preached the gospel v.7

God in His perfect knowledge and wisdom bore witness through the Holy Spirit of their salvation

This means no distinction - no law, no old covenant

Yet, they too have full assurance of salvation and forgiveness (“cleansing of their hearts”) by faith in Christ alone!

Adding to the requirement of faith is hurtful

“putting God to the test” or challenging what God has clearly revealed

and placing a burden (“yoke”) on the gentiles that is impossible to bear

Further, Peter affirms that even the Jews are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not in their works of keeping the Jewish law and customs

In short, Peter affirms that salvation is “by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone”. Nothing added required. Paid in Full. That’s grace!

The truth is revealed. God’s Word to the New Covenant church is clarified for all.

Then Paul and Barnabas give further testimony to God’s unmistakable saving work among the Gentiles (v.12)

Finally James chimes in

Testing what is said against scripture - the prophet Amos said that God would rebuild the kingdom and in doing so would call Gentiles unto Himself - “called by my name”

Essentially affirming the truth of what Peter, Paul and Barnabas had said,

But he doesn’t stop there. He looks for a way to promote both truth and unity of love - using truth to promote liberty and compromise in love

He promotes liberty by suggesting they don’t saddle the Gentiles with the law (v.19)

He promotes unity by suggesting a compromise for the sake of unity

That they abstain from those things that most offend the sensibilities of the Jews - particularly things associated with idolatry

Things polluted by idols - if they know something is offered to idols, they should keep away from it (both to distance themselves from idolatry and also for the sake of their Jewish brethren who cannot associate with such things)

Sexual immorality - which is wrong morally and for all before God, but was also very closely associated with idol worship of the day (orgies, and temple prostitution)

What has been strangled, and from blood - again, meats most likely to isolate Jewish brethren from fellowship

v.21 - The Jews are so plentiful in those areas that it is important to make slight compromises for the sake of unity.

This wasn’t to say that they must do these things to be saved, but that the salvation gained by faith in Christ should manifest in moral purity, separation from idolatry, and a love for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 Corinthians 8:8–9 NASB95

But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

They debated, heard testimonies, got to the truth and came up with a solution that upheld God’s Word and promoted unity.

Note: God’s providence and the Holy Spirit’s involvement.

We can reason, seek the truth (in love) and trust that God will work it out. That His “other” people have the Holy Spirit too!

Then, in unity (v.22, 25 - the apostles, elders and the whole church) they implemented it by sending a letter of their findings throughout the Gentile church.

Things to be grateful for

In closing, I simply want to point out several things to rejoice in as we consider the council in Jerusalem

Rejoice in liberty!

That salvation is provided by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

You cannot add to it, nor is any more unworthy of it than another. All who believe will be saved!

Rejoice in God’s Word!

That we have the testimony of the apostles and early church preserved for us as the very inspired Word of God

Rejoice in God’s care!

That we have can trust in wisdom, providence, and the Holy Spirit to guide us

When we don’t get our own way, we can have unity in deference because of this trust in God and His care for His people

Rejoice in deference out of love! Not about winning, but the glory of God in Christ on display in His church!