Last week’s discussion was rich, and I feel led to spend another week on this passage.
Two weeks ago I had one of those wonderful experiences when you absolutely know that God has heard your prayer. Steve and I used to pray together to be likeminded about a decision and it was wonderful when it was so clear. After we had two sons, I wanted to try for a daughter and Steve wanted to stop with the boys. He went away to a medical conference and we both agreed to seek God. When he came back we both had the same idea. Try for three months and if God didn’t allow me to conceive, we would stop. We did that, I didn’t conceive, and when I went back on birth control that next month, I conceived Sally! God showed us who was in charge! And what a gift Sally has been!
Steve enjoyed Sally so much we adopted two more daughters!
Now I don’t have Steve to confirm, but that doesn’t keep the Lord from confirming in other ways. The dilemma I have faced is that snowplowing guys don’t want to do my challenging gravel downhill driveway when I have just a little snow, for it damages their plows. But I have needed that done for my home church, as not everyone has four wheel drive. The cost for asphalting is as much as buying a brand new car. I asked the Steering committee of my church if the church might help and they were understandably hesitant but agreed to pray. I went away to New York while I rented out my Wisconsin house for a week to stay with my daughter Sally. During that time I wrote the blog for last week on Acts 15:1-21 and it was like God was shouting to me that no matter what the committee decided that I should accept it graciously and not cause discord or be bitter, but trust God. Then I went to my daughter’s church. The sermon was on Acts 15:1-21! That’s because the same Spirit says the same thing. I still don’t know what they will decide, but I am at peace that God will be my Provider and I must graciously accept whatever they decide. And I’m going to listen to the sermon by Sproul Bing recommended for when believers disagree. This group is such a help to me.
The sermon I heard at my daughter Sally’s church was so wonderful. I won’t have you listen as video a little funky butwill summarize his main points in red. Because the Word is so rich, he went through it a bit differently, yet, very expositionally and stressed the greati mportance of The Jerusalem Council in the history of the church. Also, this historical account shows the great importance of seeking God together, becoming of one mind, and keeping the main thing (the gospel) the main thing. One good thing out of being the colunteer administrator and custodian of this home church is that I am so much more sympathetic to pastors and their family, and I belong to a very sweet body. Yet still, we hurt one another at times with our words, for we also, as Keller says, “righteous sinners.” Simultaneously both! I know we have many here who suffer in the pastoral roll or for having a husband or child in that roll.
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
Monday: Keep the Main Thing The Main Thing😍
The Jerusalem Council was vital for Christianity then and now. The leaders of the church were of one mind that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, for all nations, and that Christians can preserve unity without requiring uniformity in every cultural practice. The apostles modeled resolving theological disputes by relying on Scripture, testimony, and likemindedness in the Holy Spirit.
3. Share a time when God gave you confirmation by having the same Spirit say the same thing.
4. I have realized how often when faced a hard situation I fail to remember the most important thing (the gospel or love) or fail to pray for a likemindedness in real humility with my brothers and sisters. Note how the early church thrived in these verses:
A. Acts 1:14
B. Philippians 2:2
Tuesday: No Small Dissension
Acts 15:2 states that the apostles faced “no small dissension.” That’s because they were protecting the purity of the gospel, they weren’t arguing over peripheral matters like helping repair the driveway or styles of music or even a theological issue that Christians have debated for centuries such as election or modes of baptism. That’s not to say those things don’t matter, but that they should not divide. Grace, grace, grace.
6. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the most important thing and why?
7. Last week we looked at circles from Philipp Melanchon — saying agreement in essentials. What would you put as essential? One of you said The Gospel and The Trinity. What would you say?
Wednesday: First Up: Peter
Jesus obviously tapped Peter to be a leader of the early church. Some say he was the first Pope. However, if he was, and we don’t embrace that here, he taught salvation was by faith alone.
8. Comments?
9. How does Peter himself show that he didn’t think of himself as the cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:4-8?
9. Read Acts 15:6-11 and summarize Peter’s case at this famous Jerusalem Council.
Thursday: Second Up: Barnabas and Paul
God never intended a church to be run by one person, but by godly elders seeking God’s will together. This is a safeguard.
10. How do Barnabas and Paul make the same case in Acts 15:12 but through a different angle?
11. Name two ways the gospel has miraculously changed your heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
12. How were Barnabas and Paul quite different? Why does this make their case stronger?
Friday: Wrap Up from James, the Leader of the Council
There was dispute about the letter of James being in the canon, thinking he taught salvation by works. That was a misunderstanding. It is also important to realize no council decided which books were in the Bible, but rather these were the books that were always accepted by the apostles.
13. How does James summarize the findings?
14. How do you see James clearly embracing the gospel, and the inclusion of the Gentiles?
15. What you learned from these two weeks you want to remember?
Saturday:
16. What’s your God shot and why?
108 comments
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why? I am very glad that there will be another week of this study. I plan to go back and read last weeks as I am able. Disagreements are tough and we had something this week in our family that ended well but could have been contentious. I’m praising God for children and a spouse who chose to keep the main thing, the main thing. Our son wanted to be baptized…again. We had him baptized as an infant in a reformed church and he made profession of faith as a young adult. Now he has been attending a community church with a baptist background and with some recent events the last few years felt compelled to share his testimony and be baptized at Lake Michigan today. There was a lot of discussion leading up to today, but in the end he made up his mind to go ahead and all agreed to support him but also encourage him to decide what it is he exactly believes about baptism and be able to communicate that clearly and stand by it. After all, he did have his pre-term baby baptized at the hospital before he passed. And as his parents, we felt conflict attending a second baptism. It’s interesting that the church we attend now provides all options: infant baptism, profession of faith, and adult baptism. It does present some confusion, though it is meant to accept a wide range of backgrounds coming to express their faith in the way they best understand the scriptures, and if theologians for centuries have not agreed, how will we?
How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week? Ahhh, the Lord has shown up with prayers from friends and family, many family helping by taking my son for hours at a time, back washing my pool, making meals, doing laundry, grocery shopping, getting me medication, weeding my garden, ice packs, etc, etc. I am so grateful to have the support I do from family and friends. I’m praising God for healing me to the degree that I am so that I can resume most of my activities. I’m learning to not take for granted the small things, like being able to get in and out of bed without pain and hearing the birds sing in the morning while I work in my garden. Ohhh, what a week of slowing down will do for your heart.
Chris — this is all so interesting and I’m glad you are supporting him. Interesting your church supports all views — perhaps it is an ACTS 29 church? I went to one when living in KC. They believed in believers’ baptism but said if an individual could present a good theological view for infant baptism they would accept it. It truly is a peripheral issue I think — unless you think a particular kind of baptism is the means of salvation. Good for your family!
Dee, what’s an Acts 29 church? There isn’t a scripture in Acts that is “29.”
Yes, Dee. We are a part of ACTS 29-my husband has some reservations about that but I haven’t learned all about it and cannot begin to explain it.
I am so thankful that you had the hands and feet of Christ to help you this past week, Chris! Hopefully you are on the mend now.
Thank you, Laura. I am also very thankful. I am doing better, but still searching for answers to my chronic thyroid condition and the reason for these flares of pain that come with my medication. It’s complicated, but if you all can pray for answers?
I will join the others on this blog to pray that you find answers for this pain. You are such a blessing here!
Dear, Dee, praying for you in regard to the decision about your church and the driveway. Perhaps there is another option that has not been considered yet? Praying each heart (soul) involved will have grace for the outcome. May you have peace among your fellow believers and show love to one another. The Lord knows the best answer and it will come with time.
Amen to this prayer for a Dee, Chris. May God speak to each heart and may His answer bring good news and peace to each one.
Appreciate your prayers! It is a peripheral issue.
Dee, Patti, and Chris, I so needed these comments on peripheral issues. As a Baptist and as a Christian, I believe in baptism by immersion, but have accepted infant baptism as a peripheral issue and never a “plus” to the gospel. I am taking Sproul’s suggestion to read up more on this matter so I can discuss it with others empathetically.
Dear Bing, my husband listened to MacArthur and Sproul and liked Sproul’s argument for infant baptism as he sees a scriptural basis for it. Overall, my husband feels we are all heavily influenced by our cultural expectations on baptism tradition.
Bing and Chris — I sense you have different opinions on baptism but love one another. I know Sproul is for infant baptism. We could discuss pros and cons sometime if you like.
Honestly, I’m open to both! I don’t believe that scripture is clear on only one method being “right”-though John Mac Arthur presents a hard argument. I am also one that does not like confrontation 😉
Since the scriptures are not clear and theologians cannot agree, I am comfortable with both depending on the convictions of the person. I find that the situation we are seeing is that some families who were once reformed and had some members of their home baptized as infants and make profession of faith, are attending a baptist leaning congregation which is rigid in their thinking and will not allow the family to be members without a full immersion baptism, essentially nullifying what’s already been done. This I find sad, as those who have made a commitment to the Lord in that way, performing the sacrament as they believed was right, are now penalized in this community. Seems like the Pharisees who required circumcision and the law. I enjoy learning both sides and do not oppose Bing’s view, but lovingly share my experience. ❤️
I’m thinking that infant baptism is something parents do to appease their own needs. In other words, if something happened to the baby, he or she would be blessed and go to heaven. I see adult baptism as one that is based on the individual making the choice for themselves, as John the Baptist professed so well.
I did baptize my babies though. I was baptized and also adult baptized.
Laura,
We have a 13 year old girl in our congregation who was “sprinkled” as she calls it and want to be baptized by immersion. This was her comment to me: I was “sprinkled” then because my parents wanted me to; but now, this is my decision.” So I understand why others may think that they have done it because of their parents’ prodding.
Chris, I really feel sad that that is true of the Baptist denomination I attend. They make water baptism as a prerequisite for membership. That trip up so many of our attendees because as you have said, they are penalized for what they honestly believed was right at their initial baptism. It creates some tension which my husband as the pastor has been in a dilemma for a while now. Both of us when confronted with this question always tell them that this is not an issue for us personally. And they are “members” of our church and we will minister to them as such. Such a burden that I continually ask the Lord to help us.
We had an older lady who joined us late in life but told our pastor that she believes her original baptism was sincere and true so did not want to do baptism by immersion but insisted she is a member of our Baptist church. My husband did her funeral as requested by her.
The legalese is so constraining but we try to operate under the Spirit of the law and how the Lord leads. I like the phrase that Sproul used: the “judgment of charity”. And if I could use a thought from Theo of Golden: ” “For anything to be good, truly good, there must be love in it.”
I love your heart, Bing. I’m sure that we all make theology mistakes, but as we all know, God looks at the heart. Not to excuse blatant purposeful error, but to encourage believers to love one another in areas we cannot discern the “right” theology.
Monday: Keep the Main Thing The Main Thing
The Jerusalem Council was vital for Christianity then and now. The leaders of the church were of one mind that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, for all nations, and that Christians can preserve unity without requiring uniformity in every cultural practice. The apostles modeled resolving theological disputes by relying on Scripture, testimony, and likemindedness in the Holy Spirit.
3. Share a time when God gave you confirmation by having the same Spirit say the same thing. Boy! I am certain there are times, but nothing is coming to mind at the moment. I will share an example which is NOT likeminded from my mentee when we met on Saturday. She and her husband are unsure how to proceed with their family size. They have had 3 boys in the last 3 years and the youngest is now one. The husband feels fearful about waiting to have more as he is a bit older and second marriage-no children in first marriage of 7 years. The wife is overwhelmed emotionally with so many children so quickly and is not ready to start again nor sure she wants to have more. The husband is reading a book which suggested sitting in silence for 10 minutes and listening to what you hear from God and then acting on it right away, not waiting. She was upset because she heard verses that could be understood as moving ahead with having more children now and her period was late. I plan to share more with her about this idea of shared likemindedness in the Holy Spirit now that I have read this. In the mean time, I told her I had never heard of this waiting in silence and acting right away and did not believe the way they were trying to do this was biblical. I cautioned her to wait on that method and pray. I also shared that I believed she needed emotional stability to care for more children and that her husband should respect her fears of moving forward before she is ready. We prayed for peace and wisdom about the decision.
4. I have realized how often when faced a hard situation I fail to remember the most important thing (the gospel or love) or fail to pray for a likemindedness in real humility with my brothers and sisters. Note how the early church thrived in these verses:
A. Acts 1:14 after having seen the ascension, they returned to Jerusalem and devoted themselves to prayer-this was a special time in history, yet an example to us as well. A book I am reading on prayer now has an interesting quote: “The church’s greatest deficiency today is in power—not in programs, strategies, materials, or ideas. And power for ministry can be released only through prayer.” The Praying Church SOURCEBOOK, by Alvin J. Vander Griend.
B. Philippians 2:2 This is Christ’s example to us, to be of one mind, the same love and in full accord with one another. I loved that at my son’s second baptism yesterday, our family could all be there to support him. He has been through some really hard things the last couple of years and this was a real spiritual awakening for him. How could we not? To be upset about the theology of it and ignore loving him would be wrong. If he made a mistake in theology, he gained a right standing with the Lord in sharing his testimony and that is something no one could argue.
I will pray for this couple, Chris. My heart aches for this mom, as it seems she is being pressured using scripture and prayers. Just reading this put me into panic mode.
Oh Father, be with this couple. I know pressure never comes from You. Please help them come to a likemindedness in You.
Amen, Dee. Likemindedness in Him.
Yes, amen to these prayers for your friend, Chris. I have been there when I felt pressured to make a quick decision and have regretted it.
Thank you for your story, Dee. I shared it with her and the verse on likemindedness and it really lifted a weight she had been feeling for being responsible for making a decision on their family size. ❤️ She is going to talk to her husband about being like minded.
That’s great!
I have a student from Jamaica in my Bible study who is a believer. She says though she would love to marry and have children it is not a good option in Jamaica as the men leave and it’s very hard to feed the children. A woman in my study said “More are the children of a barren woman…” I loved that. She is single and ministers to so many children who need it.
Chris, I will pray for the couple. I love what you said about your son and his second baptism.
“To be upset about the theology of it and ignore loving him would be wrong. If he made a mistake in theology, he gained a right standing with the Lord in sharing his testimony and that is something no one could argue.”
Thank you all for your prayers.
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why?
“And I belong to a very sweet body. Yet still, we hurt one another at times with our words, for we also, as Keller says, “righteous sinners.”
This is so true of our church, Dee. I really need to remember that we are all “righteous sinners”. I was struck by what R.C. Sproul said:
When we have disagreements, I believe I am called as a Christian to bend over backwards to assume the best possible motives in your heart for our disagreement…now the judgment of charity assumes in a Christian disagreement that the brother or sister with whom we are disagreeing is disagreeing honestly and with personal integrity.
How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
Because of an oversight or a hasty decision I made, I have caused hurt to a Christian sister. She told me that her feelings were hurt and asked for an explanation. Now, many of you know I don’t like conflict. I was troubled by this and started giving excuses to myself. But then I realized that she was expressing what she feels. The Spirit prompted me to be gracious instead of being angry or disappointed that she seemed to have misunderstood what I said. Then, when we talked to each other, she told me that she just wanted to let me know what her feelings were instead of keeping them swept under the rug. I asked for her forgiveness. What I thought was a big thing wasn’t a big thing for her but a matter of honest and good communication between sisters in Christ. I really felt the presence of the Lord in that conversation.
Bing, I really appreciate your quote from RC. I haven’t heard that before but agree with it and wish to mirror that. I especially love your model of being gracious to your friend instead of being angry or disappointed at her misunderstanding. I need to correct myself in this way at times as well. Thank you for sharing, friend. 🙂
Amen to Chris’s comments. Love the quote and most of all, I love your humble and kind heart, Bing. Words can be so easily misunderstood.
3. Share a time when God gave you confirmation by having the same Spirit say the same thing.
I can’t think of anything specific right now, but it has certainly happened to me in the past. Just a few weeks ago I was studying in one Bible study and then all of the sudden the same scripture popped up in another study, out of the blue. It was wild! It made me pause.
I do think it’s interesting that our church has been struggling the past few months, with people leaving and no one talking about why, (so we could be given a chance to change) and others are also having church struggles at the same time. I also think it’s interesting that this discussion here, has ensued, as I am having my own Bible study to discuss women’s roles in ministry (our church’s issues right now). Please pray for my courage to lead, hearts to open and be soft, and for the people to listen and keep their minds open to what is researched together.
4. I have realized how often when faced a hard situation I fail to remember the most important thing (the gospel or love) or fail to pray for a likemindedness in real humility with my brothers and sisters. Note how the early church thrived in these verses:
A. Acts 1:14
The all got together to pray, including Mary the mother of Jesus.
B. Philippians 2:2
Paul asked the Philippians to agree to love each other and work together as one body.
6. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the most important thing and why?
Gentiles!!! They were being converted! It was so important because it was prophesied that all people would believe.
7. Last week we looked at circles from Philipp Melanchon — saying agreement in essentials. What would you put as essential? One of you said The Gospel and The Trinity. What would you say?
I think I said the Trinity. Here is my quote:
“I think the Trinity is in the middle. Without God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, you can’t have Christianity. Jesus left the Holy Spirit with us, but all three are accounted for in the Old Testament (scripturally) because they have all been with Earth, “From the beginning.””
Then I posted verses that revealed all three in north the OT and the NT. Are you wanting me to reassess this?
My last comment should have said “both,” not “north.” I usually go through my posts in the editor here. This morning it would not save my edits. Not sure why?
Sometimes this platform is wacky. I get an hour of free help a month and then I have to pay the hourly fee on top of my regular fee. I’ve used up July. One idea is to do your answer in Word and when you are satisfied post it. Or perhaps it will simply go back to saving your edits if you shut down your device and turn it on again.
3. Share a time when God gave you confirmation by having the same Spirit say the same thing.
In the fall of 2018, I could see my husband’s health failing and I was praying for the Lord to speak to both of us, about when we should retire. I wanted it to be his choice. I wanted him to be able to retire in a positive situation. His closest friend at school, had died suddenly from a cardiac arrest a few months earlier. On the way to school one morning, Ronny told me that our head of school did not want him to retire, but when he did decide to retire, he would like a year’s notice. My husband had created the drama dept, so no one else had any idea how to run it, so they needed to make a plan for that. When he brought that up to me that morning, I said “how about telling him now?”, which would give them a full school year to find a replacement. He said that he was thinking the very same thing. As it turned out, the timing could not have been more perfect. We both retired in the Spring of 2019. We missed the “COVID” year and a major unplanned surgery that I had, which came out of nowhere, 3 weeks after we retired. The first cases of Covid were in a nursing home very close to our school and the Microsoft campus. Thank you Lord.
4. I have realized how often when faced a hard situation I fail to remember the most important thing (the gospel or love) or fail to pray for a likemindedness in real humility with my brothers and sisters. Note how the early church thrived in these verses:
A. Acts 1:14
The apostles and the women joined together to pray in love.
B. Philippians 2:2
The unity and likemindedness is based on love. My footnotes says: not uniformity of thought, but of a common disposition to work together and serve one another.
These verses bring to mind the Two Greatest commandments. Matthew 22: 36-40: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. …..This is the greatest and foremost commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” I always love the way Tim Keller worded his thoughts on loving others; think of yourself less….keep your focus on the needs of others…
Patti, I like this footnote about likemindedness, “not uniformity of thought, but of a common disposition to work together and serve one another.” This is a great distinction.
I like that distinction as well, Chris and Patti: “not uniformity of thought, but of a common disposition to work together and serve one another.”
Great story about your time with drama at that school. You did such a marvelous job together.
Tuesday: I know I typed these answers in before, but they didn’t show up, so second try!
6. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the most important thing and why?
Salvation is by faith alone, not faith plus circumcision.
7. Last week we looked at circles from Philipp Melanchon — saying agreement in essentials. What would you put as essential? One of you said The Gospel and The Trinity. What would you say?
In my reformed faith we subscribe to the 3 forms of unity: The Three Forms of Unity are a collection of doctrinal statements that include the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort
Interesting! Challenge question — do those three confessions agree on essentials — and how many essentials?
I have not heard of any of these so I’d be of no help🤨!
You got me! I’ll need to ask my husband 😂 He grew up in the reformed faith and loves the catechism. I have never fully studied it but sat under preaching on it. Our church is planning to do the New City Catechism, which was a collaborative effort by Tim Keller and others to update the Heidelberg catechism in language for today’s students.
I await his answer!
8. Comments?
This made me think of a trip I took with my husband to Saint Petersburg Russia for a business function. I saw a statue of Saint Peter there, I also saw many cathedral type churches. I was surprised, as Russia isn’t well known for being a Christian country. I was told by our driver who was Russian, that Christmas is mostly about the pretty lights and presents; no one actually goes to church. Looking back, it makes me wonder how Peter is honored there with a statue. I guess I don’t know my Bible very well…
9. How does Peter himself show that he didn’t think of himself as the cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:4-8?
Peter professes Christ as the cornerstone, no one else.
9. Read Acts 15:6-11 and summarize Peter’s case at this famous Jerusalem Council.
Peter is telling the council that God wants all people, including Gentiles. He says that God cleansed them through faith. God gave them the Holy Spirit just as they gave the Jewish people the Holy Spirit. This means they did not have to commit to the laws of Moses, as the Jewish people did. He asks them why the Gentiles should be burdened with these laws just as they had to be burdened by the laws. He suggests that they are challenging God and should not do that. He also says that because of their cleansing in faith, they are made equal to the Jewish people.
Here is a picture of one of the cathedrals.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0026Djm7RzaErHFK3epkeYD0w
I wonder if Russia is highly Catholic and sees Peter as the first pope?
I thought Russia was primarily Eastern Orthodox?
Wednesday: First Up: Peter
8. Comments?
I do believe salvation is by faith alone, as taught by Peter in the scriptures. He is not the cornerstone-Jesus is.
9. How does Peter himself show that he didn’t think of himself as the cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:4-8?
”the stone the builders rejected” is the cornerstone-that’s Jesus
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Dee, I appreciate you sharing and being vulnerable in how God worked in your heart…not ever an easy thing to do but so helpful for spiritual growth in the body of Christ. I continue to pray for God’s will and may He be glorified.
2. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
We thought that we had decided on a church but this last week I just felt a need to pray because of an uneasiness in our decision. I finally spoke to my husband to see how he felt and he just smiled and said, I ‘m so glad you brought that up because I just didn’t feel like it could my home church. He went on to say how much he liked the pastor there and the people but it was just too big. We ended up going to a smaller church we had visited before and just felt it could be home. Although we haven’t made our final decision yet, I was thankful we were on the same page.
Love your likemindedness about the smaller church, Sharon. It felt like home.
That’s huge, Sharon! May the Lord confirm it or show you another way.
Monday: Keep the Main Thing The Main Thing😍
The Jerusalem Council was vital for Christianity then and now. The leaders of the church were of one mind that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, for all nations, and that Christians can preserve unity without requiring uniformity in every cultural practice. The apostles modeled resolving theological disputes by relying on Scripture, testimony, and likemindedness in the Holy Spirit.
3. Share a time when God gave you confirmation by having the same Spirit say the same thing.
See answer to #2.
4. I have realized how often when faced a hard situation I fail to remember the most important thing (the gospel or love) or fail to pray for a likemindedness in real humility with my brothers and sisters. Note how the early church thrived in these verses:
A. Acts 1:14
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer.
B. Philippians 2:2
Verse 1 says, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?” Paul goes on to say in verse 2 (if the above is true) …”Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
Monday: Keep the Main Thing The Main Thing SHAPE \*
MERGEFORMAT
The Jerusalem Council was vital for Christianity then and now. The leaders of the church were of one mind that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, for all nations, and that Christians can preserve unity without requiring uniformity in every cultural practice. The apostles modeled resolving theological disputes by relying on Scripture, testimony, and likemindedness in the Holy Spirit.
1. Share a time when God gave you confirmation by having the same Spirit say the same thing.
As husband and wife, Richard and I have had several conversations where we arrived at the same thought, conviction, and direction. One of the significant times was when we decided to move to his hometown. Even before we did, the Lord had been orchestrating the details to include the passing of my dearest mother-in-law, who was by then a widow. The choice was either to remodel the old farmhouse or to build a duplex in town with the future in mind. We opted to try remodeling. But as the months went by, the project became a drag instead of the joy we started with. As we prayed and thought more about it together and separately, one day, we sat down once again, and we were like-minded in the pursuit of the second option.
Although the second option was my initial preference, I waited on God to work in my husband’s heart and submitted to his decision. Sometimes the like-mindedness of the Spirit takes time, and I have learned to wait on God. We are very happy where we are right now.
4. I have realized how often, when faced a hard situation I fail to remember the most important thing (the gospel or love) or fail to pray for a likemindedness in real humility with my brothers and sisters. Note how the early church thrived in these verses:
A. Acts 1:14
The importance of joining together constantly in prayer.
B. Philippians 2:2
Having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind
Tuesday: No Small Dissension
Acts 15:2 states that the apostles faced “no small dissension.” That’s because they were protecting the purity of the gospel, they weren’t arguing over peripheral matters like helping repair the driveway or styles of music or even a theological issue that Christians have debated for centuries such as election or modes of baptism. That’s not to say those things don’t matter, but that they should not divide. Grace, grace, grace.
6. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the most important thing and why?
v. 1 and 5, I think, are the issues at hand … unless you’re circumcised…Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
What is the requisite to salvation? Only one thing matters-belief in Jesus Christ; no pluses.
7. Last week we looked at circles from Philipp Melanchon — saying agreement in essentials. What would you put as essential? One of you said The Gospel and The Trinity. What would you say?
I would say the same. Would the resurrection of Jesus Christ be included indirectly in the Gospel?
Great story, Bing.
And yes, I would say the resurrection is part of the gospel.
Monday: Keep the Main Thing The Main Thing SHAPE \*
MERGEFORMAT
The Jerusalem Council was vital for Christianity then and now. The leaders of the church were of one mind that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, for all nations, and that Christians can preserve unity without requiring uniformity in every cultural practice. The apostles modeled resolving theological disputes by relying on Scripture, testimony, and likemindedness in the Holy Spirit.
1. Share a time when God gave you confirmation by having the same Spirit say the same thing.
As husband and wife, Richard and I have had several conversations where we arrived at the same thought, conviction, and direction. One of the significant times was when we decided to move to his hometown. Even before we did, the Lord had been orchestrating the details to include the passing of my dearest mother-in-law, who was by then a widow. The choice was either to remodel the old farmhouse or to build a duplex in town with the future in mind. We opted to try remodeling. But as the months went by, the project became a drag instead of the joy we started with. As we prayed and thought more about it together and separately, one day we sat down once again and were like-minded in pursuing the second option.
Although the second option was my initial preference, I waited on God to work in my husband’s heart and submitted to his decision. Sometimes the Spirit’s like-mindedness takes time, and I have learned to wait on God. We are very happy where we are right now.
4. I have realized how often, when faced a hard situation I fail to remember the most important thing (the gospel or love) or fail to pray for a likemindedness in real humility with my brothers and sisters. Note how the early church thrived in these verses:
A. Acts 1:14
The importance of joining together constantly in prayer.
B. Philippians 2:2
Having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind
Tuesday: No Small Dissension
Acts 15:2 states that the apostles faced “no small dissension.” That’s because they were protecting the purity of the gospel, they weren’t arguing over peripheral matters like helping repair the driveway or styles of music or even a theological issue that Christians have debated for centuries such as election or modes of baptism. That’s not to say those things don’t matter, but that they should not divide. Grace, grace, grace.
6. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the most important thing and why?
v. 1 and 5, I think, are the issues at hand … unless you’re circumcised…Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
What is the requisite to salvation? Only one thing matters-belief in Jesus Christ; no pluses.
7. Last week we looked at circles from Philipp Melanchon — saying agreement in essentials. What would you put as essential? One of you said The Gospel and The Trinity. What would you say?
I would say the same. Would the resurrection of Jesus Christ be included indirectly in the Gospel?
What a good example of likemindedness with your husband. I love that you waited on the Lord. That is sometimes hard to do.
Acts 15:2 states that the apostles faced “no small dissension.” That’s because they were protecting the purity of the gospel, they weren’t arguing over peripheral matters like helping repair the driveway or styles of music or even a theological issue that Christians have debated for centuries such as election or modes of baptism. That’s not to say those things don’t matter, but that they should not divide. Grace, grace, grace.
6. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the most important thing and why?
The most important things was that the Gentiles were accepting Jesus. The message of Jesus was about the Son of God, who came to earth and gave His life for them, so that they were not condemned by the strict rules of the law. The strict rule of law was not the Gospel.
7. Last week we looked at circles from Philipp Melanchon — saying agreement in essentials. What would you put as essential? One of you said The Gospel and The Trinity. What would you say?
Faith in Christ, The Word of God (The Gospel) and Love and Obedience to His Word
Works contributed nothing to your justification. RC Sproul
https://youtube.com/shorts/ortVt2B6qIA?is=Il8ZU6F4cgk-JbNf
So good, Bing! Thank you! …and Trinity was suppose to be in my post too.
‘
Tuesday: No Small Dissension
Acts 15:2 states that the apostles faced “no small dissension.” That’s because they were protecting the purity of the gospel, they weren’t arguing over peripheral matters like helping repair the driveway or styles of music or even a theological issue that Christians have debated for centuries such as election or modes of baptism. That’s not to say those things don’t matter, but that they should not divide. Grace, grace, grace.
6. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the most important thing and why?
To agree that circumcision was not required to be saved (salvation is not about righteousness + works). “There’s no need to add religious layers or culture baggage to the gospel. Christ is enough.” (From my devotional on Colossians 1)
7. Last week we looked at circles from Philipp Melanchon — saying agreement in essentials. What would you put as essential? One of you said The Gospel and The Trinity. What would you say?
I still say the Word, the Gospel and the Trinity.
Amen and thank you, Sharon:
I still say the Word, the Gospel and the Trinity.
And the Love and obedience follow after…
That’s what I would put in too.
8. Comments?
I appreciate 1 Peter 2:1-8, because the first verses show the importance of being like a newborn, having a hunger for the Word of God, a desire for spiritual food, which is so needed if we truly love God and hold Him in Awe. Though we all sin, our deep desire is love and obedience, which is so necessary to follow Jesus. The Gospel is so important and if we say we believe in Jesus and the Trinity, it should not end with just believing. I hope this makes sense. We may grow if we have tasted His kindness. This helps us understand the following verses about being living stones, which is such a great analogy.
9. How does Peter himself show that he didn’t think of himself as the cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:4-8?
Peter explains in a metaphor that Jesus Christ is the True Living Cornerstone and believers are the living stones, who are precious in God’s sight. Peter does not identify himself, as the cornerstone. True believers are to Love God and His Word, and desire to grow in love and obedience. The one who rejects Jesus, becomes a stone of stumbling and disobedience. The stumbling stone disobedient to God’s Word and it brings him to doom, and eventually to eternal destruction.
9. Read Acts 15:6-11 and summarize Peter’s case at this famous Jerusalem Council.
Peter is showing that God’s grace is the same for Jews and Gentiles alike. Both are saved by Grace through Faith and no religious ritual is required for either.
As Paige Brown would say: “It’s the Heart stupid.”
Mini rabbit hole : If you “google”.who originated the phrase “it’s the heart stupid”, this pops up:
🥰
Christian Teaching: Popularized in theological discussions, sermons, and Dee Brestin Ministries studies to emphasize that personal and spiritual transformation stems from the heart rather than external behaviors.
Love your mini rabbit hole…wonderful!
That’s hilarious that they cite me for “It’s the Heart Stupid.” That’s probably because Paige takes her messages down.
Hahaha! Love it!
Wednesday: First Up: Peter
Jesus obviously tapped Peter to be a leader of the early church. Some say he was the first Pope. However, if he was, and we don’t embrace that here, he taught salvation was by faith alone.
8. Comments?
Amen!
9. How does Peter himself show that he didn’t think of himself as the cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:4-8?
Christ is the living cornerstone of God’s temple.
Rejected by people but chosen by God for great honor.
We are the living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple.
We are His holy priests.
Christ is the stone that makes people stumble; the rock that makes them fall…they stumble because they don’t obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
I want to share this from Sinclair Ferguson…(sorry it’s so long but it’s so good)
“As Simon Peter puts it, Christians are like living stones being built together into a spiritual house, in which, no longer animal sacrifices are offered to the Lord, but sacrifices of praise and obedience, and a community offering itself to the Lord to worship. Now the temple is being built not in one location, but being built in Jesus Christ, throughout the earth, as stones are shaped and chiseled and fit together and begin to sparkle in their multicolored beauty. To do what the old Tabernacle and Temple were designed to do, to reflect the praise worthiness, the excellencies of our God.
I think that’s a wonderful and important picture of the church, but it’s also a good lens for us to view our own church through. We are part of this great temple of living stones that belong to the Lord Jesus. The divine stone mason, the Holy Spirit, is chiseling us into shape so that we fit in with each other.
That is something to think about, isn’t it? When we find there is friction between or among our members. We need to remember the Lord is chiseling us.
He’s a master stone mason. He’s working our lives to make us fit better with these other living stones who are our brothers and sisters. Don’t you think if stones could speak when they’re being chiseled, they ‘d be saying, ouch, that hurts.
So it shouldn’t surprise us if our own lives are punctured by a series of ouch. Lord, that hurts, when He builds us into His church. It’s no easy task to fit together stones of so many different shapes and sizes, especially if they’re resistant to being reshaped or being stuck beside a stone they don’t really care much for. But what makes the difference is knowing and trusting who is doing the chiseling. Our Master Mason is working to make our church a place where we live together in such a way that the multifaceted grace and glory of our Lord Jesus will become visible among us.”
9. Read Acts 15:6-11 and summarize Peter’s case at this famous Jerusalem Council.
Verse 11, “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
Love this entire post, Sharon! So excellent! Love the Sinclair Lewis statement!!
Thanks for writing out the Ferguson quote. So true. My church has decided to help me with the cost of asphalting my driveway and I do think it is the right thing to do since they are the cause. (Plowers are boycotting shoveling gravel hills when there is just a little snow for it damages their equipment. I don’t need that as I have a Subaru, but many church members do.) I think I have been chiseled in the weeks of debating and so have some of them. That helped me — so thanks Sharon.
Dee, wonderful answer to prayer…praise the Lord!
So thankful for your great answer to prayer, Dee. I hope your church understands how much you do for them, to meet at your home every week. That is such a lovely gift to them.
Dee, so happy for this answer to prayer.
Yay! Thank You Lord!
Thank you all!
Happy for you~praise God
10. How do Barnabas and Paul make the same case in Acts 15:12 but through a different angle?
They talk about the miracles they performed for the Gentiles.
11. Name two ways the gospel has miraculously changed your heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
I’m at a fairly low point in my life right now, so it is difficult to see much in the way of miracles. It’s hard to remember. I guess there was a time when God was surely present in my life; I knew He was there. I also think I am less judgmental than in the past.
12. How were Barnabas and Paul quite different? Why does this make their case stronger?
Paul was a persecutor of the Jewish people. He was convicted because Jesus visited him and he was struck blind. He believed after that.
Barnabas was chosen by the Holy Spirit, as a missionary, with no conviction other than being a believer 🤷🏻♀️.
I don’t know how it strengthens the argument.
I am sorry you are feeling sad, Laura. You have had a lot going on in your work and personal life. I pray for you to sense God’s presence in your quiet time with Him. You are loved.
Amen to Patti’s prayer, Laura. Let me add mine.
Father,
I know You see Laura in her sadness and hard situation of raising her grandchildren and so many other responsibilities. How she needs a touch from You, a sense of Your presence and love. I ask for this, dear Lord. In Jesus Name I pray!
Thank you both for prayers. Life is hard for our family these days.
I echo these prayers for you, Laura. The many trials on all sides feels like spiritual warfare. Hang in there and may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Oh Laura, you have been in my thoughts and prayers…may you feel the love of Gods arms wrapped around you and press into Him❤️
Thursday: Second Up: Barnabas and Paul
God never intended a church to be run by one person, but by godly elders seeking God’s will together. This is a safeguard.
10. How do Barnabas and Paul make the same case in Acts 15:12 but through a different angle?
They told how God had done miraculous signs and wonders through them among the Gentiles.
11. Name two ways the gospel has miraculously changed your heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
Being a Christian for so many years I look at this as more of a progression of my heart turning into flesh as I grew and continue to grow in the Lord. In saying that, one area is recognizing my spiritual poverty…needing to be totally dependent upon God and that I am a sinner in need of grace…daily! The other area is extending that grace to others.
12. How were Barnabas and Paul quite different? Why does this make their case stronger?
In Acts 4 Joseph, who was nicknamed Barnabas by the apostles which means, “Son of Encouragement.” He was from the tribe of Levi and he sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
Paul (Saul) was a well educated man, persecuted Christians but was completely sold out for Christ after his conversion.
I think they balanced each other out with Paul having a more spit-fire personality and Barnabas being more gentle. In spite of their different personalities and probably different ways of approaching things they were in agreement regarding the gospel which would make their case stronger.
Such a good answer to the question that puzzled Laura — Laura — I hope you see Sharon’s final remark.
Got it!
Friday: Wrap Up from James, the Leader of the Council
There was dispute about the letter of James being in the canon, thinking he taught salvation by works. That was a misunderstanding. It is also important to realize no council decided which books were in the Bible, but rather these were the books that were always accepted by the apostles.
13. How does James summarize the findings?
God will rebuild and restore the fallen house of David so the rest of humanity might seek the LORD, including the Gentiles. Not making it difficult for the Gentiles turning to God. Instead telling them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating strangled animals, and from consuming blood.
14. How do you see James clearly embracing the gospel, and the inclusion of the Gentiles?
That the inclusion of the Gentiles was always part of God’s plan of salvation.
15. What you learned from these two weeks you want to remember?
In the essentials (God’s Word, Gospel and Trinity)…Unity.
Non- essentials (worship styles, membership, finances)…Liberty
IN ALL THINGS GRACE!
Next week in church we will be discussing what should be in the center. Once I thought eternal security should be for believing you can lose your salvation seems in my mind to distort the power of the gospel — but I have been challenged and think I should change my mind on that, for I do believe you can be a Christian and still think you can lose your salvation. Seems very important but perhaps not central. Thoughts?
Wow, that is something I pray about….. I do think that as Christians, our heart has to be right with God. I do believe it is the Gospel that saves us not our works. I also think that our motives, our heart, the things that cannot be seen are things only God knows about us individually. I feel that I need to have my heart be right with God, and like you mentioned last week, it is our full time job. I never want to take my salvation for granted. I don’t know if we can lose it, but I pray I don’t.
I often think of these verses:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
I love this: In the name of the Lord Jesus: You act as a representative of Jesus. If you wouldn’t say, do, or watch something with His name attached to it, you shouldn’t be doing it.
Am I getting off the point?
I agree, Dee. It is important.
Thanks, Patti!
I have thought that way as well Dee but worshipping and loving Christians who believe you can lose your salvation I learned to extend grace and I believe they are Christians. The sad part of that though is they tend to add works to the gospel thinking they have to be perfect so they don’t lose their salvation…hope that makes sense.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NLT
Appreciate your thoughts. I agree!
Sharon, I know of several people who think the same way: “The sad part of that though is they tend to add works to the gospel thinking they have to be perfect so they don’t lose their salvation…” But I do believe they are saved.
I agree, Sharon.
I guess I have to wonder if a person does not have assurance of their salvation, do they really understand and accept the gospel? I would err on the side of offering grace, but I have to question their understanding of the gospel as a free gift that completely covers our sin.
I worry that I haven’t been kind enough or loved my neighbor well enough, and that may make me ineligible. I know I love Jesus and believe He is the Son and Savior. These are the two things that are required to enter heaven, right?
Right Laura! No works necessary. The gift of salvation is free! We only need to admit to being a sinner and know that only Jesus death on the cross can free us from the penalty of death/hell. None of us could possibly measure up to God’s standards.
I sometimes worry that I am not kind enough or loving enough to my neighbor and therefore I might be ineligible to enter. I do believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he is the Savior of us. These are the two directives to having eternal life, correct? Why should I add more?
13. How does James summarize the findings?
He recants the scripture which says God will come for all people, even the Gentiles. He says they shouldn’t make it difficult for them and they should be guided on the laws for food, sexual immorality, and eating meat from strangled animals.
14. How do you see James clearly embracing the gospel, and the inclusion of the Gentiles?
He is quoting from the prophecy of old and accepting that the requirements might need to be revised for the Gentiles. He is willing for this to happen because of Jesus, who came to end the laws of old.
Saturday:
16. What’s your God shot and why?
Like Paul, Barnabas, James and Peter…make the main thing the main thing in our differences.
These two lessons have really helped me while we’ve been looking at different churches. I also know what questions to ask a pastor when we do decide.
That sounds great — praying you and Jim will be like-minded.
Thank you Dee…that means a lot🙏❤️
Praying you find that gospel preaching church that you and Jim can agree on.
Praying for you and Jim to be likeminded, Sharon.
I thought I posted this yesterday.
Wednesday: First Up: Peter
Jesus obviously tapped Peter to be a leader of the early church. Some say he was the first Pope. However, if he was, and we don’t embrace that here, he taught salvation was by faith alone.
8. Comments?
I heard such comments about Peter, especially from my Catholic friends in the Philippines.
9. How does Peter himself show that he didn’t think of himself as the cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:4-8?
Peter clearly refers to Jesus as the Living Stone and quotes Scriptures and their fulfillment in Jesus, not in Peter.
See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; Isaiah 28:16
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; Psalm 118:22
a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.
9. Read Acts 15:6-11 and summarize Peter’s case at this famous Jerusalem Council.
Peter talked about God’s sovereignty over the Gentiles being saved as well and that the gospel is not just for the Jews. Praise God!
God does not discriminate and has given the Gentiles the gift of the Holy Spirit as well.
Peter does not want to burden the Gentiles with the yoke that Jews were not able to bear either.
Thursday: Second Up: Barnabas and Paul
God never intended a church to be run by one person, but by godly elders seeking God’s will together. This is a safeguard.
10. How do Barnabas and Paul make the same case in Acts 15:12 but through a different angle?
They shared about the wonders that came through them to the Gentiles.
11. Name two ways the gospel has miraculously changed your heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
When people disappoint, God has given me a quicker response to be more understanding rather than dwell in the disappointment.
Being more sensitive to sin in my life and to know that it grieves my Father’s heart rather than excusing it.
12. How were Barnabas and Paul quite different? Why does this make their case stronger?
Not sure I understood this question, but does this have to do with their different temperaments?
Friday: Wrap Up from James, the Leader of the Council
There was dispute about the letter of James being in the canon, thinking he taught salvation by works. That was a misunderstanding. It is also important to realize no council decided which books were in the Bible, but rather these were the books that were always accepted by the apostles.
13. How does James summarize the findings?
He quoted the OT, which should be familiar to the Jew listeners:
that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things,
things known from long ago
14. How do you see James clearly embracing the gospel, and the inclusion of the Gentiles?
The gospel is for all, Jews and Gentiles.
15. What you learned from these two weeks you want to remember?
To think outside my box on the non-essentials of faith as guided by the Spirit, and always to hold firmly to the person of my Lord, Jesus Christ.
Saturday:
16. What’s your God shot and why?
God does not play favorites. I shouldn’t either.
Enjoyed this entire post Bing and AMEN to your last answer!
Great God shot.
Amen to you and Dee!
I like the thinking outside my box on non-essentials. We are trying to do that in our new church-more grace.