Acts Chapter 15 — The Jerusalem Council
The apostles and elders meet in Jerusalem to decide if Gentile believers must follow Jewish laws, concluding that faith in Christ is sufficient. Afterward, Paul and Barnabas separate to lead different missions.
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Notable Verses
Acts 15:11
“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
This verse summarizes the central theological conclusion of the Jerusalem Council: that salvation is granted through grace rather than adherence to the Law.
Acts 15:19
“Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,”
James’s leadership and judgment provide the practical resolution that allowed the early church to remain unified while expanding to non-Jewish nations.
Chapter Summary
In Acts 15, a significant conflict arises when teachers from Judea insist that Gentile converts must be circumcised to be saved. Paul and Barnabas travel to Jerusalem to resolve the issue with the apostles and elders. During the council, Peter highlights that God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles through faith, while James concludes that they should not be burdened with the full Mosaic Law. Instead, they are asked to abstain from certain practices like idolatry and sexual immorality. A letter is sent to the Gentile believers in Antioch, bringing great encouragement. Later, Paul and Barnabas plan a return visit to the churches they established, but a sharp disagreement over whether to take John Mark leads them to part ways. Barnabas sails to Cyprus with Mark, while Paul chooses Silas and travels through Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the assemblies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The council met to decide whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses to be saved. This was prompted by teachers from Judea who argued that Mosaic customs were necessary for salvation.
The apostles and elders decided not to burden Gentile believers with the full Jewish law. They requested only that Gentiles abstain from food sacrificed to idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality to maintain fellowship and holiness.
They had a sharp disagreement regarding John Mark. Barnabas wanted to take him on their next journey, but Paul disagreed because Mark had previously left them in Pamphylia; as a result, they formed two separate mission teams.
Study Note
The decree issued by the council uses the phrase 'it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us,' highlighting the early church's reliance on divine guidance for administrative decisions.
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