SERMONS IN ACTSActs 15

Christians in the first centuryfaced many serious challenges External persecution, Acts 4-9 Internal failures, Acts 5 Internal disputes: false teaching, Acts 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Acts 15: Case study How to deal with doctrinal disputes How to establish authority

Acts 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Background

Sermon

Results

Acts 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Some sought to impose the Law of Moses, Acts 15:1-3 From Judea

BackgroundActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Some sought to impose the Law of Moses, Acts 15:1-3 Taught circumcision necessary for salvation• Did not deny Christ• Did not deny baptism• Did not deny one church• Not immoral

BackgroundActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Some sought to impose the Law of Moses, Acts 15:1-3 Paul & Barnabas defended the truth• Dissension: sedition, discord

The Expositor’s Greek Testament• Dispute: mutual questioning, Thayer’s

BackgroundActs 15

It is right to argue religion!

SERMONS IN ACTS

The debate continued in Jerusalem, Acts 15:4, 5 Judaizers added to God’s will• Gospel + circumcision• Gospel + Law of Moses• Gospel + nothing

BackgroundActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

The debate continued in Jerusalem, Acts 15:4, 5 Men still act like Judaizers• Gospel + Roman Catholic tradition• Gospel + Book of Mormon• Gospel + Methodist Book of Discipline

BackgroundActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

The discussion was for the audience Not to discover or establish truth by council No disagreement among apostles & elders Done in public, in front of church, 15:22 Solidified “public” opinion

BackgroundActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Peter established truthby his approved example, Acts 15:6-11 Work among Gentiles, Acts 10, 11 Saved by:• Hear the word, Rom. 10:17• Believe, Rom. 10:9, 10; Acts 10:48; 8:36-38

SermonActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Peter established truthby his approved example, Acts 15:6-11 One gospel plan of salvation for all men• Not one for Baptists

– another for Methodists• Not one for Presbyterians

– another for Catholics

SermonActs 15

There Are NotMany WaysTo Heaven

SERMONS IN ACTS

Paul & Barnabas established truthby their approved example, Acts 15:12 Work among Gentiles, Acts 13, 14 Miracles proved work was approved by God,

Mk. 16;20 Necessary inference:

Gentiles do not need the Law

SermonActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

James established truthBy a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21 Prophets, Amos 9:11, 12• God always planned this• The Law supports this

SermonActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

James established truthBy a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21 Inspired conclusion• Do not trouble…by adding to the gospel

SermonActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

James established truthBy a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21 Inspired conclusion• Abstain from:⁃ Things polluted by idols⁃ Sexual immorality⁃ Things strangled⁃ Blood

SermonActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

Unity among the brethren, Acts 15:22 Truth unites those who accept it, Jn. 17:17-21 Truth divides those who accept it

from those who reject it, Mt. 10:34-39

ResultsActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

A unified message was sent out, Acts 15:23-29

ResultsActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

The truth brought joy to brethren, Acts 15:30-35

ResultsActs 15

SERMONS IN ACTS

The truth strengthened brethren & the churches grew, Acts 16:4, 5

ResultsActs 15