What was the Jerusalem Council? | Acts 15:1-35 (Part 1) | Join The Journey Podcast

All right. All right. Join the Journey All right. All right. Join the Journey family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks with your host, Emma Daughter. Thanks for joining. This week, we're reading for joining. This week, we're reading for joining. This week, we're reading Acts 15 1-35, Acts 15 1-35, Acts 15 1-35, answering the question, why is the answering the question, why is the answering the question, why is the Jerusalem Council significant? Now, I Jerusalem Council significant? Now, I Jerusalem Council significant? Now, I don't know what happened to airports in don't know what happened to airports in don't know what happened to airports in recent years, but somehow recent years, but somehow recent years, but somehow TSA has become one of the most TSA has become one of the most TSA has become one of the most destabilizing emotional experiences in destabilizing emotional experiences in destabilizing emotional experiences in modern life. Every single time I go modern life. Every single time I go modern life. Every single time I go through security, and probably every through security, and probably every through security, and probably every single time you go through security, it single time you go through security, it single time you go through security, it feels like I'm taking a standardized feels like I'm taking a standardized feels like I'm taking a standardized test I didn't study for. The test I didn't study for. The test I didn't study for. The expectations change. One airport says, expectations change. One airport says, expectations change. One airport says, "Laptop's out, shoes off. Remove your "Laptop's out, shoes off. Remove your "Laptop's out, shoes off. Remove your jackets. Empty your pockets." The next jackets. Empty your pockets." The next jackets. Empty your pockets." The next airport, "No, no, no. Keep your shoes airport, "No, no, no. Keep your shoes airport, "No, no, no. Keep your shoes on. Laptop stays in the bag. Why are you on. Laptop stays in the bag. Why are you on. Laptop stays in the bag. Why are you taking your jacket off?" And then taking your jacket off?" And then taking your jacket off?" And then there's always that one person who can there's always that one person who can there's always that one person who can just walk through like they've cracked just walk through like they've cracked just walk through like they've cracked the code. And somehow they know exactly the code. And somehow they know exactly the code. And somehow they know exactly what to do while the rest of us are what to do while the rest of us are what to do while the rest of us are standing there holding our tangled standing there holding our tangled standing there holding our tangled headphones or half zipped toiletry bags headphones or half zipped toiletry bags headphones or half zipped toiletry bags and the the drink we're trying to chug and the the drink we're trying to chug and the the drink we're trying to chug before we get to the bins. And the worst before we get to the bins. And the worst before we get to the bins. And the worst part is that in that chaos, part is that in that chaos, part is that in that chaos, nobody wants to get the requirements nobody wants to get the requirements nobody wants to get the requirements wrong, but sometimes the requirements wrong, but sometimes the requirements wrong, but sometimes the requirements change and it's confusing. If you change and it's confusing. If you change and it's confusing. If you misunderstand what's required, you don't misunderstand what's required, you don't misunderstand what's required, you don't get through. you get delayed, you get get through. you get delayed, you get get through. you get delayed, you get stopped.

stopped. stopped. And strangely enough, that's that idea. And strangely enough, that's that idea. And strangely enough, that's that idea. It's actually what part of what makes It's actually what part of what makes It's actually what part of what makes Acts 15 so important because the early Acts 15 so important because the early Acts 15 so important because the early church suddenly found itself wrestling church suddenly found itself wrestling church suddenly found itself wrestling with an important question. Just like we with an important question. Just like we with an important question. Just like we might ask, what's required when passing might ask, what's required when passing might ask, what's required when passing through the TSA security checkpoint, through the TSA security checkpoint, through the TSA security checkpoint, they were asking what's actually they were asking what's actually they were asking what's actually required for salvation. Do Gentiles need required for salvation. Do Gentiles need required for salvation. Do Gentiles need Jesus alone or Jesus plus circumcision, Jesus alone or Jesus plus circumcision, Jesus alone or Jesus plus circumcision, Jesus plus the Jewish laws, or Jesus Jesus plus the Jewish laws, or Jesus Jesus plus the Jewish laws, or Jesus plus becoming culturally Jewish first? plus becoming culturally Jewish first? plus becoming culturally Jewish first? And the answer the Jerusalem Council And the answer the Jerusalem Council And the answer the Jerusalem Council gave became one of the most important gave became one of the most important gave became one of the most important moments in the entire New Testament moments in the entire New Testament moments in the entire New Testament because it it protects the heart of the because it it protects the heart of the because it it protects the heart of the gospel. Salvation comes through the gospel. Salvation comes through the gospel. Salvation comes through the grace of Jesus Christ and faith in him, grace of Jesus Christ and faith in him, grace of Jesus Christ and faith in him, not human effort, not performance, and not human effort, not performance, and not human effort, not performance, and not additional requirements. Now, before not additional requirements. Now, before not additional requirements. Now, before you turn this podcast off because you're you turn this podcast off because you're you turn this podcast off because you're thinking, "Okay, Emma, I know the gospel thinking, "Okay, Emma, I know the gospel thinking, "Okay, Emma, I know the gospel is by salvation is by grace through is by salvation is by grace through is by salvation is by grace through faith. I've I've got this down." Stay faith. I've I've got this down." Stay faith. I've I've got this down." Stay with me for a second because Acts 15 is with me for a second because Acts 15 is with me for a second because Acts 15 is about way more than just the basics of about way more than just the basics of about way more than just the basics of belief.

belief. belief. This chapter becomes really a captures This chapter becomes really a captures This chapter becomes really a captures one of the most important turning points one of the most important turning points one of the most important turning points in the entire early church where we're in the entire early church where we're in the entire early church where we're going to see how the apostles handled going to see how the apostles handled going to see how the apostles handled major doctrinal disagreements, major doctrinal disagreements, major doctrinal disagreements, how they navigated conflict wi without how they navigated conflict wi without how they navigated conflict wi without imploding. why the Jerusalem Council imploding. why the Jerusalem Council imploding. why the Jerusalem Council mattered for the global spread of mattered for the global spread of mattered for the global spread of Christianity and honestly why every Christianity and honestly why every Christianity and honestly why every single one of us is affected by the single one of us is affected by the single one of us is affected by the outcome of that meeting even 2,000 plus outcome of that meeting even 2,000 plus outcome of that meeting even 2,000 plus years later. Because had this council years later. Because had this council years later. Because had this council gone differently, gone differently, gone differently, Christianity might have remained a small Christianity might have remained a small Christianity might have remained a small Jewish moment instead of becoming a Jewish moment instead of becoming a Jewish moment instead of becoming a global gospel movement empowered by the global gospel movement empowered by the global gospel movement empowered by the spirit that reached people like you and spirit that reached people like you and spirit that reached people like you and me. me. me. So, why is the Jerusalem Council so So, why is the Jerusalem Council so So, why is the Jerusalem Council so significant? Here's what we're going to significant? Here's what we're going to significant? Here's what we're going to see. The Jerusalem Council protected the see. The Jerusalem Council protected the see. The Jerusalem Council protected the true gospel. The Jerusalem Council true gospel. The Jerusalem Council true gospel. The Jerusalem Council opened the door for global Christianity.

opened the door for global Christianity. opened the door for global Christianity. And the Jerusalem Council modeled how And the Jerusalem Council modeled how And the Jerusalem Council modeled how the church handles major theological the church handles major theological the church handles major theological conflicts throughout history. So, conflicts throughout history. So, conflicts throughout history. So, starting off with point number one, how starting off with point number one, how starting off with point number one, how did the Jerusalem Council protect the did the Jerusalem Council protect the did the Jerusalem Council protect the true gospel? true gospel? true gospel? At the heart of Acts 15 is one massive At the heart of Acts 15 is one massive At the heart of Acts 15 is one massive question. I've already introduced it. question. I've already introduced it. question. I've already introduced it. What is required for salvation? What is required for salvation? What is required for salvation? Certain Jewish believers were teaching Certain Jewish believers were teaching Certain Jewish believers were teaching in Acts 15:1, "Unless you are in Acts 15:1, "Unless you are in Acts 15:1, "Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of circumcised as required by the law of circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved." In other Moses, you cannot be saved." In other Moses, you cannot be saved." In other words, they were adding an additional words, they were adding an additional words, they were adding an additional requirement onto the gospel. And the requirement onto the gospel. And the requirement onto the gospel. And the apostles ultimately reject that teaching apostles ultimately reject that teaching apostles ultimately reject that teaching because the message of Jesus had always because the message of Jesus had always because the message of Jesus had always pointed to salvation by grace through pointed to salvation by grace through pointed to salvation by grace through faith rather than through ethnic faith rather than through ethnic faith rather than through ethnic identity markers or or perfect identity markers or or perfect identity markers or or perfect lawkeeping. Jesus himself repeatedly, I lawkeeping. Jesus himself repeatedly, I lawkeeping. Jesus himself repeatedly, I mean repeatedly emphasized that outward mean repeatedly emphasized that outward mean repeatedly emphasized that outward religious performance could not save religious performance could not save religious performance could not save people. In Mark 7, for example, Jesus people. In Mark 7, for example, Jesus people. In Mark 7, for example, Jesus challenged the Pharisees for focusing on challenged the Pharisees for focusing on challenged the Pharisees for focusing on external rituals while neglecting the external rituals while neglecting the external rituals while neglecting the heart, explaining that true defilement heart, explaining that true defilement heart, explaining that true defilement comes from within, not from ceremonial comes from within, not from ceremonial comes from within, not from ceremonial practices. And in Luke 18, Jesus told practices. And in Luke 18, Jesus told practices. And in Luke 18, Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax the parable of the Pharisee and the tax the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector specifically to confront collector specifically to confront collector specifically to confront self-righteousness.

self-righteousness. self-righteousness. The morally impressive Pharisees left The morally impressive Pharisees left The morally impressive Pharisees left unjustified while the broken sinner in unjustified while the broken sinner in unjustified while the broken sinner in faith crying out for mercy went home faith crying out for mercy went home faith crying out for mercy went home right with God. And honestly, you can right with God. And honestly, you can right with God. And honestly, you can see the seeds of Acts 15 were originally see the seeds of Acts 15 were originally see the seeds of Acts 15 were originally planted all throughout Jesus's earthly planted all throughout Jesus's earthly planted all throughout Jesus's earthly ministry. Jesus constantly welcomed ministry. Jesus constantly welcomed ministry. Jesus constantly welcomed outsiders, sinners, tax collectors, and outsiders, sinners, tax collectors, and outsiders, sinners, tax collectors, and Gentiles who approached him in faith. In Gentiles who approached him in faith. In Gentiles who approached him in faith. In John 3:16, Jesus says, "Everyone who John 3:16, Jesus says, "Everyone who John 3:16, Jesus says, "Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have believes in him will not perish but have believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." And in John 6:29, Jesus eternal life." And in John 6:29, Jesus eternal life." And in John 6:29, Jesus says, "This is the only work God wants says, "This is the only work God wants says, "This is the only work God wants from you. Believe in the one he has from you. Believe in the one he has from you. Believe in the one he has sent." sent." sent." Even the great commission points toward Even the great commission points toward Even the great commission points toward a global faith family made up of all a global faith family made up of all a global faith family made up of all nations. Matthew 28:19, not merely one nations. Matthew 28:19, not merely one nations. Matthew 28:19, not merely one sole ethnic group. So when the Jerusalem sole ethnic group. So when the Jerusalem sole ethnic group. So when the Jerusalem Council affirmed salvation by grace Council affirmed salvation by grace Council affirmed salvation by grace through faith apart from circumcision in through faith apart from circumcision in through faith apart from circumcision in the Mosaic law, they weren't inventing a the Mosaic law, they weren't inventing a the Mosaic law, they weren't inventing a new theology. They were protecting and new theology. They were protecting and new theology. They were protecting and clarifying the message Jesus had already clarifying the message Jesus had already clarifying the message Jesus had already been teaching from the very beginning.

been teaching from the very beginning. been teaching from the very beginning. Apparently, Apparently, Apparently, humanity has always had a tendency to humanity has always had a tendency to humanity has always had a tendency to turn grace into a checklist. The turn grace into a checklist. The turn grace into a checklist. The Jerusalem Council is also incredibly Jerusalem Council is also incredibly Jerusalem Council is also incredibly significant because it opened the door significant because it opened the door significant because it opened the door for the global spread of Christianity, for the global spread of Christianity, for the global spread of Christianity, the global spread of the gospel. Up to the global spread of the gospel. Up to the global spread of the gospel. Up to this point in Acts, the gospel, it had this point in Acts, the gospel, it had this point in Acts, the gospel, it had already begun spreading or moving already begun spreading or moving already begun spreading or moving outward geographically exactly the way outward geographically exactly the way outward geographically exactly the way Jesus promised in Acts 18. From Jesus promised in Acts 18. From Jesus promised in Acts 18. From Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and now Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and now Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and now toward the Gentile world. Peter had toward the Gentile world. Peter had toward the Gentile world. Peter had preached to Cornelius in Acts 10. And preached to Cornelius in Acts 10. And preached to Cornelius in Acts 10. And the church at Antioch had become a the church at Antioch had become a the church at Antioch had become a thriving multithnic church. And then in thriving multithnic church. And then in thriving multithnic church. And then in Acts 13 and 14, Paul and Barnabas Acts 13 and 14, Paul and Barnabas Acts 13 and 14, Paul and Barnabas launched what scholars commonly call launched what scholars commonly call launched what scholars commonly call Paul's first missionary journey. Now, Paul's first missionary journey. Now, Paul's first missionary journey. Now, when you hear scholars talk about Paul's when you hear scholars talk about Paul's when you hear scholars talk about Paul's missionary journeys, they're referring missionary journeys, they're referring missionary journeys, they're referring to the major traveling ministry trips to the major traveling ministry trips to the major traveling ministry trips Paul took throughout the Roman Empire to Paul took throughout the Roman Empire to Paul took throughout the Roman Empire to preach the gospel, plant churches, and preach the gospel, plant churches, and preach the gospel, plant churches, and strengthen believers. Ultimately, the strengthen believers. Ultimately, the strengthen believers. Ultimately, the gospel was spreading into new regions, gospel was spreading into new regions, gospel was spreading into new regions, and Paul wanted to make sure that the and Paul wanted to make sure that the and Paul wanted to make sure that the churches in those regions were strong.

churches in those regions were strong. churches in those regions were strong. The book of Acts records several of The book of Acts records several of The book of Acts records several of these journeys, and Acts 13 and 14 these journeys, and Acts 13 and 14 these journeys, and Acts 13 and 14 contains the first major organized contains the first major organized contains the first major organized missionary campaign of the early church. missionary campaign of the early church. missionary campaign of the early church. Paul and Barnabas traveled through Paul and Barnabas traveled through Paul and Barnabas traveled through places like Cyprus, Cydian, and Antioch, places like Cyprus, Cydian, and Antioch, places like Cyprus, Cydian, and Antioch, Econium, Lististra, and Derby, preaching Econium, Lististra, and Derby, preaching Econium, Lististra, and Derby, preaching the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. And it the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. And it the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. And it was working. was working. was working. Gentiles were coming to faith in huge Gentiles were coming to faith in huge Gentiles were coming to faith in huge numbers. numbers. numbers. But that success, But that success, But that success, that fruit created a massive theological that fruit created a massive theological that fruit created a massive theological question problem. The question was, question problem. The question was, question problem. The question was, do Gentiles have to become Jewish before do Gentiles have to become Jewish before do Gentiles have to become Jewish before they can follow Jesus? or said they can follow Jesus? or said they can follow Jesus? or said differently, do Gentiles have to become differently, do Gentiles have to become differently, do Gentiles have to become Jewish or practice Jewish culture Jewish or practice Jewish culture Jewish or practice Jewish culture before they become Christians? And if before they become Christians? And if before they become Christians? And if the answer had been yes, again, it's the answer had been yes, again, it's the answer had been yes, again, it's interesting to think about what would interesting to think about what would interesting to think about what would have become of this movement we know as have become of this movement we know as have become of this movement we know as Christianity.

Christianity. Christianity. So many scholars describe Acts 15 as the So many scholars describe Acts 15 as the So many scholars describe Acts 15 as the turning point of the book of the early turning point of the book of the early turning point of the book of the early church because the council officially church because the council officially church because the council officially officially affirms that Gentiles are officially affirms that Gentiles are officially affirms that Gentiles are welcomed into the people of God through welcomed into the people of God through welcomed into the people of God through faith in Jesus Christ apart from faith in Jesus Christ apart from faith in Jesus Christ apart from circumcision and apart from lawkeeping. circumcision and apart from lawkeeping. circumcision and apart from lawkeeping. In other words, the gospel could now In other words, the gospel could now In other words, the gospel could now spread freely with the endorsement of spread freely with the endorsement of spread freely with the endorsement of the early church leaders across the early church leaders across the early church leaders across cultures, language, ethnicities, and cultures, language, ethnicities, and cultures, language, ethnicities, and nations without requiring people to nations without requiring people to nations without requiring people to first adopt Jewish markers. And first adopt Jewish markers. And first adopt Jewish markers. And honestly, most of us listening today, if honestly, most of us listening today, if honestly, most of us listening today, if you're not Jewish, we're part of this you're not Jewish, we're part of this you're not Jewish, we're part of this family because the early church got this family because the early church got this family because the early church got this right. They understood that those who right. They understood that those who right. They understood that those who were not Jewish could be grafted in. The were not Jewish could be grafted in. The were not Jewish could be grafted in. The Jerusalem Council is also significant Jerusalem Council is also significant Jerusalem Council is also significant because it became a model for how the because it became a model for how the because it became a model for how the church throughout history handles church throughout history handles church throughout history handles doctrinal disagreement or theological doctrinal disagreement or theological doctrinal disagreement or theological conflict. For example, in AD 3:25, conflict. For example, in AD 3:25, conflict. For example, in AD 3:25, church leaders gathered at the council church leaders gathered at the council church leaders gathered at the council of Nika because a teacher named Aras was of Nika because a teacher named Aras was of Nika because a teacher named Aras was arguing that Jesus was not fully God, arguing that Jesus was not fully God, arguing that Jesus was not fully God, but instead a created being. And the but instead a created being. And the but instead a created being. And the church realized as I thought about this, church realized as I thought about this, church realized as I thought about this, if if Jesus is not truly God, then the if if Jesus is not truly God, then the if if Jesus is not truly God, then the gospel itself become it begins to gospel itself become it begins to gospel itself become it begins to unravel because only God can fully save.

unravel because only God can fully save. unravel because only God can fully save. So this lie that was being propagated by So this lie that was being propagated by So this lie that was being propagated by Aras was really problematic. So the Aras was really problematic. So the Aras was really problematic. So the council gathered, they discussed, they council gathered, they discussed, they council gathered, they discussed, they searched the scriptures, and ultimately searched the scriptures, and ultimately searched the scriptures, and ultimately they stacked hands affirming what they'd they stacked hands affirming what they'd they stacked hands affirming what they'd always said was true. That Jesus is always said was true. That Jesus is always said was true. That Jesus is fully divine. He's not a created being, fully divine. He's not a created being, fully divine. He's not a created being, and he has always existed as God. This and he has always existed as God. This and he has always existed as God. This is the very truth that Christians today is the very truth that Christians today is the very truth that Christians today still confess in the Nyine Creed. Then still confess in the Nyine Creed. Then still confess in the Nyine Creed. Then in AD451, the Council of Chaledon, they in AD451, the Council of Chaledon, they in AD451, the Council of Chaledon, they wrestled with another massive question. wrestled with another massive question. wrestled with another massive question. How do Jesus's humanity and divinity How do Jesus's humanity and divinity How do Jesus's humanity and divinity work together? Some people were work together? Some people were work together? Some people were emphasizing Jesus's divinity so much emphasizing Jesus's divinity so much emphasizing Jesus's divinity so much that it was like his humanity that it was like his humanity that it was like his humanity disappeared and others emphasized his disappeared and others emphasized his disappeared and others emphasized his humanity in ways that divided him into humanity in ways that divided him into humanity in ways that divided him into almost two separate persons, which is almost two separate persons, which is almost two separate persons, which is wrong. So, the church gathered again to wrong. So, the church gathered again to wrong. So, the church gathered again to stack hands clarify that Jesus is fully stack hands clarify that Jesus is fully stack hands clarify that Jesus is fully God and fully man at the same time. not God and fully man at the same time. not God and fully man at the same time. not 50/50, not divided, not blended together 50/50, not divided, not blended together 50/50, not divided, not blended together into something less than both. Because into something less than both. Because into something less than both. Because if Jesus isn't fully human, he cannot if Jesus isn't fully human, he cannot if Jesus isn't fully human, he cannot truly represent humanity. And if he truly represent humanity. And if he truly represent humanity. And if he isn't fully God, he cannot fully save isn't fully God, he cannot fully save isn't fully God, he cannot fully save humanity. At these councils, they humanity. At these councils, they humanity. At these councils, they weren't creating new ideas. They were weren't creating new ideas. They were weren't creating new ideas. They were protecting what had always been true in protecting what had always been true in protecting what had always been true in light in light of the lies that were light in light of the lies that were light in light of the lies that were propping up from false teachers. Even propping up from false teachers. Even propping up from false teachers. Even the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s

the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s in many ways calls to mind Acts 15 as in many ways calls to mind Acts 15 as in many ways calls to mind Acts 15 as reformers like Martin Luther became reformers like Martin Luther became reformers like Martin Luther became deeply concerned that the church had deeply concerned that the church had deeply concerned that the church had functionally added requirements onto functionally added requirements onto functionally added requirements onto salvation through systems of penance, salvation through systems of penance, salvation through systems of penance, indulgences, and religious performance. indulgences, and religious performance. indulgences, and religious performance. So the reformers fought to recover the So the reformers fought to recover the So the reformers fought to recover the original true biblical teaching that original true biblical teaching that original true biblical teaching that salvation is by grace alone through salvation is by grace alone through salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone according to faith alone in Christ alone according to faith alone in Christ alone according to scripture alone. scripture alone. scripture alone. In other words, the church repeatedly In other words, the church repeatedly In other words, the church repeatedly had to return to the same core question had to return to the same core question had to return to the same core question that was raised at the Jerusalem council that was raised at the Jerusalem council that was raised at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. Are we trusting fully in the in Acts 15. Are we trusting fully in the in Acts 15. Are we trusting fully in the grace and finished work in the person of grace and finished work in the person of grace and finished work in the person of Jesus Christ? Or are we trying to subtly Jesus Christ? Or are we trying to subtly Jesus Christ? Or are we trying to subtly add human effort into the salvation add human effort into the salvation add human effort into the salvation equation? equation? equation? Acts 15 reminds us that healthy Acts 15 reminds us that healthy Acts 15 reminds us that healthy Christian unity isn't built on avoiding Christian unity isn't built on avoiding Christian unity isn't built on avoiding hard theological conversations. Sure, hard theological conversations. Sure, hard theological conversations. Sure, the in the early church, they debated.

the in the early church, they debated. the in the early church, they debated. They searched the scriptures. They They searched the scriptures. They They searched the scriptures. They listened to a testimony be shared. They listened to a testimony be shared. They listened to a testimony be shared. They discerned what God was up to. Christians discerned what God was up to. Christians discerned what God was up to. Christians have been gathering in rooms trying to have been gathering in rooms trying to have been gathering in rooms trying to work through difficult theology for a work through difficult theology for a work through difficult theology for a very long time. But notice what they've very long time. But notice what they've very long time. But notice what they've always stacked hands on. The essentials, always stacked hands on. The essentials, always stacked hands on. The essentials, that which is essential to the faith. that which is essential to the faith. that which is essential to the faith. Through it all, through all the Through it all, through all the Through it all, through all the Jerusalem Council conversations and Jerusalem Council conversations and Jerusalem Council conversations and councils passed throughout church councils passed throughout church councils passed throughout church history, the goal was to protect the history, the goal was to protect the history, the goal was to protect the truth of the gospel, the core beliefs of truth of the gospel, the core beliefs of truth of the gospel, the core beliefs of our faith, and preserve the unity of the our faith, and preserve the unity of the our faith, and preserve the unity of the church. They weren't making up new church. They weren't making up new church. They weren't making up new doctrine. They were affirming and doctrine. They were affirming and doctrine. They were affirming and clarifying what had always been true clarifying what had always been true clarifying what had always been true about Jesus all along. about Jesus all along. about Jesus all along. Nothing needed to be added to the Nothing needed to be added to the Nothing needed to be added to the gospel. Salvation has always been by gospel. Salvation has always been by gospel. Salvation has always been by faith alone. faith alone. faith alone. And honestly, Jesus plus something else And honestly, Jesus plus something else And honestly, Jesus plus something else type thinking, it still sneaks into the type thinking, it still sneaks into the type thinking, it still sneaks into the church all the time. It's just usually church all the time. It's just usually church all the time. It's just usually sounds a little more subtle. Today it's sounds a little more subtle. Today it's sounds a little more subtle. Today it's probably not Jesus plus circumcision, probably not Jesus plus circumcision, probably not Jesus plus circumcision, but it might look like in order to be but it might look like in order to be but it might look like in order to be considered a Christian or in order to be considered a Christian or in order to be considered a Christian or in order to be considered a follower of Jesus, you need considered a follower of Jesus, you need considered a follower of Jesus, you need to have faith in Jesus plus to have faith in Jesus plus to have faith in Jesus plus have a perfect quiet time every morning.

have a perfect quiet time every morning. have a perfect quiet time every morning. That's not right. Jesus plus voting the That's not right. Jesus plus voting the That's not right. Jesus plus voting the right way politically. Jesus plus right way politically. Jesus plus right way politically. Jesus plus cleaning yourself up before you come to cleaning yourself up before you come to cleaning yourself up before you come to church. Jesus plus looking emotionally church. Jesus plus looking emotionally church. Jesus plus looking emotionally put together. Jesus plus being married put together. Jesus plus being married put together. Jesus plus being married with a perfect family. Jesus plus with a perfect family. Jesus plus with a perfect family. Jesus plus knowing all the right theological knowing all the right theological knowing all the right theological language or holding the right language or holding the right language or holding the right theological conviction. Jesus plus never theological conviction. Jesus plus never theological conviction. Jesus plus never struggling. struggling. struggling. Humans are really good at turning grace Humans are really good at turning grace Humans are really good at turning grace into a performance review. into a performance review. into a performance review. But we're saved by faith alone, nothing But we're saved by faith alone, nothing But we're saved by faith alone, nothing else. Our behaviors are important, but else. Our behaviors are important, but else. Our behaviors are important, but they come from our faith. they're not they come from our faith. they're not they come from our faith. they're not for it. Sometimes we accidentally create for it. Sometimes we accidentally create for it. Sometimes we accidentally create cultures where people feel like they cultures where people feel like they cultures where people feel like they need to achieve a certain image before need to achieve a certain image before need to achieve a certain image before they can belong. But Acts 15 reminds us they can belong. But Acts 15 reminds us they can belong. But Acts 15 reminds us that the ground at the foot of the cross that the ground at the foot of the cross that the ground at the foot of the cross is level. Salvation has always been is level. Salvation has always been is level. Salvation has always been always been through the grace of Jesus always been through the grace of Jesus always been through the grace of Jesus alone. Obedience matters deeply. Sure.

alone. Obedience matters deeply. Sure. alone. Obedience matters deeply. Sure. Spiritual growth certainly matters. Spiritual growth certainly matters. Spiritual growth certainly matters. Holiness matters, but those things are Holiness matters, but those things are Holiness matters, but those things are the fruit of salvation, not the the fruit of salvation, not the the fruit of salvation, not the requirement to earn it. It's a good requirement to earn it. It's a good requirement to earn it. It's a good reminder. Think about it. How would you reminder. Think about it. How would you reminder. Think about it. How would you explain salvation to someone else? And explain salvation to someone else? And explain salvation to someone else? And are there any lies the enemy is throwing are there any lies the enemy is throwing are there any lies the enemy is throwing at you to increase doubt? They're good at you to increase doubt? They're good at you to increase doubt? They're good questions to consider and to consider questions to consider and to consider questions to consider and to consider prayerfully. prayerfully. prayerfully. But that's all we've got time for today. But that's all we've got time for today. But that's all we've got time for today. And as always, I'm so glad we're all on And as always, I'm so glad we're all on And as always, I'm so glad we're all on this journey abiding in Jesus together.