In today’s reading, we get a glimpse of how the apostles and early Christians struggled with what I guess one might call the formalities of being a believer. The problem of having standards or expectations, and how those should be enforced. You have the well-meaning and enthusiastic efforts of many to spread the word, and welcome newcomers to the Church. Yet at the same time you have the old guard, the traditionalists; who have perhaps a stricter interpretation of what is required to be saved. Ultimately, after much debate Peter finally asserts that:
"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 point is that God makes no distinction among the faithful. It is by our hearts that we have demonstrated worthiness by God’s standard. All are welcome.
Matt Funk
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