Hey Element Church! We are halfway through our month of One Prayer. Crazy it’s already half over. I failed to blog yesterday on Acts 14 so I’ll throw a few thoughts in on that today. Our prayer today is “Lord, make us wise!” I’m reminded of Solomon each time we talk of asking for wisdom. James says “If any of you lacks wisdom to ask God and He’ll give it to you”. Please pray for the churches listed on the calendar as well. Today is Acts 15 our Bible reading. You can read it HERE online (Also added ch. 14).
Acts 14:1 — The effectiveness of Paul and Barnabas continues. The “same thing” happened in the next town. What is the same thing? The people begging them to stay. Crowds listening to the Word of God. AND, critics!
Acts 14:3 — Despite the critics and opposition, the apostles “preached boldly” about the grace of God. We need to preach boldly about the Truth of God’s Word. REGARDLESS of who opposes us.
Acts 14:11-18 — Their new hearts revealed again. Now some people wanted to make them gods, but they flat out refused. Power, honor, affirmation, worship, DIDN’T MATTER TO THEM. “We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in it.”
Acts 14:19-21 — WHAT? Paul was stoned by the members of the town. But he got up and walked back in to the town. Probably preaching. Crazy.
Acts 15:5 — All of Acts 15 is about the conflict between Jewish believers and Gentile believers. The Jews wanted the Gentiles to adhere to their “traditions” or they couldn’t be Christians. Hmm, that sounds a tad familiar. “Look, act, and talk like us then you can be in our church”. We see this well in 15:5.
Acts 15:8-11 — Peter defends the Gentiles saying that “He cleansed their hearts through faith”. NOT by our traditions or our laws. He told the Jews they were challenging God, by putting unnecessary burdens on the Gentile converts. He says “We are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus”.
Acts 15:19 — “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” I think some of mis-construed this verse by saying we shouldn’t challenge people to flee from sin. That we should just let new converts continue “sinning” because we don’t want to make it difficult for them. This verse has NOTHING to do with sin and EVERYTHING to do with tradition, made made requirements, and the “law” of Moses NOT the commands of God. We need to make sure that we don’t put unnecessary burdens on people but we MUST challenge ALL converts whether new or old to flee the life of sin and pursue righteousness!!
Acts 15:20-35— I think it’s funny that they still include some “traditions” that must be kept in their letter to the Gentiles. They didn’t require circumcision but kept a couple of “simpler” traditions included in the requirements to be a believer. Interesting.
Still learning,
Jeff
