Acts 15 Paul's Begins a Second Journey
Summary

After Paul and Barnabas returned from their first travels, some came from Judea to Antioch and taught the brethren that to be saved one must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas disputed that and determined to go to Jerusalem to discuss it with the apostles and elders there. The brethren there respected the inspired message that Christians need not be circumcised and determined to send a letter to Gentiles telling them that they needed to observe God’s moral laws but they did not need to obey the Law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark and Paul resisted. So Barnabas went to Cyprus and Paul chose Silas to go with him back to Asia.

The Jerusalem Council

15But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

Question 1

What did the Jewish teachers want all Christians to do according to Moses’ Law?

Question 2

Why did Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem?

6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Question 3

What did each of the speakers say in Jerusalem? What point was each trying to make?

12And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

16“‘After this I will return,and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from of old.’

19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose 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 therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

Question 4

What did the letter sent to the Gentiles say? Why?

30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Question 5

Why did Paul and Barnabas have a dispute about John Mark?

People
  • Converted Pharisees from Jerusalem (15:1,5)
  • Paul and Barnabas
  • Went to Jerusalem

  • Peter and James
  • Speakers

  • John Mark
  • Subject of contention between Paul and Barnabas

  • Silas
  • Chosen to travel with Paul

Places
  • Antioch
  • Where Jewish teachers came to require Christians to be circumcised

  • Jerusalem
  • Where Paul and Barnabas went to talk to the apostles and elders

  • Syria and Cilicia
  • Where Paul and Silas went to continue spreading the gospel

The Jerusalem Council

15But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

Acts 1:3

Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Genesis 17:10-11).


Acts 1:4

The issue was whether Gentiles are bound to obey the Law of Moses, Israel’s national law.


Acts 15:3

The distance between Antioch and Jerusalem through Phoenicia and Samaria is about 250 miles.


Acts 15:5

The issue was not accepting Gentiles. It was the criteria for acceptance: circumcision and Moses law.

6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Acts 15:6

This is a consultation. It is not a council in the later ecclesiastical sense. The entire church met. This was not a conclave of bishops. There were no votes taken to make decisions.


Acts 15:7

Peter addresses the church. He appeals to earlier experience teaching Gentiles when no such requirements were made. He is forced to the conclusion that they should not require it either.


Acts 15:11

This is the last we see of Peter in the book of Acts.

12And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

Acts 15:12

Paul and Barnabas speak next and refer to doing miracles which showed God’s approval. These experiences illustrate that there was no need to require circumcision.


Acts 15:13

James then speaks and quotes Scripture (Amos 9:11-12) to prove his conclusion.

16“‘After this I will return,and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from of old.’

Acts 15:18

See also Isaiah 45:21).Jeremiah 12:15.

19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Acts 15:19

None of the items required of Gentiles were exclusively a part of the Law of Moses. Each has always been required of God’s people: “Things polluted by idols” (seeRomans 1:18-32); “Sexual immorality” (See Genesis 19); “Things strangled and blood” (see Genesis 9:3-5).

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose 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 therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

Acts 15:22

Judas Barsabas and Silas are messengers. They are also prophets (v. 32).

30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Acts 15:36

The purpose of the second trip was to see how brethren led to Christ on the 1st trip were doing.


Acts 15:37

John Mark went part-way on the first trip but returned home. He was cousin to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10).


Acts 15:39

Because they had traveled to Cyprus, and Barnabas was from Cyprus, he and Mark to there.


Acts 15:40

Paul chooses Silas and goes by land through Syria and Cilicia to the cities where they were before.

Perspectives

The decision was based on the acts of God and upon Scripture, not from a vote of fallible men

Christians are not required to keep the laws and traditions of the Law of Moses.

We should not engage in idolatry, sexual immorality, or eating things strangled and blood.