Acts 15:5-11
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
In this passage of scripture, we see that the Apostles are preaching the gospel, souls are being saved, and great works are being done for the Lord. However, it doesn’t take long before the Pharisees rise up with error, add works to salvation, and cause much confusion within the new believers.
The pharisees were saying that along with believing that they must be circumcised as the Jews, and keep the law.
Paul and Barnabas disputed this and brought it before the church. Peter then stepped forward declaring that there was no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles in that the Lord loved them the same, and they were purified in their hearts by faith.
Peter then goes on to correct this doctrine of works salvation by saying that the Pharisees were putting a yoke of bondage on them that even the Jews themselves were not able to bear! This teaches us that the purpose of the law was not intended that they should work to merit God’s love but rather to show them their need for a Savoir, Jesus Christ!
Peter ends by giving the true means of salvation; believing that through the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ we are saved, even as the Jews were saved.
Let us never be guilty of adding a work to the free gift of salvation! Let us never be guilty of trying to merit good standing with God through our good deeds! But let us rest in the fact that through Christ, and His shed blood, we have eternal life! Saved by GRACE!
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