THE SUBJECT OF THE FIRST BIBLE CONFERENCE


The closest thing we have to a Bible Conference in the New Testament is what took place in Acts 15. Some men from the church in Jerusalem came down to the churches in Galatia. Luke does not call them brethren, but “Certain men”. They came with this message to the Gentile believers, “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” Paul said of these same people, ‘There rose up a certain sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And what was the matter they were considering? How much of salvation is by grace? How eloquently Peter answered the question when he said to those who would bring works in, “Why tempt ye God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they” (Acts 15:10-11). Notice, Peter does not say that the Gentiles will be saved the same way the Jews will be saved. He says the Jews will be saved in the precise same way the Gentiles will be saved. The only way a Gentile can be saved is by 100% grace, even the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Electing, justifying, redeeming, life giving, preserving, glorifying grace. How much of salvation is by grace? All of it! This is the theme of every Grace Bible Conference. Todd Nibert

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