We are NOT Israel (Separation of Church and State) - Acts 15:1-11

Often we hear many say that the church is the true Israel and Christians are the true Jew. While there is an interconnected relationship between them in God's service, Acts 15 makes it clear these are separate and distinct Institutions of God. Failure to keep Israel and Church separate will ultimately lead to compromising the Grace of God given towards the Gentiles and Church, which are in Christ, apart from the Covenant Nation of Israel.

Acts 15 shows certain men, Judaizers, who believed Christian salvation was only for those in the Convent Nation of Israel, by the circumcision of Moses and fellowship with God by keeping the Law of Moses. Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and James, knew that the Covenant of Israel, that the Jews kept, was separate and distinct from salvation and the other nations were never under obligations to keep that Covenant. After much discussion the Jerusalem church agreed with this understanding.

In this sermon we show why we stand for a clear separation of Church and State Covenants in both Old and New Testaments. Particularly that Israel is not the church and Gentile Christians are not Jews unless they enter into the Covenant of Israel by the Law.

We also show how the errors of Keeping the law "for salvation" or "to keep salvation" or "to keep in fellowship" or to "prove our salvation" are derivative of this error of the believing Pharisees. Rather we show how living by true FAITH is better than any LAW.

We also give the example of Paul the Apostle to show that he kept the covenant of his own Nation of Israel, as an obedient Jew, even while teaching the gentiles were under no obligation to do so. We show also how James, Pastor of the church in Jerusalem, supported this practice of Jewish obedience to the covenant, while supporting the freedom of the Gentiles not to be.

(Be sure to watch "Acts 15:12-41 We are David's Tabernacle" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GMzLXVL4FM&t=3707s] and study the events surrounding David's tabernacle, for a better understanding of the NT Church's relationship to the OT Church as understood by the Apostles, Elders, and the early church.)

Preached: July 29, 2018 Sunday Night. By Pastor John Young, at Edgecliff Baptist Church, Spokane Valley, WA.

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