August 10, 2014
Council of Jerusalem
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 15, 1 – 13:
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others would go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question. They were sent on their journey by the church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles; and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”
The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter. After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way as they.” The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.
One woman had injured her arm and now she could not lift it or use it to do anything. She came to see me for prayers that the Lord would heal her. I prayed to the Lord asking Him to heal her arm so that she would be able to use it to do what she had to do. The next day she called me to say that her arm was healed and she could lift her arm and she had all the strength she needed. She was so happy. I thanked the Lord for what He did for our sister.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I bless you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who listen to My Church. The Church has the power to decide questions and it is done through a Council and the first Council in the Church was that of Jerusalem. They had a big question to answer and so Paul and Barnabas and all the Apostles and the priests came together in Jerusalem to take a decision about it. The question came from these Pharisees who had become Christian. It is part of the Jewish faith that all males have to be circumcised. So these Christian Pharisees maintained that no one can be saved unless he be circumcised. So the meeting took place and they discussed for a long time. Then Saint Peter got up and spoke to the group saying that the Apostles were chosen by Me, their Savior, and they were sent to teach all the people of the world. I made no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles for all those who had faith were purified. He said that we are not saved by circumcision but by grace from the Lord. So there is no need of circumcision. This speech of Saint Peter was enough to throw away circumcision and to rely on the grace from God to be saved. That is why today Christian men do not have to be circumcised.
Remember though that you have to follow Me, your Lord and Savior, and to pray for the grace you need every day. I am always ready to give you the strength you need to follow the commandments and one day to be with Me in heaven.”
Father Melvin
P.S. It is cool today with plenty of wind and we had rain at times but the sun did come out now and then. I thank the Lord for this day.