The Jerusalem Council

A new teaching. Men came from Judea to Antioch and taught, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (15:1). Circumcision was a sign God gave to Abraham’s family (Genesis 17). It marked the Jewish people as His. What they were really saying. These men were saying that believing in Jesus was not enough. A Gentile, someone who is not Jewish, would first have to become Jewish and keep the law of Moses. No small dispute. Paul and Barnabas “had no small dissension and dispute with them” (15:2). Dissension means strong disagreement. They knew this mattered, because the question was how a person is saved. Taking it to Jerusalem. The church sent Paul, Barnabas and others “to the apostles and elders, about this question” (15:2). Elders were leaders of the church. The believers chose to talk it through together. Good news on the road. As they traveled, they told how Gentiles had turned to God, and the believers were glad (15:3). In Jerusalem “they reported all things that God had done with them” (15:4). Believers who disagreed. “But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up” (15:5). The Pharisees were a group of Jewish teachers who were very careful about God’s law. These men believed in Jesus. They thought Gentile believers had to keep the law of Moses too. What we learn. Jesus plus something else is not the good news. We are saved by trusting Jesus alone. When a question about the gospel comes up, God’s people bring it into the open and look for His answer together.

The teaching (15:1). “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’” Circumcision was the sign God gave Abraham and his descendants, “a sign of the covenant between Me and you” (Genesis 17:11). What was at stake. The men were not only asking Gentiles to honor Moses. They said, “you cannot be saved.” That made the law of Moses a requirement for salvation, added on top of faith in Jesus. No small dissension (15:2). Paul and Barnabas “had no small dissension and dispute with them.” Some disagreements are about small matters. This one was about the gospel itself, so they would not let it pass. The right place (15:2-3). The church sent them “to the apostles and elders, about this question.” Being “sent on their way by the church,” they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, “describing the conversion of the Gentiles.” Received (15:4). The church, the apostles and the elders received them, and “they reported all things that God had done with them.” They began with God’s work, not with their own opinions. Believing Pharisees (15:5). “But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.’” These were believers. The Pharisees were a group within Judaism known for careful keeping of the law, and Paul himself had been one (Acts 23:6). Necessary? The key word is necessary. The question was not whether Jewish believers could keep their customs. It was whether the law was necessary for a Gentile to be saved. Application. People still try to add things to Jesus: being good enough, religious rituals, a list of rules. The gospel says Christ is enough. Stand firm on that truth, and speak up kindly when someone changes it.

Some men came to Antioch with a wrong idea. They said a person had to be circumcised to be saved. Circumcision was a sign God gave to Abraham’s family long ago. The men also said people must keep all of Moses’ law. That would mean trusting Jesus was not enough. Paul and Barnabas knew this was not true. So they argued with the men. Then the church sent them to the leaders in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, some believers agreed with the men from Judea. They had been Pharisees, Jewish teachers who studied God’s law. But nobody is saved by keeping rules. We are saved by trusting Jesus. Nothing needs to be added to what Jesus did!

Some men taught a wrong idea about being saved. Paul and Barnabas took the question to Jerusalem. Jesus saves us when we trust Him!

A long talk. “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter” (15:6). There was “much dispute” (15:7). They let people speak, and they took the question seriously. Peter stands. Peter reminded them that “God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe” (15:7). God had sent Peter to Cornelius’ house. God knows the heart. “So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us” (15:8). God sees what we cannot see. The gift of the Holy Spirit showed that He had accepted them. Hearts made clean. God was “purifying their hearts by faith” (15:9). Their hearts were made clean when they trusted Jesus, not when they kept a rule. A heavy yoke. Peter asked, “Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (15:10). A yoke is a wooden bar put on the necks of oxen for heavy work. No one had ever kept the whole law perfectly. Jesus gives rest. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Saved by grace. “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they” (15:11). Grace is God’s kindness that we do not deserve. Peter was Jewish, and he said he was saved the same way the Gentiles were. What we learn. God does not ask you to carry a load you cannot lift. Jesus carried our sin on the cross. Trust Him, and His grace saves you.

Considering the matter (15:6-7). “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up.” Honest discussion came first, and no one rushed to a decision. Peter’s witness (15:7). “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” He pointed back to Cornelius’ house (Acts 10), where God had acted first. The One who knows hearts (15:8). “So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us.” The gift of the Spirit was God’s own sign that He had received them. Faith, not ritual (15:9). God “made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” The cleansing that matters most happens inside, and it comes by faith. Zygos (15:10). “Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” The Greek zygos (say: zoo-GOS) is a yoke, the wooden crossbar that joins working animals to a heavy load. Peter was honest: Israel had never kept the law perfectly. To make it a condition of salvation was to test God, questioning what He had plainly done. The law was good. The problem was never the law; the problem was us. The law showed God’s holiness, but it could not give the power to keep it or wash away guilt. Grace (15:11). “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Peter, a Jewish apostle who had walked with Jesus, put himself on the same ground as the newest Gentile believer. A different yoke. Jesus invited the weary, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Application. If you are trying to earn God’s approval, put that yoke down. Christ carried the weight of sin at the cross, and His grace is enough.

The leaders met to talk about the question. Then Peter stood up. Peter reminded them how God sent him to Cornelius’ house. Cornelius and his family were not Jewish, but they believed. God knows what is in every heart. He gave them the Holy Spirit, just as He did for Peter. Peter said, “When they believed, he made their hearts pure.” Then Peter talked about a heavy load. Trying to keep all of Moses’ law was too heavy. Nobody could carry it, not even Peter’s own people. Grace is God’s kindness that we do not earn. Jewish and non-Jewish believers are saved by the grace of Jesus. That grace is for you too!

Peter said God gave the Holy Spirit to them too. God makes hearts clean when we believe. We are saved by the grace of Jesus!

Silent and listening. “Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles” (15:12). They let God’s work speak. James speaks. James was a leader of the church in Jerusalem, most likely the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19). He said, “Men and brethren, listen to me” (15:13). A people for His name. “Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name” (15:14). Simon is Peter. God was making a family for Himself from every nation. The prophets agree. “And with this the words of the prophets agree” (15:15). James quoted the prophet Amos. God said, “I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down” (15:16). A fallen tent. A tabernacle is a tent. David’s royal family had fallen low, like a tent that has fallen down. God promised to set it up again. Seeking the Lord. Why would God do it? “So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name” (15:17). A picture. Many Christians see the rebuilt tent of David as a picture of Jesus, the Son of David, risen and reigning as King and gathering people from every nation. Planned long ago. “Known to God from eternity are all His works” (15:18). God was not surprised that Gentiles were believing. It was His plan all along. What we learn. God’s Word and God’s work always agree. Whoever you are, God has made a place for you in His family through Jesus.

The evidence (15:12). “Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.” Barnabas is named first here, most likely because the Jerusalem church already knew him well (Acts 11:22). James (15:13). James, most likely the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19), was a leader in the Jerusalem church. “Men and brethren, listen to me.” Simon (15:14). James called Peter by his Hebrew name, Simon. “Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.” For centuries “a people” for God’s name had meant Israel; now God was gathering a people from the nations too. Scripture weighs experience (15:15). “And with this the words of the prophets agree.” James did not rest on reports of miracles alone. He weighed what God had done by what God had said. Amos (15:16-17). James quoted the prophet Amos: “After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name.” The tabernacle, or tent, of David pictured his royal house, which had fallen into ruins. The Son of David. God had promised David a Son whose throne would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16). Jesus is that Son of David, raised from the dead. Many Christians see the rebuilt tent of David as the risen King’s kingdom, now filled with believers from every nation. From eternity (15:18). “Known to God from eternity are all His works.” The welcome of the Gentiles was never God’s backup plan. Application. Test what you hear and what you feel by God’s Word, as James did. And never think you are too far outside for God. He planned a place for the nations from the beginning.

Everyone in the meeting became quiet. They listened to Barnabas and Paul. The two men told about the miracles God had done. God did them among people who were not Jewish. Next, James spoke to the group. He was a leader in Jerusalem. James was most likely the Lord’s brother. James said the prophets wrote about this long ago. God said David’s kingdom was like a fallen tent. But God promised to build it up again. Then people from other nations could worship Him. Many Christians see this as a picture of Jesus. Jesus is the King from David’s family. People from every nation come to Him. God planned this long, long ago!

Everyone was quiet and listened. James said God planned this long ago. God wants people from every nation!

Do not make it hard. James said, “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God” (15:19). He did not want to put rules in the way of people coming to Jesus. Four things. He said to “write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood” (15:20). To abstain means to keep away from something. Why these? Food offered to idols honored false gods. Sexual immorality goes against God’s plan for marriage. Meat from strangled animals and blood were foods Jewish believers had always kept away from. These requests most likely helped Jewish and Gentile believers share meals and stay close. In every city. “For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city” (15:21). In every town, Jewish people heard the law read each Sabbath. Everyone agreed. The apostles, the elders and “the whole church” agreed (15:22). They sent Judas, also called Barsabas, and Silas with Paul and Barnabas. The letter. It told the Gentile believers that the men who troubled them were men “to whom we gave no such commandment” (15:24). It called Paul and Barnabas “men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:26). The Holy Spirit led. “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” (15:28). What we learn. These things did not save the Gentile believers; grace did. Love for God and love for other believers shape how we live.

James’s judgment (15:19). “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God.” To trouble here means to pile obstacles in someone’s way. Apechomai (15:20). “But that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.” Abstain is apechomai (say: ah-PEKH-oh-my), to hold yourself away from something. Idols and immorality. Two requests touched sins God always forbids: honoring false gods, and sexual immorality, anything outside God’s plan for marriage. In many Gentile cities, idol worship and immorality often went together. Food and fellowship. The other two requests were about food that Jewish believers had always kept away from. Most likely these requests let Jewish and Gentile believers share meals with a clear conscience. Moses in every city (15:21). “For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Wherever the Gentile believers lived, they had Jewish neighbors who loved the law. Not a way to be saved. These were not steps to salvation. Peter had already said that salvation comes “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (15:11). Anaskeuazo (15:24). The letter said some had “troubled you with words, unsettling your souls.” Unsettling translates anaskeuazo (say: an-ah-skyoo-AD-zoh), a word used for packing up a house and carrying everything off. False teaching leaves believers unsure and unsettled. The apostles added, “to whom we gave no such commandment.” Chosen men (15:22, 25-27). Judas, “who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,” went with “our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” They would “report the same things by word of mouth.” The Spirit and the church (15:28-29). “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.” The letter closed, “If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” Application. Freedom in Christ is never freedom to sin, and it is never a reason to ignore a brother’s conscience. Live free, and love well.

James did not want to make it hard for the new believers. He said, “We should write a letter to them.” The letter asked them to stay away from a few things. Some things honored idols, or fake gods. One went against God’s plan for marriage. Other things would hurt their friendships with Jewish believers. The church chose Judas and Silas to carry the letter. The letter said, “We did not tell them to do this!” It also said that the Holy Spirit was pleased. He did not want the new believers to carry a heavy load. These few things did not save them. Jesus had already saved them by grace. The letter ended, “You will do well.”

The leaders wrote a letter to the new believers. It asked them to stay away from idols. Jesus had already saved them by grace!