ACTS of the Apostles, Part 2

Tuesday, August 30

ACTS of the Apostles, Part 2

Learning How to be Daring and Dynamic

Read Acts 15:1-21

Focus Verses: Acts 15:6-7

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after they had much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.”

The passage today is known as the Jerusalem Council. There was much discussion and debate about whether or not the new believing Gentiles should be circumcised in order to be saved. The passage points to GRACE that saves someone, not the customs of the law. Salvation is by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ! That’s it. There’s nothing else needed. No clubs or groups you have to join. No specific attire to wear. The only password word needed comes from your heart. It’s faith and belief in Jesus in Christ.

We have learned many lessons from Peter, as he traveled and shared the Good News. He preached that the law cannot purify the sinner’s heart, impart the gift of the Holy Spirit, or give eternal life. What the law could not do, God did through His own Son. It is through the Holy Spirit that we obey God’s will and act out of love, not fear. For love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:8-10)

During this study of Acts we are also being challenged to spread the Good News. Let’s learn from the apostles. Let’s be dynamic and daring. Let’s go out into the world and share Jesus’ love with others.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you in praise and thanksgiving for providing lessons from the apostles. Now, we want to apply these lessons to our own lives. Let us remember that it is truly your grace and not the Law that saves us. Let us be motivated by love not by fear as we wake up each morning and live our lives for you.