Bible Reference: Acts 15:1-19
Text: Acts 15:1-5, 19
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 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. 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. Acts 15:1-5
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: Acts 15:19
Introduction
1. The Rise of Prejudice
A. From the Believing Pharisees
B. Toward Simeon and the Gentiles from Antioch
2. The Review of the Church
A. The Gentiles Had Received the Holy Ghost
B. Salvation is By Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast
C. There is No Difference Between Us
Acts 17:26
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation
Romans 3:9
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
3. The Reasoning of James
A. God is Calling a People for His Name
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
B. God is Calling All Men
C. God Desires that We Trouble Not Those from Different Backgrounds
Seven Biblical Principles for Racism
