Acts 15

Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”

Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others of them to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.

When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.

But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe.

God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.

He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

that the rest of men may seek after the Lord: all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

“All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;

it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:

that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.

Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.

After they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the apostles.

But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”

Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.

But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.

Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter records the Jerusalem Council’s resolution of a critical theological and practical dispute: whether Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the Mosaic law to be saved. The chapter centers on affirming that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law, while also preserving unity between Jewish and Gentile believers through modest moral and dietary guidelines.

Flow.

The dispute over circumcision arises when certain teachers from Judea claim it is necessary for salvation, prompting Paul and Barnabas to go to Jerusalem for clarification.
At the council, Peter argues that God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles by faith alone, making no distinction between Jew and Gentile, and warns against placing an unbearable yoke on them.
James supports this view by citing Amos to show God’s purpose to include Gentiles, then proposes practical boundaries for Gentile believers to maintain fellowship with Jewish Christians.
The council sends a letter affirming salvation by grace and listing abstentions, which is received with joy in Antioch; the chapter closes with Paul and Barnabas separating over Mark, leading to two missionary teams.

Connections. Following chapter 14, where Paul and Barnabas establish churches among Gentiles and face opposition, this council formally resolves the theological tension their mission has exposed. It provides the doctrinal foundation that enables the gospel to move forward freely among the nations, which chapter 16 takes up by showing Paul’s renewed missionary journey—now with Silas and Timothy—into new regions without requiring Mosaic observance.

What it teaches. The chapter affirms that justification is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works of the law (WCF 11.1; HC LD 7). The reception of the Holy Spirit by uncircumcised Gentiles confirms that God cleanses hearts by faith (WCF 14.2; HC LD 23), not ceremonial rites. Yet for the sake of peace and witness, the council requires abstention from practices that would deeply offend Jewish believers or signify idolatry and immorality (WCF 20.4; HC Q&A 98). The decision reflects both theological clarity and pastoral wisdom, under divine guidance (; cf. WCF 1.1 on the Spirit’s role in confirming Scripture).

Apply. Gospel unity allows diverse believers to stand together on grace while navigating cultural differences for the sake of peace and mission.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.