Christian Pharisees
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10 and Acts 15:5–11
Series: Comments on Galatians
The issue was decided at the first Apostolic Council during the early days of the church. Yet, the crux of the matter remains today. How are we saved — by keeping the law, or by faith in Christ alone? Even Gentiles, who could not be expected to keep the law, believed the gospel (Acts 15:7), were cleansed through faith (Acts 15:9), and will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11). But then, when they believed, the Pharisees in the church insisted that these new believers be circumcised to keep the law of Moses (Acts 15:5).
We have church pharisees among us today too. They may not insist that we keep the Mosaic law, but there are things that Christians must do and not do, nonetheless. In order to become a member of a church a few decades ago, people had to sign a piece of paper that promised their keeping of these denominational laws: one, that they would not smoke cigarettes, two, that they would not watch movies, three, that they would not play cards, four, that they would not drink alcohol. These are nothing more than paradisaical laws that keep people from the communion of saints.
Of course, different groups have their different laws. Sometimes they do not serve to keep people from membership. Often enough, membership is easy and then the laws are manifest. So, all church members should understand Peter’s question: “Why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:10).
We are saved by grace through faith alone, not by not doing certain things, or by doing things like acts of penance, or by doing anything other than believing in Christ Jesus. When his Spirit takes hold of a heart and cleanses in by faith, his will begins to be accomplished.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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