Can you be saved without coming through some ceremonial ritual? The early Church was in no small danger of becoming polluted.

1 – The dissension (vs. 1-5)

These people had no authority to preach their false doctrine. (See also verse 24). They did not come from the church in Jerusalem and were not church leaders. They were saying that Gentile believers had to be circumcised and obey other laws. Paul and Barnabas are not going to accept this as it undermines the Gospel. To settle the question they go to Jerusalem to talk about salvation. If you add anything to the grace of God you have stepped into false doctrine. Why did Jesus come and die on the cross if it did not complete God’s plan of salvation? Some people get “hung up” on Baptism, keeping the Sabbath, eating certain meats or drinking certain things. See Colossians 1:16. Your salvation does not have anything to do with any of these things.

2 – The discussion (vs. 6-18)

The Jerusalem council consists of the leaders of the church. There is a lot of debating going on. It is from the speeches that we get conclusions on what was agreed. Salvation is by God’s grace alone. There are six proofs that are given in these speeches to prove this.

• Past revelation (vs. 7) – God has revealed this in the past. See Acts 10.
• The gift of the Spirit (vs. 8) – The gift of the Spirit was given to the Gentiles without obeying the law. If you are saved the Holy Spirit will convict you of sin.
• Cleansing from sin (vs. 9) – Their hearts were purified by faith. The only way you can get cleaned up is to get saved. It is not based on what you do. Your sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. It is God’s grace. We did not deserve it.
• The inability of the law to save anybody (vs. 10-11) – The Old Testament Law is a yoke that cannot save. You can be saved just the way you are.
• The fact of miracles (vs. 12) – Barnabas and Paul give the evidence of miracles among the Gentiles.
• Prophetic promises (vs. 13-18) – James mentions that the prophets had promised that the Gentiles would be saved.

3 – The decision (vs. 11, 19-35)

The church is unified by this decision. Salvation is by grace and by grace alone. Grace is where you get something you do not deserve. There are no visions or special rites required. It is simple. It is hard to believe. We know we don’t deserve it. This is what the Devil uses to fight against us. He does not want us to have any assurance. Some people want more to feel more spiritual than others; they claim that you need more to be really saved. It is a simple truth – saved by grace alone.

Categories: Acts