October 26, 2025
Teacher: paul Mermilliod
Acts 15:1-21
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” [2] And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. [3] So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. [5] But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
[6] The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. [7] And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. [8] And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, [9] and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. [10] Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? [11] But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
[12] And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. [13] After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. [14] Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. [15] And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
[16] “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
[17] that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things [18] known from of old.’
[19] Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, [20] but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. [21] For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
BIG TRUTH:
JESUS FOLLOWERS ARE CHILDREN OF GOD
Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 3:26
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Big Idea:
We are born outside the family of God.
Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.
Ephesians 2:12
remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Big Idea:
Adoption into God’s family is through faith in Jesus, not good works.
- The law is good. (Gal 3:21, 24)
- The law cannot save. (Ga 3:10-11)
- Jesus bore the curse of the law in our place. (Gal 3:13-14)
- Jesus fulfilled the law to redeem us. (Gal 4:3-7)
- Salvation in Jesus is by grace through faith. (Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9)
- In Jesus we receive adoption and a new nature. (Gal 4:7, 2:20)
Galatians 3:21, 24
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! [24] So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:10-11
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” [11] Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law…
Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—[14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 4:3-7
In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 2:16, 3:11
yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ… “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this not of your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Galatians 4:7
So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Discipleship Resource: What is the Gospel?
Big Idea:
The Holy Spirit is our sign of sonship.
Galatians 4:6
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15-17
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…
The Holy Spirit Produces…
- Steadfast hope. (Gal 5:5)
- Sacrificial love. (Gal 5:6, 13-14, 22)
- Spiritual conflict. (Gal 5:16-17, 24)
- Supernatural fruit. (Gal 5:22-23, 25
Discipleship Resource: Exalting Jesus Through Spiritual Gifts
Big Idea:
God’s children labor to build one another up.
Galatians 6:1-2, 10
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ… [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Discipleship Resource: New Life in Jesus
Talk About It
- What does it mean to be adopted into God’s family? (Gal 4:3-7)
- How do we “walk by” and “keep in step with” the Holy Spirit? (Gal 5:16-26)
- Who can I sacrificially love this week by helping build them up in Jesus? (Gal 6:1-2, 10)
give
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respond to the gospel
If you want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus or how to respond to the gospel, visit the Hub in the upper atrium or tcbchurch.org/gospel.
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