Introduction
† This chapter settles the issue of whether Gentiles must keep the Law of Moses to be saved
† The apostles make it clear that salvation is by grace, not law, during the transition before AD 70
† This shows the old covenant fading while the new covenant stands complete in Christ

Acts 15:1
Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers that unless they were circumcised according to Moses' custom, they could not be saved
† This was adding works to salvation (Galatians 5:2-4)
† It shows the lingering hold of the old covenant system
† This teaching directly opposed grace

Acts 15:2
Paul and Barnabas strongly opposed them and debated them, so they were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this issue
† Truth must be defended
† The apostles handled doctrine carefully
† Unity comes through truth, not compromise

Acts 15:3
As they traveled, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers
† Gentile salvation fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 49:6)
† The church rejoiced in God's work
† Salvation had already occurred without the law

Acts 15:4
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed and reported all that God had done with them
† The focus is on God's work, not man
† This confirms divine approval
† The apostles recognized the evidence

Acts 15:5
Some believers from the Pharisees stood up and said it was necessary to circumcise them and command them to keep the Law of Moses
† Even believers struggled to let go of the law
† Old covenant thinking remained strong
† Error can arise within the church

Acts 15:6
The apostles and elders gathered together to consider the matter
† This was a decisive doctrinal council
† Authority rested with the apostles
† The truth would be established clearly

Acts 15:7
After much discussion, Peter stood up and said that God had chosen him to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear and believe
† Refers to Cornelius (Acts 10)
† God already showed His will
† Faith was the key, not law

Acts 15:8
God, who knows the heart, testified by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us
† The Spirit was given apart from law
† God confirmed their acceptance
† This proves salvation was complete

Acts 15:9
He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith
† No difference between Jew and Gentile (Romans 10:12)
† Cleansing comes by faith
† This destroys law-based righteousness

Acts 15:10
Why are you testing God by placing a yoke on the disciples that neither we nor our fathers could bear
† The law was a burden
† It could not save (Galatians 3:24)
† Adding it opposes God

Acts 15:11
We believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are
† Salvation is identical for all
† Grace alone saves
† This is the core truth

Acts 15:12
The whole assembly fell silent and listened as Barnabas and Paul described the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles
† God confirmed the message
† Evidence supported their testimony
† This validated Gentile inclusion

Acts 15:13
After they finished, James spoke and addressed the brothers
† James provides leadership
† He connects events to scripture
† This brings final clarity

Acts 15:14
He explained how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for His name
† This fulfills God's plan for the nations
† The Gentiles are now His people
† Covenant inclusion is complete

Acts 15:15
The words of the prophets agree with this
† This was foretold
† Scripture confirms it
† Nothing new is being introduced

Acts 15:16
After these things I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David
† Fulfilled in Christ's kingdom
† This is spiritual restoration
† Not a future earthly reign

Acts 15:17
So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, all the Gentiles called by My name
† Gentiles are included now
† This is present fulfillment
† God's people are expanded

Acts 15:18
This has been known from long ago
† God's plan was always clear
† Fulfillment was unfolding then
† Nothing was accidental

Acts 15:19
Therefore, we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God
† No burdens added
† Grace remains central
† The gospel is protected

Acts 15:20
They should abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, and from blood and strangled animals
† These are for fellowship
† Not for salvation
† They promote unity

Acts 15:21
Moses is preached in every city and read in synagogues every Sabbath
† Jews still followed the law
† This was a transitional period
† These instructions avoided conflict

Acts 15:22
Then the apostles and elders chose men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch
† Leadership acted together
† The decision was unified
† This ensured clarity

Acts 15:23
They sent a letter to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
† The message was official
† It addressed confusion
† It brought peace

Acts 15:24
They said some had troubled them with words, unsettling their souls, without authority
† False teaching causes confusion
† These men had no authority
† The church corrected the error

Acts 15:25
It seemed good to them to choose men and send them with Barnabas and Paul
† Unity in decision
† Trusted leaders were sent
† The message was confirmed

Acts 15:26
These men had risked their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
† Their sacrifice proved their faith
† They were reliable witnesses
† Their message was trustworthy

Acts 15:27
They sent Judas and Silas to report the same things by word of mouth
† The message was confirmed verbally
† No confusion remained
† Truth was established

Acts 15:28
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials
† The Spirit guided the decision
† No law imposed
† Grace remains untouched

Acts 15:29
They were to abstain from idols, blood, strangled things, and sexual immorality, and if they kept themselves from these, they would do well
† Again, not for salvation
† These are practical guidelines
† They promote unity

Acts 15:30
When they were sent away, they came to Antioch and gathered the people to deliver the letter
† The church received instruction
† The message was shared publicly
† Unity was restored

Acts 15:31
When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement
† Grace brings joy
† Burdens were lifted
† The church was strengthened

Acts 15:32
Judas and Silas, being prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers
† Teaching builds the church
† Encouragement is essential
† Truth strengthens believers

Acts 15:33
After spending time there, they were sent away in peace
† Peace followed truth
† Unity was restored
† The mission continued

Acts 15:34
But Silas decided to remain there
† Workers stayed where needed
† The ministry continued
† Flexibility in service

Acts 15:35
Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch teaching and preaching the word with many others
† The work continued
† The gospel spread
† The church grew

Acts 15:36
After some days, Paul said to Barnabas they should return and visit the brothers in every city
† Follow-up was important
† Care for believers mattered
† The mission expanded

Acts 15:37
Barnabas wanted to take John called Mark
† Barnabas showed grace
† He gave second chances
† He saw potential

Acts 15:38
Paul thought it best not to take him since he had left them earlier
† Paul valued reliability
† He was focused on the mission
† This shows different perspectives

Acts 15:39
There was such a sharp disagreement that they separated, Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus
† Even strong leaders disagree
† The work still continues
† God uses both paths

Acts 15:40
Paul chose Silas and left, being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord
† The mission continued forward
† Grace remained central
† God was still at work

Acts 15:41
He traveled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches
† The church was built up
† The gospel continued spreading
† Strengthening believers remained the focus

Historical References
† Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, describes the dominance of Pharisaic law during this time
† Irenaeus, Against Heresies, confirms the early church rejected law-based salvation
† Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, records apostolic unity in defending grace

How It Applies To Us Today
† We don't add works or law to salvation, it's by grace through faith
† We stand firm against false teaching that adds burdens
† We walk in unity grounded in truth
† We understand the old covenant has been fulfilled and removed

Q & A Appendix
Q: Were Gentiles required to follow the Law of Moses?
A: No, Acts 15:11 shows salvation is by grace
Q: Why were instructions still given?
A: For unity, not salvation, Acts 15:20
Q: Did the apostles agree on this?
A: Yes, Acts 15:25 shows unity
Q: Was this fulfilled in their time?
A: Yes, Acts 15:15-18 shows present fulfillment
Q: What is the main message?
A: Salvation is by grace alone, Acts 15:11

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index
† Acts 15
† Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews
† Irenaeus, Against Heresies
† Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History