A Yoke on the Neck

Acts 15:10

Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

It is amazing how people like to make Christianity a list of rules. Believers say they are saved by grace through faith, but yet their measure of Christianity is by observable rules. These rules tend to suck the life out of believers, destroy fellowship, and foster a judgmental attitude. I know that I was attended several legalistic church. The preaching was wonderful, but the judging of one another was off the charts.

This same thing happened in Acts 15. The apostles and the elders were gathered together to discuss circumcision. Some men thought the Gentiles should be circumcised, that their salvation was not complete without it. Peter spoke first telling that it was God's will that salvation should be given to the Gentiles. They received the Holy Spirit just as the saved Jews did. That in itself should be the end all. By giving the Spirit to the Gentiles, God erased the distinction between them. Then Peter spoke out strongly saying, Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?  In essence this legalism was putting God to the test. They were not resting in salvation by grace. They wanted man to have to do something. Peter concluded with we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. When he finished, the room was silent.. And so it should!

Paul began speaking next. After he quoted Scripture that reinforced what Peter had said, he agreed except for abstaining things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. All of these things are how a believer should live after salvation not prerequisites for salvation. 

So the matter was settled. They decided to write a letter to this effect sending it with Paul and Barnabas as they traveled back to Antioch. In addition they sent Silas and Barsabbas with them to further solidify these questions in the minds of believers. It was good to all, including the Holy Spirit, to lay on them no greater burden except the things mentioned by Paul. Crisis averted! Adding legalism would have squelched the fervor of the early church. But instead it grew by leaps and bounds. The gospel was free to work in the lives of many. 

Father,

Keep me from a judgmental eye. Help me to rejoice in the salvation of others and to fellowship with them. Jesus, Your gospel is so wonderful and undeserved, but because of Your grace it was given freely to those who were drawn by the Spirit. Praise God, I was one of those people.

In Jesus name,

Amen