NOTES for Act 15:7-21
The situation described in today's reading from Acts is truly difficult. As we know, the first Christians observed the Law of Moses. And now Gentiles enter the community. Must they adopt all its traditions and rites? Are all outward things really necessary? The apostle Peter says that God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles who believed without any observance of traditions. God sees no distinction between converts from among the Gentiles and converts from among the Jews—but do people see one? What does this mean—do people have better sight than God? Or do people simply see what they themselves consider more important? Woe to us if outward, superficial things matter most to us. Woe to us if what matters to us is something God does not notice. Is it necessary, or even possible, to try to make everyone around us like ourselves, thinking as we think, acting as we act, and speaking with God as we do? The heart of every person is precious and important to Him. Is it to us?