A People Taken for His Name
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· 4 viewsGod's sovereign grace in saving the gentiles. God's sovereign grace prophesied in the OT.
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Introduction
Introduction
Jewish Christians were telling Gentile believers their faith in Christ alone through grace alone was not enough to save them.
happened first in the Antioch church where Paul and Barnabas were pastors
happened again when Paul and Barnabas were in Jerusalem giving an account of how the Lord had been at work saving the Gentiles
in Antioch it was circumcision then in Jerusalem it was circumcision + law
once we start adding to the gospel it is hard to stop!
these Jewish Christians were telling Gentiles they had to be circumcised and keep the ceremonial laws of the OT
a denial of Christ alone for salvation
A traditional belief they had to do something to earn or merit their salvation. (Rom 10:3)
3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
a characteristic of all false religions
the universal pride that resides in every human heart that we are not so lost that we cannot contribute to our salvation
Points to the universal pride that resides in every human heart that we are not helpless when it comes to our salvation.
that we are essentially good
that we are not so lost that we cannot contribute to our salvation
an attitude that keeps creeping into the church and must be carefully guarded against
pastors Paul and Barnabas recognized the wrong doctrine and confronted those in error
reminder that elders are responsible to correct and if necessary rebuke those who promote false doctrine - “they must be silenced” (Tit 1:11-13)
principle: must recognize the difference between core doctrines and matters of liberty
a core doctrine: if you get it wrong you cannot be saved and will go to hell
a non-core doctrine: defective theology that will not keep you from being saved
core doctrines are hills to die on, non-core doctrines are matters that we can grow into
the issue of the strong and the weak and how they are to respond to one another when dealing with non-core doctrines ()
the fact that there are “go to” churches for matters of theological questions and answers
principle: the fact that there are “go to” churches for matters of theological questions and answers
those who have a proven track record of faithfulness to the Word and can help other churches with their problems and concerns
happened again when Paul and Barnabas were in Jerusalem reporting to the church there the Lord’s saving grace among the Gentiles
Paul’s report on what God and done with them
it was God’s work and they had the great joy and privilege of working with him
serving the Lord is not a chore but a glorious privilege for which we will receive a heavenly reward
importance of letting the Lord guide and direct and not taking matters into own hands
requires faithfulness to Word and to prayer
need to know his will and be equipped to do it
goal of responding to how Christ is building his church vs expecting him to respond to our building plans and goals!
God witnesses to believers that they belong to him: hunger for the Word, desire for holiness, spiritual mindedness, conflict between the old and new natures, love for fellow believers, desire to pray (communicate with God)
1 There is no “I” in Grace!
1 There is no “I” in Grace!
How you know you are saved? If you answer starting with “I” you have a problem!
Yoke vs. Grace (vv.10-11)
what the Jewish Christians were saying, “I was circumcised and I keep the law of Moses.”
what people might say today:
I go to church, I tithe, I am a good person, I don’t smoke, drink, do drugs
I said the sinner’s prayer, I walked an aisle, I answered an altar call, I believe in Jesus
Q is why you did these things
A) Peter’s Response
A) Peter’s Response
recounts his vision and subsequent meeting with Cornelius where he and members of his family and friends received the HS in the same way the Jewish believers did at Pentecost
Peter’s conclusion
10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
that we must contribute something to our salvation, in this case circumcision and keeping the law of Moses, Paul said was tes
the contrast: putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck … but we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus
God’s clear testimony to Peter in the vision of the sheet containing unclean animals and his command to kill and eat not once but 3x (Acts 10:13)
God’s clear command vs. adding circumcision and law keeping
vs. we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus
it is either our works or Jesus’ grace
one destroys the other
by requiring circumcision and law keeping the Jews were in reality rejecting God’s plan of salvation
Peter described it as,
“putting God to the test”
God tested Abraham in requiring him to sacrifice Isaac
Joseph’s tested his brothers in
God tested his people (; ; ,; ; ; ,)
Gideon tested God ()
God tests people (; ; ; )
the godly ask God to test them (; )
Daniel”s test ()
God invited Israel to test him with their tithes ()
Israel tested God in their wilderness wanderings when they questioned God’s ability to give them food even though he had already done many miracles and signs for them (,(cf. ; ; ); , ))
the 10 spies tested God when they doubted God’s ability to subdue the Canaanites when he had completely subdued the Egyptians ()
They put God to the test by forgetting what God had done for them and not believing he would continue to help them as he promised.
this is often the reason we become anxious and fearful and why the bible tells us it is a sin
“placing a yoke on the necks”
used to bind animals together to make them work together as a team
10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
pulling a plow or a heavy load
used by labourers to increase the amount of weight they are able to carry
both point to something which binds them to a heavy load they are unable to free themselves from
Peter compared the imposition of the law of Moses as a condition of salvation to such a yoke
the law forcing its partner to pull the impossible load of ceremonies
the law as a weight impossible to carry without help
both point to something which binds them to a heavy load they are unable to free themselves from
When we add to or take from God’s Word we create something onerous and difficult to bear and rob ourselves of the joyous freedom he provides.
God’s purpose for the law:
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Gal 3:23-
held captive … imprisoned … law was our guardian
that we might be justified by faith
James’ decision: recapped Peter’s testimony and then appealed to scripture
God’s purpose in giving his law was not to save his people but to point them to Christ. (Gal 3:23-26)
it is very interesting that James did not refer to Paul and Barnabas’ experience
the Word is a more sure foundation not what we perceive with our eyes or what we feel
14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
Peter’s testimony in - contrasts what they saw when Jesus was transfigured to the testimony of God through his Word
B) James’ Response
B) James’ Response
Peter said in v.10, “we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus”
James redefined saving grace in v.14,
14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
Peter said, “we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus”
James defines saving grace in 3 ways: God visiting, God taking and God glorifying himself. (Acts 15:14)
God Visiting
God “visiting the Gentiles”
7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
apart from his visit the Gentiles who were saved would have remained in their sin and darkness and would never have found God
- there is no one who seeks after God, not even one
God taking: “to take from them a people”
take = to get possession
God takes some out of the world for himself
they are no longer children of the devil, they are children of God (John 8)
the rest leaves because that is where they want to be
Acts 15:
they are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (Col 1:13)
God glorifying himself
no one wants to be saved on God’s terms
James gives the purpose of saving grace: “for his name”
“for his name”
tells us why God visits us and takes some of us out of the world for himself: for his glory
Everything God does is to highlight his glory and saving people from sin and death and the devil is a primary way he does this. (; ; ; 11:36)
God chose his people for his glory
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
what should we do in light of this?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
why was this issue of how we are saved so important that it required a church council?
why not just ignore them and hope the problem goes away?
C) Paul’s Teaching
C) Paul’s Teaching
why was this issue of how we are saved so important that it required a church council?
why not just ignore them?
we are given understanding why it was so critical in Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches
was written at or shortly after the Jerusalem council
Paul confronted the churches in Galatia who were tempted to embrace Judaism at or shortly after the Jerusalem council,
Paul wrote to them at or shortly after the Jerusalem council
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
“stand firm”
In our battle with the world, our flesh and the devil we are to put on the full armour of God which is his Word, (Eph 6:10-18)
by the truth and power of God’s Word we are able to overcome the devil’s lies and schemes, our sinful desires and the world’s efforts to make us conform
“do not submit again to a yoke of slavery”
“do not submit again to a yoke of slavery”
Peter described it as,
points back to the Jewish attempt to achieve their righteousness through the law ()
a misuse of the law - its purpose to show that we can’t be righteous and to drive us to Christ ()
as a result our temptation is to look at the law as bad
but according to the law is holy, righteous and good
“putting God to the test”
James describes the law as the law of liberty ()
The problem with the law is not the law itself but what we are tempted to do with it.
hoping that keeping it will help save us
Paul’s 4 fold conclusion:
“if you accept circumcision …”
Christ will be of no advantage to you (v. 2)
you are obligated to keep the whole law (v.3)
you are severed from Christ (v.4)
you have fallen away from grace (v.4)
the language Paul uses is very clear, it’s all or nothing
Salvation is designed by God and it is a take it or leave it package deal.
how important was this issue to Paul?
listen to what he says,
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Tinkering with God’s plan of salvation is a capital offence! (Gal 1:8-9)
if you add anything to God’s plan of salvation you lose it
to add anything is to produce another gospel
those who do so are accursed = hell
this is why the way in which we are saved is such an important doctrine!
this is why the early church held a conference to decide the issue
this is why the NT authors kept reminding Christians what salvation is and what it means to be a believer
it is why I keep reminding you of this
listen to Jesus’ shocking warning,
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
It’s not what you say that saves you it is doing the will of God. (Mt 7:21)
again I remind you,
if I ask, “how do you know you are saved” and you start with “I” you are in trouble
if you start with “God” you are much safer!
God tested Abraham in requiring him to sacrifice Isaac
Joseph’s tested his brothers in
God tested his people (; ; ,; ; ; ,)
Gideon tested God ()
God tests people (; ; ; )
the godly ask God to test them (; )
Daniel”s test ()
God invited Israel to test him with their tithes ()
Israel tested God in their wilderness wanderings when they questioned God’s ability to give them food when he had already done so many miracles and signs for them (,(df. ; ; ); , ))
the 10 spies tested God when they doubted God’s ability to subdue the Canaanites when he had demonstrated his complete dominance over the Egyptians ()
God tests people (; ; ; Jer 17:10)
the godly ask God to test them (; 139:23-24)
Daniel”s test ()
God invited Israel to test him with their tithes ()
“placing a yoke on the necks”
tells us why God visits us and takes some of us out of the world for himself: for his glory
everything God does is to highlight his glory
God chose his people for his glory
ESV
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
ESV
6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
• God called Israel for his glory
ESV
3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
• God rescued Israel from Egypt for his glory
ESV
7 Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.
23 And 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 raised Pharaoh up to show his power and glorify his name
ESV
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
• God defeated Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea for his glory
ESV
4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.
ESV
18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
• God spared Israel in the wilderness for the glory of his name
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, 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, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
ESV
used to bind animals together to make them work together as a team
14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.
• God gave Israel victory in Canaan for the glory of his name:
ESV
23 And 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:
ESV
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, 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, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
• Jesus told us to do good works so that God gets glory:
ESV
16 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.
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
• God forgives our sins for his own glory:
ESV
25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
ESV
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
• God tells us to serve in a way that will glorify him:
ESV
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
• Jesus will fill us with fruits of righteousness for God’s glory:
ESV
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
ESV
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
• Even in wrath God’s aim is to make known the wealth of his glory:
ESV
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
• Everything that happens will redound to God’s glory:
what should we do in light of this?
ESV
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
• because God is most concerned for his glory those who belong to him share that concern
ESV
pulling a plow or a load
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
used by labourers to increase the amount of weight they are able to carry
Peter compared the law of Moses to such a yoke
the law forcing its partner to pull the impossible load of ceremonies
the law as a great weight
Paul confronting the churches in Galatia who were tempted to embrace Judaism
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
“stand firm”
- in our battle with the devil we are to put on the full armour of God which is his Word
by the truth of God’s Word we are able to overcome the devil’s lies and schemes
in this case the effort to contaminate God’s free grace
“do not submit again to a yoke of slavery”
points back to the Jewish attitude of trying to achieve their righteousness through the law ()
a misuse of the law - its purpose to show that we can’t be righteous and to drive us to Christ (Gal 3:24)
our temptation to look at the law as bad
the law is holy, righteous and good ()
it is the law of liberty ()
the problem is not the law but what we do with it, in this case hoping that keeping it will justify us
“accept circumcision … obligated to keep the whole law … severed from Christ … fallen away”
the language Paul uses is very clear, it’s all or nothing, cannot pick and choose what is added to salvation when it comes to the law of God
how important was this issue to Paul?
it’s all or nothing, cannot pick and choose what is added to salvation when it comes to the law of God
listen to what he says,
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
if you add anything to God’s plan of salvation you lose it
no deviation whatsoever from the gospel communicated by the Lord Jesus and his Apostles
no deviation whatsoever from the gospel communicated by the Lord Jesus and his Apostles
if you add anything to God’s plan of salvation you lose it
any other gospel = accursed = hell
to add is to produce another gospel = accursed = hell
this is why the way in which we are saved is such an important doctrine!
ESV12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
“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 miraclesafter his resurrection it appears that this gift was given primarily to the Apostles only two non-apostles are recorded doing miracles: Barnabas and Stephen1 Cor 12:9, 28 - 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 Elishamiracles in the NT authenticated Jesus divine authority miracles in the NT a declaration the kingdom of God had come ()miracles authenticated the Apostles’ messagemiracles proved to the Jews that Gentiles were included in the kingdomwhile we don’t see the kinds and numbers of miracles performed in the bible God is still at workthe greatest miracle - raising someone from the dead - happens spiritually every time someone comes to salvationGod appears to be doing miracles amongst new believers in areas of the world where there is no bible and no witnessit 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
ESV13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
James: the head of the Jerusalem churchJesus’ step brotherafter 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 62James 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 savedDt 7:6 - God chose Israel as a special possession out of all the peoples of the eartha way of describing salvation:God takes people out of the worldGod calls them and because his call is a life giving call they must comeexample of Jesus calling Lazarus out of his tombspeaks to the sovereignty of Godspeaks of the irresistible power of his callspeaks of the effectiveness of his call
“for his name”tells us why God takes some people out of the world for himself: for his gloryeverything God does is done to highlight his gloryGod chose his people for his glory
ESV4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
God created us for his glory
ESV6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
God called Israel for his glory
ESV3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
God rescued Israel from Egypt for his glory
ESV7 Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. 8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.
God raised Pharaoh up to show his power and glorify his name
ESV17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
God defeated Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea for his glory
ESV4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.
ESV18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
God spared Israel in the wilderness for the glory of his name
ESV14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.
God gave Israel victory in Canaan for the glory of his name:
this is why the NT authors kept reminding Christians what salvation is and what it means to be a believers
ESV23 And 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:
ESV22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, 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, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
Jesus told us to do good works so that God gets glory:
ESV16 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.
God forgives our sins for his own glory:
ESV25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
ESV11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
God tells us to serve in a way that will glorify him:
ESV11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus will fill us with fruits of righteousness for God’s glory:
it is why I keep reminding you of this
ESV9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
ESV11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Even in wrath God’s aim is to make known the wealth of his glory:
ESV22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
Everything that happens will redound to God’s glory:
Jesus’ warning
ESV36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
because God is most concerned for his glory those who belong to him share that concern
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
ESV31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
James quotes from - God’s certain judgment on his people for denying his Word through the prophetsproclaims the absolute certainty of judgment - no one will be able to escape no matter where they flee God will find and destroy themAm 9:11-15 - just as God’s judgment was absolutely certain so also his restorationGod will pour his his blessing after he has destroyed the sinnersthat blessing will fall not only on God’s chosen people, the Jews, but also the Gentiles who are called by his nameJames saw this passage as being fulfilled in his dayall the Gentiles who are called by my nameActs 18:9-10 - “I have many in this city who are my people”though they had not yet heard the gospel nor come to saving faith they were God’s peoplethey had been chosen by him and would certainly be saved through Paul’s ministry
it’s not what you say that saves you, you must obey!
: it’s not enough to confess, you must obey!
Application:
if I ask, “how do you know you are saved” and you start with “I” you are already in trouble
if you respond first with “God” you are much safer!
Tim Beerman / General
Authentic Church /
Jerusalem Council
;
• the issue at stake: how are we saved
2 The Decision
2 The Decision
• - 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
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
• 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
• who will repent and believe? apart from God’s grace, no one
ESV
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
“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, they were his tools
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 ()
miracles authenticated the Apostles and their 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 Acts God is still at work
the greatest miracle today - raising someone from the dead
• the greatest miracle - raising someone from the dead
happens spiritually every time someone comes to salvation
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
the witness of the NT is 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
ESV
13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
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 the Jewish historian Josephus, James was stoned to death at the behest of the Jewish High Priest around AD 62
14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
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
a more sure testimony
• - 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
• God chose his people for his glory
ESV
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
• God created us for his glory
ESV
6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
• God called Israel for his glory
ESV
3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
• God rescued Israel from Egypt for his glory
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things
ESV
7 Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.
• God raised Pharaoh up to show his power and glorify his name
ESV
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
• God defeated Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea for his glory
ESV
4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.
ESV
18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
• God spared Israel in the wilderness for the glory of his name
ESV
14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.
• God gave Israel victory in Canaan for the glory of his name:
ESV
23 And 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:
ESV
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, 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, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
• Jesus told us to do good works so that God gets glory:
ESV
16 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.
• God forgives our sins for his own glory:
ESV
25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
ESV
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
• God tells us to serve in a way that will glorify him:
ESV
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
• Jesus will fill us with fruits of righteousness for God’s glory:
ESV
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
ESV
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
• Even in wrath God’s aim is to make known the wealth of his glory:
ESV
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
• Everything that happens will redound to God’s glory:
ESV
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
• because God is most concerned for his glory those who belong to him share that concern
ESV
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
James was not content to base their decision on the word of Peter alone but on the Word of God. (2 Peter 1:19)
James quotes from the OT prophet Amos
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
- God’s certain judgment on his people for denying his Word
proclaims the absolute certainty of judgment - no one will be able to escape
no matter where they flee God will find and destroy them
- just as God’s judgment was absolutely certain so also was his restoration
God will pour out his blessing after he has destroyed the rebels
he does this first by rebuilding the tent of David through Christ
as a result the remnant of mankind (the Jews) seek the Lord
and all the Gentiles = not by becoming Jews
remnant of mankind = Jews
and all the Gentiles
James saw this being fulfilled in his day: Jews and Gentiles being gathered into the rebuilt tent of David through Christ
The Decision
The Decision
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Acts 15:19-
based on how God had called the Gentiles to himself, circumcision and the keeping the law were not requirements for salvation
Jewish believers were forbidden from troubling the Gentiles with their scruples about the law.
however James was also concerned for these weak Jewish believers
Gentile believers were not to pressure the Jews into violating their consciences.
4 things Gentile believers were to abstain from:
things polluted by idols
sexual immorality
eating what has been strangled
eating blood
violating these laws would have destroyed the church’s witness to unbelieving Jews and would offend believing ones
Freedom in Christ does not grant the right to sin or to offend another believer.
the decision being made it was to be communicated to the wider church
Summary:
there is no “I” in grace
Judas and Silas were chosen to go with Paul and Barnabas to avoid the appearance of bias
they were leading men = of high spiritual qualification
salvation is through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the scriptures alone, to the glory of God alone
salvation is God visiting, God taking and God glorifying
letter addressed Gentiles as “brethren” affirmed their acceptance as fellow believers
when it comes to how we are saved we are to stay vigilant against any and all attempts to add to or take away from God’s plan of salvation
we are to also to remember that we are each at different stages of spiritual growth and maturity and to treat each other with love and respect in spite of differing opinions in matters which don’t have to do with core doctrines
The letter thus answered the doctrinal question raised by the Antioch church and gave wise instruction on how to avoid rifts in the fellowship. (John MacArthur, Acts: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary)
• - “I have many in this city who are my people”
• though they had not yet heard the gospel nor come to saving faith they were God’s people
• they had been chosen by him and would certainly be saved through Paul’s ministry
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