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.”

Topo Chico | Tomball, TX | December 2023

I enjoyed having breakfast recently with several men from our neighborhood. The conversations were about maintenance issues with our houses (all built within the last 9 years), golf, and travel. We also talked about church and ministry involvement. I was asked and agreed to offer the blessing before the meal. When I do that I try to do two things. I certainly want to thank God for the food and ask him to bless us as we receive it. I also make the point that this food and fellowship should be a reminder of God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ. There is regularly a reasonably-hardy Amen from the group.

I’m not sure every one of my neighborhood friends is a Christian. And I hope that my little witness to God’s goodness and love has a way of touching their hearts, and opening the pathway for the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith. I hope as well that it may strengthen the hearts of the believers. We all need to be reminded of God’s love and grace – his gift of salvation in the gift of his Son.

As I read again this passage, I noticed something about that which should also encourage this practice more regularly among God’s people. As Barnabas and Paul traveled from Antioch to Jerusalem they visited Phoenicia and Samaria. And as they visited these places they described in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

The Good News is that through faith in Jesus Christ we are saved. His grace avails to us because of his love for us. We have earthly hope and an eternal future. One day all injustice will be rectified. All righteousness and faithfulness will be vindicated. All sin, sickness, and suffering will be expelled. All joy, life and glory will be fully experienced.

When we hear that, we are encouraged. But there’s more to this good news. Not only does this apply to us, but it applies to all who believe. And when we hear of someone’s conversion to this faith, we too can rejoice. Indeed, if we are reflecting the nature and love of God we will rejoice.

Philips, Craig, and Dean sing a heart-warming song about God’s grace and the joy he has as one sinner repents. Called, His Favorite Song of All, it reminds us of the great celebration in heaven over one sinner who repents. We should echo that joy on earth as we hear of the conversion of any person.

So when we hear of the amazing growth of the church in Ethiopia, Uganda, South America, or down the street the example of the early church is one we should follow. This is good news. Let it bring great joy to your heart. And pray that more people will hear and believe this Good News. It’s not only for those who need to be converted. It’s for you and me.