138 The Salvation Debate

Acts 15:1-35, TBC Book Two, Chapter 138
Some believers who were Pharisees made quite a stir when they decided to teach that the Gentile believers must practice the Mosaic Law. Presenting themselves as representatives of the church in Jerusalem, they sought an audience with the church at Antioch. This occurred about 17 years after Paul’s conversion, and both Paul and Barnabas joined the believers in hearing their teachings—until they insisted: “All men who believe in Christ must be circumcised to be saved.”

Immediately Paul and Barnabas reacted and challenged their authority to make such a claim. . . . This sharp debate prompted the church to send Paul and Barnabas, along with some other believers, to seek a ruling from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.

On their way, the men traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, connecting with believers and sharing how the Gentiles had put their faith in Christ. That news was received with great joy. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, where they reported to them and to the leaders all that the Lord had accomplished through them on their missionary journey.
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Then some of the believers who were Pharisees stood up to respond, insisting that believing Gentiles must now be circumcised. 

The leaders on the council looked at one another. . . .

(See THE BIBLE CLICKS, Book Two, Chapter 138, for the rest of the story.)
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Today’s Takeaways
     A proverb to guide you: Man’s way is “Faith plus . . .” God’s way is “Faith—period—playing out in our lives."
     A promise to cling to: “ ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:  If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:8-10 NIV
     A praise to fill you: That’s What Faith Must Be  Michael Card     [Can skip ad after first 5 seconds]

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