486 – The Law and Grace Conference at Jerusalem

SEMESTER 6

486 – The Law and Grace Conference at Jerusalem

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY VI LESSON # 86
THE LAW AND GRACE CONFERENCE AT JERUSALEM

Read Acts 15:1-41.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Perhaps the greatest doctrinal issues of our day center around pure grace versus combinations of grace and works.
2. Many who claim to preach pure grace and salvation through Christ, still maintain that grace is helpless without human consent and cooperation.
3. This same leaven was injected into Christian doctrine in Paul’s day. (Acts 15:1-2, Gal. 1: 6-7, Gal. 3:1-5)

I. THE DOCTRINAL ISSUE IN CONTROVERSY

1. These legalizers were men who believed Christ was the Messiah, otherwise they could not have taught at Antioch. (Acts 15:5)
2. They were not denying grace, but frustrating it by mixing law with it. (Acts 15:1-2, Gal. 2:21)
3. These Jewish Christians were teaching what seemed logical to them (natural).
4. Understand they did not have the complete revelation which we have today.
5. For this reason Paul and Barnabas sought to know of a certain­ty, were these men of (Acts 15:1) right or were Paul and Barnabas? (Acts 15:2)
6. The church at Antioch authorized and financed a trip to Jerusalem. (Acts 15:3)
7. The two issues of confrontation compile the categories of all such discussion today. (Acts 15:5)

i. Ordinances seen as saving sacraments.
ii. Good works, that is keeping the law of Moses.

II. THERE WAS MUCH DISPUTING OF THE ISSUE

1. We might expect no need for discussion and a quick answer.
2. Contrariwise there was much disputation on the matter. (Acts 15:6-7)
3. Such disputation is not bad, for herein are Bible answers sought and found by men of good conscience.

III. THE CONCLUSION THAT WAS DRAWN

1. God has begun a new work. (Acts 15:7-8)
2. This is not a different work, but part of His eternal plan. (Acts 15:8-9 and Acts 11:17-18)
3. The mixture is wrong for both Jew and Gentile. (Acts 15:10-11)
4. In this context and spirit, the testimony of Barnabas and Saul, of the work among the Gentiles, establishes their conclusion a pure grace standing alone. (Acts 15:12)
5. James, (traditionally thought of as pastor at Jerusalem) then gives a final voice. (Acts 15:13-21)

IV. THE OFFICIAL INSTRUCTION

1. That the Gentiles be not troubled with legal confinements. (Acts 15:19) (Note: I Cor. 8:8)
2. That we exhort them not to let liberty be a stumbling block. (Acts 15:20) (Note I Cor. 8:9-12)
3. This instruction was distributed among the Gentile churches. (Acts 15:22-30 and Acts 16:1-4)