The Constraint Of The Church Series

Acts 15:1-12 The Constraint of the Church

I. The Dispute for the Apostles

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up...

A. The Origin of the Dispute - 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.

B. The Order of the Dispute -

a. The False Doctrine - 1 And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

b. The Furious Debate - 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them...

c. The Fair Decision - 2 ... they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

d. The Faithful Delegates - 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.

e. The Final Destination - 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.

f. The Further Dissension - 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them [the Gentile converts], and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

g. The Formal Discussion - 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

II. The Discernment of the Apostles (7-9)

Peter spoke of:

(1) How God Enlisted Him for a Very Great Task - 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

(2) How God Enlightened Him to a Very Great Truth (15:8-11)

(a) God Loves All People (15:8-9)

i. The Undeniable Sign - 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us.

ii. The Undeniable Salvation - 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

They Share The Same Lord - 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts

They Are Sealed By The Same Witness - 8 bear them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us

They Are Saved In The Same Way - 9 "purifying their hearts by faith"

(b) God Loathes All Pretense (15:10-11)

i. Peter's Acute Warning - 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God...

ii. Peter's Acquired Wisdom - 10 .. to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

iii. Peter's Actual Words - 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they

III. The Declaration by the Apostles - (10-12) They discussed:

A. The Inability of the Law -10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

B. The Security in the Lord - 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

C. The Testimony for the Lord 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.