Acts 15:1 to 15:35 Salvation is entirely a gift of God's free grace through faith in Jesus Christ, without adding human legalism or cultural rituals. Identify the theological conflict that arose when legalistic teachers came to Antioch. Analyze Peter's testimony and James' biblical resolution from Amos 9. Defend the core doctrine that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus alone. Following Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey, teachers from Judea arrived in [Antioch](/bible/explorer/place/antioch), insisting Gentiles could not be saved unless circumcised according to the custom of Moses. The Controversy at Antioch Certain men came down from Judea to [Antioch](/bible/explorer/place/antioch) and began teaching: 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.' Paul and Barnabas engaged in fierce debate with them, because this false teaching undermined the sufficiency of the cross. The church appointed Paul, Barnabas, and others to go up to the apostles and elders in [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem) to settle this defining question. Peter's Testimony and James' Biblical Judgment At the Jerusalem Council, after much debate, Peter rose and reminded them how God chose that Gentiles like Cornelius should hear the gospel through him. God gave them the Holy Spirit just as he did to Jewish believers: 'He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.' James then stood up and quoted the prophet Amos, showing that God's ancient plan was always to include Gentile nations under David's restored kingdom. The Letter of Liberty and Joy in Antioch The council drafted an official letter declaring that Gentiles did not need circumcision or legalistic burdens to be saved. They simply requested that Gentiles abstain from idolatrous meat, sexual immorality, and blood to preserve harmonious fellowship with Jewish believers. When the letter was read in Antioch, the believers rejoiced greatly over its encouragement. The gospel of free grace was preserved uncontaminated for all future generations. But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. Acts 15:11 What false condition for salvation were some teachers from Judea demanding of Gentile believers? Circumcision and keeping the law of Moses Paying large sums of gold Speaking only Hebrew Moving to Jerusalem Circumcision and keeping the law of Moses Legalistic teachers claimed that Gentiles had to be circumcised according to Moses to be saved. What did Peter proclaim at the council regarding how anyone is saved? Through human perfection Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Through military conquest Through ancestry Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Peter affirmed: 'We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.' How did the Gentile church at Antioch react when they received the Jerusalem Council's letter? They complained bitterly They rejoiced greatly because of its encouragement They tore up the letter They stopped meeting They rejoiced greatly because of its encouragement The church rejoiced that salvation was confirmed as free grace in Christ without legalistic burdens. Remind yourself each morning that God's love and acceptance are gifts of grace received through faith, not wages earned by good performance. Gracious God, thank you that our salvation does not rest upon our imperfect works or rituals, but solely upon the finished work of Jesus. Keep our hearts free from legalistic pride and full of grateful worship. Amen. Why is adding human works or rituals to the gospel of grace so spiritually dangerous? How does knowing you are saved completely by grace change how you view your mistakes and your good deeds? Clarify the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone as established at the Jerusalem Council. Ask what happens if someone gives you a gift and then demands you pay for half of it. Is it still a genuine gift? Do good works matter if we are saved by grace? Emphasize that good works are the joyful fruit and evidence of salvation, never the cause or purchase price. 5 minutes hook, 18 minutes doctrinal examination, 12 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.