In The Same Manner

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they. 

Acts 15:10-11 

The gospel of Christ has always encountered opposition from legalism. As soon as Peter and the other apostles began to proclaim the gospel of free grace others began to bring in their legalistic views. Acts 15 begins, ‘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.’ This caused a large controversy in which Paul and his coworker Barnabas were thoroughly involved. It resulted in the council of Jerusalem. In that meeting the old guard of Pharisees who had embraced Christ wanted to continue to force the legal observance of the law upon the gentile believers. It was Peter who stood up and delivered the speech from which our text derives. He argues for free grace. This was a watershed moment in the history of the New Testament era. It did not totally resolve the issue. Years later as Paul wrote, specifically to the Galatians, he would still be fighting this battle. Humans love rules. We like to have something to do to make us feel we are able to work off our guilt. Thus, the legalists always have a job. As long as the lists exist and the legalists can promote their agenda, the gospel of free grace will have opposition. Christ and free grace is the answer to man-centered, guilt theology. He makes us free indeed and delivers us from the entangling yoke of bondage. 

Our Wise and Sovereign God, 
we rejoice at the way in which You have framed the gospel. 
We praise You that Christ makes us free indeed. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning