Why do godly Christians disagree over doctrine? Is disagreement always bad? What does the Jerusalem Council teach us about solving disagreements - among ourselves, within the church or between leaders? Acts 15:5-35 6. Why did the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 tell the Gentile Christians to “abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication” and to listen to Moses read on the Sabbath day? Isn’t this telling them to keep at least some of the law?

2. Charles Phipps
Commander of the British Fleet
Battle of Quebec 1759
He was given orders to anchor
outside Quebec and to wait for the
British land forces to arrive, then support them when
they attacked the city. Phipps' navy arrived early. As
the admiral waited, he became annoyed by the statues
of the saints that adorned the towers of a nearby
cathedral, so he commanded his men to shoot at them
with the ships' cannons.

3. Charles Phipps
Commander of the British Fleet
Battle of Quebec 1759
No one knows how many rounds
were fired or how many statues
were knocked out, but when the land forces arrived
and the signal was given to attack, the admiral was of
no help.

4. Charles Phipps
Commander of the British Fleet
Battle of Quebec 1759
No one knows how many rounds
were fired or how many statues
were knocked out, but when the land forces arrived
and the signal was given to attack, the admiral was of
no help.
He had used up all his ammunition
shooting at the "saints”.

5. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for…

6. διδασκαλία (didaskalia) = teaching, instruction
didactic
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for…

8. 1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any
beast of the field which the LORD God had made.
And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said,
‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat
the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the
fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the
garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall
you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 Then the serpent said
to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God
knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will
be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good
and evil.”
Genesis 3:1–5

9. Council
Nicea
325 AD
Constantinople
381 AD
Ephesus
431 AD
Chalcedon
451 AD
Eternal Deity of Christ
Person of Christ
Person of Christ
Person of Christ
Early Church Councils
Issue

11. 1 And certain men came down from
Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless
you are circumcised according to the
custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas
had no small dissension and dispute
with them, they determined that Paul
and Barnabas and certain others of
them should go up to Jerusalem, to the
apostles and elders, about this question.
Acts 15:1–2

12. Dissension at Antioch
(1-2)
Deliberation at Jerusalem
(3-21)
Deputation to the Gentiles
(22-35)
Dispute between Paul & Barnabas
(36-41)
OUTLINE OF ACTS 15

13. Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea
and taught the brethren, “Unless you are
circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you
cannot be saved.”

14. Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea
and taught the brethren, “Unless you are
circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you
cannot be saved.”

15. Who were these “certain men”?

16. Galatians 2:4–5 …false brethren secretly brought
in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty
which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might
bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield
Who were these “certain men”?
submission even
for an hour, that
the truth of the
gospel might
continue with you.

17. Who are these “certain men” today?
 Mormon
 Seventh Day Adventists
 Jehovah Witnesses
 Hebrew Roots Movement
(some Messianic congregations)

18. Who are these “certain men” today?
 Mormon
 Seventh Day Adventists
 Jehovah Witnesses
 Hebrew Roots Movement
(some Messianic congregations)
Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified
by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we
might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the
works of the law; for by the works of the law no
flesh shall be justified.

19. Acts 15:2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had
no small dissension and dispute with them…

20. Acts 15:2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had
no small dissension and dispute with them…
“dissension” στάσις (stasis) = heated quarrel
“dispute” συζήτησις (suzḗtēsis) = debate

21. Galatians 1:6–9 I marvel that you are turning
away so soon from Him who called you in the
grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is
not another; but there are some who trouble you
and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But
even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel to you than what we have preached
to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said
before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches
any other gospel to you than what you have
received, let him be accursed.

22. Acts 15:2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had
no small dissension and dispute with them…
What is necessary to be saved?
“dissension” στάσις (stasis) = heated quarrel
“dispute” συζήτησις (suzḗtēsis) = debate

23. Acts 15:30–31 So when they were sent off, they
came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the
multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31
When they had read it, they rejoiced over its
encouragement.

24. Acts 15:2b
…they determined that Paul
and Barnabas and certain
others of them should go
up to Jerusalem, to the
apostles and elders, about
this question.
τάσσω (tassō) = select some-
one for a specific purpose (cf.
Mt. 8:9; Acts 15:7)

25. Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the
church, they passed through Phoenicia and
Samaria, describing the conversion of the
Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the
brethren.

26. Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the
church, they passed through Phoenicia and
Samaria, describing the conversion of the
Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the
brethren.
Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation,
and communicated to them that gospel which
I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to
those who were of reputation, lest by any
means I might run, or had run, in vain.

27. 1. No attempt was made to: compromise.
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be
worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . that you
stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel,

28. 2. Adequate time was given to: hear both
sides of the debate

29. 2. Adequate time was given to: hear both
sides of the debate
15:4–6 And when they had come to Jerusalem,
they were received by the church and the
apostles and the elders; and they reported all
things that God had done with them. 5 But some
of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose
up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them,
and to command them to keep the law of
Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came
together to consider this matter.

30. 2. Adequate time was given to: hear both
sides of the debate
15:4–6 And when they had come to Jerusalem,
they were received by the church and the
apostles and the elders; and they reported all
things that God had done with them. 5 But some
of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose
up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them,
and to command them to keep the law of
Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came
together to consider this matter.

31. 3. Differing perspectives were: permitted
15:7–9 And when there had been much dispute,
Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and
brethren, you know that a good while ago God
chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles
should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged
them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He
did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us
and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
1
2

32. 3. Differing perspectives were: permitted
15:10–11 Now therefore, why do you test God
by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples
which neither our fathers nor we were able to
bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the
same manner as they.”
3
4

33. 3. Differing perspectives were: permitted
15:12 Then all the multitude kept silent and
listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how
many miracles and wonders God had worked
through them among the Gentiles.

34. 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silent and
listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how
many miracles and wonders God had worked
through them among the Gentiles.
4. Consensus was evidenced by: silence
15:13 And after they had become silent,

35. 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silent and
listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how
many miracles and wonders God had worked
through them among the Gentiles.
4. Consensus was evidenced by: silence
15:13 And after they had become silent,
σιγάω (sigaō) = say nothing, be still, hush!
(e.g., Lk. 9:36)

36. 15:13-14 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.
5. Leadership wisely: summarized the
discussion in preparation for a decision

37. 6. Citations from Scripture were: key
15:15-18 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; 17 So that the rest
of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the
Gentiles who are called by My name, says the
LORD who does all these things.’ 18 “Known to
God from eternity are all His works.”

38. 15:19–20 Therefore I judge that we should not
trouble those from among the Gentiles who are
turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to
abstain from things polluted by idols, from
sexual immorality, from things strangled, and
from blood.
7. Potential disruption is minimized by:
requiring gentile believers to obey 4 rules
taken from the Torah

39. 7. Potential disruption is minimized by:
requiring gentile believers to obey 4 rules
taken from the Torah
 No idols (Lev. 17:7-9)
 No sexual immorality (Lev. 18:6-23)
 No drinking blood (Lev. 17:10-12)
 No eating strangled meat (Lev. 17:13-14)

40. 15:22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders,
with the whole church, to send chosen men of
their own company to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named
Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the
brethren.

41. 15:22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders,
with the whole church, to send chosen men of
their own company to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named
Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the
brethren.

42. 15:23–29 They wrote this letter by them: The
apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the
brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria,
and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that
some who went out from us have troubled you
with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You
must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom
we gave no such commandment—25 it seemed
good to us, being assembled with one accord, to
send chosen men to you with our beloved
Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their
lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

43. 15:23–29 27 We have therefore sent Judas and
Silas, who will also report the same things by word
of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit,
and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than
these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from
things offered to idols, from blood, from things
strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep
yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

44. Acts 15:30–31 So when they were sent off, they
came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the
multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31
When they had read it, they rejoiced over its
encouragement.

45. 941-729-6600
941-981-5387
http://faithbiblechurchefc.com
http://TRUTHtransforms.com
sanctitas@aol.com