Acts 15:6-11 (ESV)

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 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. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 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? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

The book of Acts is a huge work – one of the most important literary undertakings in the history of man. Yet sometimes it compresses great things into a few words. The clause, “And after there had been much debate,” is a great example. The debate was surely long and thorough, yet we know nothing of the details except that they hadn’t reached an agreement when Peter rose up to address the group.

Referencing his three-fold vision of the sheet full of clean and unclean animals, he says, “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.”

Then, after pointing out how God has given the gentiles the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, Peter makes the logical point that settles the matter.

“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? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

His point about the Mosaic Law is simple and profound. We couldn’t bear it; what makes you think the converts can? We’re all saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus anyway.

The genius of Peter’s argument is that it uses the evidence they’ve seen with their own eyes to show that God doesn’t intend for salvation by grace to merely be a solution to the practical problems with the Mosaic Law. They’ve been freed from the law completely.

It’s ironic that the problem that brought them together in Jerusalem has helped them see this connection.

So, this problem turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Here’s an exercise – spend some time recalling the problems you’ve seen turn into blessings. Next, consider how that might apply to current situations. Is there something you’re missing that could explain a trial you’re going through right now? Ask the Lord to reveal this to you. (If not you, maybe someone else. Ask Him to help them see the purpose of it.)

This is asking for a great and special blessing. It takes the pain out of painful things.

Don’t pray this casually.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies