Acts 15: Are You Saved?
Verse of the Day: (V11) “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
1. Christ (V1-11)
V1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
During the days of the apostles, there was a group of Jewish leaders from Judaea who taught the people that salvation was not only by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but one must be circumcised as in Moses’ Law in order to be saved. Apostle Peter and the rest of the apostles and leaders rebuked these leaders on their false teaching. Indeed, we are saved by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and not the fulfilment of circumcision or Moses’ Law, because we can never keep all of God’s Law.
V11 “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
2. Church (V12-35)
V22 “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:”
The church sent out Paul, Barnabas, Barsabas and Silas to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia to reaffirm them that salvation was only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and never the fulfilment of circumcision or keeping the Law.
V24 “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
3. Contention (V36-41)
V38 “But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”
Paul and Barnabas had a sharp contention over Mark who deserted them during their first missionary journey. Barnabas was forgiving and willing to give Mark another chance while Paul refused to let Mark travel with them. Finally Barnabas brought Mark with him to Cyprus, while Paul brought Silas, another man of God, with him to Syria and Cilicia.
V39 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am saved by Your grace through faith in Jesus.
