8.105 The Jerusalem council has resolved that Christians are not under the law
Paul had been preaching the powerful gospel of grace, bring salvation to the Gentiles. His message was confirmed by the Holy Spirit with great signs and wonders (Rom 15:19). He brought the believers to the higher realm of grace.
But there were Judaizers who came to these churches that Paul established, and preached another gospel. The Christians were told that they had to keep the law. And as a result, the believers fell from grace, and turned away from Christ.
(Gal 1:6-7)
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the GRACE OF CHRIST, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Paul was furious that the Judaizers were bringing the people back under law – away from Christ. Throughout the centuries, church leadership has convened to debate on whether they should be preaching law or grace. I know of churches who decided on the way of the law. I also know of churches who decided to go with the gospel of grace.
In fact, the Bible tells about how the early church leadership the Jerusalem Council also convened to decide on the same matter. Therefore, we don’t have to re-decide on the matter. The early leaders had decided, and it has been recorded as Bible authority for us.
In the end, the Holy Spirit prevailed. In Acts 15:22-24, the leaders of the Jerusalem Council wrote a letter to the Gentile churches confirming that they did not have to keep the law (refer to Acts 15:5). They were already in a living relationship with Christ.
(Acts 15:24)
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…
The leaders were not just referring to circumcision. Acts 15:10 calls it a yoke that their fathers were not able to bear. Circumcision was the easiest part of the law to keep. They were talking about the whole law, especially the Ten Commandments.
The decision of the Jerusalem Council has been recorded as Bible authority for us. This issue has been settled once and for all. Our real challenge today is to understand God’s method of establishing true holiness by His grace, apart from the law.
But there were Judaizers who came to these churches that Paul established, and preached another gospel. The Christians were told that they had to keep the law. And as a result, the believers fell from grace, and turned away from Christ.
(Gal 1:6-7)
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the GRACE OF CHRIST, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Paul was furious that the Judaizers were bringing the people back under law – away from Christ. Throughout the centuries, church leadership has convened to debate on whether they should be preaching law or grace. I know of churches who decided on the way of the law. I also know of churches who decided to go with the gospel of grace.
In fact, the Bible tells about how the early church leadership the Jerusalem Council also convened to decide on the same matter. Therefore, we don’t have to re-decide on the matter. The early leaders had decided, and it has been recorded as Bible authority for us.
In the end, the Holy Spirit prevailed. In Acts 15:22-24, the leaders of the Jerusalem Council wrote a letter to the Gentile churches confirming that they did not have to keep the law (refer to Acts 15:5). They were already in a living relationship with Christ.
(Acts 15:24)
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…
The leaders were not just referring to circumcision. Acts 15:10 calls it a yoke that their fathers were not able to bear. Circumcision was the easiest part of the law to keep. They were talking about the whole law, especially the Ten Commandments.
The decision of the Jerusalem Council has been recorded as Bible authority for us. This issue has been settled once and for all. Our real challenge today is to understand God’s method of establishing true holiness by His grace, apart from the law.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:35 AM
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