Get Close To The Lord

SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH # 2

Read Acts 15:1-35

The council at Jerusalem.

This thing caused so much division that a showdown was necessary. The Scriptures declare “They determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” They would go to the city where the first church had been established and find out if the gospel they were preaching was in accordance with the gospel that was being
preached in Jerusalem.

Along the way. vs. 3 - “And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.” Listen, no matter what the burden we may have on our hearts, we must keep telling the old, old story. God’s people are always blessed when they hear of others being saved. At Jerusalem. vs. 4 - “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.” They did not launch immediately into a discussion of the subject of law and grace. The church had a welcome meeting for Paul and those with them. They took time for a missionary conference. It must have been most interesting to sit in that group and listen to those veteran missionaries as they went over the years they had served. To hear of some of the marvelous miracles of grace in order to be saved. Of how many gentiles had come to a saving experience of salvation through faith. But, seated there were brethren who
disagreed. How sad it is when good people of the Lord disagree. However, we must realize that this was not a church fuss. How I thankful we should be when we see the sweet hand of the Lord in our midst. How grateful we should be when we can discuss matters in an orderly fashion even though we may not always agree on everything. ow here was an orderly conference where heated and serious discussion
was carried on in a Christian manner.

Remember it is the solemn duty of God’s ministers to defend the truth. A preacher is not worth two cents if he cannot speak with some “heat” in defense fo the Gospel. The only effective way to expose error is to advance forth the truth. This is what Paul and Barnabas did in this case. In Phil. 1:17 Paul gave personal testimony that he was “set for the defence of the Gospel.”

Now notice a Biblical business meeting.
In vs. 4 & 5 - “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” we see the problem arose from the church body. However, in vs. 6 - “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.”

How wonderful it is when a church can work together with the leadership in perfect harmony to solve church problems.

Russell Stolp
Chaplain, CFO

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.