ACTS 15
"Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you can not be saved."
This week in our text, we see one of the hardest parts of ministry and walking in faith: unavoidable conflict between fellow believers. Inside the church, good leadership consist of being a peacekeeper and unifier of God's people. That means loving well and often times picking your battles. These battles consist of day-to-day operations as well as theological differences. Even though everything is important and many things in the church/faith are worth a conversation, not everything is worth division. It's beyond sad how many of us have church horror stories of conflict over carpet colors and end times theology. Neither was ever meant to cause division in God's church. However, there are some hills to die on. In Acts 15, we see the biggest hill of them all.
In chapter 15 we see the beginning of the "Jesus plus" movement. This belief would mean that to be saved, a person would need the blood of Jesus plus, you fill in the blank. In this circumstance, certain people were teaching that one would need Jesus, plus be circumcised. This belief would come from the Law given to Moses in the Old Testament in Exodus. So, the people were holding on to the Law more than they were professing a faith in the finish work of Jesus Christ. This would be a hill Paul was willing to die on.
Paul would fight this fight all throughout the New Testament scriptures. He would speak and write to many churches that by faith alone one is saved. That Jesus fulfilled the law, bore the sins of the world, and soaked up the wrath of God for the forgiveness of many! Paul would ask, "What else could any of us add to what Jesus has already done?"
In Galatians, Paul would go as far as wishing these false teachers would be cut off from the kingdom of God because of all the confusion they poured upon the people. These teachers were leading many to Hell through their attempt to guide them to Heaven!
Today, not much has changed. Not many are arguing over the circumcision topic, but many still teach and subscribe to the Jesus plus movement. Many teach that only certain denominations are favored by God, baptism saves, and that there are other ways to Heaven other than Jesus. These are not "hills" in other countries, but in your own hometown!
If any of us were to die today and face the Creator and be asked, "Why should I allow you into Heaven?" The only answer we should give and the only answer that will be accepted is: "Because I have placed my faith in your Son, Jesus." How ridiculous would any of our efforts or achievements stand against our sins? How much do we need Jesus, more than any of us can fathom! Jesus is enough and that is great news!
Stay faithful church.
In chapter 15 we see the beginning of the "Jesus plus" movement. This belief would mean that to be saved, a person would need the blood of Jesus plus, you fill in the blank. In this circumstance, certain people were teaching that one would need Jesus, plus be circumcised. This belief would come from the Law given to Moses in the Old Testament in Exodus. So, the people were holding on to the Law more than they were professing a faith in the finish work of Jesus Christ. This would be a hill Paul was willing to die on.
Paul would fight this fight all throughout the New Testament scriptures. He would speak and write to many churches that by faith alone one is saved. That Jesus fulfilled the law, bore the sins of the world, and soaked up the wrath of God for the forgiveness of many! Paul would ask, "What else could any of us add to what Jesus has already done?"
In Galatians, Paul would go as far as wishing these false teachers would be cut off from the kingdom of God because of all the confusion they poured upon the people. These teachers were leading many to Hell through their attempt to guide them to Heaven!
Today, not much has changed. Not many are arguing over the circumcision topic, but many still teach and subscribe to the Jesus plus movement. Many teach that only certain denominations are favored by God, baptism saves, and that there are other ways to Heaven other than Jesus. These are not "hills" in other countries, but in your own hometown!
If any of us were to die today and face the Creator and be asked, "Why should I allow you into Heaven?" The only answer we should give and the only answer that will be accepted is: "Because I have placed my faith in your Son, Jesus." How ridiculous would any of our efforts or achievements stand against our sins? How much do we need Jesus, more than any of us can fathom! Jesus is enough and that is great news!
Stay faithful church.
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Galatians 1-2 as these two chapters are perfect examples of Paul defending the Gospel and what it means to be truly saved.
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