The Council at Jerusalem Then and Now

Acts 15: 1-21

 We have heard many times how the Lord accepts everyone into his kingdom, provided they love Him and have faith in him. The truth is, just as back in the days of Paul; people judge others, set limits, and create man made guidelines to be followed rather than simply allowing God to be the ultimate judge. It is as though we have established our own Council at Jerusalem right here, right now. Christ speaks of His burden being light and His yoke easy, yet we attempt to make this journey of faith a difficult and challenging one by enlisting our own criteria for entering into eternal life.

The council in Jerusalem attempted to weight down the Gentiles who were becoming sincere believers by insisting they adhere to Jewish laws. Paul, Barnabas, and the apostles and elders met to consider their claims. What they concluded was eloquently proclaimed by Peter in Acts 15: 6-11, “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. God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

God knows the heart.

God sent the Holy Spirit to be with us all.

God’s commands are straight forward, there are ten of them.

God welcomes us all into His heavenly kingdom.........Alleluia! 

Read/Listen to Acts 15: 1-21