Basic Training in the Bible Andrew Stepp | Heretics: Judaizers Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Heresy or heretic: “Someone who has compromised an essential doctrine and lost sight of who God really is, usually by oversimplification. Literally heresy means ‘choice’ – that is, a choice to deviate from traditional teaching in favor of one’s own insight.” The Situation (Acts 15:1-2) The Driving Question: Does someone have to become a __________ before they become a __________ ? Context: The Ethnic/Cultural “Cold Shoulder” ▪ Jonah – It’s not about the _________ !!! ▪ Acts 6:1 – The neglect of the Grecian Jewish widows ▪ Acts 10 – Peter and Cornelius ▪ Acts 11 – Peter’s Explanation in Jerusalem The balance of the Church begins to tip! ▪ Acts 11:19-24 – The Church in Antioch ▪ 13:46-49 – “I have made you a light for the Gentiles…” ▪ 14:1 – Reaching out to both Jews and Gentiles ▪ 14:27 – God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles! On a Collision Course ▪ “Was their vision big enough to see the Gospel of Christ not as a reform movement within Judaism but as good news for the whole world, and the church of Christ not as a Jewish sect but as the international family of God?” – John Stott …Aaaaaaaaand Crash Acts 15:1-2; Gal. 2:11-13 The Response: The Jerusalem Council ▪ The Issue at hand – “Circumcision and the law were essential for observance.” ▪ Three key testimonies: Peter, Paul, and James, brother of Jesus. Key theological insights: Why is this important? Historically Theologically One Big Diverse Family (Rev. 7:9; Eph. 2:11-14) Salvation through Jesus Alone (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:4-5) .