07-31-2022 // Alex Kremer - Confronting False Teaching in the Church; Acts 15:1-21

It may be hard to fathom, but even in the first century, mere decades after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, teaching which was not in line with Scripture or the Apostles' teaching began to creep into the church.  The earliest of these challenges to the church focused upon the issue of circumcision; for certain men from Judea, Pharisees who had believed, began to teach, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1 NASB).  At the core of this teaching was the addition of works to faith to ensure salvation.  However, this teaching was clearly at odds with the Scriptural teaching of salvation alone by grace alone through faith alone.

This teaching represented the first great challenge to this still young church.  So much so, that Paul and Barnabas, "had great dissension and debate with" these teachers.  The Jerusalem Council convened to determine the response to this question.  It is a question which goes to the very heart of the Gospel message, "What is necessary for salvation?"

From today's passage we draw three key points when it comes to false teaching in general and this false teaching in particular:

1. How false teaching is confronted?
2. Why is this false teaching so deadly?
3. What is the basis by which judgment is made regarding this false teaching?

Thank you for listening to today's message.  We pray that this teaching from God's Holy Word will encourage you in your own faith.