The Father Breaks Legalism Bondages
Acts 15: 1-35

Jesus taught (in John's Gospel) that he brings people to the Father, and that no can cast out those who come to the Father through Jesus. Yet throughout church history there have always been those who would place conditions on the experience of our family relationship with God.

Unfortunately, this comes all too often after a successful and joyful work of God. Paul experienced this after his return from both his first and third missionary journeys. The context for the episode in Acts 15 is the reactionary activity of a group of conservatives in Judaea who came down to Antioch with a new anti-gospel, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." (Acts 15: 1)

The Jerusalem Synod handles the issue

Paul and Barnabas decided it was time to handle the matter in the heartland of Jerusalem. There was dissension. Then Peter explained how God had commissioned him to bring the Gospel to Gentiles, and how they had received the same evidences as Jews of being sealed by the Holy Spirit.

James of Jerusalem summed it all up and expresses the consensus of the Council.

The Decision

Circumcision could not be required of Gentiles.However, Gentile converts should show the reality of their conversion

1. By abstention from idolatry
2. By avoiding sexual immorality
3. By promoting fellowship with Jewish believers, by abstaining from foods that broke the Jewish food laws

The Response of Freedom

Provided new believers avoid idolatry, immorality and dissension, they are free to live with their customs. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to guide them in their growth.

Lindsay Johnstone

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