Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Acts 15
Acts 15:11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
Acts 15:19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
James concludes that the church should not make it difficult for people from different backgrounds to come to God.Acts 15:28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
The leaders credit the Holy Spirit for their decision, showing they were following God's lead instead of their own opinions.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Great Debate Over Ancient Traditions
After their first missionary journey described in Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch. However, some teachers arrived from Judea and began telling the new non-Jewish believers that they could not be saved unless they were circumcised according to Jewish law. This created a massive argument because it threatened the core idea that Jesus is enough for salvation. To settle the matter, the church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to talk with the original apostles and elders.
The Council Reaches a Unified Decision
In Jerusalem, the church leaders held a formal meeting to discuss the issue. Peter reminded everyone how God had already given the Holy Spirit to Gentiles, and James used the words of the prophets to show that God always intended to include all nations. They decided to send a letter back to the Gentile believers, confirming their freedom from the old law while asking them to avoid a few specific behaviors to maintain peace in the community. The chapter ends with a personal disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that actually results in the gospel spreading through two separate teams.
The Jerusalem Council and the Gospel of Grace
The scene begins in Antioch with a heated theological conflict that moves to the headquarters of the early church in Jerusalem. In Acts 15:1-5, we see the tension between traditional Jewish customs and the new reality of Gentile conversions, setting the stage for a landmark meeting of the apostles.
The Conflict in Antioch (Acts 15:1-5)
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."
Commentary:
Teachers from Judea argue that circumcision is necessary for salvation, sparking a major debate.
Peter Defends the Gentiles (Acts 15:6-11)
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."
Commentary:
Peter explains that God cleanses hearts by faith and saves everyone through grace alone.
James Provides the Scriptural Proof (Acts 15:12-21)
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,
18 known to God from eternity are all his works
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.”
Commentary:
James uses the Bible to confirm God's plan for the nations and proposes a peaceful path forward.
The Letter of Encouragement (Acts 15:22-35)
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
23 They sent this letter by them: “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word.
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.
31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Commentary:
The apostles send a letter to Gentile churches confirming their freedom and bringing them great joy.
A Disagreement Between Friends (Acts 15:36-41)
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."
And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.
38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Commentary:
Paul and Barnabas separate over a personal disagreement, leading to two different mission journeys.
The Freedom of the Gospel and the Power of Unity
Salvation by Grace Alone
The central theme is that human effort or religious rituals cannot save us. The council confirms that God's acceptance is based entirely on His kindness and our faith in Jesus, not on how well we follow a list of rules.
Unity in Diversity
The chapter shows that the church can be unified without being identical. By focusing on the essentials of the faith while being sensitive to cultural differences, the leaders preserved the peace of the growing international community.
The Sovereignty of God in Conflict
Even when believers have sharp disagreements, like Paul and Barnabas, God can use those situations for good. The split between the two leaders didn't stop the gospel. It actually doubled the number of mission teams spreading the word.
Applying the Jerusalem Council to Our Lives
Following the example in Acts 15:2-6, you should seek out wise counsel and talk through issues openly rather than letting bitterness grow. Focus on what God is doing and what the Bible says to find a path toward peace and clarity.
Acts 15:10-11 warns against placing a 'yoke' or heavy burden on others that God never intended. You should examine if you are judging people based on their appearance or traditions rather than their heart and faith in Jesus.
The split between Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:39 shows that even good people can disagree. You can learn that while some partnerships may end, God can still use both parties to accomplish His work and bring about growth in different areas.
The Unstoppable Gift of Free Grace
Acts 15 records the moment the church officially declared that God's family is open to everyone through faith alone. By refusing to weigh down new believers with unnecessary burdens, the leaders protected the purity of the Gospel. The message is clear: grace is enough, and God's love reaches across every cultural and religious barrier. In Jesus, the 'yoke' of the law is replaced by the freedom of being known and loved by the Creator.
What This Means for Us Today
Faith is about a relationship with Jesus, not a checklist of religious rituals. The Jerusalem Council invites us to rest in God's grace and extend that same warm welcome to everyone we meet, regardless of their background. We are called to be people who build bridges rather than barriers to the gospel.
- Is there any 'religious rule' you've been relying on more than God's grace?
- How can you show grace to someone you deeply disagree with this week?
- Who in your life needs to hear that God's love is a free gift for them?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Connections Across Scripture
Paul's personal account of his visit to Jerusalem and his defense of the gospel of grace.
A clear theological summary of the 'grace through faith' message that was defended in Acts 15.
The Old Testament passage James quoted to prove that God intended to include the Gentiles.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think it was so hard for the believers from the Pharisee party to let go of the requirement for circumcision?
- In what ways do we sometimes make it 'difficult' for people to turn to God today, similar to what James warned against in verse 19?
- What does the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas teach us about how God works through human imperfections and personality clashes?