One of the most divisive issues the
early church faced was over this question: “What do Gentiles have to do to
become Christians (read: to be saved)?” Luke places this question at the center
of the Book of Acts as a testimony to the strong leadership of the early church
and the willingness of Christians to follow the lead of God, even when it may
take you places you don’t really want to go!
After the conversion of Cornelius,
those who objected to Peter eating and staying with a Gentile brought up this
issue. Peter explained his vision and his actions! “When they heard this
they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then God has
granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life’.” (Acts 11:18) Unfortunately,
after the mission work of Paul and Barnabas more objections arose. “Certain
people came down from Judea to Antioch Jerusalem
As Paul and Barnabas were reporting
to the church all the details of their missionary journey, some of the
believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The
Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts
15:5) Luke, very modestly, says – “The apostles and elders met to consider
this question. After MUCH discussion…” (Acts 15:6-7 Emphasis mine). Having
sat through meetings with much discussion, I am painfully aware what that
means!
Then something truly remarkable
happened. Peter got up and said: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God
made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the
message of the gospel and believe.” Then Paul and Barnabas told about “the
signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.” And then
James chimed in, “Simon has described to us how God first intervened to
choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. The words of the prophets are
in agreement with this,…” Then he added, “It is my judgment, therefore,
that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”
Notice the sources of authority they displayed: the choice of God, the work of
God through the Holy Spirit, the words of Scripture, and finally their own
judgment. They were willing to follow God’s lead!
It is remarkable to me that every
person in the room that day had believed at some point the Gentiles were
unclean and must be circumcised to be saved. But the gospel of Jesus changed
their hearts and their minds! CHANGE. That is what is so hard about following
God’s lead, because he continually leads us to new ways to spread the gospel
and new audiences to share it with. Will we follow?
- Kenny
Payne
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