Equal Opportunity Savior

July 26

(Acts 15:7 NIV) “Peter got up and addressed them: "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. {8} God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. {9} He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.”

(Romans 10:1-13 NIV) ““Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. {2} For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. {3} Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. {4} Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. {5} Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." {6} But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down) {7} "or 'Who will descend into the deep?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). {8} But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior. Peter learned this when he preached to the Gentiles and they received the Holy Spirit -- the same Holy Spirit that the Jewish disciples had received. Peter concluded that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile when it comes to salvation. Paul the apostle came to this same conclusion. He advocated for Gentiles to be included as full members of the Church, without requiring circumcision. Salvation comes by grace through faith to all who believe. Jesus came to save every lost person. He died for the sins of the whole world. Peter said that God “made no distinction”. Paul said “there is no difference”. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord can be saved. Anyone whose heart had been purified by faith was welcome in the body of Christ. This was the “big tent” policy of the early church. Is this your church’s policy? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Leadership Decision

July 25

(Acts 15:13, 19 NIV) “When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me… {19} "It is my judgment, therefore…”

(Hebrews 13:7, 17 NIV)  "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. {17} Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

(1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)  "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

The Council of Jerusalem ended with a leadership decision. James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, spoke up and said, “I’ve heard all the arguments. We’ve prayed and listened to God for a time. And now, here’s my decision. This is the direction we are going to go.” As far as we know, there was no vote taken that day. They took time to build consensus, but there is no record of any official vote. The church, contrary to what many believe, has never been a democracy. James had been called to lead, and he acted like a leader. He had been entrusted by God to lead the church in Jerusalem, and on this day he spoke with the authority that God had bestowed upon him. This decision by James set a precedent for the early church -- one that has not changed. Salvation comes by grace through faith, not through obedience to the Law. It was a good decision! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Agreeing With God

July 24

(Acts 15:28 NIV)  “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us...”

(John 14:16-17, 26 NIV) “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- {17} the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… {26} But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

(2 Peter 1:19-21 NIV) “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. {20} Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. {21} For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus told His disciples that He would not leave them alone. He would send them a Counselor -- the Holy Spirit, who would guide them and empower them. Jesus kept His promise. Today, we who believe have this same Holy Spirit to direct us. He helps us interpret and understand Scripture. He lights our path as we traverse the narrow way. Christ calls us to live out His teaching and walk in harmony with the Holy Spirit. When we live our lives in cooperation with the Counselor, we cease making decisions all on our own and solely for our personal benefit. This was the strength of the early church. In so many different areas of life, they could say with integrity, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” When we can also say with integrity that we are in agreement with the Holy Spirit, we will make godly decisions that glorify the Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Guided By Scripture

July 23

(Acts 15:13-18 NIV) ““When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me. {14} Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. {15} The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: {16} "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, {17} that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things' {18} that have been known for ages.””

(Romans 10:11-17 NIV) ““As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." {14} How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? {15} And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" {16} But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" {17} Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.””

(2 Timothy 3:16 NIV) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”

At the Jerusalem Council, the early church established that Scripture, not tradition, should guide the church when they speak and act. After many had spoken, James stood and quoted the prophet Amos. It was clear to him that Scripture called for the Gentiles to be included in the church. The gospel was for them too. God had spoken! It was up to the church to find a way to obey the Lord. When Scripture guides our decisions and actions, we can walk that narrow road described by Jesus. When something else guides us, we will soon find ourselves in the ditch. When a church abandons the authority of Scripture, they soon devolve into just another social group or service club. Do not go there! The church must be anchored in, gathered around, and guided by the word of God, or it becomes like any other human organization. Jesus expects more of His Bride. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day