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." And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, "Men and 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 knows 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? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:1-11)
Read that message again -- that we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus the Christ we shall be saved. But as we see too, there are always those who desire to bring us into bondage, placing us under the law. Sadly, this has not changed, even when we have the benefit of the apostles' communications to lead and guide us. Then, some believers in the primitive assembly thought it necessary for the believing non Jews to be circumcised. It was similarly dictated that they must adhere to the Law by those who set themselves up to be an authority.
Well, taking that position caused an extensive inquiry, and I am sure when the scriptures state, "no small dissension and disputation" -- that the discussion could be considered more than lively. What we need to note is that God had chosen Peter to initially deliver the good news of the gospel to the non Jews. Peter said at that initial moment that it was God who knows the heart. It is God who becomes acquainted with a believer and understands people's innermost thoughts. Certainly, it was God who by the outpouring and inputting of His own Spirit upon the non Jews, welcomed the non-Jewish into the flock. It was He who had previously breathed His Spirit upon the Jews. God, in so doing, declared that He was placing no difference between the non Jews and the Jews. There would be no distinctions. He did not discriminate. No respecter of persons.
"... (for He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)" (Galatians 2:8)
Read that message again -- that we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus the Christ we shall be saved. But as we see too, there are always those who desire to bring us into bondage, placing us under the law. Sadly, this has not changed, even when we have the benefit of the apostles' communications to lead and guide us. Then, some believers in the primitive assembly thought it necessary for the believing non Jews to be circumcised. It was similarly dictated that they must adhere to the Law by those who set themselves up to be an authority.
Well, taking that position caused an extensive inquiry, and I am sure when the scriptures state, "no small dissension and disputation" -- that the discussion could be considered more than lively. What we need to note is that God had chosen Peter to initially deliver the good news of the gospel to the non Jews. Peter said at that initial moment that it was God who knows the heart. It is God who becomes acquainted with a believer and understands people's innermost thoughts. Certainly, it was God who by the outpouring and inputting of His own Spirit upon the non Jews, welcomed the non-Jewish into the flock. It was He who had previously breathed His Spirit upon the Jews. God, in so doing, declared that He was placing no difference between the non Jews and the Jews. There would be no distinctions. He did not discriminate. No respecter of persons.
"... (for He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)" (Galatians 2:8)
[As an aside, please note that Peter is not being elevated above the other apostles here. For as we know, Peter stood in agreement (as an equal within the body of Christ church) delivering the Acts 2:38 message on the day of Pentecost, wherein the first 3,000 souls were saved in the New Testament.]
Since God purified and cleansed the non Jews heart’s by faith, we need to ask why the sect of the Pharisees in Acts 15, and many modern day religious culture today willingly bring God's abundant love for His people into question now? Why strain the patience of God? In fact, why are so many endeavouring to put a burden on the shoulders of non Jewish believers, a burden that neither we nor our forefathers did?
As we read further, we see that James added his position to the discussion. James relayed how it pleased God at the first to visit the non Jews. It became obvious that God was choosing a people dedicated to His name. To this the afore-predicted language, the prophets agree. As it is written in the scriptures, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up ..." (Acts 15:16)
In other words, God was saying, "I will raise My tabernacle afresh so that the residue of believing men and women from all nations who belong to Me, may now earnestly seek after Me." God from the beginning of time, and well into eternity, knows what He is doing. He has our lives planned out even before the foundations of the world were created. And our purpose too!
So how then, does religion's judgment and subsequent decisions that include imposing irksome restrictions on non-Jews become valid. Remember, these were non-Jews who were turning by faith to the Lord Jesus. So where do we stand today?
Peter and James confirmed that God's plan of salvation wasn't about dictates. Rather, there were four things that the non-Jews should do. First, to abstain from the pollution of idolatry. As well, abstain from fornication and sexual vices. And lastly, that they should keep themselves from eating the flesh of strangled animals. Indeed, from blood in any form, including processed or blood soaked meat. The reason? Life is in the blood. Life is in the shedding of blood.
Subsequently, the apostles and elders, in unison with all the believers decided to write on paper their decision. If you are reading along in the scriptures, you will find the references in Acts chapter 15:23-28. Here comes the good news. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary requirements. That is, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in the Lord. For the non Jews, this letter was critical. Note that when they received this good news, they rejoiced. They had been encouraged by its contents. You can almost hear them saying, "Yes, I will remain steadfast in the Lord."
Fast forward to the 21st century. God is still adding believers to His church daily. He is creating a nation of believers and building a temple of living stones for His own habitation. This is a temple not made with hands. Nor is this temple constructed of brick or mortar, wood, hay, or stubble. In this temple, Christ is the corner stone. The apostles and the prophets are the foundation. There is no other building. The Word is the foundation.
For God has said, "What house are you going to build Me when Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. As born again believers, we are the building chosen of God to be His habitation. His spiritual habitation. The house in which He is so very pleased to dwell. We are the body of Christ. This building is the measure of the stature of the body of Christ. Thus, if you are looking for an analogy, how about God’s measuring tape?
God redeemed His people ensuring their rebirth and salvation through His blood. Our sins were washed away by baptism as we called upon the Name of the Lord. Yes, we are baptized into His temple by the same Spirit that dwelt within the man Christ Jesus. And now we are that body -- the body of Christ -- in which He is so pleased to dwell.
Indeed, "Thy Word is true [from] the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever." (Psalm 119:160)
May our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- who now rules and reigns within your believing heart bless you. Stand in the offering plate.
Since God purified and cleansed the non Jews heart’s by faith, we need to ask why the sect of the Pharisees in Acts 15, and many modern day religious culture today willingly bring God's abundant love for His people into question now? Why strain the patience of God? In fact, why are so many endeavouring to put a burden on the shoulders of non Jewish believers, a burden that neither we nor our forefathers did?
As we read further, we see that James added his position to the discussion. James relayed how it pleased God at the first to visit the non Jews. It became obvious that God was choosing a people dedicated to His name. To this the afore-predicted language, the prophets agree. As it is written in the scriptures, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up ..." (Acts 15:16)
In other words, God was saying, "I will raise My tabernacle afresh so that the residue of believing men and women from all nations who belong to Me, may now earnestly seek after Me." God from the beginning of time, and well into eternity, knows what He is doing. He has our lives planned out even before the foundations of the world were created. And our purpose too!
So how then, does religion's judgment and subsequent decisions that include imposing irksome restrictions on non-Jews become valid. Remember, these were non-Jews who were turning by faith to the Lord Jesus. So where do we stand today?
Peter and James confirmed that God's plan of salvation wasn't about dictates. Rather, there were four things that the non-Jews should do. First, to abstain from the pollution of idolatry. As well, abstain from fornication and sexual vices. And lastly, that they should keep themselves from eating the flesh of strangled animals. Indeed, from blood in any form, including processed or blood soaked meat. The reason? Life is in the blood. Life is in the shedding of blood.
Subsequently, the apostles and elders, in unison with all the believers decided to write on paper their decision. If you are reading along in the scriptures, you will find the references in Acts chapter 15:23-28. Here comes the good news. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary requirements. That is, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in the Lord. For the non Jews, this letter was critical. Note that when they received this good news, they rejoiced. They had been encouraged by its contents. You can almost hear them saying, "Yes, I will remain steadfast in the Lord."
Fast forward to the 21st century. God is still adding believers to His church daily. He is creating a nation of believers and building a temple of living stones for His own habitation. This is a temple not made with hands. Nor is this temple constructed of brick or mortar, wood, hay, or stubble. In this temple, Christ is the corner stone. The apostles and the prophets are the foundation. There is no other building. The Word is the foundation.
For God has said, "What house are you going to build Me when Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. As born again believers, we are the building chosen of God to be His habitation. His spiritual habitation. The house in which He is so very pleased to dwell. We are the body of Christ. This building is the measure of the stature of the body of Christ. Thus, if you are looking for an analogy, how about God’s measuring tape?
God redeemed His people ensuring their rebirth and salvation through His blood. Our sins were washed away by baptism as we called upon the Name of the Lord. Yes, we are baptized into His temple by the same Spirit that dwelt within the man Christ Jesus. And now we are that body -- the body of Christ -- in which He is so pleased to dwell.
Indeed, "Thy Word is true [from] the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever." (Psalm 119:160)
May our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- who now rules and reigns within your believing heart bless you. Stand in the offering plate.
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