The controversy about the need to be circumcised and to obey the law of Moses finds its way to the council of Jerusalem where the matter is to be aired. It was very sensitive as there were still many people who were in the church who had been steeped in the Jewish religion and for whom it was a big change to be taught that certain strict observances were no longer required. Peter responds to the challenge of the Judaizers. His position as an apostle might lead us to suppose that he would bring some new revelation to bear upon the matter. Instead he rehearses what was familiar to his hearers, namely the evidence of the Lord's mercy to the Gentiles when Cornelius and his household are received by the Lord. So Peter draws the simple but powerful lesson that we are saved by grace.
Peter has his own experience of the Lord's ministry to confirm that salvation is outside the power of man. He has seen the glory of the Lord and knows that there is no boasting in His sight. He has seen the Lord's gracious dealings to people who had nothing and therefore has the lesson stamped upon him, that salvation cannot be deserved or earned. It has to proceed from God because we are powerless. We have to ensure that that we never forget this lesson that Peter had learnt. Nothing we do can bring us merit and earn salvation. Never let us unlearn grace, never grow out of grace, but let us always remain in awe of it, for indeed it was God who through Christ purposed to save undeserving sinners though His own grace and mercy.
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