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THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL

Act 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Within their hearts, the church leadership knew the answer to this question and knew that
Jesus Himself had told of the conversion of the Gentiles (1:8). They also knew of Jesus’ battles
with the religious, legalistic Jewish leaders. The battle Jesus had gone through is the same
battle this early church is now facing.

PETER TESTIFIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AMONG THE GENTILES

Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men
and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles
by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

This is the last time we will hear from Peter in the book of Acts. After this, Peter bounds in and
out of legalism and grace. The Pharisees become stronger in the Jerusalem church, and Peter
will fight to keep his head above water. He later writes two books and explains how Paul is far
more advanced in the Word and understanding of God’s grace (2 Peter 3:15-16).

The Jerusalem church is confused like most churches today. They believe in faith for salvation,
but they also believe the Christian way of life is a series of do’s and don’ts. This same argument
continues today: human good versus divine good. Peter recalls for them his house top vision
and the revival among the Gentiles in Caesarea (chapter 10).

Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost,
even as he did unto us;

God gave the Gentiles the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit without a teaching on the law of
Moses. They received the same experience as those in the upper room in Jerusalem.

Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Peter is saying that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile when He gives the Holy
Spirit. These men are making an issue of something God is not making an issue of. So these
legalists are now being found to fight God.

Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples,
which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke (the law) upon the neck of the disciples, which
neither our fathers (Old Testament believers) nor we (New Testament believers) were able to
bear?

Tempting God is blasphemy. Legalism is also blasphemy (13:45), a yoke of bondage (Galatians
5:1). It weighs a person down and causes them to slow their pace until they come to a
complete standstill. Legalism seeks to attach itself to a believer, especially a disciple.