Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
God doesn't check our ethnicity or our status or our background. He checks our hearts for faith.
v.9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
God doesn't check our ethnicity or our status or our background. He checks our hearts for faith.
v.28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.
In a book full of miraculous events and prophesies, we get to the place where they need to make a crucial decision. Yet there are no "words of knowledge", no miraculous signs, but a simple "it seemed good".
God expects us we be able to discuss, listen and make decisions in community.
v.28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.
In a book full of miraculous events and prophesies, we get to the place where they need to make a crucial decision. Yet there are no "words of knowledge", no miraculous signs, but a simple "it seemed good".
God expects us we be able to discuss, listen and make decisions in community.
v.5 Then 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.”
These Pharisees were "believers" yet they caused a whole lot of trouble, making people travel miles across the country to attend meetings to decide what the majority already knew.
On a positive note, perhaps because this happened, it became crystal clear to believers that they don't neeed to obey the law of Moses.
v.5 Then 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.”
These Pharisees were "believers" yet they caused a whole lot of trouble, making people travel miles across the country to attend meetings to decide what the majority already knew.
On a positive note, perhaps because this happened, it became crystal clear to believers that they don't neeed to obey the law of Moses.
v.29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.Farewell.
These restrictionss were to help maintain fellowship between Jews and Gentiles, but notice: You will do well. Not have to, or must, or should, but rather you will do well. No complusion, we are not under law, but under grace.
v.29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.Farewell.
These restrictionss were to help maintain fellowship between Jews and Gentiles, but notice: You will do well. Not have to, or must, or should, but rather you will do well. No complusion, we are not under law, but under grace.