Scripture
“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
Observation
While Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch in Syria, some men from Judea come and start teaching that to be saved, believers must be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem to settle the matter.
In Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul report how God has been saving the Gentiles. But some believers from the Pharisees demand these believers be circumcised and follow the law of Moses.
Peter says that he has seen how God gives the Holy Spirit to Gentiles- He makes no distinction.
James says that they should not make it difficult for Gentiles who turn to God, with only some minimal requirements placed on them.
Application
There is only one way that people are saved and that is through Jesus.
There was a tendency in the early church, mainly among Jewish believers, to want to make salvation dependent on obeying the law of Moses. The apostles were convinced and unmovable on the principle that we cannot add anything to what Christ has done for us on the cross.
This statement of Peter that “we are all saved the same way” should serve as a warning to people who want to say that Jews are saved by the law and Gentiles are saved by grace. No, we are all saved by grace alone- whether Jew or Gentile.
It is God’s undeserved grace that takes away our in. We can add nothing to what Jesus has done for us.
God has removed the dividing wall between all people. There is no longer Jew and Gentile, but only those who have been saved by Jesus and those who have not.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the cross. Thank you that we are saved by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
