Reflection on Acts 15

Hello ladies,

I received a comment from a friend expressing confusion on chapter 15. I would like to expand on the issues in this chapter since it is such an important chapter in the book of Acts. So, here we go:

PROBLEM: The first missionary journey has ended. Paul and Barnabas return to their home church in Antioch of Syria but some very disturbing things are happening… ‘Christians’ from the Jerusalem church have come to let the church in Antioch know that Gentiles are NOT welcomed into the church or the faith without following Jewish law (specifically circumcision here). 

This is a HUGE problem. Paul adamantly wars against this destructive heresy and ultimately travels back to Jerusalem with Barnabas and some other disciples to settle the matter.  He is VERY CLEAR that faith in Christ alone is the way to salvation. It is not Christ + circumcision or Christ + good works or Christ + confession to a priest and penance that leads to salvation…it is FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE. 

There is tension in the story as we wonder…how  will Peter and the apostles react to Paul? What will happen? Will they affirm his work among the Gentiles or will they not put their stamp of approval on it? Paul’s reputation as an apostle was certainly at stake. 

PROBLEM-SOLVING: Paul, Barnabas and other disciples met with the Jerusalem apostles and elders to consider this issue and discuss it. In this meeting, we learn a good deal about conflict resolution in the church.  Peter & James show wisdom in bringing in experience of the Spirit’s work in their ministry AND the Scriptures. If God’s Spirit and Word are to guide us, I think Peter and James do an excellent job of leading the others to focus on God’s direction in this matter.

SOLUTION: It is clear that Peter, James and the rest of the elders agreed that it is faith in Christ alone that leads to salvation. We need to remember that there are Gentiles back in Antioch wondering if they need to be circumcised to gain God’s approval…they are waiting….what do they need to do to keep God’s favor??

The solution provided was to write a letter to the Gentile believers to let them know circumcision was NOT required of them, but a few things were mentioned to foster relationship with the Jewish believers in their midst. The last requirement was not unusual. They were told to avoid sexual immorality. This was pretty obvious to them. The first two requirements were given not to require abstinence from certain foods to be saved, but rather as a matter of love and respect and table fellowship with Jewish believers. In the same way that eating a big rare steak might offend a vegan, or drinking a glass of wine could be a stumbling block to an alcoholic at your table, eating meat sacrificed to idols (this was VERY common in their culture) would be a major stumbling block to a Jewish Christian and could cause divisive relationships. 

It is important to see also that the dispute was resolved with face to face interactions. Thankfully, a letter was not sent from the church in Jerusalem to the church in Antioch ALONE, but they also sent Judas and Silas from Jerusalem to testify to the conclusion of the matter so that no others would throw Gentile believers in Antioch into confusion. 

The destructive heresy we see in this chapter is still at work in the church today to lead others away from the grace of Christ. It may not be faith + circumcision, but there are certainly other works required in some circles (WRONGLY) to gain salvation.  We need to remember, we can never be good enough to earn salvation. We can never tip the imaginary scale in our favor by good deeds. This is what most of the world believes. If they think they are 'good people' it will go well with them on the day of judgement. This is NONSENSE. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Jesus is the ONLY ONE who lived a perfect life and offers his perfect record in exchange for our sinful record. If you believe, Jesus has already taken the punishment you deserve for sin. You will not only receive forgiveness for sins, but eternal life and and an inheritance that will is far more glorious than you can imagine. Nothing that you did could earn this.The matter is simple:

 “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9