a compromise

Good morning friends,
Yesterday we heard Peter (here called Simeon) tell the church council about how God showed him that the gentiles were called to Christ. Today Paul and Barnabas bring a report from the field, sharing how God is working in their ministry with the gentiles. At the close of this presentation James concludes that the gentiles should not have to fulfill the Law of Moses.

He does suggest that they should follow some basic principles that fit with the Law and with faith: No fornicating, no food sacrificed to idols, no animals that have been strangled or animals killed improperly (with the blood in them). This seems like a good compromise. As we see in Paul's letters, there was some diversity as to how these ideas were applied, but for now the matter is settled.

May we always have the wisdom to discern where God calls us to change while staying faithful to the God's calling.

God bless,
Sam


Acts 15:12-21
12The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, 16‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, 17so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18known from long ago.’

19Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. 21For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”