Term 3 – Week 8
Big Idea – Salvation comes by the grace of Christ and not by the Jewish law
Acts 15:1- 35
Outcomes
- See the momentous decision by the council that Gentiles do not have to observe the Jewish law.
Implications
- Belief – We are saved by grace alone, and so the Jewish law is not a requirement for us to follow.
- Behaviour – Celebrate our freedom in Christ that we are set free from the law!
Introduction
As Luke’s account shifts its focus from Peter to Paul, Acts 15:1-13 is about the resolution of a dispute that arose in the church and it is this resolution that makes the developments in the rest of the book intrinsically possible.
Since the first Gentile convert in Cornelius (likely 10 years earlier), the number of disciples from Gentile backgrounds has been increasing rapidly. From Syrian Antioch in 11:19-30, to Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch in chapter 13, a great number of Gentiles are believing in Jesus. But this has started to raise a major theological question for the Jewish-majority church: how are the Gentiles to be included into the church community? Would they be ‘absorbed’ into Israel by circumcision and observing the Mosaic law? Would the Jewish church approve this teaching of faith in Jesus without the works of the law? Is this a new community of multi-ethnic ‘Christians’ or just a branch/reform of Judaism? These fundamental questions are resolved by apostolic decree in this passage and serve a crucial watershed moment in the development of the early church.
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The Issue (15:1-5) – Some Jewish believers came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers; ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved’ (v.1). This is a serious statement that puts salvation on the line. The Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to seek council in order to clear up the confusion. The underlying question is this – is faith in Christ Jesus sufficient for salvation? The additional relational question is how can law-observing Jewish Christians and law-ignoring Gentile Christians coexist? Must faith now be expressed for the Gentile in circumcision and adherence to the Mosiac law? Some believe that before this council the letter to the Galatians was written, which would add helpful context and import to this council meeting (and show the change in Peter’s position).
The Debate (15:5-12) – The group from the Pharisees begin the discussion and say that the Gentiles must be circumcised and ‘required’ to keep the law. After much discussion, Peter stands to address them. He reminds the council of God’s activity amongst the Gentiles, specifically pointing to the conversion of Cornelius. He repeat the use of ‘us’ and ‘them’ to show the lack of distinction God has made between the Jews and the Gentiles – and therefore no need for the Gentiles to become ‘like’ the Jews! Peter ends with the summary statement that salvation is by grace alone. Up comes Paul and Barnabas to attest to the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.
The Decision (15:13-21) – James the brother of Jesus (who seems to be convening the council) supports Peter’s statement showing that God has chosen a people from the Gentiles. He quotes Amos 9:11-12, and declares that Gentiles do not have to become Jews in order to be saved, because God promised that Gentiles (and not just Jews or Jewish converts) would be included in the restored Kingdom of God. He concludes that ‘no difficulty should be placed in the path of the Gentiles turning to God in Christ’. James decides that the Gentiles merely be asked to refrain from specific actions that would upset the Jews, due to the context of being in areas where the law of Moses is read (v21). We take all these ‘requirements’ to be specific ceremonial laws from Leviticus 17-18 – the reference to sexual immorality, by no means a contextual mark of Christian living, must be seen to reference ceremonial Levitical sexual purity.
The Decision Circulated (15:22-35) –The council writes a letter echoing James’ decision, suggesting some requirements for the Gentile converts that would enable coexistence and fellowship between them and their Jewish brothers and sisters. In this the apostles and elders confirm that salvation is indeed through faith alone in Christ alone. Paul and Barnabas, after delivering this ‘encouraging’ message, remain in Antioch to further teach and preach the word of the Lord to that young church. This is the final validation necessary for the gospel go out to the Gentiles unabated – not as a Jewish conversion scheme but instead distinctly Christian, multi-ethnic community – salvation by faith in Jesus alone.
Memory Verse
Acts 10:43
43… everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name
Songs
Jesus Number 1 – YouTube
Jesus is number 1, is it through Jesus alone we are saved and nothing else!
Leaders PDF
don’t worry – we skipped lesson 8 so the folder is correctly the 9th lesson
This has been put together using purchased external material and therefore this resource may only be used by Dundonald Church. For more information please contact kids@dundonald.org
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