Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 104 Acts 15:1 Certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and caused great joy to the brethren. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, the church, and the apostles by the elders received them and they reported everything God did with them. 5 Some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 When there had been much dispute, Peter rose and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we could bear? 11 We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be saved in the same manner as they.” 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul, declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they became silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 With this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 16 ‘After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; 17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the LORD who does all these things.’ 18 Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore, I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. 30 When they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. 34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others. Debates and controversies divide people and bring them together. Each party does their best to promote their ideas and way of life. Pharisees who became believers promoted the idea that Gentiles who believed in Jesus needed to be circumcised. When a debate arose among believers, they sent Paul and Barnabas along with other believers to the apostles in Jerusalem. They brought joy to the people as they passed through Samaria and Phoenicia. When they arrived in Jerusalem and brought the question before the apostles, Peter stood and told how God was no respecter of persons when the Holy Spirit came upon Gentiles the same as them. Then James confirmed the matter and told the people to send a letter to Christians everywhere, Jews and Gentiles, with the decision of the council. The only thing they were to do was to abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and sexual immorality. When the people read the letter, they rejoiced over its encouragement. Christians are ready to debate every issue in the Bible. However, the Bible isn’t a tool for debate. The Bible is the Word of God. By it, we live and move and have our being. When you read your Bible, you read God’s heart for His people. You see love written on every page from Genesis to Revelation. God told His people how they were to live their lives, abstaining from those things James wrote in the letter to the Gentile Christians. God’s Word isn’t a yoke for believers. It’s the key to salvation. You would know that if you read and studied the Bible and put it into practice every day. You would see that the things you debate about don’t exist. God’s Word is your authority on every matter. Peter and James sent a letter confirming what God said they should do. Their authority was the strength of Scripture. Your authority is the same. Jesus gave you His authority when He went back to heaven. His authority settles every debate and controversy. When you know this, you will rejoice as the believers who received the letter from James did. Let’s pray: Father, let me rejoice in Your Word. Help me put into practice what Your Word says with the authority Your Son gave me and rejoice that Your Word settles every debate. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 28 October 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.