NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

SCRIPTURE ACT 15:22-31

The issue of salvation through circumcision by the Gentiles was resolved by the Jerusalem Council and a pastoral letter written to the Gentiles in Antioch. The letter was to the effect that earlier teachings by some Jewish Christians stressing circumcision as a requirement for salvation should be disregarded. Salvation in Christ is by grace, genuine repentance and the circumcision of the heart.

REFLECTION 

Social media is the theme for our reflection today. Social media are interactive technologies that allow the creation or sharing/exchange of information, ideas, career interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. Social media is a 21st Century advancement in technology and communication, however, before social media, there were traditional platforms or means of sharing  information. Key among them which are still being practiced today is outdoor or open-air delivery of information in a public space or the broadcasting method. Again, letters were also written and circulated to disseminate vital information as a means of communication. It is important to note that some of the Apostles used this means to spread the Gospel. In the same manner, false teachers and propagators of other religions and worldly philosophies  used similar means of communication

The challenge the Jerusalem Council which was synonymous to the General Assembly Council in the Presbyterain church polity faced was that, some Jewish Christians and teachers were still teaching and stressing some requirements of the Mosaic law as part of  Salvation in Christ, chief among the practices is the Jewish requirement of circumcision. This was a great impediment to the Gentile who have become believers. The question therefore was that, would the Gentiles’ salvation in Christ be incomplete without circumcision? To answer this question, the Jerusalem Council which was made up of the Apostles and Elders wrote in their pastoral letter to the Gentiles that ““The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions” (Acts 15:23-24). In other word, the Apostles and Elders disassociated themselves from any teaching that stressed circumcision as necessary element of salvation in Christ. Again, the pastoral letter from the Jerusalem Council stated unambiguously that instead of observing circumcision as a sign or element of salvation in Christ, they wrote that “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden (of circumcision) than these requirements:  that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” (Acts 15:28-29)

The key lesson for the day is that, there are many using the available means of communication to disseminate fake doctrine and teaching which does not lead people to have a deeper relationship with Christ. Social media offers Christians the opportunity to reach out to both new believers and unbelievers and to teach them the unadulterated and sound Gospel of Christ. Today, circumscion may not be the biggest issue troubling new believers or creating confusion in the minds of people who want to come to Jesus. In our dispensation,  the Christian church is battling with issues of homosexuality and other forms of ungodly sexualties. There are fake teachers finding Biblical support for these ungoldy acts and promoting them on Social media. There are false prophets and so-called men and women of God promoting debauchery, prosperity without the sense of discipleship and stewardship, and fleshly desires are being encouraged through their social media handles and cyber space.  

The world is now social media. Social media has made the world a global village and the temptation is that if Christians are not well grounded in their salvation and faith in Christ, many will be carried away by the wind of false doctrines. Jesus in Mattew 5: 13-16 describes our influence as Christian and disciples on social media when He said that “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16). My dear friend, let us use the power of social media just as the early church used the available means of communication in their era to spread the Gospel and teach against false doctrines to work towards the salvation of many including the Gentiles. Let us not be intimidated by those opposed to the Gospel of Christ but remain visible in debunking false teachings and bring the lost into a saving relationship with our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Shalom.

PRAYER 

ALMIGHTY GOD, MAKE US YOUR MISSIONARIES IN CYBER SPACE, MAY YOUR SPIRIT TAKE CONTROL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA EVEN AS WE CONTINUE IN THE AUTHORITY OF THE APOSTLES TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS TOWARDS THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD. AMEN