The early church, especially Paul, faced battles on two fronts. In earlier chapters, we saw how people opposed Paul so strongly that he was stoned. The other battle came from within the church.
Some people had experienced God in a certain way. They believed Paul was teaching something wrong because he did not endorse their way of becoming part of God’s family.
“Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved'” (Acts 15:1).
Since the time of Moses, certain practices identified the people of God: circumcision, Sabbath observance, keeping the Torah, and dietary laws.
Circumcision was the biggest challenge for Gentiles. As adults, many resisted it. Paul argued that they had experienced salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit just as their Jewish counterparts had, without being circumcised.
If you read Paul’s letters, you will see that circumcision came up more than once. The issue needed to be settled. So the church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to get an official answer.
“So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters” (Acts 15:3).
The Jerusalem Council
Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations in the Christian faith? Could it be that some people experience God in one way and believe their way is the only right way? When others do not agree with them, they may leave the fellowship and form their own denomination.
Something like this took place in Jerusalem.
“But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses'” (Acts 15:5).
It is important to note that the Pharisees are not the bad guys here. They sincerely want to serve God. However, they are misguided. They assume that because they follow food laws, keep the Torah, observe the Sabbath, and practice circumcision, anyone who follows Jesus must do the same.
Peter used his authority as a leader in the early church to bring clarity to the situation.
“And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us, and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us” (Acts 15:8-9).
First, he said that God knows the human heart. Only God can judge, so people should not judge one another.
God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit just as he gave it to the Jewish believers. Peter knew this showed that God made no distinction between Gentiles and Jewish Christians, even though the Gentiles had not been circumcised.
Testing God’s Grace
Paul’s experience on the Damascus Road showed him that his salvation was entirely an act of God’s grace.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Peter also knew this truth. Paul had persecuted the church, and Peter had denied Christ. Yet God’s love brought both men back to the Lord.
“Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will” (Acts 15:10-11).
Peter and Paul understood that no one comes to God apart from His grace. To place burdens on others that go beyond grace is to ignore God’s loving work.
Reflections
If you have been in church for a while, you may know people who are like those who made life hard for the early church. They believe they experienced God in a certain way and that you should experience Him the same way.
What should you do with people like that? My suggestion is to show them as much love as possible, but do not get caught up in their arguments. You know your own experience. You probably will not change their mind about what they have experienced. Simply listen, let them know you care, and then go on your way.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Acts 15:1-11 on YouTube today.
