No Other God

Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute…
Acts 15:6-7

The events of Act 15 mark the first major issue in the New Testament church. Prior to this question regarding whether or not circumcision was required for salvation, there had not been a serious disagreement on a large scale among the believers. The “dispute” taking place could have easily turned into fracture and division, but the way the matter was handled should inspire us to follow their example. The outcome of their disagreement would be a decision of unity which strengthened the early church instead of weakening it, the effect that difficulties should always have upon us as believers. So how did these men handle such a tense situation so effectively?

First of all, “the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter“. (v. 6) We note the humility in this coming together. The leaders of the assembly included elders and apostles, but though the apostles were eye witnesses of Christ’s resurrection who had been taught by Him firsthand and had been used of God to perform miracles, there was no spirit of pride evident. They all came together on equal footing, each simply desiring the will of God. They evidenced Phi 2:3: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

Secondly, they heard as a group firsthand accounts from eye witnesses involved in the matter. There was no hearsay or slander, only open discussion of the facts. It is our duty to investigate further and substantiate any accusations that must be dealt with among us. We cannot base our decisions on secondhand information. Remember, James says “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…and it is set on fire by hell.” (Jas 3:6) With such a description, we have reason to suspect the tongue’s words! Jesus’ advice when dealing with differences that couldn’t be handled one on one is found in Mat 18:16. “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ” Whispering and gossip have no place in the kingdom of God. Pro 16:27-28 associates these practices with the wicked: “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Had they given themselves to such behavior, separation would have been inevitable.

Thirdly, the decision of these Christian leaders was supported by the word of God. We saw last week that James quoted from the book of Amos to prove that this salvation of the Gentiles was backed up by scripture. The word of God should be the first place we look for answers for it makes the solution clear: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psa 119:105) In looking to the word, we look to God for it is His word. There is no other book that fits the description of 2Ti 3:16-17: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Lastly, the church as a whole submitted to the authority of their spiritual elders. Act 15:22 highlights the unity of their minds, stating “it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church…” It is certainly true that we should not follow men blindly. For our soul’s sake, we should be like the Bereans who after hearing Paul’s preaching “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so”. However, if scripture doesn’t stand against the decision of those leading the church, we ought to submit to that authority. Concerning these shepherds of the flock of God, Heb 13:17 instructs us to, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” And so, these early Christians followed those who were over them who were in turn following Christ. (1Co 11:1) The result was a decision that brought the church together and Act 15:31 tells us they “rejoiced over its encouragement.” May we learn from their God-honoring example.

Jamie

After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ‘After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things.’ “
Act 15:13-17

Our text today occurs in the middle of Act 15 when the apostles and elders were determining whether or not Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved. (Act 15:1) First, Peter stood up to explain how the Lord had initially called him to preach to the Gentiles and how many had been saved, believing in Jesus Christ and receiving the same Holy Ghost that had been given to the believing Jews. (v. 7-11) Next, Paul and Barnabas confirmed the same experience as they related the mighty works God had done among the Gentiles as they ministered to them. (v. 12) Last of all, James spoke the verses above to remind the group that these events were validated by the words of the prophet Amos centuries before. What I want us to note today is that James didn’t read Amos and think this scripture to be fulfilled in some future age. James and the early church understood that Amos’ words concerning the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David were taking place right then, nearly 2000 years before our present day!

Why is this fact so important? Well, many would place the fulfillment of Amos’ prophecy to be the future building of a literal temple in physical Jerusalem during the millennial reign of Christ. But that’s not what James or any of these gathered together in Jerusalem at this time thought! Just consider the plainness of our text today for a moment in light of what Jesus said in the book of John. First in Joh 2:19-21:

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Jesus referred to His body as the temple that would be destroyed, but he would raise it up. Doesn’t that sound a lot like our text above: “After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up…” And, what will be the result of that raising of those ruins? “…so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name…” Wow! I can’t help but think of Christ’s words later in Joh 12:31-32:

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

Note the word “NOW” in that verse. At that time, He was about to go to the cross and His temple would be destroyed. But, in that work, he would judge the world and cast out its ruler (the devil, compare with the event taking place in Rev 12:10). He would rebuild that temple in His resurrection, and the result would be that all peoples (that is, men from every nation, i.e. Gentiles not just Jews!) would come to Him. No wonder James understood Amos’ prophecy to be taking place then!

Brethren, many fail to see the things that currently belong to the church, and thus we are weak in our present strength because all hope is deferred until some future date. One sister shared the following verse with me last week, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Rom 15:4) But if we put that hope off, then we live in the reality of Pro 13:12: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” Does that sound like a person victorious in Christ? Dear ones, the temple has been rebuilt, and Jesus Christ is reigning in His temple NOW! Because He has repaired that which was fallen down, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1) You see, to fully enjoy this reality, we must walk according to the Spirit, beholding the unseen things by faith and not looking for the literal which is according to the flesh. What need have we of a literal temple when it was but a shadow of the true Temple which has come?

Heb 9 tells us that the first tabernacle where animal sacrifices were made was imperfect, being merely “symbolic”. (Heb 9:9) But we’re no longer looking for a physical, literal tabernacle built by men’s hands as Heb 9:11 makes clear: “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.” One of the silliest things I’ve ever heard is that men believe a literal temple will be rebuilt and animal sacrifices will be reinstated. What need have we of these pitiful representations of the true things when the true has already come and been established?!! In comparing these old sacrifices to the perfect and eternal sacrifice of Christ, the writer of Hebrews continues: “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb 9:12-14) We’ve got the “how much more” work of Christ which was “once for all”! He has already “obtained eternal redemption”, so why would we ever sacrifice another animal?!!

Let us not make the same mistake today that they made in Christ’s day. They were looking for a literal throne upon the earth. They understood rightly that Jesus was the foretold prophet in Joh 6:14-15, but they misunderstood the fulfillment of that prophecy, looking for a visible kingdom instead of a spiritual one. “Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, ‘This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’ Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” What did Jesus plainly say about His kingdom in Joh 18:36 when Pilate asked if He was the King of the Jews? “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’ ” The Jews in looking for a literal throne missed the King the prophets had foretold. Let us with spiritual eyes enjoy the benefits of the present reign of Jesus Christ. He has overcome the world, and so, in Him, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:37) We look not for a visible reign on this present earth but instead, “according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2Pe 3:13) In this new Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-3), there is no temple! “But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (Rev 21:22)

Jamie

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1

The phrase at the end of our text today describes what legalism is in actuality–a yoke of bondage. This verse was written to the Galatians to whom Paul had preached the freedom that Christ gives to those who trust in Him; however, after the apostle’s departing, some had come in among the Galatians who taught them acceptance with God was based on Christ and… There’s no need to go any further!  As soon as the word “and” is added to the work of Christ, we’ve abandoned Him!! For the Galatians, it was circumcision in particular that was the issue, but any addition to the finished work of Jesus Christ is just as dangerous. It was such a serious matter that Paul wrote in the next verse, “if you become circumcised [insert any flavor of legalism here], Christ will profit you nothing“. That’s the danger of legalism. It sets men upon a false foundation of their own works, a foundation that will not support them when we all stand before God one day.

Legalism will set our focus on lesser matters and cause us to ignore that which is truly important. The Pharisees were notorious for this error. They gave a tenth of everything, even their herbs! “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God.” (Luk 11:42) Their legal requirements were more important than true commands of God. Jesus exposed them as they used their tithe requirements as an excuse to not care for and honor their parents. He rebuked them, saying, “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” Just as the Galatians were in danger of doing, the Pharisees’ legalism had rendered their worship of God useless! Quoting Isaiah, Jesus condemned the Pharisees’ practice: “…in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mat 15:3-9) Paul warned the Colossians against legalism, urging them to let “no one cheat you of your reward…” He questioned the useless issues they were focused on, asking, “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—’Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,’ which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?” (Col 2:18-22)

The scary thing about legalism is that as these men abandoned true worship, their hearts swelled with pride before God! It caused them to look down their noses at others, considering them to be poor wretches who were beneath them. Listen to the words of the pride-filled Pharisee as he prayed next to a tax collector: “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luk 18:11-12) I can see the scowl on his face as he looked toward the publican! Remember what we quoted in Luke? The Pharisees in their legalistic mindset overlooked important matters such as justice (remember Luk 11:42 above?), but not the tax collector. He knew what justice demanded of him, and he could only humbly beat upon his breast, crying out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Christ said this man was the only one who went home that day justified before God. (v. 13-14)

You see, legalism will take the place of love in the heart of those who embrace it. That’s again what our Jesus said the Pharisees had abandoned in Luk 11:42, “the love of God”! How can we possibly minister with the heart that Christ had for sinners with such a prideful attitude?!! The Pharisees were appalled when Christ allowed a woman “who was a sinner” to wash his feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. (Luk 7:37-39) How could a true man of God tolerate such a creature?! But not only did the Lord come to tolerate her, He specifically came to save such as this! “…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luk 19:10) Thank God for the “faithful saying” of 1Ti 1:15, “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”!

One final note, embracing liberty in Christ and rejecting legalism never means we practice sin.  Paul cleared that up later in Gal 5:13 when he wrote, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” If we love, we will do right, no matter what! We will fulfill the law of God in our lives as Paul writes in v. 14, “all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Legalism says, “You must do this thing to make God happy!” It is bondage. It is a burden. Liberty says, “God is happy with me because Christ did a perfect work, and I love Him so much, I want to do all those things that please Him!” It’s no longer a burden, but a privilege and a pleasure! “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1Jn 5:3)

Jamie

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:21-22

Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch??  Why would they go back there?  In Lystra, the multitudes stoned Paul and left him for dead. (v. 19) In Iconium, a violent attempt was made on the disciples’ lives, so they fled that city. (v. 5-6) Finally, it was in Antioch that the persecution against Paul and his companions began as they were expelled from that region. (13:50) So, why in the world would Paul return?  Did he have a death wish?  What would compel such a seemingly foolish decision?  In a word–love!  It was his love for the believers which drove him to return so that he might strengthen their souls.  They needed to be encouraged to know that suffering was part of following the Lord and that we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom.

Too many churches today seem to be focused only upon gaining new converts.  They’re like giant incubators.  They birth one group and move on to the next.  They pressure members to bring new souls in so they can baptize them and send the new converts out to get some more.  Sadly, this behavior is often motivated by a desire to get more money in the plate!  Now, without a doubt, part of the church’s responsibility is to evangelize.  We are to go “into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mar 16:15) But what we cannot do in the process of making disciples is abandon the existing ones!  If a mother gave birth to a child and left it to starve so she could have another child, we’d lock her up!  We’d never tolerate such behavior in the natural realm, so why should we in the spiritual?

Paul had a deep love for those who had already believed.  He shook the dust off of his feet when he left Antioch as a testimony against all those who had rejected the gospel there. (Act 13:51) It was a dead region as far as new converts were concerned, but there were many existing believers there.  It was his shepherd’s heart which called him back.  There were sheep in Antioch which needed to be fed and guarded against wolves.  He had to be sure of their safety, and he knew that in such a harsh environment, they needed to be strengthened.  In addition to visiting themselves, they also took measures to see that they were cared for in the future.  Act 14:23 tells us that Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders in every church” in these regions so that they would be well looked after when the apostles left to preach elsewhere.

When Paul left Ephesus in Act 20, he gave this instruction to the elders in that city: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch …” (Act 20:28-31) Not a word was spoken about evangelism.  He simply told them to care for the sheep, to look out for one another.  As they loved one another, some would witness that love and come to the knowledge of the truth.  They would see their good works and glorify their Father in heaven! (Mat 5:16) That type of love is a distinguishing characteristic of the believer.  How do we know we’re saved?  “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” (1Jn 3:14)

Souls are perishing around us.  They need a Savior.  Yes, we must point them to Him, but remember also, we’re living in a dark world which is hostile to the truth and those who declare it.  Don’t overlook strengthening the souls of the disciples!  We need that encouragement from one another.  Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Joh 13:35) “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal 6:10) Remember Jesus’ question to Peter?  “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”  If we do, how should we show that love? “Feed My sheep.” (Joh 21:17)

Jamie

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:48

For a few weeks now we have considered the doctrine of election that is set forth so clearly in our verse above. Before these souls believed, they were appointed by God unto eternal life! We found this choosing of God prior to a soul’s salvation to be supported by multiple biblical passages; however, this truth did not negate other passages that highlighted man’s responsibility for his own sin nor did it change our message of repentance and hope of forgiveness which we were called to faithfully declare to all men. Though our minds may struggle in putting all these truths together, we simply receive by faith the mysterious work of a righteous God Who is infinitely far above us in wisdom. But maybe you’re wondering why God even bothered to tell us about election if it’s so hard for us mentally to grasp. If it doesn’t change our message to the lost regarding what they must do to be saved and if it doesn’t change the fact that a man is responsible for his own actions and must give an account to God, then what’s the point in knowing of election? Maybe it would help to consider some further blessed truths that accompany this doctrine which sets forth so clearly that God is sovereign in all things:

1) It emphasizes religion as it should be–God-centered, not man-centered.

We were created for the singular purpose of glorifying God. (1Co 10:31, Rev 4:11) God, not man, is magnified in the doctrine of election. In embracing it, we confess He is in absolute control and that salvation is a work of God based simply on His grace and not our deserving it. Just listen Who God declares Himself to be in Isa 46:9-10: “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ ” He is the Author of creation from beginning to end. Nothing takes Him by surprise or messes up His plans. Isa 52:7 tells us that the church ought to rejoice that God has sent His ministers into the earth to preach this glorious message of His sovereignty. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ ”

2) Rom 8:28 is true!

Man’s will can’t thwart that which God has determined to do. All things really do “work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”! When Nebuchadnezzar was mercifully given his understanding back by God in Dan 4:35, he finally realized just how great God was: “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ ” It’s because God is in that much control, dear children, that we can be assured that nothing can touch us but that which will further our spiritual journey in being conformed to the image of Christ. It will all be for our ultimate good! Listen to how God encourages His people in Isa 54:15-17: “Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me…” With such a God watching over us, no wonder He tells us to “fear not”! (Luk 12:32)

3) We can’t lose true salvation.

Because we understand God to be the source of our salvation, we are then assured that He is both willing and able to complete it. We will finish this race the exact same way we started it–by the grace of God! (Eph 2:8, 1Co 15:10) Phi 1:6 tells us why we can have confidence that we will never lose our salvation: “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”. We are safe in God’s hands, and no one can steal us from Him. “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (Joh 10:28-29) God has everlastingly set His love upon us, church! Nothing and no one (including you) can undo that! If you are His, you’re His forever! Hallelujah!! “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:35-39)

4) Finally, the church can’t fail as she preaches the gospel.

Election doesn’t squelch evangelism as some falsely claim; it instead empowers us in that responsibility! Because God is sovereign in all things, He will see to it that His word succeeds in calling all those “He chose…in Him before the foundation of the world”. (Eph 1:4) He highlights the power of His word in Isa 55:11: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Psa 127:1 reminds us that “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it”, and that’s exactly what the Lord is doing–building His spiritual house, the church. (1Pe 2:4-5) Not one stone in that building will be left out! “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:29-31)

Give thanks, o children of the great King! You will stand faultless in the presence of the glory of God because He has been strong on your behalf. He will take care of His own. “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” (Rom 8:33)

Jamie