Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 327

November 22;   Acts 15:10;   104/260(II);   ‘The Law is a Yoke’

Acts 15:10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Religious leaders came down from Judea and taught that no one could be saved unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught.  Paul and Barnabas contended with these religious leaders and it was decided that they were to go to Jerusalem and discuss this with the apostles and elders.  When Paul and Barnabas got to Jerusalem they went to the church, the apostles and elders and reported everything the Lord had done through their ministry.  At the same meeting there were Pharisees who believed on Jesus, but they also believed that unless someone was circumcised and kept the Law, they could not be saved.  Peter, who seemed to officiate, stood up and recounted how Cornelius, a Gentile along with his family and friends heard the gospel and were saved.  Those in Cornelius’ home were also baptized in the Holy Spirit.  Peter went on to say that the Lord had made no distinction between the Gentiles and the Jews concerning salvation and being Spirit filled.  Peter, then wisely told those in attendance that to command the Gentiles to keep the Law, was testing God, by putting a yoke on the Gentiles that neither the Jews in the past nor the Jews of that day could keep.  It is very clearly taught in the Books of Galatians and Romans, that the Law was given, to show that no one could keep the Law and that we needed God’s help.  The Law was to point us directly to Jesus, the only One who could and did keep the Law.  Salvation is freely given to those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He came and died a substitutionary death on the cross, for us.  God’s grace saved us, amazing grace.