Acts 15:10
“Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?”
As Paul and Barnabas were ministering in Galatia a debate arose among the Christians there. A group there was obviously still thinking legalistically and contended that “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved (v. 1).” The church in Galatia decided to send Paul and Barnabas back to Jerusalem to sort out the issue.
It is interesting that the two men never lost sight of their primary message. We see (v. 3) as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they encouraged the Christians there by “describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.” It would have been easy for the two of them to have discussed the problem they were sent to resolve, but they didn’t.
Once they arrived at Jerusalem and described the situation, some of the Pharisees quickly took the role of naysayer and argued the point of the necessity of circumcision. Peter comes back on the scene and reminds them of his interaction with Cornelius ten years earlier. Notice Peter’s statement in v. 9 “He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” Then he asks the question why the Pharisees were testing God by trying to add the work of circumcision to salvation.
As Paul and Barnabas were ministering in Galatia a debate arose among the Christians there. A group there was obviously still thinking legalistically and contended that “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved (v. 1).” The church in Galatia decided to send Paul and Barnabas back to Jerusalem to sort out the issue.
It is interesting that the two men never lost sight of their primary message. We see (v. 3) as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they encouraged the Christians there by “describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.” It would have been easy for the two of them to have discussed the problem they were sent to resolve, but they didn’t.
Once they arrived at Jerusalem and described the situation, some of the Pharisees quickly took the role of naysayer and argued the point of the necessity of circumcision. Peter comes back on the scene and reminds them of his interaction with Cornelius ten years earlier. Notice Peter’s statement in v. 9 “He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” Then he asks the question why the Pharisees were testing God by trying to add the work of circumcision to salvation.
I think we often put others to the test of being like we are as a condition of salvation. I also believe that we are probably going to be surprised at the population of heaven. This passage reminds us that the only way to a relationship with God is by grace through faith. Nothing else is required. We shouldn’t have a list we expect people to obey and must be careful how we influence others so that we don’t place unnecessary spiritual yokes on them. No one has to jump through a lot of hoops to attain salvation. We must simply realize we are sinners and place our trust in Jesus as our Savior.
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