Christians in the first century
faced many serious challenges
 External persecution, Acts 4-9
 Internal failures, Acts 5
 Internal disputes: false teaching, Acts 15
Acts 15: Case study
 How to deal with doctrinal disputes
 How to establish authority
Some sought to impose the Law of Moses,
Acts 15:1-3
 From Judea
Some sought to impose the Law of Moses,
Acts 15:1-3
 Taught circumcision necessary for salvation
• Did not deny Christ
• Did not deny baptism
• Did not deny one church
• Not immoral
Some sought to impose the Law of Moses,
Acts 15:1-3
 Paul & Barnabas defended the truth
• Dissension: sedition, discord
The Expositor’s Greek Testament
• Dispute: mutual questioning, Thayer’s
It is right to argue religion!
The debate continued in Jerusalem,
Acts 15:4, 5
 Judaizers added to God’s will
• Gospel + circumcision
• Gospel + Law of Moses
• Gospel + nothing
The debate continued in Jerusalem,
Acts 15:4, 5
 Men still act like Judaizers
• Gospel + Roman Catholic tradition
• Gospel + Book of Mormon
• Gospel + Methodist Book of Discipline
The discussion was for the audience
 Not to discover or establish truth by council
 No disagreement among apostles & elders
 Done in public, in front of church, 15:22
 Solidified “public” opinion
Peter established truth
by his approved example, Acts 15:6-11
 Work among Gentiles, Acts 10, 11
 Saved by:
• Hear the word, Rom. 10:17
• Believe, Rom. 10:9, 10; Acts 10:48; 8:36-38
Peter established truth
by his approved example, Acts 15:6-11
 One gospel plan of salvation for all men
• Not one for Baptists
– another for Methodists There Are Not
Many Ways
• Not one for Presbyterians
– another for Catholics
To Heaven
Paul & Barnabas established truth
by their approved example, Acts 15:12
 Work among Gentiles, Acts 13, 14
 Miracles proved work was approved by God,
Mk. 16;20
 Necessary inference:
Gentiles do not need the Law
James established truth
By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21
 Prophets, Amos 9:11, 12
• God always planned this
• The Law supports this
James established truth
By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21
 Inspired conclusion
• Do not trouble…by adding to the gospel
James established truth
By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21
 Inspired conclusion
• Abstain from:
⁃ Things polluted by idols
⁃ Sexual immorality
⁃ Things strangled
⁃ Blood
Unity among the brethren, Acts 15:22
 Truth unites those who accept it, Jn. 17:17-21
 Truth divides those who accept it
from those who reject it, Mt. 10:34-39
A unified message was sent out,
Acts 15:23-29
The truth brought joy to brethren,
Acts 15:30-35
The truth strengthened brethren
& the churches grew, Acts 16:4, 5