Lesson 2768

(Lesson 2768)(07-23-19) Acts 15:1
    And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

   Today’s lesson is one of the most important to be found in the New Testament, as today’s quote concerns the history of Christianity.
    It is very important to note that many members of the early church, including some of the apostles, James et al, (as will be demonstrated in later lessons), were trying to incorporate the rules of Mosaic law into the gospel of Jesus Christ as requirements toward eternal salvation.
    Those requirements, made by Jewish influence on the early church and NOT according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, were, and still are, the reason for so much misunderstanding among “Christians” as to how a lost soul is to be saved.
    Paul, Jesus’ hand selected minister to the Gentiles, said, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) He listed no further steps to salvation. Circumcision is a work, baptism is a work etc. etc.. None of those ritualistic ceremonies have anything to do with salvation. Faith is NOT a work, it is an established state of mind. Knowledge of, and faith in Jesus Christ is the ONLY requirement to received remission of sins and to gain eternal salvation.~