241113 Acts 14 - 16:1-5

Pastor Scott Craig brings subtleties and issues to light found in Acts 14 through 16:5 as Christianity begins to go GLOBAL. But first, the attendees try to convince Pastor Scott to run for governor of South Dakota. After all, we DO have the Original Governors Mansion....
1. What IS required to BE a Christian? Remember, this is occurring in the land of the Jews amongst the Jewish peoples AND non-Jewish peoples. Moreover, Jesus was Jewish and the Apostles were Jewish. It isn't a surprise that the strongest human opposition comes from the Jewish leaders. We can't forget that the battle, the war is spiritual.
2. Truth is never well-received amongst those comfortable with living a lie. The truth still must be held up.
3. Even amongst the Apostles, there was discord over what was required for the non-Jewish to be counted as a Christian. It was felt by some in the association of disciples that circumcision should be a criterion IN ADDITION to faith in what Jesus did on the cross. Expectations were decided upon that REPENTANCE and the 10 Commandments are enough. Anything less is "cheap grace."
4. The split between Barnabas and Paul over John Mark demonstrates that maturation is a natural though challenging process for Christians, to the point that Paul later claims and demonstrates that John Mark is a trusted helper to him.
5. Timothy receives circumcision for the sake of his witness and ministry to the Jewish unbelievers he would later attempt to bring into the faith.