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THE TRIUMPH OF THE POLICY OF GRACE (1-29)

While in Antioch, some from Judea have been teaching that circumcision is a requirement of
salvation. Paul and Barnabas disagree vehemently with this teaching. The disagreement is so
great, the church at Antioch decides to send Paul and Barnabas to discuss the issue with the
apostles and elders in the church at Jerusalem.

They are warmly welcomed by the Jerusalem church, but still there is a sect of believers who
are teaching that Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of
Moses.

To resolve the issue, the apostles and elders meet together. Peter argues against putting the
yoke of legalism on the Gentile converts and also testifies of the signs and wonders God has
performed among the Gentiles. James, a respected leader, then argues that a letter should be
written to the Gentile converts to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from eating meat of
strangled animals, from consuming blood, and from sexual immorality, again proposing to
impose legalism (aside from sexual immorality) upon the Gentile converts.

The apostles, elders, and the entire church in Jerusalem choose delegates to travel with Paul
and Barnabas back to Antioch to read the letter stating the requirements for the Gentile
converts. It does not include circumcision, but still muddles the message of grace.

DISSENSION AND DEBATE IN THE EARLY CHURCH

Act 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except
ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

And certain men which came down from Judea (to Antioch) taught the brethren (Gentile
believers), and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Just as the gospel has been taken to the ends of the world, now the legalistic Jews are also
taking the law of Moses to the foreign field. Legalism always persecutes grace (Galatians 2:4;
4:29). We are never born again by observing the law or any system of works (Galatians 2:16;
Ephesians 2:8-9), nor are we spiritual because we observe works (Galatians 2:20-21). The
purpose of the law is to teach that we are all sinners and need a Savior (Romans 3:20; 5:20;
Galatians 3:19). Paul and Barnabas began to resist this teaching to protect the congregation at
Antioch. In religious circles, grace must be fought for (Galatians 5:1).

Act 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with
them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to
Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Paul does not try to “pray and love” the legalists out of Antioch or their false doctrine. Love
must stand up to legalism (Galatians 2:11-21; 5:12). On this occasion, when Paul and Barnabas
travel to Jerusalem, Titus is with them and will be used by Paul as proof of God’s grace