Acts – the Jerusalem Council – 15:1-35

Acts – The Jerusalem Council – 15:1-35

Pastor Tom Gang » Sunday, February 23, 2020

DEFENDING THE GOSPEL OF GRACE – ACTS 15:1-35 The Paul and Barnabas finished the first missionary journey by giving a favorable report to their sending church in Antioch, Syria (Acts 14:27). They would have explained the trials and tribulations along the way but also how the expedition was a great success—new believers were added and churches started with pastors ordained to shepherd the fledgling flocks. Ultimately their testimony described how that the ______was published throughout the entire region. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this type of progress was immediately hindered by opposing forces. False teachers were diluting the gospel of ______by adding circumcision and works from the Mosaic Law. Paul, Barnabas, and other good men disputed with them and after fervently defending the truth determined to go up to Jerusalem to resolve this issue once and for all with the apostles and elders.

1. Their dispute – Acts 15:1-5

a. The question – verse 2b of

- What is genuine salvation?

the b. The wrong answer – verses 1, 5

- Faith plus works – faith in Christ plus works

You must do something to get saved A You must do something to stay saved

P c. The right answer – verses 2-4

- Faith in Christ alone, plus nothing, minus nothing – Ro. 3:23-28; Gal. 2:16, 21 O

Note: Paul and Barnabas were ______confused about this question. This affront to the S gospel was so serious it required them to gain official confirmation from the Jerusalem Council so there would not be ongoing endless debates and future hindrances. T

2. Their defense – Acts 15:6-18 L

a. Peter’s speech – verses 6-11 E - Remember what happened in the ______with the Gentile – Acts 10

S b. Barnabas and Paul’s testimony – verse 12

- Look what is going on at ______with the Gentiles

c. James’ final words – verses 13-18

- The OT prophets proclaimed the Gentiles would be saved in the ______

3. Their decision – Acts 15:19-35

a. The sentence (verdict) – verses 19-21

- The Gentiles do _____ have to observe Jewish laws and customs, but for the sake of the gospel be mindful and sensitive to maintain a good testimony – Ro. 1:14; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; 9:19-22

b. The official confirmation – verses 22-32

- Hand-delivered letters (epistles) and messages by the prophets and chief Jewish elders of the Jerusalem Council

- The Gentiles rejoiced after receiving such great news…

LAW GRACE

Revealed what every man must do Reveals what God has done for every man - for God - Ex. 20:1-17 1 Co. 15:3-4

Required perfect obedience or suffer Gives life that we might obey - death - Ezk. 18:20; James 2:10 Jo. 10:10; 14:23

Commanded us to love God - Mt. 22:37 Says that God loves us - 1 Jo. 3:16; 4:8-10, 19

Commanded us to love our neighbor as Fills us with God’s love for our neighbor - our own self - Mt. 22:39 2 Co. 5:14

Revealed sin - Ro. 3:20; Gal. 3:24 Reveals Christ - Heb. 9:24-28; Gal. 3:25

Worked wrath - Ro. 4:15 Shows mercy - Eph. 2:4

Pronounced a curse - Gal. 3:10 Announces a blessing - Gal. 3:14

Brought bondage - Heb. 2;15; Gal. 4:1-3, 9 Sets us free - Gal. 5:1; Ro. 8:1; Jo. 8:36

Commanded the unwilling service of Demonstrates willing service from a free man - a bond slave - Ro. 7:1-3 Gal. 5:1; 1 Jo. 4:19

Says do and live - Gal. 3:12 Says live and do - Ro. 8:2-4

Shut man out of God’s presence - Opens the way to come boldly - Heb. 4:14-16; Ex. 19:12-13, 23-24 10:19-20; Mt. 27:51

Made progress impossible - Ezk. 33:13 Makes growth in grace and knowledge possible - Ro. 5:10; 2 Peter 3:18

Made nothing perfect - Heb. 7:19 Makes the believer perfect - Heb. 7:19; 10:14

Could only condemn, not justify - Justifies freely - Ro. 3:24; 5:1; Gal. 2:16 Acts 13:39

A shadow of good things to come - Reveals the very image of good things - Heb. 10:1 Heb. 10:1

Is the strength of sin - 1 Co. 15:56 Is the power of God - Ro. 1:16

Demanded holiness - Deut. 6:24-25 Produces holiness - Ro. 6:14-22

Called forth all energy of the flesh - Ro. 8:3 Puts to death all energy of the flesh - Ro. 8:13

Punished every transgression and disobedience - Pardons every transgression and disobedience - Heb. 2:2 1 Jo. 1:7-9

Believers were children under age - Gal. 4:1-3 Believers are sons of full age - Gal. 4:4-7

Is done away with - 2 Co. 3:11 Remaineth - 2 Co. 3:11

c. The result – verses 33-35

- There is ______between the Gentile and Jewish believers

- The continued preaching and teaching of the ______of ______