Acts 15

Devotional:
While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch and shared stories of the gospel being accepted by the Gentiles. But now, believers from the Jerusalem church came down and tried teaching Gentile believers that they had to be circumcised to be saved. Paul and Barnabas disputed these claims and traveled to the Jerusalem church to make their feelings known to Peter, James and John. After the apostles and elders met in Jerusalem, a decree was sent to the church in Antioch stating that the old ceremonial laws were abolished through the work of Jesus on the cross and highlighted that salvation cannot be earned. When you see or hear false teachings that our salvation is accomplished not only by Christ, but by actions WE do, how are we to respond? How quickly should we turn to the Bible to show that God’s grace is enough?

Pray it:
Father, guard my heart against the false teaching out there that I earn my salvation through my works. Give me eyes to discern when I hear false teachings and give me words to reject and refute them when I encounter them. Amen.

Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?