David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 15:1-11

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ² And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. ³ So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. ⁴ When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. ⁵ But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. ⁷ And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, ⁹ and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 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? ¹¹ But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

“This is That” is a leadership tool that can help people cope with new ideas and potential changes in the church. It goes like this, “Do you remember when we first expanded the narthex? It was a scary thing to consider. It meant some discomfort, and even required people to use a different entrance into the church on Sunday mornings once we had finished it. It was not an easy change, but look at the benefits we’ve seen. We have more space for fellowship and visiting before and after worship. We don’t have to worry about bad weather once church is over, we can linger in the new space for a while before leaving. And now we want to add a fellowship hall. There will be challenges for sure. But we’ve done it before and realized great blessings. This is that.

The conversation may go a bit longer and be a bit more complicated. But you get the picture. In fact that’s what good biblical preaching strives to do. We tell the story of Barnabas and Paul and how they faced trials, tribulations, and conflict, and yet persevered in the mission of God. Now, when we face challenges to our faith, mistreatment, or oppression, we can persevere as well. This is that.

This is a helpful thing for me today as I consider my place in the heart of God and his kingdom. Sometimes I wonder whether I’m truly converted. Sometimes the devil accuses my heart about my lack of commitment or faithfulness. Sometimes I wonder whether all those other sinners are really as bad as I am. Do they need the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus as much as I do? For I sure do need his grace a lot! Is it really a matter simply of faith in Jesus that avails before God?

This section of Acts offers me a reminder that This is That. Peter’s message on this occasion is a powerful and welcome reminder of God’s love and the basis of our salvation. He reminds them that God “made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 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? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

God cleanses hearts. He saves us not by works of righteousness, but by the grace of the Lord Jesus. We’re all the same here. Our standing is one of grace and faith. It’s based on God’s mercy and love. It’s secured in Jesus’ death, and guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection. We’ll experience this fully only on the Great Last Day when Jesus returns and we are brought into his heavenly kingdom. By grace. Through faith. In Jesus. It’s really all the same.