Jerusalem Church, Part 2

The Church at Jerusalem

Learning from Controversy
Acts 4–6 · Acts 15 · Hebrews

Thesis

Controversy reveals whether we serve from conviction or convenience.

A church with no problems is not automatically healthy.

It may be dead, shrinking, or simply no longer threatening the enemy.

"For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you."

1 Corinthians 11:19

Jerusalem had apostles, miracles, and the Spirit's direct guidance.

And still it faced discipline crises, persecution, internal disputes, and doctrinal controversy.

I

What Jerusalem teaches us about discipline

Ananias and Sapphira wanted the appearance of full sacrifice without the truth of full honesty.

The issue was not the money.

The issue was lying to God while trying to look spiritual before men.

"You have not lied to men but to God."

Acts 5:4

God does not classify sin the way we do.

We do not negotiate with sin based on how serious it seems to us.

Impartiality is not optional.

Charter membership, family ties, and money do not buy exemption from accountability.

"And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things."

Acts 5:11

Where discipline falls unevenly, respect erodes and the name of Christ is dishonored.

Opportunity to repent must be real, not theatrical.

"Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness."

Galatians 6:1

"He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

James 5:20

Word Study

προσωπολημψία

prosōpolēmpsia

Lit. "receiving the face" — favoring someone based on status or appearance

When is partiality hardest to recognize in a congregation? When do we "receive the face" without realizing it?

Word Study

καταρτίζω

katartizō

To mend, repair, restore to working order — used of mending fishing nets

What is the difference between restoring someone and simply removing them from sight?

Discussion

What are examples of partiality in discipline? What would impartial discipline look like in those same situations?

II

What Jerusalem teaches us about external opposition

The authorities gave a direct order: stop teaching in the name of Jesus.

"Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Acts 4:19–20

They asked for boldness, not relief.

They did not ask God to remove the opposition or quiet the accusers.

"Grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence."

Acts 4:29

You do not win a war by asking the enemy to go away.

You ask for the weapons and the courage to fight.

"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life."

Acts 5:20

"We must obey God rather than men."

Acts 5:29

Word Study

παρρησία

parrēsia

Frankness, freedom of speech — confidence to speak without fear of consequences

What would it look like for this congregation to ask God specifically for parrēsia today?

Discussion

Jerusalem asked for boldness, not relief from persecution. What does that tell us about their mission — and how does it challenge the way we typically pray about difficulty?

III

What Jerusalem teaches us about internal controversy

Acts 6 — Grecian widows overlooked in food distribution
Acts 15 — Law of Moses and the gospel put on trial

"Select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom."

Acts 6:3

Acts 6 and Acts 15 both involve the whole congregation.

Leadership was open, visible, and accountable — not handed down behind closed doors.

These were not closed-door boardroom decisions announced to a passive congregation.

Shepherding is not lording over the flock — 1 Peter 5:3.

Good followership is the other half of church unity.

"You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them..."

Numbers 16:3

That is not good followership. That is rebellion dressed in spiritual language.

Sensitive work requires qualified, trusted, Spirit-filled people.

Appointing just whoever will volunteer says something about how much we value the work.

"We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 6:4

When every task becomes the preacher's responsibility first, the teaching suffers.

Discussion

In Acts 6 and Acts 15, the whole congregation participated in major decisions. What does that model say to churches today? What practical barriers exist to doing it that way?

Discussion

What does good followership look like in practice? How does it differ from blind compliance with bad leadership?

Discussion

1 Corinthians 11:19 says factions must come so the approved may be made manifest. How should we think about controversy — not as a threat to survive, but as a test that reveals what we are made of?

IV

Where Jerusalem fell short

If Hebrews was addressed to Jerusalem, the warning is sobering:

A congregation can have apostolic roots and still begin to drift.

Peer pressure was pulling them back toward the Old Law.

They were retreating to avoid the social cost of following Christ fully.

"How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"

Hebrews 2:1–3

A church that does not use what Christ provides is already in danger.

A better High Priest does not help those who refuse to draw near.

"Remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings."

Hebrews 10:32–34

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus."

Hebrews 12:1–3

"By this time you ought to be teachers..."

Hebrews 5:12

Thirty years in the faith and still needing the basics is not stability. It is regression.

There is no automatic inheritance of genuine conviction.

It must be taught, modeled, and pressed into the next generation deliberately.

Word Study

στοιχεῖα

stoicheia

First elements, the "ABCs" of a subject — foundational building blocks

What are the elementary principles every Christian here should know by now? Are we confident they do?

Word Study

ὑπομονή

hypomonē

Active, steadfast continuation under pressure — not passive waiting but determined forward movement

What is the difference between hypomonē — enduring — and simply staying put?

Discussion

Hebrews 5:12 says they ought to be teachers but still needed the basics. How does a congregation prevent that regression? What does genuine spiritual growth require from each member?

Discussion

Jerusalem struggled to pass the faith to the next generation. Name three specific, concrete things this congregation can do right now to strengthen and mature the next generation.

Jerusalem is not a distant curiosity.

It is a mirror.

The word of God is sufficient.

The question is whether we will take it seriously enough to do the hard work it requires.