Friday, April 16, 2010

Acts 15:1-11

1Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." 2This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

3The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. 4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

5Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."

6The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."


The BIG Question?

Should Gentile believers obey the Law of Moses to be saved?

v. 10 Peter speaks about a yoke that neither we not our fathers have been able to bear, he was referring to the Law of Moses. The purpose of the Law was for a guide that pointed out the sins of mankind so they could repent and return to God and right living (Galatians 3:24-25.)

It was, and still is, impossible to obey the law completely.

God prepared the perfect sacrifice for our sins, once and for all time, Jesus shed his blood to atone for our sins. We believe it is through the grace of our Lord that we are saved, and obedience to His teachings.

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