Sermon Tone Analysis

acts 15

Sub: A Picture of Denominational Work

Intro:

The ministry to the Gentiles was under attack.

However, when Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Antioch in Syria from that First Missionary Journey, some Jews came from Judea to Antioch and began a vigorous debate about the process used by Paul and Barnabas in leading Gentiles to salvation and into the church.

The Jews were convinced that Gentiles should have been circumcised and made to keep the Law of Moses.

The debate could not be settled in Antioch.

So Paul, Barnabas, and a group from the church in Antioch, went up to Jerusalem to further discuss the issue.

There were some Jews who believed that Christianity was actually a part of Judaism.

Therefore, they believed that in order for a Gentile to be saved, that Gentile had to become a Jew by submitting to circumcision and the Law of Moses.

There were some Jews who believed that Gentiles needed to follow the customs of Moses.

This would make them Jewish proselytes.

was under attack.

However, when Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Antioch in Syria from that First Missionary Journey, some Jews came from Judea to Antioch and began a vigorous debate about the process used by Paul and Barnabas in leading Gentiles to salvation and into the church.

The Jews were convinced that Gentiles should have been circumcised and made to keep the Law of Moses.

The debate could not be settled in Antioch.

So Paul, Barnabas, and a group from the church in Antioch, went up to Jerusalem to further discuss the issue.

There were some Jews who believed that Christianity was actually a part of Judaism.

Therefore, they believed that in order for a Gentile to be saved, that Gentile had to become a Jew by submitting to circumcision and the Law of Moses.

There were some Jews who believed that Gentiles needed to follow the customs of Moses.

This would make them Jewish proselytes.

Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against the beliefs of some of the Jews because the beliefs of some of the Jews denied the power of grace and the gospel.

After nothing was settled while in Antioch, this issue was moved to Jerusalem to be discussed by the apostles and the elders.

This is the first picture we have of what we now know as denominational work.

The primary design of denominational work is to protect the doctrines of the denomination.

Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The apostles already knew the plan of salvation.

They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace.

So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.

Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against the beliefs of some of the Jews because the beliefs of some of the Jews denied the power of grace and the gospel.

After nothing was settled while in Antioch, this issue was moved to Jerusalem to be discussed by the apostles and the elders.

This is the first picture we have of what we now know as denominational work.

The primary design of denominational work is to protect the doctrines of the denomination.

Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The apostles already knew the plan of salvation.

They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace.

So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.

Paul and Barnabas were seeking to protect the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The apostles already knew the plan of salvation.

They already knew that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace.

So the real purpose of this meeting in Jerusalem was to convinced those who had called the meeting that salvation only comes through the gospel.

I.

The Debate over the Doctrine

6 Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.

6 Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.

The fact that leaders from the church at Antioch travel to Jerusalem and meet with the leaders there shows the ongoing oversight for the entire movement exerted by the Jerusalem church and the commitment of both churches to be unified in the essential aspects of the gospel.

II.

The Discussion of the Doctrine

Peter, the principal leader among the Twelve, stands up and addresses the entire group.

He begins by calling them to reflect back on the beginning of the Christian movement when God sovereignly chooses him to explain the gospel to Cornelius and his household some ten years ago.

a.

They Share The Same Savior

7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.

7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.

Cornelius and his house had believed the Word while Peter was in the process of preaching the Word.

They believed while they were listening and hearing the Word.

b.

They Are Sealed By The Same Witness

b.

They are Sealed by The Same Spirit

8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.

8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.

God had given the Holy Spirit while they were believing the Word.

Note how Peter stressed that salvation is the act of God.

⇒ God "knew their hearts," that they were believing within their hearts.

God and God alone knows the heart.

⇒ God bore witness to the belief of their hearts.

⇒ God bore witness by giving the Holy Spirit to them.

⇒ God gave the Holy Spirit by His act alone (not by baptism nor by laying on of men's hands).

⇒ God gave the Holy Spirit just as He did to the Jews.

c.

They Share The Same Security

9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

God cleansed their hearts by faith.

The stress is upon the word faith, not upon ritual or ceremony.

Again, the stress is upon God.

God knows the heart, when a man believes, when a man's heart is moved toward the Lord Jesus, grasping and believing what Jesus has done for him.

When God sees that, He cleanses the man's heart.

Ill

When asked the reason for his wealth, a multimillionaire is reported to have said, "As a young man, when I was first married I was dirt poor.

Those were tough times, but being energetic, I took my last nickel and bought an apple.

I spent the night polishing it until it became so shiny that it was indeed a thing of beauty.

The next day, I sold it on the street corner for a dime.

I took the dime and bought two apples, which I again laboriously polished.

The next day, I sold those two apples for twenty cents.

I took the twenty cents and bought four apples, which I polished and sold for forty cents.

I took the forty cents, bought eight apples, and went on this way until I reached $1.60.

Then, my wife's dad died—and left us a million dollars."

That's just like us!

We try to say, "I am rich in the things of God because of my fasting and prayer, my devotion, sacrifice, and apple polishing"—when in reality we are rich only because Jesus died and opened the floodgates of God's grace upon us.

III.

The Decision on the Doctrine

a. Signs and Salvation

12 Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Paul and Barnabas were greatly respected by the church (see ) and their testimony carried a great deal of weight.