What barriers should we avoid imposing on those turning to God? Setting the Scene Acts 15 recounts the Jerusalem Council, where early church leaders debated whether Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the full Mosaic Law. After hearing testimony of God’s work among the nations, James declared: “Therefore it is my judgment that we should not trouble those from the Gentiles who are turning to God.” (Acts 15:19) Identifying the Wrong Barriers The passage reveals several kinds of barriers we must avoid placing in front of new believers: • Legalistic Requirements—adding works such as circumcision or other rituals as conditions for salvation (Galatians 5:1). • Cultural Preferences—insisting that outsiders adopt our style, dress, music, or traditions to be accepted (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). • Secondary Doctrines—elevating non-essential issues to salvation-level importance (Romans 14:1-4). • Personal Prejudices—distinctions of ethnicity, social status, or background (Acts 10:34-35; James 2:1-4). • Man-Made Rules—human teachings that overshadow the gospel’s simplicity (Colossians 2:16-17). Four God-Given Guidelines (Acts 15:20, 29) Rather than burden Gentile converts, the council asked them to: 1. Abstain from food sacrificed to idols. 2. Abstain from blood. 3. Abstain from meat of strangled animals. 4. Abstain from sexual immorality. These instructions: • Protected unity between Jewish and Gentile believers. • Guarded new converts from blatant idolatry and immorality. • Kept the gospel message clear and uncluttered. Timeless Principles for Today • Keep the way to Jesus simple—salvation is “by grace…through faith…not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Remove stumbling blocks, not standards of holiness (Romans 14:13). • Distinguish between gospel essentials and cultural expressions (1 Corinthians 10:31-33). • Lead with grace: “Come to Me…My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). • Practice acceptance: “Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ welcomed you” (Romans 15:7). Encouraging Openness to the Gospel When believers lay aside unnecessary hurdles: • Outsiders sense God’s love, not man’s judgment (John 3:16-17). • The church reflects Christ’s heart for the lost (Mark 2:17). • Unity invites God’s blessing and fresh growth (Acts 16:5). Conclusion Acts 15:19 calls us to clear the road, not clutter it. Drop legalism, prejudice, and man-made rules. Highlight the cross, maintain moral clarity, and let nothing eclipse the simple, saving gospel of Jesus Christ. |
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