Reading for July 31st

Read Acts 15.1-11. In 15.1-35: The assembly in Jerusalem. In verse 1; These individuals from Judea are evidently Jews, perhaps like the "false believers secretly brought in" Paul faced in Gal 2.4 or perhaps the Christian Pharisees of 15.5. The brothers would normally be Jews, but these seem to be gentile believers (15.23). saved means to be an heir of God's promises to Israel (v. 11, see 4.42; Acts 6.14; 16.21; 21.21; 26.3; 28.17) of circumcision which Luke regards as what faithful Jews do (Lk 1.59; 2.21; Acts 7.8; 16.3). in verse 3: The conversion of the Gentiles is literally their "turning" or repentance (11.18; 14,15; 15.19). in verse 5:  These believers who belong to the sect of the Pharisees are evidently Christians. It is not clear what their link might have been with the circumcised believers who traveled with Peter (10.45; 11.12). The word sect means "group" or "party" without especially negative connotations (5.17; 24.5, 14; 26.5; 28.22). they taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation (15.1). In verse 7-9: Peter rehearses the story of God's actions through him in chs. 10-11. The  phrase in the early days points to Peter's precedence in the Gentile mission. The expression cleansing their hearts in faith addresses bot the concerns of what is unclean  (10.15; 11.19) and recalls receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit "when we believed" (11.17). In verse 10: The word therefore marks the conclusion of the testimony, confronting them with the Pharisee Gamaliel's warning to avoid "fighting against God" (5.39) or putting God to the test (Lk 4.2; 11.16; Acts 5.9). The yoke was an image of the discipline or instruction of the law (Sir 51.6; Mt 11.29-30), but it could  also represent bondage or a burden to heavy to bear (Gal 5.1; matt 23.4). In verse 11: By Peter's contrary argument, they do not need to be circumcised like us, but we will be saved ... just as they will. Comments or Questions..