ACTS 15
Act 15:1 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.
Here we have the first sign of some well meaning believers trying to improve or
add to the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. This is one reason that I seldom
mention the name of
my church affiliation. I am not ashamed of it and I am happy where I attend
church but I try to make sure I emphasize Jesus Christ and Him alone for
salvation. It is so easy
to be removed from that foundation by either adding to or taking away from the
message of salvation.
Here we have those that say, Jesus isn't enough, you need to be circumcised.
There are others who say, Jesus isn't enough, you have to join the Catholic
Church, be baptized a
Catholic and partake of the sacraments to be saved. Others say you have to
become a Mormon and recognize Joseph Smith as a prophet to be saved along with
faith in Jesus. Some
say you have to believe in Jesus but keep the festivals of the Old Testament or
keep the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No
man comes to the
Father but by me." John said, "Who is he that overcomes the world but he that
believes that Jesus is the Son of God." Jesus said, "He that believes in me, as
the scripture says, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of living water." I know to really believe in Jesus is to keep
his word. I realize it is more than just believing that a man name Jesus once
existed. We
have to believe from the depths of our heart and soul but believing that way is
enough to save the soul without all the things we try to add to it.
There are many sects and denominations that once believed that their way was the
only way. We are finally getting away from that but the past sin of teaching
such exclusiveness is
visiting us when some are tempted to go so far as to believe Jesus isn't
the only way to salvation. If we had taught the salvation message right
from the beginning, we
would not be compromising the salvation message now. We have to be careful not
to leave the foundation of Jesus Christ and teach that there are other ways to
God.
Jesus is the foundation and Jesus is the only way to God.
God would not have allowed His Son to die and take our sins upon His sinless
perfect body if there would have been another way to save mankind from being
lost in hell for
eternity. When our old filthy sins was laid on Jesus, God the Father had to turn
away from seeing that. Jesus paid a huge price to save us from sin. We must not
add to that
message or take away from it by taking it lightly. We are not saved by just
being a good moral person apart from Christ, we must receive Him as Lord to be
saved from sin. At
the same time, we can't add to the gospel by saying we have to earn our
salvation by some ritual or outward form of worship whether it be circumcision
or some other added
commandment. Circumcision was fulfilled in Christ. Through Christ our heart is
circumcised when we simply believe in Him as the Messiah, the Son of God whom
God sent to save
us. Its okay to still keep the Saturday Sabbath but that does not add to our
salvation. Jesus becomes our Sabbath and we now worship Him in spirit and in
truth. It is great
to set apart a special day to give ourselves fully to worship Him but there is
really nothing wrong with worshipping Him everyday of the week. He fulfilled the
Sabbath. Our
commandments now are to love God with all our hearts and love our neighbor as
ourselves. To keep them is to keep all commandments. It is summed up in those
two.
It is good to take the Lord's supper remembering His death for our sins but
taking the Lord's supper doesn't add to our salvation. We are already saved
before partaking in the
Lord's communion.
It is good to obey the Lord's command to be baptized in water but the water does
not save us from sin, we are already saved from sin the moment we have believed
in Jesus and
trusted in Him to save us from sin. To teach that one has to be baptized to make
us more saved is adding to the gospel. It is an act of obedience and an outward
testimony to
what has already taken place in the inner man. If we refuse baptism, it may be a
sign that we have not really received Jesus in our lives as we thought because
our attitude is
wrong but if one has fully trusted in Jesus to the saving of their souls, we
can't add to that salvation by any work a man does on our behalf like partaking
of a sacrament or
baptizing us in water.
Baptism in the spirit is given to those who obey Him as the scripture says but
still the foundation is Jesus Christ and we are saved before or at the same time
we are baptized
in the Holy Spirit. That is a gift of God given to us along with salvation or
sometime following salvation. The spirit baptism is a gift to be desired. This
something we need
to serve God and spread the gospel but it doesn't make us "more saved". Usually
this baptism is accompanied by the sign of speaking in another tongue as the
spirit gives
utterance. The teaching that one has to speak in tongues to be assured of
salvation is a false teaching and is adding to the gospel. The teaching that one
has to be baptized
in the name of Jesus only to be saved is also a false teaching. Our salvation
comes as soon as we believe to the point of repenting of sin. To truly believe
that Jesus saves
us from sin would mean that we repent or turn from sin. If we want to hold on to
our sin and still expect to be saved, then we do not really have saving faith
but are just
mentally believing that Jesus exists. To believe means to turn from sin and turn
to Jesus for salvation. He is the foundation though and there is no other.
Attending church
will strengthen our faith if it is a good church but church attendance or
joining a church does not add to our salvation. A good bible believing church is
an added bonus, a
gift from God but it doesn't save us from sin. It can be a means by which we
hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ and we are then saved from sin but the
church itself does
not save the soul. Jesus is the savior, the foundation and the truth. There is
no other way to be saved. Confessing to a priest does not save, doing a bunch of
good deeds
does not save, paying tithes does not save and does not add to our salvation.
The message of the gospel is simple child like faith in Jesus. As a child
believes that his mom
loves him and will care for him, we simply believe in what God's word says: "For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life."
Act 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.
Faithful ministers of the gospel have always had to fight the battle to contend
for the faith they taught at the beginning. Jude is a great book to read to
learn more of this.
Galatians is a good one to read to learn more of the danger of adding to the
gospel.
Act 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through
Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused
great joy unto all
the brethren.
Act 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.
We must not take the meaning of church beyond what the scriptures teach. The
church could be interpreted as congregation or assembly of believers. It doesn't
mean a manmade
organization set up by a group of people exclusive to all other church groups.
As long a a church teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ, they are part of "the
true church" with
their names written in the lamb's book of life. I don't care whether we call
ourselves Baptists, Pentecostal, Church of God or Church of Christ, the name on
our door doesn't
make us a church or take away from our being a church. We become part of the
body of believers the moment we believe in Jesus and He becomes Lord of our
lives. The moment we
are born again by God's spirit, we become part of the congregation, assembly or
church (body of Christ).
So much harm is done by being exclusive to the point of adding to the simple
gospel of Jesus. If we tell people that the only way to God is through Jesus and
our own church we
add to the gospel. If we tell people that we can be a good moral person whether
we believe in Jesus or not, we are taking away from the gospel. Both are wrong.
Teaching
people that they have to leave denominations is also wrong. If that denomination
is preaching the gospel of Jesus, it doesn't matter whether people stay within
it or go to an
independent congregation. We make such fuss over nothing. Jesus is the
foundation. I've read of churches that make the New Testament the only rule of
practice. That is great
and as it should be but some of them that claim that have gone on to become
exclusive and say a person has to be one of them to be saved. They then are not
living by what
they claim to teach. Jesus is the foundation and there is no other.
Act 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.
Act 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this
matter.
Act 15:7 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.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the
Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
I have read of some churches who believe that even if you receive the Baptism of
the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues they still are
not satisfied that
one is saved unless they are baptized in water in the name of Jesus only. It
boggles my mind to hear this. If God saves a person who has believed in Jesus
and sees fit to fill
them with the Holy Ghost, there is no way we can add to that but some try. I'm
not discounting water baptism but God is not going to save a person and take
back that salvation
if they happen to die before they are baptized in water. Water baptism can't
possibly make one more saved if they have already come to Jesus Christ and
received Him as savior.
Tongues is great and I love to speak in tongues and worship God that way but we
are saved by grace already. If we died before we were baptized in the Holy Ghost
with the
evidence of speaking in tongues we would still be saved by the simple faith in
Jesus Christ. This is a gift of God that either accompanies salvation or is
given later. This
gift is wonderful and I wouldn't want to do without this gift but we are saved
before this occurs. Jesus is the foundation. I can't say that enough.
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by
faith.
Act 15:10 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?
That is what rituals, works based salvation and other commandments of men do.
They place a heavy yoke upon believers. It causes us to lose our assurance of
salvation
and we actually become unfruitful because we can't go around saving others if we
are not sure of our own salvation. The apostles went around preaching the
gospel.
They didn't constantly worry about whether or not they were going to lose their
salvation. I do not believe in eternal security like some of our Baptist
brethren but I do not
think we have to worry over losing it so easily either. The only way we
could possibly lose it is to stop believing we are saved and return to sin
without ever making
things right with God again or treat the way of salvation as something other
than simple faith in Jesus.
Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we
shall be saved, even as they.
Praise God and thank you Lord for this hope and promise. By grace are we saved
through faith in Jesus Christ. Hallelujah. God help us to keep the message
simple enough that a
child can believe.
Act 15:12 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.
Act 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and
brethren, hearken unto me:
Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to
take out of them a people for his name.
Act 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
Act 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of
David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I
will set it up:
Act 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the
Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these
things.
Act 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
A Jew can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ without becoming a Gentile or
joining a Gentile church. A Gentile can be saved by simple faith in Jesus
without becoming a Jew and
keeping the Jewish festivals or circumcision. Jesus is the foundation.
Act 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from
among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Act 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of
idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Avoiding idolatry is taught in both old and new testaments. We are never to make
graven images to bow down to them even if we think they only represent the real
God. God says
not to make any images of anyone in heaven or in the earth.
Fornication is any sexual sin whether inside or outside of marriage. Idolatry is
spiritual fornication. Sexual sin is to defile the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Blood is a sign
of life and should never be eaten. The cup of communion we drink only represents
the blood of Jesus shed for remission of sins. It does not turn into blood as
some teach or
the disciples would not have said these things.
Act 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him,
being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Act 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to
send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: namely,
Judas surnamed
Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Act 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and
elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in
Antioch and Syria
and Cilicia.
Act 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have
troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised,
and keep the law:
to whom we gave no such commandment:
Teaching doctrines or commandments of men either instead of or adding to the
commandments of the Lord is actually subverting souls and destroying the thing
Jesus saved to free
us from.
Act 15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send
chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Act 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Act 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the
same things by mouth.
Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no
greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from
things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye
shall do well, Fare
ye well.
Act 15:30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had
gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
Act 15:31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
Act 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the
brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
Act 15:33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace
from the brethren unto the apostles.
Act 15:34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
Act 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching
the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Act 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit
our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see
how they do.
A true heart of someone who loves his brethren in that he desires to check
on them and make sure they are still in the faith and obedience to the gospel.
Act 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was
Mark.
Act 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from
them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
Act 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed
asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Act 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren
unto the grace of God.
Act 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
We see though that good men do have disputes. Instead of one missionary team, we
now have two. Having a disagreement and separation did not mean that one was
saved and the
other lost. It is sad when we see a church split over doctrine or disagreement
but as long as both still preach the gospel it doesn't mean one is the true
church and the other
is not.
I read just yesterday of a church split where the dissenters actually believed
that they were in the right and their way was the only way of salvation. Since
the church they
split from didn't see things their way, they considered that church apostate.
They had thought the church apostate because they no longer had a theocratic
form of church
government. Some churches who split think the ones that leave are the ones that
are apostate.
Usually both sides are in the wrong in many cases but if they are preaching the
gospel of Jesus and not adding to it or taking from it, both will see each other
in heaven
someday. Surprise, surprise, surprise. Jesus is the foundation. I've seen people
accuse others of not having love when the ones doing the accusing are not
showing much love
either. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you love one
another."
Jesus is the foundation. If we get moved away from that foundation it is
impossible to love one another. If in doubt of that saying, read church
history. Just as soon as they moved
away from the simple gospel and denied the power of the Holy Spirit to work
among them, they began to harm one another.
