I couldn’t tell you the date or anything else about it, but I know this: I was six years old when I first acknowledged a desire to follow Jesus. I’m not sure any first grader would know entirely what she was getting herself into, but I prayed a prayer and was baptized one morning at my small Christian school.
That was over thirty years ago. I’ve been trying to figure out the way of Jesus ever since.
Becoming a Christian isn’t a one-time prayer experience that fills our brains with knowledge and our hearts with constant joy. It’s an ongoing process of learning and unlearning, wrestling and seeking our way toward greater freedom that has been offered to us in Christ. When we look all the way back to the beginning of the Church, we see that the very first Jesus followers had the same experience. The Twelve walked and talked with Jesus, then worked to share His story and build His Church. As people from an array of non-Jewish cultures joined the fold, new believers had to contend with a huge question: “What must we do to be saved?”
When a particularly confusing debate arose in Antioch over the need for Gentile believers to adopt Jewish traditions, the apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem to work it out. The Jerusalem Council was a time to debate, all in an effort to discern the true essentials of following Jesus. I love how Peter expressed the heart of God in his speech to the council: “He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:9–10).
In a diverse, growing community, Peter stood up for the newcomers who didn’t have the insider knowledge of Jewish culture. Bringing all nations into the family is what Jesus commissioned them to do, after all. Paul and Barnabas backed it up with exciting stories from their missionary travels. James advocated for a simple way, because “we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God” (v.19).
Doesn’t this feel freeing? Following Jesus was never meant to be burdensome, and it’s certainly not meant to erase the incredible diversity of the kingdom. It’s a narrow way, true, but a narrow way marked by freedom (Galatians 5:1).
The result of this conversation was the Jerusalem letter, a message to Gentile believers, written to ease their confusion and give clear direction. It was clearly what they needed to hear, because, “when they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement” (Acts 15:31). Not only that, the council sent leaders to these churches to offer them presence and guidance. There is always more to learn and room to grow, but, thank God, we don’t have to do it alone.
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89 thoughts on "The Jerusalem Council"
Freedom in Christ! Hallelujah!
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Amen! We don’t have to do it alone!
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GM ladies I had to share this. Chela called my husband yesterday asking him to help her to “manifest” a schedule change that would be a huge stress relief for her. My husband replied that his manifesting is called prayer and asked if she wanted him to pray for her to which she answered yes. I can’t help but think that God is on the move in our children due to our prayers. Anyway, we told her we would be praying, and the specific part of the prayer is that 7 people need to drop the class for her to get in. So please join me in praying for that very specifically. If anyone has read Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson, he talks bout getting very specific when we pray so we know it was God who moved and not just a “coincidence.” Thank you ladies! Now to the reading:)
I was feeling pretty distraught about being a day behind in my reading. Now I am grateful that I was so that I could see this request and I am praying. The Lord’s will be done.
Praying with you!
Praying!
Praying alongside you ❤️
Draw the Circle changed my prayer life! Pray big, bold prayers, with expectation.
Grateful that the gospel was made open to all – and the reminder that there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. No instead we must honor God and seek him above all things!
Thank you Jesus that we are not alone. For the guide, the freedom to choose You and your blessings upon blessings each day. You have a glorious plan for each one of us as long as we believe and choose YOU. I choose You, the messiah. I feel refreshed and full of hope reading your words and the message from our daily SHE leader. Thank you She’s for allowing vulnerability. This has been a hard season for me but I am seeing the light through my daily reading. Amen
Walking with Jesus is a lifetime of seeking as Jen shared in the devotional: “It’s an ongoing process of learning and unlearning, wrestling and seeking our way toward greater freedom that has been offered to us in Christ.” I too, am so thankful that we don’t have to do it alone. This SRT community is a blessing, our pastors, teachers, leaders, churches, our other close brother and sisters in Christ are all there for is to spur us on and to equip us. I am so thankful for the fellowship of believers. ❤️
I love how Jen said that we are always learning and growing in the Lord. We will never reach perfection this side of heaven . Sometimes I can be very hard on myself when I make a mistake, but I am only human. When my girls point out a simple mistake I have made, I tell them that mom is allowed to make mistakes. I will also apologize to them , if I think I have hurt them in some way.
Tanya, I thank our Lord for giving you the eyes to find your glasses.
I came from a bondage religion, so many rules to keep, so much sin to be heaped on my head for failure, I was so excited to be delivered from that at the age of 30 (I’m now 76) and so grateful for the freedom in Christ to just love and obey the Holy Spirit. When I first got saved I was in a wonderful church, full of freedom but as it grew, it started imposing its own laws and it was turning into bondage again (you must come to prayer at 6am at least one day a week and pray for an hour, you must join a home group or we won’t council you or help you, you must….” you get the picture. It took me about 7 years to recognize the gradual control and laws but it happens. Oh, how freeing it is to just study, read His Word and listen to the Holy Spirit. It sure took me a long enough time
to understand freedom in Christ. It’s a joy to serve Him as He leads me, not as man leads. I praise Him for loving me so much that He patiently led me.
Oh,yes, I am in a great church where they allow me to serve, teach and love people and have freedom as it is intended. Praise you, LORD
Thank you,Marie!
“There is always more to learn and room to grow, but, thank God, we don’t have to do it alone.”
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Yes and amen! I am 68 years old (still hard for me to believe! Ha ha) and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think, “I have so much more to learn!” I got saved when I was 13 and have been in church my whole life, but as much as I read and study — I think of all I still don’t know.
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I am glad that we never stop growing, and that there is always something new to learn. I am also thankful that we don’t have to do it alone, we also learn from each other – and that’s what this place at SRT is all about – growing and learning together, and from each other.
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I’m thankful for Paul and Silas and others like them that encourage believers and share their knowledge. That is the body of Christ and I am so thankful to be a part of it.
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Thankful for each one of my sisters here and for all the wisdom and encouragement that is shared daily.
May God bless you all!
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@Crissy Hunter – I am so sorry that you are still feeling so lost and alone, along with everything else that you are feeling. Continued prayers that God will bring healing, guidance and minister to your heart. You are seen, you are heard, you are loved. ❤️
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I just heard this on the news today, I don’t know this family but I’m asking for prayer for them, I can’t imagine the torment they are living through…their 15 year old son disappeared from NYC on Jan 9 and has not been heard of since. The boys name is Thomas Medlin.
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Hope you are all safe and warm and getting back your electricity.
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Have a blessed afternoon. ❤️
I LOVE THIS!! I need to reread it when I can take more time to really ponder the message!!
Thank you Shes who prayed for me yesterday. I found my glasses. Somehow, they had gotten wedged into my sofa. I had moved that sofa various times and felt between the cushions. They were not broken of damage.
Today’s lesson was very interesting to me.
I am very interested in Jewish evangelism However a Christian pastor I spoke to said he did not get my great desire to go to rabbinic school and become a rabbi.
Jews need salvation too and that comes through Christ. I believe we live in the time of the great reversal. I don’t think there are a lot of churches committed to Jewish evangelism. People will send missionaries to Africa, China, and India but what about the Cohen’s next door?
G-d did have the Gentiles in mind and included them in the plan of salvation. The Jews rejected Jesus, however their need for a Messiah has not changed.
Amen!! They turn their back or just don’t believe the need for God in this generation just as the rest of the world. And if they do believe in God but reject Jesus, they need the gospel too! And the remnant will be saved we are told of the chosen. That’s what is so important to understand.
Glad you found your glasses! Hallelujah for them not being broken!! Saved expense!!
Thank you, Rhonda. This is one of the reasons I want to go to rabbi school.
My brother-in-law (Jew) came very close to converting before his death. He may have mafe that decision before his ladt breath. You are correct about them needing evangelism.
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As a fellow ‘almost blind without my glasses) I am so hapoy you found them undamaged! I prayed several times yesterday and this morning!❤
Thank you Cee Gee! I was praying too. I appreciate those prayers.
I believe the thief on the cross with Jesus was saved. Hopefully your brother in law.
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So happy you found your glasses !
Ya! So glad you found your glasses!:)
I encourage you to look for a synagogue that does teach/preach about Jesus. We have one in our valley. You may also want to look into Jews for Jesus.
So happy you found your glasses
Wow, I was just sharing with a sister in Christ about my own journey in unlearning my belief that we had to work for a relationship with God, but as I learned instead to pursue a relationship with God instead, it felt so liberating and freeing. Then I read this devotion, talking about unlearning and the journey with Christ. Thank you Holy Spirit for the encouragement!
Praise God Ada, it is freeing indeed!
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Isn’t this how we all fall into how to make ourselves right with God? Or others try to help us? We think we have to make rules but that just puts us back in bondage!
Just like our devotion, salvation is given by grace and as we grow God refines us into more and more the person he wants us to be. We just have to stay connected to Him in prayer and through His word. And make sure we have a good community of believers around us to encourage us. Like Paul and Barbara’s!
Praying for all. Mary praying for wisdom in this relationship. Guard your heart – emotionally and spiritually.
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“And make sure we have a good community of believers around us to encourage us.”
So grateful to have this community of She’s!❤️❤️❤️
The law was to show that they could never fulfill everything on their own, they would need more- a sinless Savior sent by God to make a way to him. We can’t be good, no not even one, for we are separated. So why all the centuries of sacrifices and circumcisions? The old testament wouldn’t even be there, if it wasn’t important. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He was born from the Jewish line, a Jew himself and a part of God’s chosen people.
In these times currently this is a big divide question again. Should the land of Israel matter to Christians? Are the people of Jesus the new Israel? “Replacing” being the stance. But I argue that we are grafted in, and that the land is important because of the value still on all the places and stories of the old testament which God wrote for us. Jesus tells us he is coming back through the door of the temple in Jerusalem where the new city will be to rule and reign. They will always be his people, even though they have gone astray. Just as we do. We are not a nation of God anymore, and neither are they.
I propose you get really familiar with this subject matter and not dismiss it because time is short, and this may just be the separation of the believers that matter for our eternal future. The wheat and the tares (or the chaff). Both, are false and will be torn away from true believers. We can love God’s chosen nation without supporting their government. Just like we love our nation without agreeing with what happens at the government level that goes against our faith. We are to continue to pray and fast for them to do what is right in God’s eyes. We cannot be unaware. Continue in the word and learning and seeing what he gives you! For this is a Spiritual battle so we have to use our Spiritual guidance! Seek and you will find! The Lord has more for us than church, as we see him work through the Holy Spirit in us, and we go and see, we are filled!
Good word, Rhonda. Thank you.
There is a recent serman called “The rise of antisemitism in Christian and conservative circles” by Pastor Gary Hamrick from Cornerstone Chapel Leesburg. Def worth a listen. I agree with you. The Bible is very clear about Isreal and His love for them.
YES amen! Yet, why are so many Christians turning against the “land” of Israel and claiming it is the “people” of Christ that is “Israel?” It would have seemed absurd 20 years ago, just as other things would have seemed so far fetched.We have to recognize it is in fact a teaching in the Christian churches today and will cause division as a whole. It’s kinda like how there are Christian churches that believe sinful lifestyles are acceptable. The script is changing, all by design of the Devil. He is crafty, the angel of light (seemly good, with enough truth to deceive). What is wrong becomes right.
I’m glad you mentioned that Pastor, he is a good one! I need to go back to that episode!! Thank you so much for sharing!
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I love the reminder in tbe devo that salvation is not a “one and done” kind of action. I, too, remember when I made my decision and how excited I was to share with my best friend, but as Jen said in the devo I’ve been learning (the Jesus Way) ever since
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As I have mentioned I am studting James right now, too, and it is a great companion piece! As I read the passages here this morning I had to ask myself,
“Do I practice what I preach?” Sadly, the answer is a resounding no, but I do lean on God to improve in that!
I used to tell my kids, “I can’t swim, but I can teach you. I know what you have to do.” That fits Christians at times, too. As the song share says, “Hallelujah, I have seen what grace can do.”
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SONG SHARE: (New song about GRACE):
Cochren & Co. – What Grace Can Do (Official Lyric Video)
Partial lyrics:
The broken find their breakthrough
The old is made brand new
The hurting find their healing, that’s what grace can do
Make a heart of stone start beating
Raise you right up out that tomb
Make a saint out of a sinner, that’s what grace can do
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤ Praying along with y’all for the recovery from Fern- special prayers for the linemen and first responders out in these frigid temps! It’s 12 degrees here in South Carolina! I can’t imagine being out in it farther north! Thankful most areas have facilities for homeless and ‘warming stations’. Greenville has porta potties, and shower stations for those without power – if you can get to them!
I agree on the temps…It’s 43 here today..and I have to get going very soon. I don’t move well if just slightly cold!
I love the analogy on the swimming!! And for sure we keep seeing more and more!
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Rhonda, I took the bird seed out. Coming back in, the door knob was so cold I thought my hand was going to stick to it!
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You will love that song, I think!
Oh, yes!! I forgot to look it up! I love Cochren and Co!! And the words sound perfect for jail ministry!
You would have laughed seeing what I’m wearing out today in SWF! I look like an Eskimo, and other people are in shorts! You can tell who are snowbirds and who are locals! lol
Hahaha – clothing
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Yes,vI was thinking if your butterflies when I saw the lyrics. ❤
Praying for all those affected! It’s 15 here in Oklahoma!
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Thankful that we never have to do this journey alone. I have a prayer request ladies! A couple weeks ago the family I nanny for had a huge family argument. There is a lot of hurt and underlying issues that caused the unprovoked attack. Would you pray God would heal the hurt, help with setting new boundaries, and open the eyes of the individual whose drinking has caused the problem? I’m in the middle trying to mediate, but the whole experience has triggered my trauma from my past abuse. I need You Lord!
Susan, praying for you that God may fill your mouth with His words, may His wisdom abound in you and may “your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.” Also, may you find healing in the process as God is leading you.
Prayer done!
Thank you for sharing Susan. Praying right now for the Lord to give you discernment as to how to pray with the family and for the family.
Oh, Susan, how hard! Praying for your peace in this situation and that your charges are unscathed. They must sense the tension! ❤
Praying for you Susan!
Praying, Susan, that God would bring healing and that He would set the boundaries you and this family need to experience peace and wholeness in this situation.
Praying!
Agree, this is such a hard situation with you stuck in the middle. Praying you are guided by the Spirit!
The Jerusalem Council was just an outward expression of what I feel is my internal struggle. I battle knowing that works don’t save but also being too judgy. It’s encouraging to know that the same arguments have been wrestled with for 2000 years. Praise God for His grace with me.
Good point, Melissa! ❤
Amen. Forgive me Lord. I want to draw closer. In Jesus name, Amen
Christ set us free for Freedom…so thankful for the Cross, for the Blood of Jesus! He gave us the way to the Kingdom through His Son. Amen!
Devo “Becoming a Christian isn’t a one-time prayer experience that fills our brains with knowledge and our hearts with constant joy. It’s an ongoing process of learning and unlearning, wrestling and seeking our way toward greater freedom that has been offered to us in Christ.”
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Lord, help us to stick with Your word and not muddy the waters by our or others wrong interpretations.
Amen! ❤❤❤
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GM ladies. The Lord keeps highlighting to me the need to keep praying and not give up hope for our children. This entire week on Lectio 365 is how Jesus pursues us. Yesterday was the story of the desperate official who asked Jesus to come and see his dying son. Jesus’s reply, “go, your son will live.” Nothing further needed. Jesus spoke it and it is so. When Jesus spoke the man “took him at his word”. (John 4) Psalm 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Lord, let us take you at your word today and stand on your promises for ourselves and our children. If any need physical healing, send your word. If any need spiritual or emotional healing, send your word. Let those that witness these transformations believe! Bring glory to your name thru these prodigals Father. In Jesus’s name. Have a blessed day ladies!
Joining in prayer for God’s healing in hearts, minds and bodies.
Amen and amen! ❤
Amen!
Amen, I prayed for each name today.
I LOVE that God is really pressing this on your hard and for others to join—OH the POWER of praying people!! Moves mountains indeed!! AND just to think Ya’ll are mentioning my son by name and his faith to be renewed is so amazing in itself!!
Praying with you!❤️
Amen❤️
The sign of the covenant with Abraham was circumcision (Gen. 17). The sign of the new covenant that Jesus inaugurated is love. “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
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As Paul later wrote to the Corinthians: “Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters” (1 Cor. 7:19).
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Or as Paul wrote to the Galatians, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love” (5:6).
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Praying for those without power today. Praying for utility line workers to be safe working out in the freezing weather. Praying for the homeless to find warm shelter. Praying for communities to provide places for them to ride out the weather.
Joining in prayer for safety in repairs, for those needing shelter and for those without power to be safe with propane heaters.
We are learning about genuine faith in the book of James right now. Good share, Kelly! ❤
Agreeing in prayer! ❤
Praying!
Praise God for Jesus Christ! We do not deserve Him, but He has made a way for us to know God. It pierces my soul when I consider what you have done for me, Lord.
I’m walking through a time of uncertainty in a relationship right now (we are friends, but could be something more), and my instinct is to be anxious and worry about every single detail. For context, this is a person that I work with, and he is not a Christian, which is painful. We get on very well and really respect one another. There are times when all I want to do is shrink away; make myself less and avoid him, but this is unproductive and ultimately not good as we need each other to get work done; there are other times, though, when I want him to take even more notice of me, so will find reasons to go and talk to him that aren’t always natural, or hope that he takes notice of something nice I wear. Neither of these are good and in both instances I am not focusing on God; I am focusing on how I can control the situation (either run away from the place that God has called me to work in, or draw nearer). But on days when I let go, and choose to focus on Jesus and simply rejoice in Him, real beauty has been springing up in our interactions in ways that I could not have predicted. I think that, sometimes I think that simply rejoicing in the Gospel is too simple and that I need to take more control, but God has shown me that simply living in His light and being faithful to Him is all I am called to do in this situation, and that He deals with the rest (and often in ways that I don’t see). Thank you, Lord Jesus.
I hope you all have a blessed day.
“ living in His light and being faithful to Him is all I am called to do” ❤️
Wise words for this and many other situations, Mary
Praying for discernment for you, Mary. I would encourage you to pray about it. I am concerned about any Christian starting a relationship with a non-Christian. Being in relationship with someone unequally yoked is very difficult.
Karen I agree completely. I got myself involved with an unbeliever years ago and it was the worst decision. He ended up very abusive. I vowed I would never be unequally yoked again.
Mary please be very careful. Your heart wants what it wants, but use what you know from God’s word here.
Mary thank you so much for sharing this with us. I love how even in the midst of a potentially budding new relationship, you turn to Jesus to abide in His love. It is good you recognize your need to control rather than to be led. Continue to find your peace by releasing your burdens and anxieties to Him.
I agree with Karen Elizabeth. Really pray about being unequally yoked. The Lord will continue to show you His Will. Praying for you in this.
“But on days when I let go, and choose to focus on Jesus and simply rejoice in Him, real beauty has been springing up in our interactions in ways that I could not have predicted.”
Mary, I agree with our sister shes on this! That statement above sounds to me like God paving a way- could be for a relationship, friendship, or even for this man’s salvation. Best thing to do: fall back, pray, and follow God’s promptings.
I am so glad you came here and shared. This is an important issue in your life and I am glad you are comfortable sharing with us. Hugs, little sis! ❤
I agree with the sisters, I would turn away from a non-believer! YOU want a man that loves that fully loves the Lord! We are warned not to be unequally yoked. His guidelines are for our best! Keep praying for the one He has already planned for you! :)
Thank you all for your advice and prayers. I will take this to heart.
Tanya, praying you found your glasses- and in good shape! ❤
Off to bed now. ☺