Saved by Grace through Faith.

We are saved by grace through faith.

"After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters, 

“My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. 

"And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. 

"He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.

Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 

"On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” 

"The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

"After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, known from of old.

"It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.

"For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath." (Acts 15: 7 - 21).

Thursday 11th May of the 5th week of Easter.

 The first Reading of today (Acts 15: 7 - 21) is what is often referred to as the first Church Council of Jerusalem. 

The rights, privileges and obligations of the Gentile Christians were defined and codified: "but tell them by letter." Scripture! 

What won the argument between the party of the Pharisees and the non Judaisers was this critical insight:

"And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us." (Acts 15: 8). That is to say: God saves all people by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2: 8).

Brothers and sisters, rejoice in this truth. Let nothing keep you from enjoying fully the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, eternal life and all the fruits of Salvation.

"We believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” (Acts 15: 11). This silenced the whole assembly. They understood that the Holy Spirit has spoken.

"O God, by whose grace,

though sinners, we are made just

and, though pitiable, made blessed,

stand, we pray, by your works,

stand by your gifts, that those justified by faith may not lack the courage of perseverance.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." (Collect, Thursday of the 5th week of Easter).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com