Salvation through the Grace of Our Lord Jesus 

Acts 15:1-35 

Key Verse 15:11

This passage says that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Read verses 1-2 and think about the requirement “some men” insisted that every male (especially an adult) must be “circumcised” for salvation. In what respect is it not a small burden? (Genesis 34:25) What does the Bible teach us about true circumcision? (Romans 2:29; Acts 15:9) 

** It is not a small surgery, so it would be a great burden if all new believers (among the Gentiles) will have to be circumcised. In addition, the circumcision (done physically) goes on the flesh, not on the soul/spirit, so it would do no good for salvation, for salvation is first the salvation of a soul, not of flesh. Our body is going to perish. Remember what Jesus said in John 6:63.

** True circumcision is the circumcision of a heart, which is done through the Holy Spirit. 

Read verses 3-4 and think about the reports they made. Who were the members of the journey team? What did they report? What did the reports do for the listeners? What can we learn from their practice in advancing God’s work in our generation? 

** Paul, Barnabas, and some other believers (most likely the members of the church of Antioch)

** What God had done through them.

** People were glad and their faith must have been strengthened. 

** It is a good idea to listen to others in regard to what God did in and through them. [Read great books written by those who experienced great works of God in their lives; it is also a good idea to attend the upcoming Purdue conference where God’s servants/missionaries can report on what God is doing all over the world, for these reports will build up the body of Jesus Christ.]

Read verses 5-11 and compare what some of the believers (who belonged to the party of the Pharisees) said (in verse 5) and what Peter said (in verses 7-11). 

What does “the message of the gospel” stand for? (Acts 10:36-43)

** Jesus’ death and resurrection; Jesus’ ongoing ministry; and the promise of Jesus’ second coming. Read also John 1:29

How did they (the Jews of Peter’s day) distinguish between the Jews and the Gentiles? (Acts 11:1-3) 

** Physical circumcision

What does the Bible say about the condition of the heart of a fallen man? (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23) 

** Incorrigibly corrupt; no human beings can make it pure again (cf. Jeremiah 13:23; Romans 3:10,12; 7:24)

Yet how can a man’s heart be made pure? (9) 

** God can do it, and he still does it by pouring the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus’ sin-forgiving love.

What do you think Peter might have meant by “a yoke”? (Acts 15:1,5) 

** Circumcision (to be done on a physical body)

What does “the grace of our Lord Jesus” mean? 

** What the Lord Jesus has already accomplished for us, that is, the promise of having all of our sins forgiven based on the atoning sacrifice he made.  

Read verses 12-35 and think about the four requirements James (and the Council’s letter) added. Peter already declared that it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved. Yet, why did they (Jerusalem Council) add these requirements? (21; 29b) 

** Perhaps two reasons: 1) It was for cultural reasons, not for theological reasons, that is, to help the believing “Jews” to be able to get along with the Gentile believers more easily without being offended by the presence of the Gentile believers not being considerate of the Jewish believers still being respectful of the old custom such as eating the Kosher meal; and 2) To help the Gentile believers to “do well” that is in getting along with the Jewish believers, not necessarily because these requirements are needed for salvation (Acts 15:29)

The end

 This might be what James meant when he said that the law of Moses (on circumcision) is being preached everywhere in every synagogue on every Sabbath. This is like Europeans being offended by a Californian who when he gets invited by a European wears short pants, ignoring the fact that Europeans wear long pants as a matter of courtesy, not showing bare legs.

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