The Book of Acts : A Crisis in the Young Church Part 2
1. False doctrine must be repudiated.
It is necessary ... to command them to keep the Law of Moses. (Ac 15:5)
2. Fellowship must be _____________________.
20 Instead we should write a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient times Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, since he is being read in the synagogues every Sabbath." (Ac 15:20-21)
So it is my judgment that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God. (Ac 15:19)
2 Live with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:2–3)
Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, thought it would be best to choose men from their group to send to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leading men among the brothers. (Ac 15:22)
23 They wrote this letter for them to deliver: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 We heard that there were some who came from us without our authorization and caused you distress by unsettling your minds with what they said. 25 So it seemed best to us, since we are of one mind, to choose some men to send to you, along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will report these same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to put no greater burden on you than these essentials: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully avoid these things, you will do well. Farewell. (Ac 15:23–29)
30 After they were sent on their way, they went down to Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and rejoiced over its encouraging message. (Ac 15:30–31)
Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, also said much that encouraged and strengthened the brothers. (Ac 15:32)
After they had spent some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the greeting of peace to those who had sent them. (Ac 15:33)
Certainly, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Ro 10:9)
But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they, along with many others, kept on teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. (Ac 15:35)
The Greek word κοινωνία and other Greek words from the κοινόν group have the basic meaning of to ___________ with _______________ in ___________________.
We are proclaiming what we have seen and heard also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. (1 Jn 1:3)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Co 13:14)
20 I am praying not only for them [the apostles], but also for those who believe in me through their message. 21 May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. (Jn 17:20–21)
18 Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.' (Mt 28:18–20)
Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:3)
10 If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house. Do not even wish him well. 11 For the one who wishes him well shares in his wicked works. (2 Jn 10–11)
17 But I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the teaching that you learned, and keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving Christ our Lord but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they seduce the hearts of the unsuspecting. (Ro 16:17–18)
Points to Ponder
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
2. How do we profess our fellowship with one another?
3. If we are not in fellowship with another Christian how does that affect that relationship?
