"But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:11)
The gospel of Jesus Christ -- so simple and straightforward. When those that were pricked in their heart asked Peter, standing with the apostles on the day of Pentecost, what must they do to be saved, Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
Why? Because when we believe in Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we become "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)
But Jesus also knew that false prophets would creep in unawares. He warned us to "take heed that no man deceive you." (Matthew 24:4) Those dissenters and disputers whose sole inward desire is to invalidate the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus the Christ. To take you away from His Word, and insert another gospel that does not align with His Word. Jesus Himself referred to them as wolves in sheep's clothing, saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
The example in Acts 15 expands on this point. But that is not all. It goes AGAINST the argument for "religious unity" that a selection of ministers and priests are promoting in the international community today -- that sadly, has become a "pursued dogma: within the modern day church, whereby one man in Rome is given the ultimate authority to "enjoy, by divine institution supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls." (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Note that these who adorn themselves in the "religious cloak" of this day do not give Jesus the ultimate authority as the Head and Chief Cornerstone of the body of Christ. Neither are they recognizing that our Lord God and Creator willingly became our Saviour, shedding His precious holy blood on the cross for you and I. Indeed, these do not give "thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son -- in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who IS the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature:
For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:12-20)
Rather, like the example in Acts 15, these want to add to the gospel, putting a yoke around the neck of disciples who follow Jesus Christ. Reading from the King James version:
Therein, there were certain men which came down from Judaea to teach the brethren. These said, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." (Acts 15:1)
"When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done unto them.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, "That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses." (Acts 15:2-5)
The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Men, brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the gospel and believe, and God which knoweth the hearts bare them witness giving them the Holy Ghost -- even as [He did] unto us, and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith ... now therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:6-10)
Interesting question. But Acts 15 is not the only example whereby false brethren were brought in unawares to privily spy out the liberty which the early church believers had in Christ Jesus. They did so in order to bring those who had been set free through Jesus Christ back into bondage. (James 2:1-21) In some ways, their sole motivation. Reading on:
"Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also, and I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage -- to whom we gave place by subjection? -- no, not for an hour -- that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me ... but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;(For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed ... for before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, "If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" (James 2:14)
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the Law am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain." (James 2:21)
Thus, receive the Word with all readiness of mind, and search the scriptures daily to see whether those things that are being taught in the modern religious community is true. (Acts 17:11)
As for the proliferation of man-made religions and self-proclaimed prophets and teachers who give another man the ultimate authority to "enjoy, by divine institution supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls" remember what Jesus said.
Herein, Jesus warned the multitudes AND His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works, for they say and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders, but [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets and to be called of men, "Rabbi, Rabbi." (Matthew 23:4-7)
Thus, if Jesus is not the Head and worthy to be praised in your church, and His precious Word -- Jesus -- is not first and foremost in all that we do in both word and deed, shake the dust off your feet and don't ever look back ... for Jesus is the only one that saves. He alone is worthy of our praise. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Stand in the offering plate.
The gospel of Jesus Christ -- so simple and straightforward. When those that were pricked in their heart asked Peter, standing with the apostles on the day of Pentecost, what must they do to be saved, Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
Why? Because when we believe in Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we become "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)
But Jesus also knew that false prophets would creep in unawares. He warned us to "take heed that no man deceive you." (Matthew 24:4) Those dissenters and disputers whose sole inward desire is to invalidate the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus the Christ. To take you away from His Word, and insert another gospel that does not align with His Word. Jesus Himself referred to them as wolves in sheep's clothing, saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
The example in Acts 15 expands on this point. But that is not all. It goes AGAINST the argument for "religious unity" that a selection of ministers and priests are promoting in the international community today -- that sadly, has become a "pursued dogma: within the modern day church, whereby one man in Rome is given the ultimate authority to "enjoy, by divine institution supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls." (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Note that these who adorn themselves in the "religious cloak" of this day do not give Jesus the ultimate authority as the Head and Chief Cornerstone of the body of Christ. Neither are they recognizing that our Lord God and Creator willingly became our Saviour, shedding His precious holy blood on the cross for you and I. Indeed, these do not give "thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son -- in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who IS the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature:
For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:12-20)
Rather, like the example in Acts 15, these want to add to the gospel, putting a yoke around the neck of disciples who follow Jesus Christ. Reading from the King James version:
Therein, there were certain men which came down from Judaea to teach the brethren. These said, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." (Acts 15:1)
"When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done unto them.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, "That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses." (Acts 15:2-5)
The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Men, brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the gospel and believe, and God which knoweth the hearts bare them witness giving them the Holy Ghost -- even as [He did] unto us, and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith ... now therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:6-10)
Interesting question. But Acts 15 is not the only example whereby false brethren were brought in unawares to privily spy out the liberty which the early church believers had in Christ Jesus. They did so in order to bring those who had been set free through Jesus Christ back into bondage. (James 2:1-21) In some ways, their sole motivation. Reading on:
"Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also, and I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage -- to whom we gave place by subjection? -- no, not for an hour -- that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me ... but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;(For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed ... for before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, "If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" (James 2:14)
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the Law am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain." (James 2:21)
Thus, receive the Word with all readiness of mind, and search the scriptures daily to see whether those things that are being taught in the modern religious community is true. (Acts 17:11)
As for the proliferation of man-made religions and self-proclaimed prophets and teachers who give another man the ultimate authority to "enjoy, by divine institution supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls" remember what Jesus said.
Herein, Jesus warned the multitudes AND His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works, for they say and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders, but [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets and to be called of men, "Rabbi, Rabbi." (Matthew 23:4-7)
Thus, if Jesus is not the Head and worthy to be praised in your church, and His precious Word -- Jesus -- is not first and foremost in all that we do in both word and deed, shake the dust off your feet and don't ever look back ... for Jesus is the only one that saves. He alone is worthy of our praise. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Stand in the offering plate.
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