Tuesday, May 23, 2017

No Such Commandment

Acts 15:23-26 
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.

The letter to clarify following God in Christ came from the apostles, elders, and all the other believers - to let the new gentiles in Christ know they all were in accord on the interpretation of the guidance.  It was not about outward rituals of circumcision and the ordinances (but the inward cleansing of the heart).  So they sent the letter to encourage and affirm by means of those who lay their lives on the line for the words of truth and life.  They set the example of church matters for us. 

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