But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Acts 15:1-21
In this account, Luke writes of the first time a council of church leaders and the Apostles meet to discuss what many believed to be heretical teaching by some who called themselves Christian. It starts in the church at Antioch when some from Jerusalem come teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised in order to receive salvation. Their teachings caused a great debate between Paul, Barnabas and them. Since these men had come from Jerusalem, the church at Antioch decided to send representatives, Paul and Barnabas among them, to Jerusalem to speak with the Apostles and elders there about this matter. Along the way, Paul and Barnabas stop at churches in Phoenicia and Samaria to report on their missionary work to the Gentiles, bringing great joy to the Christians in that region. When Paul and Barnabas arrive in Jerusalem, they are welcomed into the church and they report to the Jerusalem church of the work among the Gentiles the Lord had done. Then, some believers, who were converts from the Pharisees, rose up stating that the Gentile converts needed to be circumcised to keep the Law of Moses. Thus, the Apostles and elders considered the matter through much debate. Then, Peter, considered the leader of the Apostles, spoke to the gathering about his experience at Joppa and witnessing to Cornelius and his household and their salvation with the Holy Spirit falling upon them all. Then, James the brother of Jesus and pastor of the Jerusalem church, spoke to the gathering. James spoke of the prophets writing of the Messiah saying He will rebuild the “tent of David” and make known His name among “all the Gentiles who are called by My name.” James concludes his speech by saying that the Gentile Christians should not be saddled with the laws that only create trouble for them. To this day and until Christ returns, there will be those among Christians who think that certain laws must be obeyed by Christians. Jesus never taught that! Christians are saved by the Grace of God alone through faith alone in the finished works of Jesus of Nazareth, God Incarnate alone. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament and its laws. The Holy Spirit indwells each Christian to teach, guide and protect the Christian from the evil one, Satan and his demons. This is always a battle within the church and will continue until our Lord returns. Source: S C Ball July 7, 2023
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