Controversy and the Church
The True Human Community
September 24, 2023
Rev. Dr. Gabe Sylvia
Acts 15 teaches that as the church expands it must gather to defend the one gospel by appealing to Scripture, uphold salvation by grace through faith (not works), resist doctrinal innovation, and value connectional structures like the PCA for support and accountability.
Summary
The sermon on Acts 15 emphasizes that as the church spreads beyond Jerusalem it will face deception and must therefore convene and appeal to Scripture to resolve controversies; Paul and Barnabas show that the gospel is one (not a separate Jewish or Gentile gospel) and that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. This underscores the necessity of the broader church for the health of local congregations, warns against treating doctrine as something to be casually revised or mocked, affirms the usefulness of historic creeds and confessions, and explains how denominational structures (for example the PCA’s session and General Assembly) provide accountability and resources in times of need.
Key Points
- Acts 15: the expanding church needs to gather to address deception and doctrinal disputes
- Controversies must be settled by appealing to Scripture, as Paul and Barnabas demonstrate
- The gospel is by grace through faith—salvation is a gift, not the result of works
- The unity of the gospel: there is not a separate Jewish and Gentile gospel; ministry must preserve that unity
- Guard against doctrinal innovation; creeds and confessions reflect careful biblical work and deserve respect
- Connection to the broader church (e.g., PCA structure: session, higher courts, General Assembly) provides accountability, resources, and protection for local churches
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