Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved

 Good morning. Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. I do not know what year this was, but it was a number of years since the day of Pentecost, and here they were still promoting the Jewish customs. When Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Remember that Paul had been going to the Gentiles for some time. From this confrontation, I believe it is safe to assume that he was not requiring the Gentiles to be circumcised. I am guessing that part of the reason why is the vision and revelation he had after he had been stoned. When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, it is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the law of Moses. (thank God they did not get their way; we might still be observing the law of Moses today). And like they should, the apostles and elders came together to look into this matter. This debate is a good example of the fact that when the day of Pentecost came, they did not immediately know everything about every thing concerning the Christian life. They grew into that knowledge over time. We will talk more about that aspect next time. Father thank You that we do not have to follow the law of Moses, but rather the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to listen to and obey Him every day of our lives.

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