Gleanings – No to Jesus Plus & Yes to Jesus Only
Acts 15:1-11
“And he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.”
This is the beginning of the end of “Jesus Plus.” Throughout the ages there are those who maintain that one must believe in Jesus PLUS something else in order to be saved. Plus be circumcised. Plus speak in tongues. Plus abstain from meat on Friday. Plus be a five point Calvinist.
This is the church’s answer in every age. Jesus only! God willed to save Jews and Gentiles alike without distinction so circumcision must not be required. He wills to save those who by the Holy Spirit profess “Jesus is Lord” and those who additionally speak in tongues without distinction so tongues must not be required.
Here is some good news. This means there are no second class citizens in the Kingdom. Abstaining from meat does not give anyone a leg up. The playing field is level before we are saved and level afterward.
Here is some even better news. We can be saved. And the means is quite clear. “But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. Jesus saves. By grace. Through faith. Thank you Lord for making it something we could not overlook.