What do we learn from Acts 15?

The problem addressed by the council in Acts 15 was two-fold. Converted Jews had began teaching everyone that 1.) salvation and 2.) life was according to the custom and law of Moses.

Vs 1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!”

Vs 5 But some of the believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses!”

The matter of salvation dealt with primarily by Peter, a converted Jew himself. In verse 9 he noted, “He (God) made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” No circumcision or any other religious rite – faith in the Son of God is what saves sinners, whether Jew or Gentile.

The matter of life lived before God in the New Covenant was dealt with by the letter sent out, which was previewed in verses 19 & 20.

Acts 15:19-20 “Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.”

The apostolic instructions for life in the New Covenant were not commands for them to keep the law of Moses. They gave instruction on everyday things that they encountered in life. The dietary restrictions reflect what God told Noah. When Jesus was unveiling His kingdom, He taught a new ethic, life based on having a humble heart, loving God and neighbor, seeking heavenly rather than earthly wealth. When the Apostles later wrote about this topic (Romans 14, 1 Corinthians, James, 1 & 2 Peter, etc.), the teaching has roots in the Old Testament but is interpreted and applied differently. Rather than a sexual pervert being killed, he is thrown out of the assembly of saints until he repents. Rather than being forced by the sword to carry another’s burden, the Christian seeks to serve his fellow man by bearing his burdens – and in so doing, fulfilling the Law of Christ.