Testing God with our Rules
For my last blog post, I began a series on the Jerusalem Council as found in Acts 15. I would like to continue this study today.
"Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up 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. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they'" (Acts 15:6-11, NKJV).
Oh, this Passage is the heart of the Law vs. grace.
First of all, Peter explains that there is no distinction between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers. All are purified on the basis of faith alone. Nothing more. Faith. Christ's righteousness through faith accomplishes what our filthy rags never could.
Secondly, Peter implores, "Why are you testing God?"
Have you ever thought of that? When we demand laws and rules and regulations upon others (or upon ourselves), we are testing God. How is that? We test God by demanding something that He does not. God chooses us by His grace. Not by our good works. He sustains us by His grace. Not by our works. Why, then would we demand works that He does not demand? When we do, we test God.
Thirdly, Peter makes a very valid argument. He asks why these Christians were insisting upon putting a burden upon others that they themselves (and even their fathers) were never able to bear. I think back to Jesus' teachings on the Pharisees. He also said that the Pharisees put burdens upon people with their rules. Paul wrote in what we call his second letter to the church of Corinth that the letter (of the Law) kills, but God's Spirit gives life.
This was exactly the point Peter was making. God had given His Spirit to the Gentiles. They were alive in Christ. Why, then, should we kill that awakening by imposing rules?
Lastly, Peter explains that all were saved the same way. Those Christians that were demanding that others follow the Law were not saved by the Law. They, also, had been saved by grace.
Grace is a concept often taught but seldom fully understood. As the Christians of Jerusalem, we often feel the need to add our rules and good behavior into the mix, just to be sure God is pleased. How much differently we may feel if we think of our rules as testing God, who showers us with grace and mercy.
"Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up 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. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they'" (Acts 15:6-11, NKJV).
Oh, this Passage is the heart of the Law vs. grace.
First of all, Peter explains that there is no distinction between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers. All are purified on the basis of faith alone. Nothing more. Faith. Christ's righteousness through faith accomplishes what our filthy rags never could.
Secondly, Peter implores, "Why are you testing God?"
Have you ever thought of that? When we demand laws and rules and regulations upon others (or upon ourselves), we are testing God. How is that? We test God by demanding something that He does not. God chooses us by His grace. Not by our good works. He sustains us by His grace. Not by our works. Why, then would we demand works that He does not demand? When we do, we test God.
Thirdly, Peter makes a very valid argument. He asks why these Christians were insisting upon putting a burden upon others that they themselves (and even their fathers) were never able to bear. I think back to Jesus' teachings on the Pharisees. He also said that the Pharisees put burdens upon people with their rules. Paul wrote in what we call his second letter to the church of Corinth that the letter (of the Law) kills, but God's Spirit gives life.
This was exactly the point Peter was making. God had given His Spirit to the Gentiles. They were alive in Christ. Why, then, should we kill that awakening by imposing rules?
Lastly, Peter explains that all were saved the same way. Those Christians that were demanding that others follow the Law were not saved by the Law. They, also, had been saved by grace.
Grace is a concept often taught but seldom fully understood. As the Christians of Jerusalem, we often feel the need to add our rules and good behavior into the mix, just to be sure God is pleased. How much differently we may feel if we think of our rules as testing God, who showers us with grace and mercy.
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