Sermon Tone Analysis

the issue at stake: how are we saved

- some from Judea were teaching the necessity of circumcision for salvation

- some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees were saying it was necessary not only to be circumcised but also to keep the law of Moses

getting the doctrine of salvation right is critical because our eternal future depends on it

why is salvation necessary?

all have sinned and the wages of sin is death

who can be saved?

those who acknowledge their sin and repent and believe

repent and believe

who will repent and believe?

apart from God’s grace, no one

“assembly”

v.6 - “the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter”

“signs and wonders God had done through them”

God was doing the work

prior to his death Jesus commissioned 70 disciples and empowered them to do miracles

after his resurrection it appears that this gift was given primarily to the Apostles

only two non-apostles are recorded doing miracles: Barnabas and Stephen

, - Paul mentions the miraculous gifts including healing (Corinthians written around A.D. 55)

last recorded miracle is the healing of Publius’ father in

miracles in the OT authenticated Moses, Elijah and Elisha

miracles in the NT authenticated Jesus divine authority

miracles in the NT a declaration the kingdom of God had come (Mt 12:28)

miracles authenticated the Apostles’ message

miracles proved to the Jews that Gentiles were included in the kingdom

while we don’t see the kinds and numbers of miracles performed in the bible God is still at work

the greatest miracle - raising someone from the dead - happens spiritually every time someone comes to salvation

God appears to be doing miracles amongst new believers in areas of the world where there is no bible and no witness

it appears that as God’s people grow in grace the occurrence of miracles decreases

“among the Gentiles”

not among the Jews who had hardened their hearts against the Gospel

Acts 15:1

Acts 15:13-

James: the head of the Jerusalem church

Jesus’ step brother

after his resurrection Jesus appeared to James ()

is listed with Paul and Peter as the 3 pillars of the church ()

according to Josephus James was stoned to death at the behest of the Jewish High Priest around AD 62

James cites Peter’s account of the visions he and Cornelius had been given and how the Lord brought them together and saved Cornelius and those who were with him

“to take from them a people”

- God had many in Corinth even though they had not yet been saved

- God chose Israel as a special possession out of all the peoples of the earth

a way of describing salvation:

God takes people out of the world

God calls them and because his call is a life giving call they must come

example of Jesus calling Lazarus out of his tomb

speaks to the sovereignty of God

speaks of the irresistible power of his call

speaks of the effectiveness of his call

“for his name”

tells us why God takes some people out of the world for himself: for his glory

everything God does is done to highlight his glory

for his glory

God chose his people for his glory

God created us for his glory

2 Cor 4:14-

God called Israel for his glory

Php 1:

God rescued Israel from Egypt for his glory

1 Pet 1:6-

God raised Pharaoh up to show his power and glorify his name

God defeated Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea for his glory

Ex

Ex 14:18

God spared Israel in the wilderness for the glory of his name

God gave Israel victory in Canaan for the glory of his name:

Who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?

()

God restored Israel from exile for the glory of his name:

God did not cast away his people for the glory of his name:

Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil.

Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord . . .

For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake.

(l Samuel 12:20, 22)

God saved Jerusalem from attack for the glory of his name:

For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.

(; cf.

20:6)

Jesus told us to do good works so that God gets glory:

God restored Israel from exile for the glory of his name:

Thus says the Lord God, It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name.. . .

And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name. . . .

And the nations will know that I am the Lord.

(; cf.

v. 32)

The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

(:l8)

Jesus told us to do good works so that God gets glory:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

(; cf. )

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? ()

Jesus said that he answers prayer that God would be glorified:

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

()

Jesus endured his final hours of suffering for God’s glory:

God forgives our sins for his own glory:

“Now is my soul troubled.

And what shall I say?

‘Father, save me from this hour?’

But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

Father, glorify your name.’

Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again’ ().

Father, the hour has come; glorify your son that the Son may glorify you.