On the same page
They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. Acts 15:23
This is amazing!! In the passage today, it is the continuation of the meeting of the apostles to talk about the dispute about the old covenant. The apostles got together, discussed how the issue should be handled with the new converts of other nations. circumcision was no longer a sign or a requirement of the new covenant with God. The new covenant was only able to enter into through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. When they came to an agreement, they wrote a letter to be sent out to all the churches that were established at that time. The amazing part is that they were all in agreement and when the churches received the message, verse 31 says: When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. There was no more disputing and there was no more discussion. The debate was ended and the matter was closed.
Sounds pretty simple and of course it makes sense, but what I am truly in awe of is how the apostles were managing to keep all the new Christians of every nation in agreement without splitting into denominations and disputing doctrine. Because it was new to the whole world at that time, the apostles had an advantage of being with Jesus through His ministry and that gave them the credibility with the church to determine the direction going forward. What was to their disadvantage was the speed of the communications. It was probably weeks if not months for this message to be spread throughout the entire church body. The church stay in tact while they waited to hear back on the subject and a letter was sent out with the mission team with the results. These men took it to all of the people to read it and the message brought with it great joy to all who heard it and .
Thankfully that message and many more of the letters that were written to the first church have been preserved and we still have them today in the Holy scriptures. So why can’t the church function as one body instead of being divided into denominations? Why can’t our disputes and differences be settled today by those same scriptures. The truth is they can be. However, all pride and religious mentality would have to be eliminated. We all, the entire body of believers, would have to come together in the love of God, stand on the blood of Jesus and the salvation that was freely given to each one of us through that blood. We would have to praise and worship the one true God that we love and adore together in unity.
That doesn’t seem too hard and in fact should not be. It seems that if our focus as today’s church would be on God and not on correcting one another, we could come into agreement and become a force in this world that would be unstoppable. No enemy in the heavens or earth will be able to the stop the church when it steps into a place of agreement and love for the world. I believe we will get there one day soon and have the kind of love that Jesus had, a sacrificial love that is unconditional on behavior or choices. When we learn to see each other the way God sees each one of us, we can come together regardless of what denomination you are in.
So, how do we start? First of all, there must be a desire. Start with talking to our heavenly Father and asking His Spirit to show each heart what He desires for His family and His people. It is clear in scripture that God planned for His people to be a family. With family there are always going to be differences, but we work through those to come back into a place of a right relationship. (much like they did in Acts 15) The good news is we are not in this alone. We have His help and the power of His Spirit backing us. God gave us His grace to empower us to walk together as a people united and strong. We can do this as we keep our Father in heaven the focus in this life and not be distracting with the craziness of the world around us.
Today I want to encourage you to start taking steps toward becoming a stronger family of God. Step away from pride and the need to be right and instead step into His righteousness in Christ Jesus your Lord and Savior. Search out the scriptures for the things that all believers agree with instead of looking for differences. Start where you are and your Father in heaven will multiply your love to impact others around you. Soon you will be on the same page with the rest of the church and then we will see the sleeping giant rising up to be a dominating power in this dying world that we live in. He is the only hope for the world we live in today. Not a political leader and not a world government. But the only way the world will ever see Him will be when His people begin to be His love and have compassion for all that need a Savior in the world today.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:22-35
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment—
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
The Daily Dose 