The Truth Shall Make You Free...

And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.—Acts 15:1-2

The key doctrinal question of what someone must do to be saved became critical at this point in church history.  I love the example of James here.  He goes to the Scriptures and checks out the experiences of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas with the word of God.  His words confirm that what is currently happening with the Gentiles in the early church agrees with what the prophets have predicted would occur. Here are the words of James, Jesus’ brother.  

13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 'After this I will return

And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;

I will rebuild its ruins,

And I will set it up;

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD,

Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,

Says the LORD who does all these things.'

18 "Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 

I am thankful that the first Jerusalem Council defied those who would have placed a yoke of bondage on our necks by adding man’s requirements to God’s word.  I am thankful that these men listened to God and not to man, forever affirming that salvation is by faith alone through grace alone.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."—John 8:32

I will praise You, Father, with my whole heart, for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.—Psalm 138:2b