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DECREED DECISION
LORD’S DAY, FEBRUARY 14
Acts 15:13-29

Hebrews 13:7-8

 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday,

and to day, and for ever.”

DECREED DECISION
 
The decision has been made since the beginning of time as Acts 15:18 says, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” This is our confidence when we rely always on the God of the Bible. We are not confused about what to do and how to respond to heresies. Surely, the Lord knows all these things and has prepared an answer to them. What we as believers must do is to refer to the Scriptures, never answering from our own understanding or human philosophies.
 
By the all-wise God: James, not the Apostle but the Lord’s brother, being the moderator of the council found the portion of Scripture supporting the testimony of Peter. He quoted Amos 9:11-12. God declared even in the Old Testament that these things would happen.
 
By the all-gracious God: The implication of the decision went far beyond the mere question of circumcision. It revealed the abundant grace of God for the Gentiles. “That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well” (Acts 15:29). They were exempt from all the ceremonial laws of Moses. It pleased all the members of the council and they sent brethren to publish the verdict!
 
“All the things which God does in the church and in the world, they were all foreknown and predetermined by him … the work of the conversion of the Gentiles; this was fixed and resolved on by God in eternity; he knew it would be, because he had determined it should be; and accordingly he foretold it, and spoke of it in various periods of time before it came to pass; and therefore it should not be looked upon as some new and strange thing, that was never known, spoken or heard of: and this holds true of every other work of God…” (Gill).
 
Are we submissive to our church leaders’ decisions that are based on the Scriptures and laid down in the Confessions of Faith of the past? May the Lord grant us humility of hearts and minds to obey our church leaders.
 
THOUGHT: Am I praying always for the Lord’s under-shepherds over me?
PRAYER: Father, help me follow Christ by following my pastor in the Lord.

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