Gospel Transformation and Implications
Act 15:20-21; 22-29
Digging Deeper
KEY QUOTES
"Faith in the Gospel brings about SALVATION and a TRANSFORMATION, leading to some major IMPLICATIONS around Christian unity.”
"A major implication of the Gospel is that while we have personal cultural, ethnic,
religious, and theological liberties, freedoms, and convictions—we shouldn't let those infringe upon Christian unity."
"Love God supremely and love each other humbly."
The apostles and elders in Jerusalem realized there was the potential for division over issues between Gentile believers and Jewish believers who were a part of the early church. James wisely addressed the issue head-on, and while giving the Gentiles freedom from Jewish law, he also gave specific guidance on what Gentiles were not to do going forward. He provided this guidance so the Gentiles would not rile up those from a Jewish background because of what they practiced, and so that there would be unity and not division in the church.
While giving firm direction to the Gentiles, the apostles and elders affirmed the Gentiles and sent encouragement, which produced joy and strengthened their faith. Just like the early believers, all of us need encouragement. We live in a broken world that can cause disappointments, discouragements, illnesses, broken hearts and difficult circumstances. The Bible does not suggest that we encourage one another. The Bible commands it. Hebrews 3:13 says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
As people who seek unity and are encouragers, we can focus on helping one another flourish through our daily circumstances and, more importantly, support one another as we develop and strengthen our faith. As each of us flourishes as a part of the unified body of Christ, we will exhibit true joy that the world cannot provide. Others will see our unity and joy and want to know why we are different. We can share the Gospel with others as we live in the light of God's grace and love. We can also share why we are encouraged in discouraging times because of our faith in King Jesus and His love for us and the world's people.
May God make us a people who seek unity and who bring encouragement, joy, peace and love to others as we are light in a dark world.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Main Point:
Faith in the Gospel brings about SALVATION and a TRANSFORMATION, leading to some major IMPLICATIONS around Christian unity.
There have been schisms, divisions and separations—and threats of such—since Acts 15.
Some being over primary theologies like salvation—what does one have to do to be saved?
Some being over secondary theologies like baptism, communion and leadership in the church.
Some being over tertiary practices like how do you worship.
Three Main Terms:
God's Mission
God is on mission to redeem a people from all people to reflect His glory in all spheres of life.
Gospel
God has sent the rightful KING of all creation, Jesus Christ, to earth, who, through His substitutionary death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, is in the process of redeeming and restoring human beings from every nation, tribe and tongue from the curse of sin.
Church
Those of the diverse community of King Jesus have been called out of the world through their confession of faith in the Gospel and sent back into the world on mission to show and share the Gospel that the Cosmic King has come to make all things new—including a new human race.
James says:
1. (Jewish Christians) Circumcision/Law doesn't save you or anyone, so don't trouble Gentiles with this.
2. (Jewish Christians) Because you are Jewish (ethnically and culturally), if you want to keep observing these things, that's ok. Remember, they have no power to save and don't necessarily make you a mature Christian.
3. (Gentile Christians) Please remember that salvation by grace alone through faith alone transforms your allegiances and has major implications for your alliances.
4. (Gentile Christians) Please be sensitive to your Jewish brothers and sisters regarding some liberties you have that will offend them and cause a division that will threaten the unity Christ intends between you and them.
Here is what James taught the Gentile Christians then and what he teaches us now.
#1—Gospel Transformation
There will be some things Christians must CEASE DOING because they belong to Christ and live by His law.
The Gentile Christians were required to abstain from idols/food sacrificed to idols and from sexual immorality.
These were two areas of cultural life that they needed to understand were not of the Lord.
Then and now, Christians don’t follow God’s instructions to be saved, but do so because they are saved. And their salvation in Jesus has brought about a transformation—a new way of living.
The principle:
-The Gospel Transformation brought about by the centrality of Jesus' life and Kingship lays the groundwork for Christian unity.
-The transformation confirms the salvation. It is hard to unite around a salvation that
hasn't done anything.
#2—Gospel Implications
There will be some things Christians must CEASE DOING in front of diverse brothers and sisters because it would offend/agitate/trouble them, cause division or threaten Christian unity.
James knew that these Jewish Christians were still practicing part of the ethnic and cultural identity of Jews.
To fight to maintain Christian unity between two diverse ethnic/cultural people, James asked the Gentiles to give up some freedoms for the sake of Christian unity.
What cultural-ethnic or theological-religious beliefs/practices can or do divide Christians (relationally/corporately) from Christian unity?
-Cultural/Ethnic
o Ethnicities
o Socio-Economic Status
o Politics
o Political Issues
-Theological
o End Times
o Leadership/Government in the Church
o Election or Free Will
o Modes of Baptism
-Spiritual Practices
o Types of Worship Music
o How you practice Communion/Lord's Supper
o Low Church (little emphasis on ritual) vs. High Church (liturgical reading and rituals)
o What Bible translation you use
-Personal Liberties
o Alcohol
o Diets
o Dress
o Parenting Styles
o School Choice
o Music, Dancing
o Theater, Movies
Be sensitive with our liberties but also, let's not be judgmental of others' liberties.
These are cultural/ethnic and theological/religious beliefs and practices that are of a secondary or tertiary nature that don't have to lead to division—but many times have and do.
There are times throughout Church history when there have been divisions over primary theological differences, such as what the Gospel is and how one is saved. But there have been times throughout Church history when divisions over secondary and tertiary differences weren't necessary.
Therefore, a major implication of the Gospel is that while we have personal cultural, ethnic, religious and theological liberties, freedoms, and convictions—we shouldn't let those infringe upon Christian unity.
In summary, the principled conclusion for James is:
Love God supremely and love each other humbly.
As a result of loving God supremely and each other humbly:
We will elevate the truth of the Gospel.
We will lower our views on the cultural/ethnic and theological/religious beliefs and practices that are nonessential to the Gospel and Christian maturity.
We will elevate love for our fellow Christians by respecting their cultural/ethnic, theological/religious differences that are nonessential to salvation and sanctification.
Faith in the Gospel brings about SALVATION and a TRANSFORMATION, leading to some major IMPLICATIONS around Christian unity.
LIFE APPLICATION
This week, look for an opportunity to create unity in a difficult situation as you encourage other believers in their faith walk. Some ideas for unity and encouragement could be to help settle an argument peacefully, listen when others are upset and seek to understand their viewpoint, let others know that you are praying for them, bless others with an encouraging scripture verse via email or text, meet the needs of someone in your path, or give another person a genuine, uplifting compliment.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe a situation that required you to adjust what you wanted to do to live peacefully with others.
What did the letter from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem in Acts 15:23-29 say to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia?
What were the Gentiles told to abstain from, and why?
Why was this message important to the believers in the early church?
How does this message relate to the church today?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Empowered by Encouragement-Isaiah 55:12; Romans 15:13; Hebrews 10:24-25
Day 2: Empowered by Wise Guidance-James 1:5; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:16
Day 3: Empowered by Joy-1 Peter 1:8-9; Romans 15:13; Philemon 1:7
Day 4: Empowered by Strong Faith-Philippians 1:6; 1 John 4:4; Isaiah 40:31
Day 5: Empowered by the Gospel-2 Timothy 4:17; Romans 1:16; Luke 4:18
PRAYER
Lord, I thank you for mature believers who are unifiers in the church. When things are difficult or contentious in a body of believers, they listen, pray and seek to find the best solutions for everyone without compromising what the Bible teaches. As I study the Bible, help me to learn areas where I must stand firm but also let me see those areas that are not Biblically mandated and which can be culturally flexible so that more people will be won to the Gospel. Let me be a person of peace who seeks to be on mission, bringing lost people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
