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Series: General
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Additional file: 2015-01-18 Obstacles to Fellowship - Alan Yeater.pdf


S. R. (Acts 15:1-12)

Introduction

Background of Circumcision:

  1. Required of every Jewish male (Genesis 17:10-14)
  2. Law of Moses: (Leviticus 12:13; Joshua 5:3-7)
  3. Some Jewish believers in Christ believed that Gentiles, in order to be saved, had to be circumcised. (Acts 15:1,5)
    1. Jewish believers failed to realize that circumcision was a part of the unique covenant God made with the descendants of Abraham.
    2. This requirement was done away with along with the Law of Moses at the coming of the New Covenant in Christ (cf. Hebrews 8; Eph. 2:8-16)
    3. Still, Jewish believers insisted upon the circumcision of Gentiles. (Galatians 6:12-15)
    4. These Jewish believers and those who agreed to their terms failed to realize that agreeing to circumcision as a religious rite required that they keep all aspects of the Law of Moses. (Galatians 5:1-5)
  4. What is the Lord’s will on this subject and how can these obstacles to fellowship be overcome? (Galatians 2:1-10 provides background)
  5. Acts 15 has the answers.

Outline

  1. Acts 15:1-5 “Unless you are circumcised…you cannot be saved.”
    1. Background: The gospel is for the Gentiles (Acts 10; Acts 11:18-20)
      1. Cornelius (Acts 10; Acts 11:3,15-18)
      2. Residents of Antioch of Syria (Acts 11:18-20)
      3. Residents of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:44-46)
      4. Residents of Iconium (Acts 14:1-4)
    2. “Unless you are circumcised…you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)
      1. Claim of Jewish believers [Pharisees] (Acts 15:1,5)
      2. Strong dissension between Paul and Barnabas and these teachers in Antioch (Acts 15:1-2)
    3. Seek for resolution in Jerusalem. Why?
      1. Apostles and elders there. (Acts 15:2; Galatians 2:1-5)
      2. Apostles and prophets (John 16:13; Ephesians 2:20; Acts 15:32)
      3. Paul and Barnabas were sent by the church in Antioch and received in Jerusalem.
      4. There is a multitude of folks present to listen to the discussion (Acts 15:12,22)
    4. Paul and Barnabas report what God had done (Acts 15:4).
  2. What lines of reasoning are used to resolve the debate or dispute? (Acts 15:6-18)
    1. Example from the teaching of Peter (Acts 15:7-11)
      1. Cornelius and those assembled in his house (Acts 10; Acts 11:14-18)
      2. Gentile hearts were cleansed by faith (Acts 15:14; Galatians 3:26-27).
      3. Their salvation was dependent upon hearing the words of salvation and accepting terms.
      4. The giving of the Holy Spirit was not for the purpose of the individuals’ salvation, but rather to demonstrate to Jews present (cf. Acts 11:12) that Gentiles were recipients of the gracious gospel of God.
      5. Peter reminds the Jews that circumcision and the attendant requirement to keep all of the Law of Moses was a yoke they had never borne effectively. (Acts 15:10 cf. Galatians 5:1-6)
      6. Jews and Gentiles alike are saved “through the grace of the Lord Jesus.”
      7. We should imitate these examples of the apostle.
    2. Confirming implications from the signs and wonders via the Holy Spirit.
      1. Paul and Barnabas related what God had done through them. (Acts 15:4, 12).
      2. That it was God’s will that Gentiles be converted (Acts 15:3) was confirmed by the miraculous signs and wonders that accompanied that teaching (cf. Acts 15:8; 14:3,27)
      3. The word preached was confirmed by the signs that followed (Mark 16:20).
    3. The clear statement of Scripture regarding becoming part of God’s people. (Acts 15:13-21)
      1. James speaks next (Not the apostle James, brother of John cf. Acts 12:1-2).
      2. James appears to be one of the elders of the church in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 12:17; Galatians 1:18,19; 2:6-10,11-16)
      3. James first refers back to the statements of Peter (Simeon) and then turns our attention to the prophet, Amos.
      4. James quotes: "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name," Says the LORD who does this thing.” (Amos 9:11-12)
      5. The Jews recognized this prophecy as applying in the Messianic era “tabernacle of David” where God meets to have fellowship with His people.
      6. The clear implication of the text is that God intends for obedient nations to be among His people (cf. Isaiah 2:2; 42:1; 49:6).
  3. What Have We Learned?
    1. Serious doctrinal (teaching) differences existed among first century Christians.
    2. They determined to resolve those differences by:
      1. Looking to the apostles teaching and examples.
      2. Seeking to understand what God had implied by the confirming work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles and prophets.
      3. Looking to Scripture to inform them of God’s desire and intention.
      4. Allowing everyone to listen and learn how to resolve matters (Acts 15:12,22)
    3. When we face differences in religious teaching we should follow this model in seeking to determine the will of God.
      1. What did the apostles teach and practice related to this subject?
      2. What has the Holy Spirit revealed through the word given through apostles and prophets and confirmed through the miraculous signs they performed?
      3. What do the Scriptures say on this subject?
      4. Were they free to presume where God had not spoken (Acts 15:24)?
    4. This is sufficient to understand the once for all time delivered message of God’s will.
    5. This is the only way to overcome the Satan placed obstacles that confront the people of God.