A Hard Question, A Gathered Church
[ READ ] Acts 15:1-21
The Jerusalem Council
1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, 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? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, 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? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Acts Chapter 14 ends with Paul and Barnabus returning to the church at Antioch and relaying all that God had done on their missionary journey and how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Chapter 15 begins with the word “but” indicating that we need to pay attention to a contrasting but connected idea. That idea presented by certain men from Jerusalem was that circumcision was essential to salvation. Accepting that circumcision is essential to salvation would open another door, namely that a person could not simply “believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved” (Acts 16:31) but would have to identify as a Jew. Accepting this idea would run counter to what the Holy Spirit had revealed to the apostles and counter to what the followers of Jesus were experiencing. Recall in Acts Chapter 10 that Cornelius and his household heard the Gospel and the Holy Spirit came upon them. There was no mention of circumcision or any other act as a requirement for salvation.
To resolve this essential question Paul and Barnabus are sent to Jerusalem to obtain an answer from the apostles and elders. There was much debate over the matter with the conclusion that “We [the circumcised] believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus just as they [the uncircumcised] will” Acts 15:11.
Instead of troubling the Gentiles with circumcision the apostles and elders instructed the Gentiles to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, from that which has been strangled, and from blood. Since eating together and showing hospitality was a key element in fellowship and developing the church community, the instruction regarding idols and blood would help remove offenses at common meals. Regarding sexual immorality I found the commentary below to be an excellent summary.
“As this vice was almost universal; as it was practiced without shame or disgrace; as there were no laws among the pagan to prevent it; as it was connected to all their views of idol worship and religion, it was important for early Christians to frown upon it and to oppose it, and to set a special guard against it in all churches.” (from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
- Gary Gunther
To resolve this essential question Paul and Barnabus are sent to Jerusalem to obtain an answer from the apostles and elders. There was much debate over the matter with the conclusion that “We [the circumcised] believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus just as they [the uncircumcised] will” Acts 15:11.
Instead of troubling the Gentiles with circumcision the apostles and elders instructed the Gentiles to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, from that which has been strangled, and from blood. Since eating together and showing hospitality was a key element in fellowship and developing the church community, the instruction regarding idols and blood would help remove offenses at common meals. Regarding sexual immorality I found the commentary below to be an excellent summary.
“As this vice was almost universal; as it was practiced without shame or disgrace; as there were no laws among the pagan to prevent it; as it was connected to all their views of idol worship and religion, it was important for early Christians to frown upon it and to oppose it, and to set a special guard against it in all churches.” (from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
- Gary Gunther
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What reaction do you think Paul and Barnabus would have received from the people in Asia Minor if they accepted the “you must be circumcised” argument and retraced their journey to “correct” their understanding?
+ What was the importance of the church at Antioch obtaining a decision from the apostles and elders at Jerusalem?
+ “There was much debate” - In what ways could the men advocating for circumcision be honestly trying to improve the church and draw people closer to God?
+ What reaction do you think Paul and Barnabus would have received from the people in Asia Minor if they accepted the “you must be circumcised” argument and retraced their journey to “correct” their understanding?
+ What was the importance of the church at Antioch obtaining a decision from the apostles and elders at Jerusalem?
+ “There was much debate” - In what ways could the men advocating for circumcision be honestly trying to improve the church and draw people closer to God?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ As you think about your interactions with others are there requirements that you place on them that are not aligned with Scripture?
+ Are there requirements you place on yourself that are not aligned with Scripture?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ As you think about your interactions with others are there requirements that you place on them that are not aligned with Scripture?
+ Are there requirements you place on yourself that are not aligned with Scripture?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Father help me to see others as you see them and may I rejoice at the wideness of your mercy. Your grace is sufficient for them and for me. I pray for the unity of your church. Give me eyes to see and desire to change if I become an obstacle in someone’s faith journey. May I live in step with your Spirit and reflect the love of God in my thoughts, words and actions.
+ Pray with me:
Father help me to see others as you see them and may I rejoice at the wideness of your mercy. Your grace is sufficient for them and for me. I pray for the unity of your church. Give me eyes to see and desire to change if I become an obstacle in someone’s faith journey. May I live in step with your Spirit and reflect the love of God in my thoughts, words and actions.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What is God teaching you through this passage and with whom could you share it?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What is God teaching you through this passage and with whom could you share it?
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