History · Chapter 15 of 28

Acts 15

A dispute arises over whether Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders confer. Peter argues that God saved Gentiles by faith apart from the law, and James agrees, citing the prophets. They write a gracious letter freeing Gentiles from that yoke. Later Paul and Barnabas part ways over Mark, and Paul takes Silas.

What happens in Acts 15

Men from Judaea teach that Gentile believers must be circumcised to be saved, provoking sharp dispute with Paul and Barnabas. The church sends them to Jerusalem to settle the question with the apostles and elders. After much debate Peter rises and reminds them that God gave the Gentiles the Holy Ghost, purifying their hearts by faith and making no difference between them and Jewish believers; why then burden them with a yoke no one could bear? All are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Barnabas and Paul recount the miracles God did among the Gentiles. James agrees, showing that the prophets foretold Gentiles seeking God, and rules that they not be troubled, only asked to abstain from a few things offensive to Jewish believers. A letter is written and sent with Judas and Silas, bringing great joy. Later Paul and Barnabas sharply disagree over taking Mark and part ways, Barnabas taking Mark and Paul choosing Silas.

Acts 15 in context

Acts 15 records the Jerusalem Council, perhaps the most important meeting in early church history. The question was whether Gentiles had to become Jews, through circumcision and law-keeping, to be Christians. The answer shaped the gospel's future as a message of grace for all peoples.

James, the Lord's brother, presides as a leader of the Jerusalem church. The chapter ends candidly with a personal conflict between Paul and Barnabas, showing that even faithful leaders disagreed.

Main themes of Acts 15

Acts 15 (KJV)

1And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 22Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. 35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do. 37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Verses to carry from Acts 15

“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”Acts 15:9

“But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”Acts 15:11

“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:”Acts 15:19

Reflection

The council refused to add anything to the grace of Jesus, and that same temptation follows us. We quietly attach conditions to God's acceptance: our performance, our record, our religious effort. Rest today in the truth Peter spoke: you are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Let that settle your restless striving.

A prayer from Acts 15