The Jerusalem Council. Acts 15:1–35
Acts 15:1–35
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ—not by adding anything to what Christ has already done.
The Jerusalem Council had to answer an important question: Do Gentile believers need to become Jewish and follow the Law of Moses to be saved?
The answer was clear: No. Jesus is enough.
The Gospel Is Always Under Attack
Throughout history, people have tried to change, add to, or take away from the gospel. In Acts 15, the people doing this were called Judaizers. They believed in Jesus, but they also believed Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses to truly belong to God.
Think About It
Why do you think people are often tempted to add requirements to the gospel?
What are some ways people today might communicate that faith in Jesus is not enough?
The Church Must Seek the Truth Together
The disagreement became so serious that Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders. This became known as the Jerusalem Council. The leaders listened to one another, considered what God had done, and looked to Scripture for guidance.
God can work through imperfect people and imperfect processes to accomplish His purposes.
We may not always agree, but the church should seek to:
Listen to one another
Search the Scriptures
Pray for wisdom
Seek the mind of Christ
Pursue unity
What can make it difficult for Christians to disagree with one another in a healthy way?
Jesus Is Enough
Peter reminded the council that God had already given the Holy Spirit to Gentiles without requiring them to become Jewish first. The Judaizers were adding something to the gospel.
The message of the gospel is:
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus—not by our works. Look up Galatians 3:13. It says that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
Jesus did what we could never do:
He perfectly obeyed God's law.
He took the punishment we deserved.
He shed His blood for our sin.
He brought us into the new covenant.
Think About It
What are some things people might be tempted to add to Jesus to feel that they are truly saved?
Jesus + baptism
Jesus + belonging to the right church
Jesus + a particular spiritual experience
Jesus + being a good person
What happens to the gospel when we add requirements to Jesus?
What Is the Purpose of the Law?
The Law cannot save us.
Look up Romans 3:20. It says: “Through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Think of the law like a mirror. A mirror can show you that your face is dirty, but it cannot wash your face. In the same way, God's law shows us our sin, but it cannot save us from our sin.
The law also serves as a guide that leads us to Christ. It shows us that we cannot save ourselves through our own goodness and points us toward our need for a Savior.
Think about it
What does God's law reveal about us?
Why is recognizing our sin necessary for understanding our need for Jesus?
How does the law point us toward Christ?
God's Plan Was Always to Reach the Nations
James points to Scripture to show that God's plan was never limited to Israel. God had always intended for the nations to know Him. The Gentiles were not outsiders who had to become Jewish before they could come to Christ. They were being welcomed into God's people through faith in Jesus.
The gospel is for everyone.
God's grace is not limited by:
Ethnicity
Culture
Background
Social status
Personal preferences
Are there ways churches can unintentionally make people feel like they need to become “like us” before they can truly belong?
Don't Confuse Preferences With the Gospel
James tells the Gentiles to avoid four things:
Food sacrificed to idols
Sexual immorality
Meat from strangled animals
Blood
These requirements were not being added as a condition for salvation. Instead, they were meant to promote peace and unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
This is an important distinction:
We don't give up our preferences to earn salvation.
We sometimes give up our preferences to love others.
What are some church preferences that can become more important to us than they should be?
Music style
Bible translation
Clothing
Worship traditions
How children behave
How ministries operate
When do preferences become a problem?
Unity Requires Sacrifice
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9 that he became “all things to all people.” Christian unity requires us to sometimes put someone else's needs above our own preferences. Look up and read 1 Corinthians.
Ask Yourself
Am I more concerned with getting my way or loving others?
Am I willing to give up a preference for the sake of unity?
Do I make room for people who are different from me?
Do I place unnecessary expectations on other Christians?
Am I willing to serve even when it inconveniences me?
How does remembering that salvation is completely by grace change the way we treat other people?