Devotional Acts 15: The Council of Jerusalem and What Is Essential Reflection on Acts 15: the Council of Jerusalem, resolving doctrinal conflicts, and why we must focus on salvation by grace. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional Acts 15: The Council of Jerusalem and What Is Essential

Today’s devotional is found in the book of Acts, chapter 15, and this is what happened.

Synopsis: In this chapter, a controversy arose among Christians over doctrinal differences (more specifically, concerning circumcision in the Law of Moses). Because of this, a meeting was convened among the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem. Simon Peter clarified that the Gentiles should not be forced to be circumcised, since God allowed them to receive the Holy Spirit just as the Jewish believers did, without being circumcised. Those present agreed. Furthermore, James added that before making them worry about circumcision, we should write to them to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, meat from strangled animals, and blood. Everyone consented and wrote a letter to the churches in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, which was delivered by Paul, Barnabas, Judas (also called Barsabbas), and Silas. As agreed, the letter was delivered. Afterwards, the apostles set off on their second missionary journey (to strengthen the faith of the churches they had previously visited).

Observations

These were my observations.

1. In evangelism we must focus on essential matters and not on non-essential ones. This is a trap that, if we fail to recognize it, can push people further away from God rather than drawing them closer. It is through secondary issues like these that division settles into churches and among brothers and sisters. What is primary and crucial to receiving salvation is the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9–13 NIV) and repentance from sins through baptism by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV). All other matters come after acceptance and repentance in Christ. Therefore, we must not be distracted from the primary purpose Jesus came to accomplish.
2. After conversion in Christ we must focus on following His example. That is, only after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior should we leave our worldly lives behind. It is in this phase that we must observe the commandments of Jesus Christ and God (John 15:10 NIV) and walk the path of holiness just as Jesus did (John 13:15 NIV).
3. We must continue to follow up on and care for everyone who becomes a Christian. This is a key point. For even though we become Christians, this does not mean things will be easy from then on. On the contrary, Jesus guaranteed that we would be hated by everyone because of His name, but that we must persevere in faith to the end to be saved (Matthew 10:22 NIV). Because of this, we must always look after one another (i.e., check in on how things are going, encourage one another, help solve problems, pray for each other, etc.). For we would like others to help us in times of trouble. That is why Jesus gave us the commandment: “The second is like it: «Love your neighbor as yourself».” (Matthew 22:39 NIV). Furthermore, this was the very reason Paul and Barnabas set out on their second missionary journey: “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, «Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing».” (Acts 15:36 NIV).