Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Strength of the Jerusalem Church

a) It became a significant church

b) It grew steadily

c) There was a strong sense of oneness

2. Weakness of the Jerusalem Church

a) It had difficulty in reaching out to Gentiles

b) Gentiles were held at arm’s length

c) The Church leaders held an important Council in Jerusalem to debate the question of Gentiles entering into the kingdom of God

TWO STRONGLY OPPOSED GROUPS

1. The Conservative Jews

a) They were ready to receive Gentiles into the Church

b) But Gentiles must comply with Jewish ways:

i) Males must be circumcised

ii) They must adhere to the Mosaic law

2. The Leaders who opposed the Conservative View

a) Paul and Barnabas

i) They were sent by the Church in Antioch, Syria

ii) They had untold success with their ministry to Gentiles

b) Peter

i) He was sent by God to the Gentile centurion, Cornelius

ii) He witnessed the outpouring of the Spirit of God on the Gentiles

iii) They were duly baptised   (Acts 10-11)

c) James, the half brother of the Lord Jesus

i) He was one of the pillars of the Jerusalem church

ii) He made a clear stand on this subject

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ARGUMENTS OF JAMES

13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:

14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;

18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.

19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

Acts 15:13-19

1. James gave his support to Simon Peter

2. He recognised what God did through Peter

a) God visited the Gentiles

b) He made them His people too

3. Proof from the Scriptures

a) The text James cited was from Amos 9:11-12

b) God said that He would rebuild the tabernacle of David

i) The house of David had fallen down

ii) The kingdom of David was no more

iii) He would repair all the damages

iv) He would rebuild the kingdom of David

c) God’s kingdom

i) It was not a Jewish kingdom

ii) It would include all Gentiles called by His name

d) This was a prophetic word

i) From the LORD Himself

ii) Gentiles were included in the rebuilding of David’s kingdom

4. James’ word as he ended his address

a) The Gentiles are not to be troubled

b) Those who were turning to God are to be received

c) They too are part of the kingdom of God

d) This word from James helped the Church of Jerusalem to openly accept the Gentiles as brethren in the kingdom of God

e) The Jerusalem Council’s decision was pivotal and of untold significance

CONCLUSION

1. The make-up of the Church in the 1st Century

a) Jews

b) Samaritans

c) Gentiles

2. The works of the Lord

a) They are well-known

b) Gentiles were in God’s heart and mind

c) The Lord Himself was repairing the Tabernacle of David

d) The Church is meant to be universal