What does it mean “to be saved?” This question caused a crisis in the early church twenty years after the crucifixion and resurrection. The question also threatened the unity of the church.

There was no instruction manual to answer the question “What is salvation?” They had no Luther’s catechism. Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches (in modern day Turkey) had been written a few weeks earlier, but the people in Jerusalem had not read it. The Letter to the Romans was still in Paul’s mind and was not written until about AD 57, eight years from the onset of the crisis. John’s gospel was not yet available.

In AD 48 and 49 what was the church to do? Many were proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. They preached that all who believed in Him were saved.

On the other hand, some especially dedicated believers were convinced that everyone who joined the faith needed to keep the laws of Moses. Circumcision (removal of a layer of skin from the male penis) and adherence to Old Testament dietary regulations became key issues (Acts 15).

Those specific issues are generally not problems today, but the underlying question remains: Is a person saved as a gift by faith alone? Or are we saved by faith in Jesus plus something we do?

In time, the truth of the teaching of justification by faith became clear. But It was by no means clear at the outset. The apostles and elders came together at a Jerusalem Conference in AD 49 to look into the question. They made a momentous decision that determined the course of history. Together the early church determined that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11) plus nothing.

What is Justification by Faith?

Justification is an instantaneous act of God that takes place in heaven by which He declares a sinner righteous in His sight.

Let’s break it down.

Justification (Greek word dikaiosune) is a legal term used in a court of law.

It takes place instantaneously, in a moment, as opposed to sanctification, which is a process over time. Granted, the process leading up to the sentence of justification may take months or years, but the act of justification is immediate.

Justification is an act of God. God justifies, not man. He alone can do it. Yet is based in part on a man’s decisions.

Justification takes place where God is, in heaven. This is to say, it does not take place in the heart of a man. It is an act of God, not an act of a man. It takes place in heaven, far away from a man. It will impact a man, but it does not take place in any man.

God makes a fiat decision. He is the Judge who delivers the sentence, You are righteous! and bangs the gavel down. He alone has the power to declare someone righteous. God Himself makes the decree based on a man’s faith in Jesus.

He justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5). God’s decision is apart from the law (Romans 3:21), not based on a man’s morality or condition of sin or sinlessness.

It is based on faith and faith alone (John 5:24, John 3:16, Romans 3:28)

“Righteous” is a standing before God that is ultimately superior to innocence. God does not say, “You are innocent.” Nor does he declare, “You are not guilty.” Rather, He knows we are neither innocent nor not guilty. He knows we are in fact guilty. His declaration, “You are righteous” is based solely on His determination that the humbled sinner has accepted Jesus Christ’s payment in total for his sin.

“In His sight” is key to understanding justification. It indicates God’s own view of a person, not how the person nor anyone else views him. A justified person may still feel guilty or unworthy. He may still be accused and sentenced in a human court of law to crimes he has committed. But God views the humbled sinner through the lens of Jesus Christ. God sees him as perfect as His Jesus Christ Himself.

This is the miracle of justification!

Let’s pursue justification by faith a bit further

The crisis in the early church involved this question: Is faith in Christ enough? Or does something else need to be added?

Some sincere believers asserted circumcision was necessary to complete faith.

Today, some churches teach we must believe in Jesus Christ as our Substitute plus we must add our own contribution.

Here are some additions I’ve heard. All are good and well-intended. But are they scriptural?

Must keep the 10 Commandments

Must get baptized in water

Must speak in tongues

Must show a good life

Must make Jesus “Lord”

Must not drink, smoke, dance or (fill in the blank) ___________________.

How the Early Church Solved the Crisis

Apostles and elders met the early church crisis head on in AD 49 by calling together the Jerusalem Conference. At that conference of leaders, they debated the issues. The Council concluded that justification by faith alone plus nothing was sufficient for salvation; neither circumcision nor anything else was required for salvation. Graciously, they also encouraged new converts to stay away from practices abhorrent to the Jews. The president of the council summarized the conclusion. They wrote down the decision and published it by means of church representatives.

The decision of the Jerusalem Conference preserved the unity of the church and determined the course of history.

The Situation

Jesus had just healed a “crazy” man and more recently, an incurable woman. Both were “impossible situations.” 

Now He was at home in Capernaum and an elder in his home synagogue requested He come immediately to deal with a twelve-year-old daughter who was either dying or already dead. 

The situation was dire. Which was worse? Death, fear, or unbelief?  

Death didn’t faze Jesus. He saw fear and the surrounding atmosphere of unbelief as the greater obstacles. 

The Problem

Why make a commotion and weep? (Mark 5:39). Jesus came to restore life. But as He entered the house of the synagogue leader, he observed a commotion with people loudly weeping and wailing.  

In our lower nature, we are attracted to sickness. As soon as we hear the report “someone is in the hospital,” we want to know more details. Often times, people get attention when sick. Statistics, doctor’s diagnoses, who else is sick–all these add to the mounting conversation.

Some of this may be necessary, but in the case of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus came to heal. 

The Solution 

Jesus cut though the commotion: Jesus spoke the word of truth. Even though the girl had been pronounced dead, Jesus saw the reality. The child is not dead, but sleeping.  

Healing requires the accurate set of data points. Natural observance is not always accurate. Doctors’ statements offer the doctor’s perspective.  

The Word of God offers reality. Sanctify us in Your truth. Your word is truth (John 17:17).  

Jesus’s first action was to stop fear in the father, who was the authority figure in this case. Do not be afraid, only believe.(Mark 5:36). He replaced fear with faith.

Next, Jesus cut off all unbelief. He allowed no one to follow Him except His three companions (Mark 5:37). He was adamant about no doubters to come to the house. Only those who could push faith over the top could come to the house with Him.  

Can you imagine what a stir this made among His disciples? Among His supporters?

The line had been drawn. Jesus was steeling Himself against doubt, skepticism and unbelief. Emotion was focused on health and resurrection. Adrenalin raged in His body and He would let nothing interfere. 

Suddenly, the crisis went south as Christ and His compatriots approached Jairus’ house: The whole house reeked of hopelessness and death. The din of death was resounding throughout the neighborhood.  The atmosphere of death had grown and prevailed. After all, people were simply facing “reality.”

Jesus immediately challenged the commotion, the attention, the emotion, the wailing, the weeping. He put an end to all of it. He put them all outside. 

To put them all outside is an understatement. The Greek word is ek-ballo. It is a strong word, the same word used to cast out demons. 

Then He altered the atmosphere. He displaced the attention and the noise in the room with His presence and some young believers learning grace.  

Do you think this action was easy for Jesus? No, there is strong tradition to surround the sick with sympathy. In fact, well-meaning friends and sympathizers began laughing at Jesus. The laughing was mockery and ridicule, not humor. King James translation says, they laughed Him to scorn. 

But Jesus proceeded to put them all out. He insisted on exclusive focus on health and resurrection. 

How I Was Healed From Stage 4, Inoperable Cancer

I understand what Jesus was doing. I had to do the same. 

I shut out all negative and neutral influences. I was in the hospital when I realized I could not take in the news. The oncologist gave me a 10 % chance to survive. I could not accept his prognosis. When I got home from the hospital, I asked that no one be allowed to call. I could not allow sympathy. I allowed no movies of people suffering from cancer.  

I requested a singer to come to the house and sing hymns to me. I got a hymnbook and began to absorb the choruses. The Bible became my diet book and my textbook. Hope and faith only were allowed to enter my room. 

Conclusion

Mark 5:35-43 is Jesus’ playbook for local church healing. Jairus, which may mean “shining one,” was the name of the the synagogue leader of Jesus’ home town.  

When the local church concentrates positive faith and love on a sick person, God acts. When the local church piles on the positive expectation of healing, God acts. When the local church isolates a person in the cocoon of redemptive faith and hope, the power of God swings the needy into the supernatural realm. 

Few understand the power of disproportionate faith and prayer. Desperate conditions require desperate accumulations of action.

O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise. . . These are the voices of the local church surrounding the needy. This is the resounding roar of the redeeming church in action. This is the triumphant cry of the army of God engaged in battle. This is the militant church fulfilling her destiny. May we surround the sick with such a chorus! 

Every church has a certain “shout.” By that I mean a noticeable feel or impression. It’s that sense that people remember when they leave. It’s what children–and adults–take home after the service.

That impression becomes part of your church’s reputation, what you are known for.

People may or may not be able to put it into words, but it’s that unmistakable feeling that doesn’t go away.

What “shout” does your church deliver?

One family visited our church recently; their children went away calling it the “donut church.” (Presumably because we have a generous supply of all sorts of donuts on our fellowship table.)

Every church shouts something. Hopefully, no one calls our church “the boring church.”

When visitors drive away from your Sunday meeting, what’s their lasting impression?

What is grace?

Grace is God’s power poured out on us from start to finish. It is His power upholding us when we “blow it.” It is His favor lavished upon us unceasingly, even and especially when we don’t deserve it.

My wife and I once visited a church in a neighboring town. After the singing, testimony time began. One man stood up and began to talk. He confessed that he had been skipping church for weeks. He said he needed to confess: he had made a wrong moral decision. He had repented. He was there to ask forgiveness and hoped that people would accept him again.

I did not know the details, but based on the people’s response, it seemed like “grace in action” to me. Then the pastor responded kindly. Unaware, we had walked into a prodigal elders homecoming! The church was shouting “grace, grace” on him.

Three thoughts about grace to help churches give a good shout

One, Grace smiles

In other words, grace invites. Grace forgives. Grace warms people’s hearts. Grace lifts tired souls. It’s light-hearted and happy. People like to be around gracious, happy people.

Friendly, yes, and more. Are we letting the sunshine in?

Does your church feel more like Moses is in charge–or Jesus?

Two, Grace is how Jesus rules His Kingdom

We live in the Age of Grace. The 21st century is not a a throwback to the dispensation of Law. Our churches don’t need to be a throwback to the disposition of Law either.

Grace is the operational principle by which Jesus rules from start to finish in this epoch. He begins with this invitation. While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).

Throughout our lives, grace reigns. In fact, grace abounds (Romans 5:20-21). God lavishes grace on His family. He was adamant to start a grace relationship with us and grace will be brought to us at the final revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13).

Three, Grace is more an attitude than a doctrine

Do the altar calls in your church beckon folks to do more, work harder? Or do you leave church expectant of what God Almighty will do for you?

Do we leave looking up, sensing God is at work in us both to will and to do His good pleasure? Or do we leave sensing I’ve got to do more, pray more, give more this week?

Grace is all about Him, who He is, and what He will do. Works is about us, what we do, and must do.

The church, the spiritual house of God, will be built amidst shouts of Grace! Grace! (Zech 4:7).

Here are a couple of stories about churches I’ve visited

It was a long time ago, but I still remember it. I came alone and sat near the back. I think someone gave me a bulletin, but I’m not sure. When the meeting was over, no one approached or talked with me. I remember the color of the pews and walls, but nothing else.

That church shouted, “We don’t like people here!”

Another story. On vacation, my wife and I visited a church across town. The parking lot was filled with heavy-duty pickup trucks, and we had a little trouble finding the door. Once inside, the sermon seemed true, yet was too long (in my opinion) and kind of boring.

But during prayer requests, a couple of the people asked prayer for their ailing horses! And about half the people, men and women alike, wore cowboy boots!

When we described our experience of that church, we said, “They really like horses!”

My wife and I call them “the Cowboy Church!”

Now, all joking aside, What does your church “shout” to visitors?

The 7 purposes of New Testament prophecy according to 1 Corinthians 14 are shown here:

To Build People Up

To edify or build up (v3). Oh, how the church and church people need to be built up in our day. No more tearing down, putting down or pulling down even if it’s true. No need for criticism or complaining. Rather, our great need is to build up the body of Christ.

To Encourage People

To exhort or encourage (v3). Encourage is a better term here. We all understand and respond to encouragement. The outstanding hallmark of NT prophecy is simply this—to give courage and strength to people.

How do we discern true prophecy? If it encourages, it’s most likely a word from God.

Pastors especially need encouragement. It’s not easy to shepherd people. When I travel to speak at churches, I try to find something from the Holy Spirit that is true about the pastor that will encourage him in front of the congregation.

Before I spoke at a church in Romania, I labored nearly all Saturday night in prayer. When I gave the Sunday morning message, people received it well, but I had no idea of the far-reaching impact. Hours after the meeting, the pastor and the lead elder each confessed they had planned to resign at church that very morning. However, after receiving the message, each took courage and decided NOT to resign. In months that followed, that pastor became a significant leader of ministers in his entire region.

To Comfort Hurting People

To console or comfort (v3). Some prophecies are specifically designed to comfort bereaved or suffering people. The Holy Spirit is the most gentle Person among us.

To Convict, Call to Account, to Reveal Secrets

To convict or reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chide, expose unbelievers and outsiders (v 24).

To call to account or discern, sift, question unbelievers and outsiders(v 24).

To reveal or disclose hidden secrets in unbelievers and outsiders (v 24).

God gives these revelations at times so that skeptics or private persons will humble themselves, become worshipers in awe of God, and confess That God is present (v25).

Jack Deere, a former professor and self-confessed skeptic of pneumatika at Dallas Theological Seminary, explains that prophecies in his church frequently accomplish these goals. Deere is the author of Why I am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit.

To Teach People

To increase knowledge (v31). Literally, the text says “that all may learn.” This is the origin of the thought that there are “teaching prophecies.”

The Bible says, You can all prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:31). If you give a message that fulfills one of these 7 purposes of New Testament prophecy, you can be confident you are fulfilling God’s desire and accomplishing His purpose.