“Salvation Questioned”
Acts 15:1-5
The subject of salvation has caused great division in churches over the last 2000 years.
It should not be a shock to discover that this subject is in our Bibles, but the answer that is clear has also been ignored and discarded as well.
Our defense is very simple; what does the Bible say?
And then we follow the Bible!
As we approach this next chapter, the question of church authority must be understood.
Each church is autonomous; meaning that we are independent from other “churches” and that we are not here to rewrite the Bible but to discover the truths of the Bible and then proclaim the truth.
2 Peter 1:20 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
I. Salvation Distorted
Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
The first thing I would like to address is the thought that trouble is just around the next corner.
It is true we would all love to just move forward and see no distractions or difficulties in life, but that just isn’t the truth.
The church in Antioch has seen some amazing things.
Paul and Barnabas returned with reports of their adventures and Testimonies of the new churches that had been started.
Time has passed according to Acts 14:28 “And there they abode long time with the disciples.”
Healing from the physical attacks on Paul and Barnabas has healed and now a conflict has emerged.
I find it interesting that the phrase “certain men” which does not indicate “brethren” but rather means “any sort of man.”
A word of caution: We need to know who is behind a pulpit and what are they teaching.
This responsibility is not just the job of the pastor but those who hear the preaching; meaning that when truth is part of our lives it does not take long for false teaching to be identified and challenged.
The preaching questioned?
“Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Salvation is not about what we do but is about what Jesus DID on the cross for me.
Anytime “works” are introduced with salvation it is FALSE teaching.
Ephesians 2:4-10 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
So we find that salvation is NOT based on an experience or a physical act but only trusting in what Christ did on that fateful day, when He died on a cross, shed His blood, Raised from the dead on the 3rd day, and now sits on the right hand of our Heavenly Father!
A truth to consider today is: What tradition or experience do you hold to for your evidence of salvation?
II. Sermon Disputed
Acts 15:2 “When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
Dissension - strife, uproar, disagreement
Disputation - mutual questioning, discussion, dispute
In other words, this was not a subject that would be left unchallenged.
I cannot say for certain but it appears that Paul and Barnabas was questioning if this was the teaching that was endorsed by the leaders in Jerusalem. James, Peter, and John, who were at Jerusalem at this time.
This is not a question of “authority” over another church but rather a clarification as to what is being accepted as doctrine or teaching in the church that was the foundation of other New Testament Churches.
III. Sandals Dispatched
Acts 15:3 “And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.”
Through Phenice And Samaria - These places were directly on their route to Jerusalem.
Declaring the conversion - Gave testimony to these churches as they traveled through their lands which was in a direct path toward their destination of Jerusalem.
The result of their report?
Caused great joy - At the news of the extensive spread of the gospel.
IV. Salutations Delivered
Acts 15:4 “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.”
They were received of the church - By the church, in a hospitable and friendly manner.
They were acknowledged as Christian brethren, and received with Christian kindness.
And they declared all things that God had done with them. - Paul and Barnabas, and those with them.
That is, they stated the case; the remarkable conversion of the Gentiles, the evidence of their humility and service, and the origin of the present dispute.
V. Scripture Diminished
Acts 15:5 “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees,.... Which was the strictest sect of religion among the Jews:
The term "Pharisee" is derived from the Aramaic word meaning “separated” or “set apart.”
The Pharisees were a Jewish sect that flourished during the Second Temple period, known for their strict observance of the written law and their insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions. They emerged shortly after the Maccabean revolt and were distinct from the Sadducees, who held the traditional leadership of the Jewish people.
The Pharisees emphasized the binding force of both the written and oral law, and their teachings significantly influenced Judaism.
Conclusion:
We will continue this subject next time and discover that there is a Bible answer!
But let me end with a question: What is the foundation of your faith?
Is it Tradition?
Is it Experience?
Or is it just trusting in what Christ did?
I fear many are claiming salvation on experience or traditions and have never simply called upon the name of the LORD to be saved.
This day may be the day you choose to turn to the truth…
His name is JESUS!
