God Knows What He Is Doing

“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18

The devout Jews were very careful to keep the Law of Moses, even those who had come to believe that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. As Gentiles began to receive the Gospel and become part of the church, there was a conflict between the cultural backgrounds of the Jews and Gentiles. The Old Testament rituals were foreign to the Gentiles, but they were held precious by the Jews. Both groups had professed faith in Christ for salvation and the forgiveness of sins, but the Jews were having a difficult time letting go of the ceremonies that had separated them from the rest of the world. They had not understood that these rites had simply served as symbols of what the Messiah would do for them when He came. Such division had arisen about these issues that the leaders of the church convened in Jerusalem to discuss what should be done. After a great deal of discussion and contention, Peter stood and testified how God had sent him to preach to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Then Barnabas and Paul spoke about the multitudes of Gentiles being saved in the places where they had travelled. Finally, James addressed the gathering and referred to Amos’ prophecy that the heathen would be called by the name of the Lord. James was bringing a scriptural perspective to the discussion. God knew all along that this controversy would occur, and He knew what would need to be done about it. The answer for the sin of mankind is in the risen Saviour; not in fulfilling the law.