Acts 15 contains the story of the Jerusalem Council.  It was a meeting to discuss a disagreement about how Gentiles should be treated and received as members of the body of Christ.  There had been a distinct division until this point but as we all know our God is a God of unity.  Let’s look at part of the account together today. 

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After 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. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” 12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me… 19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

Because of the leadership of Peter and James, the Gentiles are received and not required to “become Jewish” to follow Jesus.  That’s the beautiful thing about grace.  We don’t bring anything to the table when it comes to God.  He does it ALL.  Faith is our only requirement and even that comes through God’s work in us.  I am grateful to the early church for holding on to this truth and reminding us of it in their very first important decisions.  I pray that we would also faithfully hold to this truth and proclaim it to the world!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave