I imagine almost everyone has heard the expression: “A fork in the road”, but a ‘“Y” in the road’? Whatever you call this picture, everyone would agree that when you reach the center of this bridge, its time to make a decision.
We all make decisions, some good and some not-so-good. The difference between them is often our “wisdom” or that which comes from God through the Holy Scriptures. Initially the early church was comprised of Jewish converts to Christianity. Then, the gentiles also became Christians.
Some of the first Christians (Jewish converts) felt that everyone should keep the Jewish law (especially the rite of circumcision). This caused a problem as it would make Christianity a sect of Judaism and re-introduce the law as the means of salvation, rather than the sacrifice of Jesus.
This problem was brought before the apostles in Jerusalem and Acts chapter 15 shows how they dealt with the “problem”…
Acts 15 ( World English Bible )
1) Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”
2) Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
3) They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.
4) When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5) But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
6) The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
7) When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.
8) God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.
9) He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10) Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11) But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
12) All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.
13) After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.
14) Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.
15) This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
16) ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,
17) That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.
18) All his works are known to God from eternity.’
19) “Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
20) but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
21) For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22) Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
23) They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
24) Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;
25) it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26) men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27) We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28) For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
29) that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”
30) So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31) When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
A decision had to be made: Do we return to Judaism or define Christian behavior and doctrine as a new religion; one that is not based on the law of Moses, but rather on the grace of God? Thankfully, grace was their decision. The early church took the right “Y” in the road.
About now, you may be asking yourself: What does all this have to do with me? Well, if your religion is based on just keeping a set of rules and regulations, then it is not based on the concept of Christianity, for grace is found only in the sacrifice of Jesus.
And here we are. Decision time. LAW OR GRACE? You decide, but be very careful about what you do, for eternity hangs in the balance!
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