Week 42 Day 3
Change produces controversy
and it was no different
in the early church
Houses of worship used to be filled
with fellow Jews
now there were more and more Gentiles
sitting side by side with them
listening to the same words
eating from the same plate
For a person of the Jewish faith
to accept a Gentile as an equal
that was revolutionary
only in the church would that happen
Could a Gentile walk in off the street
and become a Christian
just like that?
law and tradition said "no"
amazing grace said "yes"
The issue was debated
and disputed
throughout the New Testament.
WHAT ARE ALL THESE STANGE PEOPLE DOING HERE?
The Gentile question tested the unity of the early Church.
Acts 13 & 15
44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came to hear
the word of God. 45When the Jews saw the multitudes, they
were filled with envy; and they opposed the things spoken by
Paul. 46Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was
necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles."
48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified
God. 49The word was being spread throughout all the region.
52And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
1Certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses,
you cannot be saved." 2When Paul and Barnabas had no small
dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas should
go to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
3On their way, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria,
describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great
joy to all the brethren. 4At Jerusalem, they were received by the
church and the apostles and elders; and they reported all the
things God had done with them. 5But some of the sect of the
Pharisees who believed, rose up, saying, "It is necessary to
circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
6The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7After much dispute, Peter rose up and said, "Men and brethren,
you know that God chose among us, that by my mouth Gentiles
should hear the word of the gospel. 8God, who knows the heart,
acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He
did to us, 9and made no distinction between us and them.
10Therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck
of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to
bear? 11It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall
be saved in the same manner as they."
12Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas
and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had
worked through them among the Gentiles.
13After they had become silent, James answered, "With this
the words the prophets agree. Therefore I judge that we should
not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to
God, 20but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted
by idols, and from sexual immorality."
This Bible passage was condensed from the NKJV
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