Acts 15.1- 21. The Big Issue.
A Big issue then and today is the question of right standing with God, how will we be saved?
How will we be accepted,how will we be forgiven and what is it we have to do to be saved for eternity?
You can travel around the world and meet different people with different ideas you can join cults and sects with their own initiations you can see the religions of the world or proclaiming and showing the method in being saved. It can be as complicated as the Mormon Church with all its rituals or as bizarre and simple as lighting a candle! You can meet gurus,you can get books you can go to conferences all proclaiming the way to enlightenment it was no different for some of these 1st century believers coming from their Jewish roots so intrenched in ritual it became very difficult to let go!(ACTS 17. Athens the unknown god)
A problem arose which was a big issue for the 1st century believers was how are we saved for eternity?
1.Paul and Barnabas had completed first missionary journey.
2. Whilst In Antioch building and encouraging the church.
v1. A group from Judea travelled to Antioch and were saying unless gentile converts are circumcised and follow the law of Moses they cannot be saved.
Application: Is’nt it true today sects rise up amongest us in Christianity and are basically saying the same thing unless you do this that and the other you can’t be saved.
v2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them! This brought about them being sent to Jerusalem with others to see the Apostle and elders regarding this very issue.
Application: We must always engage with others who have differences - not ignore them. For instance the JW who knocks on your door, the mormon you meet in the city centre, if we are to win others for Christ we must engage with those who are mistaken.
3.At some time in Antioch Paul would rebuke Peter during a meal for sitting away from gentile believers sitting amongst the Judaziers who were saying that circumcision and following the law were imperative for salvation.Galations.2.11 -12.
4. Paul probably also wrote his letter to the Galatians A.D.48,49 Due to the content of the letter should gentile converts be required to follow Jewish law was not yet resolved. We see from Acts 15.
Hence the need for this conference.
(encouraging conferences ) Here we have the first Christian conference, Those present would be the Apostles v4, Jewish believers belonging to the pharisee group v5, The church and elders in Jerusalem delegates from Antioch. The conversion of gentile converts was raising an urgent question for the early church. The discussion would centre around whether the new Gentile converts needed to adhere to the laws of Moses and other Jewish traditions v5.
The two sides were converted gentiles through grace alone and the pharisees grace plus. firstly the Converted Pharisees.
Acts 2.5 Firstly many of these would have been saved on the day of Pentecost for on that day their was many God fearing Jews from every nation . Where Peter would address them through the Scriptures they new so well. Here 3,000 were added to their number v41.
Amazing turnaround.
The Pharisees, amongst them would prefer a legalistic religion rather than one based on faith alone. It was no mean thing that they were converted at all, because they were the Jesus’s worst critic whilst upon this earth, yet here were those who had embraced the Messiah and yet had not fully as yet let go of their Jewish observances. In the Torah ;The five books of Moses
Background
These people believed the God of Scriptures (no NT) It was the same God that had sent Jesus the Jewish Messiah, the answer to the Jewish question the fulfilment to the law and prophets. So when people began to embrace the Messiah and the Father who sent Him and yet refused to embrace the other things God had given through His word. They believed gentile converts should become fully Jewish, following Gen.17.10. The covenant of circumcision given to Abram
How can we be saved ? Do you believe Salvation through Works. They obviously believed that a pre-requisite for salvation was circumcision and following the law of Moses v1.
What about you? How will you be saved?
Through observances, through confessional through good works,through Christian legalism, trying to earn salvation I hope not.
We have to see that these people were believers yet there picture of the truth had been tainted due to their upbringing and Jewish background. It’s not who we are or what we are or what we have done that will effect our salvation. But it is all what He has done for us. Many today are like these first century Jews mistaken believing other things.
Beware of human add ons; It’s like when you go to a store like Wal Mart or Makro and you buy loads of stuff and you think its really cheap till you go through the check out and you find out they havent added the VAT on until you ready to pay as you go through the check out.. There is a big add on at the end its your VAT.
Some people think that a particular denomination will save them! Many people believe being a Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist etc if you are like that believing in your denomination you are as bad as these pharisees you need to see that its through Grace. No add ons!
Some people consider pilgrimages are important for salvation and that this will save them a muslim my go to Mecca, to some Shrine, a Christian my go to see the pope or Israel to see the Holy land.No add ons!
Some people think that a certain experience will save them mayber a vision of Angels a near death experience an amazing gift given etc.
Through Prayer and God gives me things. lighting candles on tragedies (princess Diana etc. ) No add ons!
Some people think family connections will save them.
We come from a family of Christians, my dad is the vicar , there is no add ons!
Some people think church ordinances will save them,
baptism, confirmation a blessing communion etc
I meet a christidelpian in Leicester THIS WEEK CALLED Carmwl she said that baptism is pivotal for salvation! Is it really, remember no add ons!
I am sorry to labour this point but it must be emphasied but also as evangelical Christians we also must be aware of not imposing our evangelical traditions upon new converts to faith expecting them to meet up to our requirements.
Peter rebuke v10 The yoke Peter uses here refers to a symbol of heavy burden put upon people by another Jer.27.8. 1 kin 12.4 -14. Jesus would say ; Matt 11. 29-30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Law is heavy / grace is light
What was the purpose of the law? It is split into three.
1. Ceremonial law, Lev 1. 1-13. different Offering Related to worship Its primary purpose was to point forward to Christ. Therefore these laws were not applicable after His death and resurrection. Although the principles are applicable in that we should worship and love a Holy God.
2.Civil law. Deut.21 18. Rebellious son. Deut 25.1.Disputes take to court.Dictated Israels daily living As culture and society has changed these no longer can be followed specifically but the principles behind the commands should guide our conduct. Paul at times asked gentiles to follow these commands not because they had to, but to promote unity.
3.The Moral law.
This law is the direct command of God, the ten commandments Ex20. 1-17. and this law applies to people today. In obeying it we do not find salvation but we please God.
a. It reveals the nature and the will of God.
The OT. still applies today. In it God reveals His nature, his will for Humanity, his moral laws (10 commandments) and his guidelines for living But we cannot be saved by keeping the law.
(If we could there would be no need for Jesus)
b. It reveals how people should live.
Putting God first and following him living holy lives.
c. It reveals our real nature which is sinful and leads us to Christ. Psalmist 9.7. The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul.
Rom 3.20. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law, rather through the law we become conscious of sin.
Gal.3.24,25. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ
The law infect is like a school teacher who will lead us to knowledge. We fail to keep Gods commandments all of us have failed.
The purpose of the law is to reveal our sinful nature and lead us to Christ. Its like a drill sergeant or school teacher What is the answer ?
The answer is Salvation through faith and grace alone.
Peter confirms Salvation is through the grace of Jesus alone!
We have three speeches through the conference, Peter, Paul and James
v11. “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved , just as they are” His Grace shown through Jesus! His perfect life, his sacrifice, his atonement and resurrection
Rom 3.22.- 24. Read Righteousness through faith.
Eph 2.v8. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves it is the gift of God
V5. The pharisees wanted to add on! (going back to old ways)
Illustration. somebody who once came here is now going to Catholic church “grace imparted through the ordinances and sacraments”
Peter addresses the delegates; with facts. Grace is experienced!
Peter takes them to what they know and witnessed already that God through Peter was pleased to send the gospel to Gentiles v7,8,9. He was drawing their attention to Cornelius home Acts. 10;45. Astonished that the uncircumcised could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
A number had witnessed these events he refers to these facts v11.
Have you witnessed or experienced Gods grace yourself ?
( The circumcised group criticise Peter )
Do we ever criticise ?
Acts.11;3. you went into the house of un circumcised men and ate with them, back in Jerusalem they criticised him v18. Then later they had no further objections! “So then God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” Circumcised rejection.
Salvation is open to whosoever; v9 He made no distinction between us and them. Acts.10.34. God does not show favouritism.
Deut.10.17. For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
Acts 2.21.And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved! Rom 10.12.For their is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call on him.
Salvation is a miracle of God.
And he saves the most unlikely people not brought through works of the flesh !
Barnabas and Paul V12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the gentiles through them.
v3. conversion is good news to be shared with others !
Conversion of Paul. Paul himself a pharisee faultless in regard to the law. That he would become a preacher to the Gentiles one time persecutor. And would be the one to rebuke his fellow countrymen regarding salvation seems ironic
Conversion of Gentiles.
The miracles Authenticated their claims and proved the truth. Entrenched in Pagan beliefs peopel turned to God from idols
Their was silence as Barnabas and Paul spoke ; of the many signs and wonders that were done by God through them. You could imagine the Pharisee believer being gob smacked really by their words 13.12. the proconsul in Cyprus, 13;48 The crowds in Antioch
14.1. Iconium Jew and gentile believed v3 and signs and wonders performed 14.8.The cripple in Lystra, and winning many in Derbe and returning to Antioch. strenghtening the church (The silence)You could cut the air with a knife. Here they are confirming the message of Peter showing that many gentiles were coming to Christ through their ministry also.
Conversion today
People today are intrenched in traditions of the church, materialism, in self, in drugs, in drink, in sin. Its only God who has the power to change lives today that is the greatest miracle.
ARE YOU SAVED? God still performs miracles the greatest being the conversion of a sinner through grace.. Jesus said “ You must be born again !”
Salvation is promised in Scripture
James speech v13 Earlier Paul and Barnabas had already confirmed Peters testimony now James would end the dispute with the final verification from within the Scriptures confirming Salvation to the Gentiles.
Scripture fulfilment. ( Brings further authenticity)James refers them to Scriptures. Amos. 9. 11,12. Israels restoration James was saying that through Jesus this promise was being brought to fruition and that Gods Kingdom was being restored through all nations.
Peter refers to Scriptures. Acts.3.17-21 Joel 2.28.32 everyone who calls.
Paul refers to Scripture in his ministry also confirming the promise to Gentile in Acts.13; 46,47
At Antioch refers to Isaiah.49. 6 For this is what the Lord has commanded us, “I have you made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus refers to Scriptures. Jhn.5.39.46 If you believed Moses you would believe me for he wrote about me.
Application. Using Scriptures, James Peter and Paul were prepared to speak up! Are we prepared to speak up towards those who will undermine the Christian truths today? We are told to contend for the Faith in Jude. We have a mighty sword “The word of God”
The Promise against law.
Promises today are often broken / but God cannot lie!
God throughout Scripture promises Salvation would be open to many people groups. When Abraham left Ur God Promised Abraham that through Him will come many nations. Gen 17. 4. Gen 12.3. all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Gen 15.6. Abram believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.
The promise of Salvation through faith came 430 years before the Law was introduced Gal 3.15 - 17. The law and the promise.
What must I do to be saved ? well the promise of the Scripture is Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved!
Its as simple as that, no add ons, thats the Big issue, have you accepted it?
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