The early followers of Jesus had a crucial decision to make: since Jesus was a Jew and the first disciples were Jews was following Jewish law required of all the disciples of Jesus? They took counsel with one another seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide the decision. But before they made the decision they needed to get in touch with the experience of believers. They turned to those who had been been involved in reaching out to the Gentiles, non-Jews. Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. Since they had seen the love, mercy and “joy of the gospel” present in Gentiles God must be including them as “People of God.”
MAY62021
By Church Staff
