The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 15:1-2, 19-21, “And 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.”
2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and
Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,
20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.
21 “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas– Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren…”

Do true Christians ever disagree? Yes, they do. It occurred in biblical times, as in our verses above, and it continues today. In many ways it is normal because we are all human beings coming from different backgrounds.
At the same time, true believers possess the Holy Spirit, and His guidance is never wrong. So, when disagreements occur, what are we to do?

These early Christians decided to get together and discuss the matter. What was the problem? Well, there were some Jews, who were called Judaizers, who belieed that Gentiles could become believers, except that they needed to keep the Law of Moses. Others believed Gentiles could become believers, but did not have to keep the Law of Moses. They said it had been superseded by the Grace of God, and trusting Jesus’ death and resurrection were all that was necessary for salvation.

We have believers today who say that baptism is necessary for one to be saved. And even among them there is a difference as to how baptism is to be administered. There are some who believe that the King James Bible is the only true Scripture; some believe the Church should meet on Saturday because the sabbath (seventh day) was holy in Moses time. And the list of differences go on and on.

Wisely, this early group listened to each other and came to an agreement. There were some key factors that were necessary to observe; other things were of far less value. It is the same today. The Scriptures teach us what we should and should not do. Basic is the belief and trust in the LORD Jesus Christ. Unless we confess our sins and trust in Jesus, nothing else matters. When we have trusted Him, then the Holy Spirit will lead us in these other matters. Just don’t get tangled up in secondary things. He will sort them out as the Holy Spirit leads us.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom