4. A Growing Movement - Acts 15 - Ladder or Cross?

One of the most difficult things for people to understand is when they or someone close to them receives something for free. Especially something that they clearly do not deserve. It makes us uncomfortable, confused, and even ashamed at times because of the reality we know, that we could never earn or deserve what we’ve received. In the early church there was a great struggle that arose because of this very situation. The Gentiles had received salvation, but they hadn’t gone through the same grueling process that the Jewish believers had. Some from among the Jewish believers were having a very hard time accepting that salvation could be as easy as Jesus said, and they began to teach something called legalism. Legalism is an idea that there needs to be something else I do in order to help pay for my sins. Something I need to add in order to make it real or official. Jesus did not pay only part of the bill… He paid it all, in full! And not just for your table, but for the whole restaurant! There is no need to add legalistic requirements to salvations, because every legal requirement was met in Jesus’ death. Every victory was won at His resurrection. Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. Join us this Sunday at 8am or 11am as we dive into Acts 15 together and see how the church, and we, should respond to legalism. -Pastor Ben For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49377353