Acts 15:1-5
1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 And after Paul and Barnabas had [a]a heated argument and debate with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
3 Therefore, after being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all the brothers and sisters.
4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise [b]them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses.”
Jerusalem Council (1)
Context
The first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–14:28) has concluded, and now an extremely significant event in church history is beginning to unfold. This important event involves theological discussions surrounding the essence of the gospel and the nature of the church. (1) The church is a mystery (it was not prophesied in the Old Testament). (2) The church suddenly came to be, bringing with it various issues regarding Gentile believers. (3) What is the relationship between Gentile believers and Jewish believers? (4) What is the position of Gentile believers within the church? It was at the Jerusalem Council, where these issues were addressed. We will study this council in several parts.
Presence of the Judaizers (v 1)
“Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’” (1) These men were known as Judaizers. They were similar to the people described in Galatians 2:12 as “men from James.” Although they were not officially sent or endorsed by the Jerusalem church, they considered themselves defenders of “orthodox Judaism.” (2) Their teaching was incorrect. They insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation, ignoring or forgetting the events of Acts 11:18. Cornelius’ salvation had been officially recognized by the Jerusalem church, affirming that circumcision was not a requirement for salvation. Furthermore, they disregarded the success of the Gentile mission carried out by the Antioch church over the past two years. The phrase “according to the custom of Moses,” refers to following the Jewish law. Circumcision was the first step in adhering to the Jewish law. Essentially, they taught that Gentiles must first convert to Judaism in order to be saved. This teaching directly opposed the “gospel of the grace of God” that Paul preached (Acts 13:38-39). The gospel is “the gospel of the grace of God.” (1) God provided the way of salvation by sacrificing His Son, Jesus. (2) Humans are saved simply by accepting the Lord Jesus as Savior. (3) There is nothing humans can do to earn salvation. If anything is added to the gospel, it is no longer the “gospel of grace.” Adding anything to the gospel doesn’t just make it slightly different, it transforms it into “another gospel.” One of Satan’s common tactics to hinder God’s work is through “lies.” Satan’s lies often sound convincing and reasonable.”
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please help me through the Spirit to stand firm in the gospel of grace and not be deceived by the lies of the devil. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.