"He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Acts 15:9-11
Up to this point, the church has essentially been a Jewish phenomenon. However, the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius’ conversion, and the Antioch church all hint at God’s broader inclusive agenda. This becomes the norm in the Pauline churches, for the most responsive converts tend to be the gentiles whom Paul encounters. This prompts a genuine crisis in the early church: the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 is the leadership’s attempt to address this.
The crux of the issue is the role of the Jewish Law in salvation. How much should the Law’s requirements, including circumcision, apply to these new gentile converts, who have no other Jewish affiliation (v. 5)? The question is not whether non-Jews should be included, but on what basis? This passionate debate becomes the main factor prompting the widening separation between Christianity and Judaism. In the initial discussion, Peter reminds them that the Spirit clearly showed God’s acceptance of gentiles by coming upon Cornelius and his household dramatically when they believed.
He then gives a profound summary: ‘why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are’ (vv. 10, 11). Peter sets out his firm belief that nobody can actually fulfill the Law. Not just gentiles, but Jews as well, are saved through God’s grace alone. This dramatically levels the playing field—all stand before God equally in need of grace.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am forever changed because of your sacrifice on my behalf! Help me to live each moment of every day in ways that bring you glory (edited from Encounter with God).