new wine

This morning I was listening to Acts 15
The struggle in the church between
those who
were convinced
that to be a Christian
you had to follow the laws of Moses
(including circumcision
and food laws...)
and

those who
were convinced
that salvation is a gift of
grace by belief in Jesus....

They discussed recent events
that indicated God accepted Gentiles
as they were...
but the definitive piece of the debate
was a revelation from Scripture. 
- Written by Amos almost 800 years before.

Within the Old Testament
a prophecy of how the Gentiles would come to God
and this
along with the Good news of Jesus' gift
gave direction
to shift a whole culture.

Old wine in new wineskins
wouldn't work.
couldn't work.

New paradigm
New 'rules'
New expectations
New freedoms
and
New responsibilities.

O Lord,
As I read this major defining shift in Your body
and
I thank You for defining the 'wineskin'
800 years before the meeting
Your word
Your revelation
Your plans
Your church
Your Kingdom.
Your 'wine'...

Truth
Revealed

at the right time.

Yes.
Thank You Lord.

PJ