Pastor Ralph Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Mc Daniel Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? The Judaizers essential demand to the Christian (Gentile) believer: “Unless you are Circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved,” Acts. They were teaching that one must become a full Jew, step by step and obey the Mosaic law. before they could be saved. How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? We are reminded: “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they,” Acts 15:11. Also, “ for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God , not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 . What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations?It undermines the gospel of Jesus Christ. It sows confusion among new converts in the congregations; it slows down the growth and development of the new convert, and sometime causes them to go back into the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymerkel Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Just as in Paul's day, many feel, with good intentions, that obeying God's laws are included in the new birth, however, Eph. 2:8-9, followed by verse 10 puts things in the right order. For many, a cheap grace has been preached....pray to receive Jesus and obedience is optional. Consequently, many believe that obedience has to be somewhat forced. Legalistic obedience places all the burden of keeping God's commands perfectly on the Christian, a burden no one can stand. Only Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly in His humanity, but He did so in the power of the Holy Spirit. When people realize Who Jesus is, what He has done and why, then a believer will WANT to obey, WANT to worship, WANT to serve from a heart of God's love inside, from the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and from a heart of gratitude and privilege to be a child of God, His servant, and His ambassabor. There is no higher calling in life. I do not worship, serve, pray, etc. from a heart of duty in order to gain God's favor, but rather, I worship, serve, pray, etc. because I HAVE God's love, grace, mercy, and favor. Jesus sets us FREE to worship and serve. What an incredible privilege we have. Then, to top it off, God rewards what HE has done through us. All we have to do is yield to His hand. Yes, it can take us through much hardship, difficulty, and pain, but isn't that the example of Jesus? He submitted to the Father's hand that took Him to and through the cross so that at HIS name every knee would bow and worship. Why should we expect less when it comes to what can happen to us because we live in a sinful, fallen world? We choose to go WITH Jesus or WITHOUT Jesus. It only makes sense to have Jesus go with us because He is IN us. Why face the pains of life alone? And it is all because of God's amazing grace!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 On 8/28/2019 at 10:26 AM, Pastor Ralph said: Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? 1. They were instructing the believers that unless they were circumcised according to Mosaic law, they could not be saved. 2. It "added to" Salvation by grace alone, teaching that one must do a "work" in the flesh (literally remove flesh!) in obedience to the law, for salvation. 3. It nullifies the Gospel, (works contrary to the Gospel) which Jesus gives us freely as a gift! "Works" set us up for comparisons: pride for "earning" Salvation, and for "working" more or harder than others and diminishes all that Jesus has accomplished for us which He freely gives. It can create fear...(am I doing enough? Have I done enough? Can I "lose" my salvation?) It removes joy and appreciation for His free gift and puts us under bondage. I believe that mindset not only sets up barriers between believers, but puts a barrier of fear between the believer and the Lord. It must be exhausting to fall into that trap, even causing resentment toward the Lord for "demanding" or "cracking the whip", rather than leading us. If the pastor teaches that falsehood, (get out of there!) the congregation is no longer free to simply follow the teachings of Christ and the leading of Holy Spirit, but must be scrutinized for how well they are keeping the laws! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandita Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The Judaizers wanted the Gentiles to be circumcised They believed—and tried to teach the Gentiles—that before you can avail of Christ's sacrifice you must become a Jew. That belief is not one Jesus taught or Paul endorsed. Jesus and Paul were very clear that there's no action or ritual that makes you qualify for salvation. Only God's grace can save you. A developing, growing Christian is one whose relationship with God is loving, meaningful, and ever-deepening. Legalism destroys the spontaneity of our love. It lessens our ability to express free will. And, far from allowing us to expand our relationship with God, legalism forces us to stay within tightly-defined boundaries. Whether it's our relationship with God, with fellow Christians, or with our families and friends, legalism replaces free and joyous expressions of love with robotic, fearful, compulsory obedience. In the church I grew up with legalism defined a good Christian as somebody who went to church every Sunday and knew how to recite learned prayers at prescribed moments. Very few Christians felt obliged to put God's word into practice and even fewer understood that God wanted more than memorised prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? The Judaizers demand is that the Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses in order to be saved. How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? We are saved by Grace not the law. What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? Threatens the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-c Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? That believers in Jesus Christ had to be circumcised in order to be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. I would think a few things for sure. Eventually, no one would be (good enough) to be saved. There would get to be a tier system, where a person's standing within the congregation would be measured by their pedigree and all their good works. Congregations and denominations would want to possibly add to the requirements for a person to be saved, as they did to the Law in the OT. The Law can not save anyone; nor can it be kept by anyone. Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis81 Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? In essence in addition to believing in, on and of Christ they wanted the uncircumcised to become proselytes. (circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses). How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? John 3:16, 18, 36; 6:40, 11:25; Hebrew 2:9; 1st John 4:9, 10 Thank You Lord for sending Jesus to die for our sin. Thank You that His blood has paid the full penalty for my sin and that the power of sin in my life has been broken through Him. Thank You that Christ's sacrifice reveals Your immense love for mankind - and for me. I just want to give You thanks and praise for this free gift of salvation, that is open to whosoever will come, in Jesus' name I pray, AMEN. Romans 5:9-11 Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God Salvation by grace alone means that we did absolutely nothing to earn or merit salvation. Simply defined, grace is God’s unmerited favor. If you did anything to earn it or deserve it, it is not grace. Grace alone – Christ alone even so we must believe. What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? I believe the same danger that exist in Act exist today as in the belief that good works facilitates eternal salvation. [Acts 15:8-11] Peter – eye witness - Peter is saying - This dispute about the Gentiles is nothing new. It was settled "a good while ago" (Acts 15:7). Purification of the heart is achieved not by circumcision but "by faith" (Acts 15:9) and God makes "no distinction between us and them" (Acts 15:9). Christians are not only saved by faith; they are purified by faith also! Salvation through works - "which neither our father nor we were able to bear." (Acts 15:10). Peter remind them regarding salvation - It is by grace, not only the Gentile Christian, but also them - the Jewish Christians: "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." (Acts 15:11) In modern time the guise of adding something in addition to faith falls in line with the commandments of man and/or doctrine. A friend of mine was baptized more than 30 years ago in one denomination and when he began to fellowship/assemble with a different denomination he was told he wasn’t saved because of the manner or the oration prior to him being submerged under the water. It saddened my heart, this friend has faithfully walked with the Lord humanly possible as he could in faith to be told he wasn’t saved because of the manner he was baptized. Not sprinkled with water, not with water poured over his head; but because of the manner of oration. Romans 10:9-11 was ignored and unfortunately not received by my friend. Even though he decided to be baptized again, the words of those infected his inner man and plagued his conscious. He became conflicted if he was truly saved even though he believed in Christ. He was conflicted even though he goes to church 3-5 times a week on occasion/routinely; he was conflicted even though he repented when he fell short. He was conflicted even though I shared passage after passage of Scripture wherein the Bible verse conveyed the sentiment of Ephesians 2:8. Sadly, the addition of something in addition to Grace alone -Christ alone plagued his conscious. Note: God’s plan for our salvation has three parts in this order: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification. Justification is God’s unconditional love for us through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. John 3:16 We are justified by Christ alone. Salvation by Grace through Faith Alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) Sanctification is the reciprocation of our love toward Jesus. 1st Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Glorification is the ultimate reward we’ll receive when Jesus returns. We’ll be like Christ. 1st John 3:2 “when he shall appear we shall be like Him. 1st Corinthians 15:53 “For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. Romans 8:18, “For the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preistina11 Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1, 5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? That the new believers must be circumcised and become fully Jew before they can be saved as Christians. How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? The truth of Salvation by grace is lost when the Jewish Christians go back to the old ways of thinking and still keep the old understanding and worst still enforcing them on the new believers that only by keeping the law can one attain salvation. It contradicts what Christ had done on the cross. Jesus sacrifice has forever changed the old ways of righteousness through the law. What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? Excessive legalism in our Christian congregation will lead the sheep astray, it reduces repentance to a state of mere confession and belittles what Christ has done on the cross. It does not teach and preach the word of God as it should be. It adds, subtracts and manipulates the Word of to suit man made laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dave Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? Essentially, the Jews wanted the Gentiles to be circumcised, they were telling that that to be saved they must first become a “complete Jew”. This in itself goes against the idea of salvation by grace because they were, in essence telling them that salvation had to be earned through human effort. The danger of excessive legalism is that it pushes away rather than attracts. A gift is not something that is owed to anyone but rather it is something one gives out of love. It is true a gift could be given away as a way of fulfilling a personal agenda, but it really isn’t a gift. It also isn’t a gift if you have to go out and work for something, it is the worker’s due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 The essential demands of the Judaizers is that you must be circumcised and that you follow the Law of Moses. The difference is that the Law of Moses is not a redemption by grace it is a redemption by human effort. The danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregation is that we start thinking it is up to us to be saved and not by grace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted September 30, 2019 Report Share Posted September 30, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) Q. What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? A. That Gentiles converts to Christianity must, in addition to their faith in Christ, be circumcised and follow the Jewish laws Q. How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? A. It does because salvation is by grace based on faith/ trust/ belief in the Lord Jesus Christ alone that leads to salvation and not by works. Q. What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? A. It poses similar challenge as that caused in the early Church by the Judizers where emphasis is shifted from faith in the saving work of Christ on the cross to the emphasis on works. This causes confusion and discouragement as well as division in the church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesus Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 The essential demand of the Judaizers is they must be circumcised and obey the law of Moses. It contradicts the idea of salvation by grace because they do not believe in the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross and through His grace we receive salvation through our faith in Him. The Judaizers believe salvation is got through the observation of law. The danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregation will lead us to believe in a different Gospel than what Jesus did for us by dying on the Cross. Excessive legalism emphasises more on keeping the law than trusting the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD35 Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The essential demand of the Judaizers is that you have to become a full Jew before you can be saved as a Christian. And to become a full Jew, you go through various steps (such as circumcision) and take upon you various obligations (to obey the Mosaic law). It contradicts the idea of salvation by grace because salvation is only in the believing of the finished work of Jesus on the cross not by any work of man or following the law. Legalism threatens the very message of the gospel of Jesus Christ! It does not allow a person to depend entirely on God and receive freely what Jesus has done, but to depend on works. There will be confusion and discouragement because none can keep the law wholly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godswriter Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The essential demand of the Judaizers is circumcision and for the Gentiles to keep the law of Moses. It contradicts the idea of salvation by grace because it is law over grace. When it comes right down to it; salvation is only about Jesus' saving work on the cross and not by any work of man or following the law. Legalism really threatens the very message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It does not allow for someone to depend on God and to receive Christ's finished work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosegarden Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 On 8/28/2019 at 1:26 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? 1. The Judaizers demanded that the Gentiles in order to be saved must be circumcised and obey the law of Moses. 2. Salvation is believing you are saved by Christ alone, no circumcision, no law of Moses. Eph. 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 3. The dangers of excessive legalism is not depending on Christ's work on the cross, but depending on our own works and our own righteousness to save us. "It is finished" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 On 8/28/2019 at 12:26 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The essential demand of the Judaizers was that the gentiles needed to be circumcised as Moses demanded. The Judaizers demand for circumcision contradicted the idea of salvation by grace because Christ had died for our sins, died was buried and rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God. Accepting what Christ has done for us, we are by grace forgiven of our sins. The Judaizers were preaching a different gospel, which was partially believing what Christ had accomplished and bring in the Mosaic Law which required being circumcised. Exccessive legalism in our Christian churches puts an unnecessary yoke upon us. Demands that require us to believe or perform certain man made rules, could actually keep us from coming Christ and placing obstacles in our belief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottie Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The Judaizers want the Christians to be circumcised like they are otherwise they say they are not really saved. It contradicts it because Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-9 " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works so no one can boast. We can do nothing on our own to be saved. We must accept what Jesus did on the cross for us. We must acknowledge that we are sinners and nothing we do will get us into heaven. That all our works are nothing but filthy rags before Him. We must repent and openly confess that we believe what Jesus did for us and accept Him as out Lord and Savior. No amount of good works is going to get us into heaven or erase our sins. I believe that the danger of excessive legalism is that we become a bunch of enforcers and point fingers at others who do not do what we do or wear the same clothes or have the same hair do. We tend to become judgemental and harsh instead of showing love and grace. When with Jesus it is not about little details but whether you are loving Him and others. When we fight about little things we not only cause divisions but chase away unbelievers as well. After all, we are supposed to be different than they are.We become like the Pharisees in the Bible were; a bunch of nit pickers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grow~Deeper Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The Judaizers demand is that the Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses in order to be saved.(v5) and We are saved by Grace not the law. What is the danger ? Threatens the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? Essentially, they demanded that Gentiles be circumcised in order to be saved. Saying that belief in our Lord Jesus Christ was not enough; they must also obey the Law of Moses. This is a direct attack on the doctrine of salvation by grace. We know that the true gospel teaches that Christ finished the work necessary for salvation on the Cross. As sinners all we need to do is repent and receive Him by faith. Once we start to bring human merit or works in, it is no longer by grace, and there is the danger of us boasting. Salvation is a gift and is not earned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldress Posted October 13, 2019 Report Share Posted October 13, 2019 The essential demand of the Judaizers was that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses to be saved. It contradicted the idea of salvation by grace in that it required something than confession with thou mouth and belief in thine heart. It is a gift and a gift merely requires acceptance of it. The danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregation is that one would be led to that they must perform some physical act or deed to be save which is just the opposite of what is taught in the Good News. If we could perform some physical deed and be saved then Jesus' death was for naught. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Tavaziva Posted October 15, 2019 Report Share Posted October 15, 2019 The real problem for the Judaizers was not whether Gentiles could be saved but whether Gentiles had to adhere to the laws of Moses. The test of following these laws was circumcision. The Jewish Christians were worried because soon there would be more Gentile than Jewish Christians. And they were afraid of weakening moral standards among believers if they did not follow Jewish laws. Paul, Barnabas, and the other church leaders believed that the Old Testament law was very important, but it was not a prerequisite to salvation. The law cannot save; only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ can a person be saved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggz Posted November 11, 2019 Report Share Posted November 11, 2019 The Judaizers demanded that converts should first become Jews, and then Christians. The major sign of "Jewishness" was the keeping of the Mosaic law and the primary commitment was circumcision. Keeping of the Law implies salvation by works i.e. it is only by one's efforts in obeying the Mosaic law that one can be saved. This is in direct contradiction to the idea of salvation by grace, which implies that we are powerless to save ourselves through our own works, but must rely on the grace poured out by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to wash away our sins. Following on from the previous answer, the danger of excessive legalism is that we begin to believe that, through keeping certain laws, we are able to achieve salvation. This is a travesty of the truth - we are unable to achieve anything in our own power, but have to rely on the grace of God, made manifest in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shonda Posted November 23, 2019 Report Share Posted November 23, 2019 1) The demand is for all the Gentiles to be circumcised. 2) "grace" was given freely by Christ. Here they are saying that only a true Jew that is circumcised under the law of Moses can be saved, which is not true, since Christ died for all our sins. And by Grace we are saved, not because of the law. 3) When man starts to it forms of "legalism" in the church. God's word get circumvented in order to fit the legal law of man and his thoughts. This causes great dissent and confusion among people as they forget what is man's law, and God's law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted March 11, 2022 Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? The Judaizers actually want the Gentile converts to be circumcised. (Basically proselytizing them) How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? If this was desired and necessary for salvation it would be salvation by following a law and not by grace. What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The danger of legalism is again that it gets to be accepted or understood that salvation is by works. Looking back on the Pharisees it is like all the man-made attachments they hung onto the Law which made it impossible to be kept. We need to understand and make clear SALVATION IS AN ACT OF GRACE. Works has nothing to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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