7/31/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
After the Acts 15 decision about circumcision and conversion to Christ, notice the amazing unity and concern for the whole body of Christ. The leaders in Jerusalem, along with the whole church (apparently in Jerusalem), decided to send a variety of people with the message of their decision. The good news that we are saved by grace through faith, not by any human merit, and not through converting to Judaism prior to believing Christ, is affirmed to the various congregations of Christians by a number of different messengers.
When we consider our doctrinal stances, it is wise to avoid “I believe” or “I think” statements. It is much safer to consider the way Christians in many ages and many places have understood a particular doctrine, and to affirm that understanding. Especially in recent generations, and especially in American Christianity, the body of Christ has suffered badly when leaders take stances based on their own opinion or their own sensation of what would seem urgent to God.
This is actually one of the reasons that Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry holds Bible discussion groups which deal with passages from a broadly accepted lectionary, walking through a variety of prescribed passages during the course of the year. It pulls us away from our own personal opinions and drives us into the Scripture, not according to our own individual plan but in a relatively impartial manner. This adds a layer of protection to our study which is not found in some of the organizations which can be bogged down by a lengthy study of just a few verses of Scripture.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
After the Acts 15 decision about circumcision and conversion to Christ, notice the amazing unity and concern for the whole body of Christ. The leaders in Jerusalem, along with the whole church (apparently in Jerusalem), decided to send a variety of people with the message of their decision. The good news that we are saved by grace through faith, not by any human merit, and not through converting to Judaism prior to believing Christ, is affirmed to the various congregations of Christians by a number of different messengers.
When we consider our doctrinal stances, it is wise to avoid “I believe” or “I think” statements. It is much safer to consider the way Christians in many ages and many places have understood a particular doctrine, and to affirm that understanding. Especially in recent generations, and especially in American Christianity, the body of Christ has suffered badly when leaders take stances based on their own opinion or their own sensation of what would seem urgent to God.
This is actually one of the reasons that Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry holds Bible discussion groups which deal with passages from a broadly accepted lectionary, walking through a variety of prescribed passages during the course of the year. It pulls us away from our own personal opinions and drives us into the Scripture, not according to our own individual plan but in a relatively impartial manner. This adds a layer of protection to our study which is not found in some of the organizations which can be bogged down by a lengthy study of just a few verses of Scripture.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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