SERMONS IN ACTS

2. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 • Christians in the first century • faced many serious challenges • External persecution, Acts 4-9 • Internal failures, Acts 5 • Internal disputes: false teaching, Acts 15

3. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 • Acts 15: Case study • How to deal with doctrinal disputes • How to establish authority

4. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Background Sermon Results

5. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Background • Some sought to impose the Law of Moses, Acts 15:1-3 • From Judea

6. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Background • 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

7. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Background • 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 It is right to argue religion!

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

9. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Background • 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

10. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Background • 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

11. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Sermon • Peter established truth • by 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

12. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Sermon • Peter established truth • by 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 There Are Not Many Ways To Heaven

13. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Sermon • Paul & Barnabas established truth • by 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

14. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Sermon • James established truth • By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21 • Prophets, Amos 9:11, 12 • God always planned this • The Law supports this

15. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Sermon • James established truth • By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21 • Inspired conclusion • Do not trouble…by adding to the gospel

16. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Sermon • James established truth • By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21 • Inspired conclusion • Abstain from: • Things polluted by idols • Sexual immorality • Things strangled • Blood

17. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Results • 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

18. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Results A unified message was sent out, Acts 15:23-29

19. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Results The truth brought joy to brethren, Acts 15:30-35

20. SERMONS IN ACTS Acts 15 Results The truth strengthened brethren & the churches grew, Acts 16:4, 5