2. Christians in the first century faced many serious challenges  External persecution, Acts 4-9  Internal failures, Acts 5  Internal disputes: false teaching, Acts 15

3. Acts 15: Case study  How to deal with doctrinal disputes  How to establish authority

5. Some sought to impose the Law of Moses, Acts 15:1-3  From Judea

6. 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

7. 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!

8. The debate continued in Jerusalem, Acts 15:4, 5  Judaizers added to God’s will Gospel + circumcision Gospel + Law of Moses Gospel + nothing

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 Not one for Presbyterians – another for Catholics There Are Not Many Ways To Heaven

13. 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

14. James established truth By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21  Prophets, Amos 9:11, 12 God always planned this The Law supports this

15. James established truth By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21  Inspired conclusion Do not trouble…by adding to the gospel

16. James established truth By a direct statement, Acts 15:13-21  Inspired conclusion Abstain from: ⁃ Things polluted by idols ⁃ Sexual immorality ⁃ Things strangled ⁃ Blood

17. 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

18. A unified message was sent out, Acts 15:23-29

19. The truth brought joy to brethren, Acts 15:30-35

20. The truth strengthened brethren & the churches grew, Acts 16:4, 5