Scripture Union Daily Guide 7th July 2025 (Monday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 7th July 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: Handling Doctrinal Controversies
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord, I request that you help me to encounter you as I meditate on your word.
Bible Reading
Acts 15:13-29(NIV)
13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b]—
18 things known from long ago.[c]
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
Meditation Question
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
► Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 7th July 2025 OUTLINE:
To resolve the controversy of Gentiles’ circumcision, James, a respected leader of the Church, reminded the assembly that Paul and Barnabas were not the first to go to the Gentiles. Peter was the first and God accepted Cornelius and his household (Acts 10). He quoted from the Old Testament (Amos 9:11-12) to show that salvation for Gentiles without circumcision did not contradict what the Old Testament prophets said about God’s plan of salvation for the world.
What are the main issues in James’ recommendation (Acts 15:19-20,28-29)? Take note that these requirements were not prerequisites to salvation, but lifestyles expected of converted Gentiles as people who have been regenerated. While James cautioned that the Jewish believers should not make it difficult for Gentiles to follow Christ (Acts 15:19), he also expected the Gentiles to practise their faith with consideration for their Jewish brethren (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13).
Think of similar doctrinal controversies in the Church today. For instance, what do you think of the belief that unless you speak in tongues, you are not born again? What can the contemporary Church learn from the Apostles in Acts 15:22-28?
Insight
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, give our leaders divine wisdom to handle controversies and all issues that create conflicts in the church.
One Bible Reading Plan
Jonah 1-4
Prayer Bulletin – Monday Jul 07, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
BRETHREN’S NEEDS
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jer. 32:27
THANK GOD FOR:
* He is the All Sufficient, powerful, all knowing, all loving and caring Father.
PRAY FOR:
* Fruit of the womb for waiting couples; marriage partners for matured singles; comfort, help and provision for the bereaved, widows, widowers and orphans.
• Employment for job seekers, breakthroughs for brethren in business and admissions for students.
• Healings and deliverance for the sick and oppressed; peace for troubled hearts and homes
PRAY AGAINST:
* Weariness, discouragement, depression and doubts as we wait on the Lord for His interventions.
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. (Scripture Union Daily Guide 7 July 2025)