To study the letters of Paul, you need to know a bit about Paul. It is helpful to realize how contentious Paul's message was to some of the other early church leaders.
This morning I read from Acts 21.
Paul has been preaching (mostly) among the Gentiles. The followers of Jesus who were Jews have not been totally supportive of Paul's methods. Some of them had held to the notion that to become a follower of Jesus, you had to first convert to Judaism. Paul didn't think this to be necessary.
In Acts 21, James announces that becoming a Jew is no longer a necessary step to becoming a Christian. This is a big step. This is a huge change.
We take for granted that no one has to observe Jewish customs in order to be a Christian. But as the Book of Acts points out, this was not a foregone conclusion. It is helpful to know this history, and to know this about Paul.
It may be helpful to us, today, as we examine our expectations for someone "becoming" Christian. What do we "require," formally or informally? Are we even aware of the assumptions we make about who can and who cannot be considered a member of the family of God?
Jesus' style was to welcome people in, then to start to talk to them about what it means to stay. He fed the 5,000 and after their bellies were full he told them what had just happened in their midst. The threshold for entry is very low; the expectations for staying are discussed once you know you are welcome and have a place.
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