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 them and us, 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."

Peter recognized that the appropriate time for the Holy Spirit to impose conditions for salvation upon the Gentiles was at Caesarea when the Gospel was first given to Cornelius and his men. No, very simple: “that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43) No seal of the covenant by circumcision or any other rule, only believe and you will be saved.

We need to be as observant and faithful today. Works do not enter into our salvation, but only as a result of our transformation.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 90

Mid-day: 119:153-160

Evening: Psalm 16

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"Voices Together" is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.  A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/52-general-downloads. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.