It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Monday, May 8, 2017

What is Necessary to be a Christian? a Reflection on Acts 15:1-18

Back in the beginning of Christianity was a debate whether somebody who didn't follow all the Jewish laws could be a Christian. Some who held the strict view asserted you couldn't be saved unless you were circumcised (I don't know how this rule was interpreted for women).

Then Paul and Barnabas accepted some Gentiles into the church. Some Christians, quoting scripture, said that nobody who didn't follow the Jewish law could be Christian (Check Genesis 17:14, "Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant").

A church trial resulted. After hearing both sides, Peter asked, "Why are you challenging God by placing a burden on the shoulders of these disciples? On the contrary, we believe that we and they are the saved in the same way, by the grace of the Lord."


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