Fellowship Hall

James, the Elder at the church in Jerusalem, presided over the council in Jerusalem. They had met to determine if the Gentiles had to follow the Law and be circumcised in order to be a christian and follow Jesus. There was a lot of disputing and dissension but Peter stepped forward and reminded them that Gentiles had been saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. He did not believe they should follow the Law. James, being guided by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures, declared that the Gentiles did not need to be circumcised or follow the Law. He reminded them of the prophecy of Simeon in bringing the Gentles into the truth of God. He stated that they only needed to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood. Godly men, Judas and Silas, were commissioned to go back to the Gentiles with Paul and Barnabas. Letters were carried by them to the Gentile Christians. The christians received them gladly and rejoiced with the good news brought to them. Silas and Judas were prophets and encouraged the churches everywhere they went. How about you? Do you rejoice when hearing God's Word? Are you obedient to His Word? Do you share His Word with others and encourage them? I hope to see you in Sunday School at 10:00 A.M..