Passage: Acts 15:1-35 Speaker: Pastor Lukus Counterman Series: The Book of Acts: Neighbors & Nations
Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Acts 15 is usually referred to as “The Jerusalem Council” because it records a gathering of apostles, elders, and the church to wrestle with an important question. Many Gentiles were being saved and added to the church, but some people thought they had to become Jews before they could become Christians. In other words, they needed to have faith in Jesus, but they also needed to follow the Mosaic Law. Thankfully, God’s Spirit and God’s Word led the church, and they concluded that salvation requires no works of the Law. But they also concluded that salvation changes our lives (for the better). Gentiles didn’t need to become Jews to be saved. But they couldn’t live like pagans either. People who turn to God don’t need to turn to works, but they should turn from their idolatrous past. Christ alone is the basis of our salvation, and he graciously transforms our lives. May he be praised both now and forever.