Getting the Gospel Right

Bradley Johnson • August 11, 2023

Clashing of cultures often stirs up division.

When people from different backgrounds interact with each other, their preferences, customs, traditions, and habits can rub each other the wrong way. One culture may consider an activity acceptable, while another culture looks with disdain on a custom. For instance, the tension is often felt when northern or southern US cultures collide, or when rural neighbors meet urban neighbors. Our own local county is a melting pot of different cultures and social demographics. Even though the tension can be intense, it is nothing compared with the cultural and religious division between the first century Jews and Gentiles.

     The book of Acts traces the spread of the Gospel across the Roman empire. As the saving message of Christ Jesus reached the borders of Judea, Gentile believers were welcomed into the family of God. Acts 15 is the conclusion of Paul’s first missionary journey in which he preached the gospel and established churches throughout Asia. As the Gentiles were welcomed into the church, several Jewish leaders became increasingly uncomfortable with the changing culture of the church. Therefore, the early church was forced to wrestle with the question of whether Gentiles must become Jews (through circumcision) before they became Christians. This was (and still is) a Gospel question. The pharisaical believers in Acts 15 revealed they had fundamentally misunderstood the Gospel, and they were dangerously close to legalism. So, how were they to respond to the influx of Gentile believers? What should they require of these new converts? How do they enter the family of God? Acts 15 answers these questions.

     As you prepare for worship this Sunday read and pray through Acts 15:1-35. Picking up from last week, we will resume our study in Acts 15:12-35. Begin reflecting on ways we might be tempted to deviate from the Gospel and how we should understand the relationship between the law and the Gospel. In Acts 15, God’s Word (OT) clarifies God’s thoughts on this matter. Hopefully, this passage will help us have clarity on the Gospel and avoid the dangerous trap of legalism.

 

  • What must a person do to become saved (born again)?
  • What customs, traditions, or preferences are we tempted to add to the Gospel?
  • How does correctly interpreting God’s word clarify the gospel, bring joy to the believer (15:31), and prevent us from becoming legalist.

  • Read Acts 15:1-35

    The Jerusalem Council

    15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” 

    6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 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. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 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.” 

    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. 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. 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
                18      known from of old.’ 


    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.” 


    The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

    22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” 

    30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 



    The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 15:1–35.