1 Kings 9: 10-28, 1 Kings 11: 1-13, Acts 15: 1-21, Psalm 101
Acts 15: 10-11 (ESV)
“Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by
placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we
have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace
of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.””
In verses 10 through 11, we read about Peter’s response the
apostles and elders if whether the Gentiles who were converting to the faith of
Jesus Christ needed to be circumcised. Peter earlier told the apostles and
elders that the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon the Gentiles in the same that
they experienced being bestowed upon then. Peter reminded them that by asking
this question they were questioning Father-God’s judgement and putting him to a
test. Peter also reminded them following the laws of Moses completely was hard
for their ancestors and it was for them. Peter then tells them that salvation
is a gift from God. We cannot earn it by our human effort or by faithfully adhering
to Jewish law. Being saved through grace is for all and not just for those try
hard enough or are following the law of Moses. The laws of Moses serve as
reminders to us of Father-God standards to love the Lord your God will everything
you have and to love and treat other people as Father-God loves and treats us. If
we follow the law, it is because we love Father-God and want to please him. If
we do good works, it is because we are demonstrating by our actions the fruits
and power of the Holy Spirit that Father-God bestowed upon us.
No comments:
Post a Comment