1. BEHOLD WHAT MANNER OF LOVE Behold what manner of love The Father has given unto us Behold what manner of love The Father has given unto us That we should be called the sons of God

2. ACTS 15:1-18 IS SALVATION BY LAW OR BY GRACE? God’s Witnesses to the World (Growing, Glowing, Going )

3. INTRODUCTION At various times in its history, the church’s leaders have met together to settle doctrinal issues. At various times in its history, the church’s leaders have met together to settle doctrinal issues. The Jerusalem council fixed the most momentous doctrinal question of all: What must a person do to be saved? The Jerusalem council fixed the most momentous doctrinal question of all: What must a person do to be saved? The Jews believed that Gentiles who wanted to become Christians had to first become Jewish proselytes. The Jews believed that Gentiles who wanted to become Christians had to first become Jewish proselytes.

4. Conflict was inevitable. Conflict was inevitable. The issue was not whether God wanted to save the Gentiles, but how they were to be saved? The issue was not whether God wanted to save the Gentiles, but how they were to be saved? Could they enter the kingdom of God directly, without coming through the vestibule of Judaism? Could they enter the kingdom of God directly, without coming through the vestibule of Judaism?

5. “The struggle for faith alone never ends. It’s a part of our own inability to accept a gift. And deeper than that: we want to be loved because of what we do for our God.” Lloyd Ogilvie

6. The Dissension (1-5) We must never believe the heresy that salvation is by human works. (1) We must never believe the heresy that salvation is by human works. (1) We must contend for the truth of the gospel. (2) We must contend for the truth of the gospel. (2) Joy is the appropriate response upon hearing the salvation of any person. (3) Joy is the appropriate response upon hearing the salvation of any person. (3) Believers are not obliged to keep human traditions or rituals as well as the Law. (5) Believers are not obliged to keep human traditions or rituals as well as the Law. (5)

7. The Discussion (6-18) Past revelation proves salvation is by grace. (7) Past revelation proves salvation is by grace. (7) The gift of the Spirit proves salvation is by grace. (8-9) The gift of the Spirit proves salvation is by grace. (8-9) Cleansing of sin proves salvation is by grace. (9) Cleansing of sin proves salvation is by grace. (9) The inability of the Law to save proves salvation is by grace. (10-11) The inability of the Law to save proves salvation is by grace. (10-11)

8. The fact of miracles proves that salvation is by grace. (12) The fact of miracles proves that salvation is by grace. (12) Prophetic promise proves salvation is by grace. (13-18) Prophetic promise proves salvation is by grace. (13-18)