Document: Opening the Scriptures: Acts I, trans. by Nelson D. Kloosterman (Grand Rapids, MI., Christian’s Library Press, 2015).

Excerpt: The gospel had already penetrated deeply into Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. Both Jews as well as Gentiles had been converted to Messiah Jesus through Paul’s preaching. How would the mixed churches now develop? Into a new Jewish sect with first- and second-class members? Or into the holy, catholic Christian church, consisting of both Messiah-confessing Jews and Gentiles converted to him? Both had been freed by the gospel from a religious prison. The first from Jewish religious bonds and the latter from pagan religious bonds. Would they continue standing firm in the freedom of Christ, or allow themselves to be put into bondage once again, this time with Christian religious fetters? In other words: would they continue freely and joyfully in the grace of the Lord Jesus, or become slaves of a new “Law”?

Download the Document:
Opening the Scriptures: Acts (II) – Frans van Deursen.pdf