Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The last in this Cu series.  If Fudge changes the subject in his next posts
to something other than Cu, there are yet a few Cu gracEmails from the past
which I will post here next.

Love in Jesus,
Tim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Fudge" <Edward@...>
To: <cuprayer@...>
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 5:29 PM
Subject: gracEmail (churches, changes and controversies - 3)




~ gracEmail ~
Edward Fudge
___________________________________________

CHURCHES, CHANGES AND CONTROVERSIES
(Part 3 of 3)



When some men came to Antioch from Jerusalem saying that circumcision was
necessary for salvation, those involved gathered at Jerusalem for a general
conference. Led by the Holy Spirit, they reached a decision based on the
gospel itself.  By observing the process these early church leaders
followed, we may observe several principles that will help us work through
controversial issues that arise today.



*          *          *



First, we need to discern what God is doing now. At the conference, Peter
related how God had received Cornelius' Gentile household on the basis of
faith and had given them his Spirit (Acts 15:7-11). Barnabas and Saul
followed with their testimony about God's powerful signs performed among
non-Jews (15:12). We also need to reflect on God's life-changing work that
we have observed. Wherever we see God at work, we may join in that work
without fear.

Second, we ought to compare what we see God doing now with his plans and
agenda as revealed in Scripture. James recalled Amos' ancient prophecy --
which matched what Peter, Paul and Barnabas had reported seeing (15:13-18).
If the Word of God promises the very things we are experiencing, we may
believe that God is at work in what we are experiencing. We cannot afford to
turn away from God's program -- even though it is new to us -- merely to
preserve and cling to what is old and familiar. The life of the Spirit will
stretch our imaginations and compel us to change our minds and our ways.

Third, when we discern God's course of action and confirm it by the
Scriptures, we must state that clearly and openly, then move forward under
God's direction. When the apostles, elders and whole church at Jerusalem
perceived that God was receiving uncircumcised Gentiles in fulfillment of
prophecy, they not only concluded that Gentiles did not have to become Jews
to be saved -- they then wrote a letter to Gentile believers clearly stating
their conclusion (15:22-29). As a result of this Spirit-led resolution,
God's people were strengthened and encouraged (15:31-33).

As God reveals to us the implications of the gospel, it remains important
for church leaders to clearly express what they have learned and to lead
their people boldly by the light that God reveals. When God illuminates our
hearts with his truth on any subject, we must be careful always to speak
that truth in love, but we dare not ever again speak or act as if we were
still in the dark (Gal. 2:11-17).

____________________

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