What It Takes To Belong Acts 14:24–15:21 The Jerusalem Council

Christian Myopia “a lack of foresight or discernment: a narrow view of something” “a lack of foresight or discernment: a narrow view of something” The problem with yoga pants The problem with yoga pants

Key Gospel Events in Acts Pentecost (Acts 2) Pentecost (Acts 2) Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9) Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9) The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The Jerusalem Council The early church, which is primarily Jewish, has moved out of Jerusalem into Asia Minor The early church, which is primarily Jewish, has moved out of Jerusalem into Asia Minor Many non-Jews are coming to faith Many non-Jews are coming to faith Do they need to become Jews first in order to become Christians? Do they need to become Jews first in order to become Christians?

Why The Council Was Necessary Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch: God had “opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (14:27) Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch: God had “opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (14:27) Jewish believers come and teach: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (15:1) Jewish believers come and teach: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (15:1)

Why The Council Was Necessary The church at Antioch responds. The church at Antioch responds. As Paul and Barnabas travel to Jerusalem they share what a mighty work God is doing among the Gentiles. As Paul and Barnabas travel to Jerusalem they share what a mighty work God is doing among the Gentiles.

The Council Paul and Barnabas welcomed in Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas welcomed in Jerusalem But some believers who were Pharisees: But some believers who were Pharisees: “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:5

The Council Peter’s speech Peter’s speech 8 “And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.” 8 “And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.”

The Council Peter’s speech Peter’s speech 10 “Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

The Council Paul and Barnabas’ sharing Paul and Barnabas’ sharing James’ summary and decision James’ summary and decision – Old Testament confirmation (Amos 9:11- 12) – 19 “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God...” – 19 “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God...”

The Council 20 “but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.”

The Council 20 “but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 20 “but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

The Council James’ summary and decision James’ summary and decision – Assimilation or integration?

Making Sense of the Council Humans easily become myopic, losing sight of the radical beauty, power, and simplicity of the gospel. Humans easily become myopic, losing sight of the radical beauty, power, and simplicity of the gospel. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1

Making Sense of the Council We myopically associate the gospel with We myopically associate the gospel with – A particular race – A particular culture – A particular language – A particular party I.e., our own I.e., our own

Making Sense of the Council A practical example: the Hispanic population of Taney County increased 160% from 2000 to A practical example: the Hispanic population of Taney County increased 160% from 2000 to Imagine Harvest as a church that intentionally integrated this growing population into its congregation. Imagine Harvest as a church that intentionally integrated this growing population into its congregation.

Making Sense of the Council What does the local Hispanic population look like? What does the local Hispanic population look like? – More children and larger families – Less education and less income – More stay at home moms – Fewer home owners

Making Sense of the Council – Less likely to have a drivers license or car insurance – Far less likely to have health insurance – Place strong trust in family and friends – More likely to give time and money

Making Sense of the Council – People who are more content with their Lives, jobs, health, level of achievement Lives, jobs, health, level of achievement Sense of community belonging Sense of community belonging Future security Future security – People who don’t feel secure about healthcare – (People who more likely voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012)

Making Sense of the Council How would Harvest have to change? How would Harvest have to change? – Assimilation or integration? – The greatest barrier to integration: language

Making Sense of the Council How would Harvest have to change? How would Harvest have to change? – Hispanics in leadership – One or more Hispanic teachers – One or more Hispanic worship leaders – Some teaching in Spanish, translated for English speakers – Acceptance of people not as concerned about chronological time

Living Out the Gospel The epic decision at the Jerusalem Council shows the gospel of grace is far bigger than circumcision and yoga pants. The epic decision at the Jerusalem Council shows the gospel of grace is far bigger than circumcision and yoga pants. This gospel intends to expose and overcome our myopia, if we will allow it to. This gospel intends to expose and overcome our myopia, if we will allow it to.

Living Out the Gospel To live the gospel together requires both humility and determined intentionality – what kind of church will we be? To live the gospel together requires both humility and determined intentionality – what kind of church will we be? Are we as a church willing to live the gospel life together? Are we as a church willing to live the gospel life together?