Bible Study Acts 15
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Acts 15 · WEB

The Jerusalem Council

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Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved."
2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
3They, 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.
4When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5But 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."
6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
7When 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.
8God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.
9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10Now 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?
11But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."
12All the multitude kept silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.
13After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me.
14Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.
15This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
16'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,
17that 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.'
18"All God's works are known to him from eternity.
19Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
20but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
22Then 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.
23They 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.
24Because 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;
25it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
29that 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."
30So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
33After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.
35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36After 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."
37Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
38But 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.
39Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,
40but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
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Summary

When teachers from Judea insist Gentile converts must be circumcised to be saved, Paul and Barnabas head to Jerusalem to settle the question. After much debate, Peter argues that God gave Gentiles the Spirit by faith alone — placing a yoke on them that no Jew ever bore would be tempting God. Barnabas and Paul recount the signs done among the nations, and James, citing Amos, concludes that God is gathering Gentiles for his name and only four prudent restrictions need be requested (avoid idol food, blood, what is strangled, and sexual immorality). The decision goes out by letter and delegation, bringing joy and relief to the Antioch church. Then a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark divides them — Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus; Paul takes Silas and heads back through Syria and Cilicia.

Themes

  • Salvation by grace through faith for everyone
  • The yoke of legalism rejected
  • Conflict resolved by Scripture, testimony, and Spirit-led consensus
  • Practical wisdom for mixed congregations
  • Personal failure and the persistence of God's work despite it

Key verses

  • Acts 15:11 — “We believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
  • Acts 15:19 — “Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God.”
  • Acts 15:28 — “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things.”
  • Acts 15:39 — “Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other.”

Context & background

C. AD 49, Jerusalem (modern Israel). This is the first formal church council, and possibly the most theologically pivotal moment of the New Testament era — does grace plus nothing save, or does grace plus law? The Pharisees who had become Christians (v. 5) sincerely believed circumcision and Mosaic obedience were essential markers of God's people; the apostles' answer is that the Mosaic law is not the entry-point for Gentile believers. James (v. 13) — Jesus' brother, now lead elder of the Jerusalem church — invokes Amos 9:11-12 to ground the policy in prophetic Scripture. The four restrictions in v. 20 likely address Levitical-style concerns that would scandalize Jewish believers eating with Gentiles (Leviticus 17-18 lays out similar rules for "the foreigner who lives among you"). The decree was a pastoral compromise: it preserves grace and protects table fellowship. Paul's letter to the Galatians (likely written shortly before this council) addresses the same crisis with sharper polemic. The split with Barnabas (vv. 36-41) does not annul the friendship — Paul speaks warmly of Barnabas in 1 Corinthians 9:6 — and the breach with Mark is also later healed (Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11).

Cross-references

  • Acts 10-11 — Peter's experience with Cornelius, foundational for his speech in vv. 7-11.
  • Amos 9:11-12 — Quoted in vv. 16-17 to ground Gentile inclusion in prophecy.
  • Colossians 4:10 / 2 Timothy 4:11 — Mark is restored to Paul's confidence; Paul calls him "useful to me for ministry."
  • Galatians 2 — Paul's account of related events (the relationship between Galatians 2 and Acts 15 is debated).
  • Romans 14 — Paul develops the same wisdom of considering weaker brothers in matters of food.

Check your reading

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  1. Observe

    What four things did the Jerusalem Council's letter ask Gentile believers to abstain from?

  2. Observe

    What caused the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas at the end of Acts 15, and what was the outcome?

  3. Interpret

    Peter asked the council, "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?" (v. 10). Why is this argument theologically decisive against requiring Gentiles to keep the Mosaic law?

  4. Interpret

    The council's letter states "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us" (v. 28). How does this phrase model the relationship between divine guidance and human deliberation in church decisions?

  5. Apply

    The council concluded that Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised or keep the Mosaic law to be saved. Where in church life today might people quietly add requirements to "grace plus Jesus," and how can you guard against that?

  6. Apply

    The Paul-Barnabas split over John Mark (vv. 37-41) shows that two godly, gifted leaders can reach an impasse. What does this teach about disagreements between mature believers — and about second chances for those who have stumbled?

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