Acts 15:1,2 - Unless you are circumcised

15:1

In some ways this is the most important chapter in Acts, it is certainly a pivotal moment. This chapter deals with the formal acceptance of Gentiles into the kingdom, and we see the interplay of the action of the Holy Spirit and human institutions. We have seen the clear action of the Holy Spirit with Cornelius and then in Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journey. One might think that that was the end of the matter. It certainly was the definitive aspect, and, as we shall see, was central to the argument that won the day. But there is the Holy Spirit side and there is the human side, and both are important. Moreover, both are important to God! Right back at the beginning in Genesis God gave man dominion over the earth. God’s plan is that man works and rules under His guidance, in obedience to Him.

The matter was brought to a head by “certain men” travelling from Judea to Antioch and teaching that the Gentile converts needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. There are two things we need to appreciate here. One is the beliefs of the time. The general belief among the Jews did not limit salvation to full converts, but they did believe that only full converts were fully God’s people. The second thing we need to appreciate is the importance of circumcision in the Bible. Circumcision was important and is clearly taught in Scripture. An example of its importance is Ex 4:24 where God is about to put Moses to death for his failure to circumcise his son. We cannot dismiss the matter is just a silly notion that some rather strict Jews had. This is why the issue features so prominently in a number of Paul’s letters.

15:2

Paul and Barnabas were having none of this, they “had no small dissension”, ie they had a clear and vigorous argument with the Judaisers. Paul knew that this was a matter that was crucial, and there had to be absolute clarity on the matter. So it was decided that they would go to Jerusalem to get that matter settled by the apostles and elders there. At this time Jerusalem was still the “home church” for the gospel.