ACTS 15 Breakdown

1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

These certain men were a part of the group known as the circumcision group. They taught circumcision was required for salvation.

2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

Paul and Barnabas had a major argument with these men. This argument resulted in Paul and Barnabas going to the elders and other apostles about the idea that salvation is achieved through circumcision.

3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

The believers sent them to Jerusalem. On their way they discussed how gentiles were now converting to Christ.

 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

They arrived in Jerusalem and are greeted by the other apostles and elders. They discuss all the things God is doing with them.

5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

Certain members of the Pharisees from the sect of the circumcision say they must be circumcised, and they should be forced to keep all the Law of Moses. Remember, this argument is about salvation. God does not want anyone to force us to keep His law. Neither is keeping His law about obtaining salvation.

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

They are all meeting to discuss and reason the matter together.

7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

There was a large argument between the Jews and the Apostles. Now, if Christianity has no common law with Judaism, why would the Jews need to be consulted on the issue?

Then Peter, a Jew, began to speak and stated God has him speaking to the gentiles so they hear the Word and have the chance to believe that Word.

8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

God has granted the Holy Spirit to the gentiles, just as He did with the Jews.

9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

God has made NO distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles (Christian believers). Why do we believe the Law of Moses doesn’t mean anything when Paul himself went to discuss the law with the elders (Jews) and the Apostles?

10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Peter asks about testing God. The Law of Moses was never for salvation. So why are the Pharisees trying to make it about salvation when men continually sin, aka break God’s Law? This would be counterproductive and no one would ever achieve salvation.

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

Again, we see the core issue is about salvation, not removing the law altogether. It is through Christ we are saved, and the gentiles and Jews are saved by the Grace of God.

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

After Peter made this statement the room was quiet and Paul and Barnabas discussed the miracles they were able to perform.

13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:

Now James spoke after Paul and Barnabas.

14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

God first visited the gentiles to take people from them for His name.

15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

James quotes from the Old Testament.

16-17 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’

Jesus returns to rebuild the tabernacle in order for all mankind, including gentiles can be saved and join the group called by His name.

18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.

God knows all His works for all eternity before and after

19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

James says he does not think gentiles should be troubled, not by the law, but by telling them keeping the law obtains salvation. Remember, this entire chapter revolves around the salvific issue.

20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

The main goals at this point for these newly converted believers revolve around things common to their culture. Such as idols, sexual immorality, eating animals that have been strangled, and drinking blood. Here are a few verses which show these things were being done by God’s people before and after they assimilated into the gentile nations.

Ezekiel 20:39

"'As for you, people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols.

Ezekiel 20:30

Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?

Leviticus 3:17

'It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood.'"

Ezekiel 33:25

"Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You eat meat with the blood in it, lift up your eyes to your idols as you shed blood Should you then possess the land?

It appears the reason these particular sins are called out is due to the idea God hates these practices and they need to be done away with immediately. One cannot come to God while still participating in these practices, making these sins things which need addressing immediately. 

21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Here we have confirmation about the rest of the Law of Moses. James is saying, if gentiles focus on these issues first, they will pick up the rest each week on Sabbath, because Moses is preached consistently at this time.

All in all, this entire argument is dealing with the idea of keeping the law, specifically circumcision to obtain salvation. This is what Paul is arguing against. It is not about throwing out the Law of Moses. If that were the case, verse 21 makes no sense.