Journey Through Acts: Paul's Missionary JourneysSample

This section has been called the centrepiece, the watershed, the turning point of the Book of Acts.

This meeting of the church at Jerusalem, known today as the Jerusalem Council, is framed by Paul’s first and second missionary journeys. The purpose of this first church council is to consider the nature of the true gospel.

The matter of concern is that some Jewish believers were urging Gentile believers to be circumcised (and by extension to keep the Mosaic law), in order to be saved (vv. 1–5). This is the same concern addressed by Paul in his letter to the Galatians. He wrote this letter during his stay at Antioch (see Acts 14:28). If the church embraced this teaching, Christianity would become a mere sect of Judaism.

Such additions to the gospel, even if thought to be good and helpful, are dangerous. They take our focus away from the sufficiency of Christ’s work alone as the means by which we are set right with God.

The debate is recorded in verses 6–12. This is Peter’s last appearance in Acts and he states clearly his conviction: we are saved by grace alone (v. 11). Then Barnabas and Paul share God’s authentication of their ministry among the Gentiles through miraculous signs and wonders (v. 12).

James, the Lord’s brother and leader of the Jerusalem church (Galatians 1:19), diplomatically refers to Peter by his Hebrew name, Simon (v. 14), highlighting his Jewish ancestry and implying that since he is “one of us”, his words should not be doubted. James then proceeds to quote Amos 9:11–12 from the Greek translation of the Old Testament. In doing so, he provides the scriptural proof that foretells the salvation of Gentiles. He says:

• The restored kingdom of God will include Gentiles (vv. 16–17)


• The people of God will include Gentiles (v. 14)

On the basis of what God has done and said, it is concluded there will be no additions to the true gospel. In verses 19–21, we read that a letter is drawn up and the decision is circulated.

Things that go without saying need to be said! Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. There must be no additions or subtractions to the true gospel.

This very minute, a sinner who is not circumcised, baptised, or confirmed may come to Jesus and, by repentance and faith, receive freely, immediately, and forever, the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and a warm reception into God’s worldwide family.

Think Through:

Think about some of the things you add, or are tempted to add, to the gospel, as a supplement to the work of Christ. What are the implications of adding conditions or salvation? What would we then be saying about the gospel and about God?

What does it mean for us to trust in Christ alone?