Lesson 3647

 (Lesson 3647)(12-30-21) Acts 11:1-3

    “And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”

    Today’s quote exposes the anger the Jewish “Christians” in Jerusalem held toward Peter because he had taught, and eaten in the home of, a Gentile.

    This quote also demonstrates the aversion that James and most of the apostles had toward the intent of the Gospel of Christ concerning the old laws and how those laws were to be kept apart from the new law of faith whereby eternal salvation is gained without the works of the old laws. 

    The apostles at Jerusalem wanted the old laws of the Jews to be incorporated into the new law of faith. Jesus Himself warned against that idea. Jesus said, “No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:16-17) 

    The Matthew quote clearly establishes that the old laws of the Jews DO NOT apply to those who accept Jesus and His new law of faith.~