07.08.2016 – New Testament: Acts 15.8–9

To read the Bible in a year, read Acts 15.1–21 on July 8, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

Some Jewish Christians argued that when the Gentiles became Christians, they also needed circumcision of the flesh, but Peter argued that such was not the truth,

“So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15.8–9). 

The Jews who became followers of Jesus Christ did not become such because of circumcision of the flesh, but through faith. God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles without them receiving circumcision. How then can Jews expect the Gentiles to have circumcision performed?

The Jews will not be saved by rebuilding their temple and restoring animal sacrifices. No, they will be saved by faith, even as the rest of the world is saved by faith.

Questions:

• What does faith mean to you?
• Are you living by faith?