Gathering Recap - 09/21/2025 - Acts 15:1-21 - Transforming Enemies

Call to worship:

6 6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:6-9

Gathering Video

Questions for reflection:

How does the gospel transform enemies into family?

What posture do the apostles take as they sort through the questions of the 1st century?

In what ways does Jesus break down boundaries and barriers today?

Corporate Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed by Your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, and we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen.

Notes//Quotes//Slides:

Slide 1

God promised salvation to Israel...

God's blessings would come to the Nations through

the covenant with Abraham...

Circumcision was the standard means of entering

into full participation with the covenant people...

These Gentiles had not been circumcised...

They remained outside of Israel and therefore

could not participate fully in God's promises

Slide 2

Amos 9:12 (MT)

12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom

and all the nations who are called by my name,”

declares the LORD who does this.

Amos 9:12 (LXX)

12 so that the remnant of the people,

and all the nations upon whom my name was invoked upon them,

will search for me,” says the Lord who is making these things.

Slide 3

אדום = Edom

אדם= adam/ humanity

Slide 4

Deuteronomy 30:6

6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.