Saved by the Grace of Jesus — Acts 15:1–35
Nov 6, 2026 5
Do Gentiles have to become Jewish to be saved? In Acts 15, a dispute over the grace of Jesus threatens to divide the early church.
Acts 15:1–2
[1] But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” [2] And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. (ESV)
The grace of Jesus
The question was whether Gentiles, people from the nations who were not Jewish, needed to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be saved (Acts 15:1, 5). Paul and Barnabas knew this teaching changed the gospel. It made becoming Jewish a requirement for people who had already turned to Jesus.
This was not a small disagreement about customs. The deeper question was whether Gentiles could be saved and belong to God’s people through Jesus, or whether they also had to take on the law of Moses. The gospel was at stake.
The church gathered in Jerusalem to consider the matter. Peter pointed to what God had done among Gentile believers.
Acts 15:7–9
[7] And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. [8] And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, [9] and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. (ESV)
Paul and Barnabas then told the church about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12). James showed from the Scriptures that this welcome was part of God’s purpose (Acts 15:13–18).
The answer was clear: Gentiles did not need to become Jewish to be saved. The council’s letter included practical instructions for Gentile believers, but it did not make circumcision or keeping the law a condition of salvation (Acts 15:19–29). The decision protected the gospel and the unity of the church. When the letter was read in Antioch, the believers rejoiced at the encouragement (Acts 15:30–35).
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
The Good News is…
We are saved by the grace of Jesus. Through trusting in the perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection of Jesus, anyone can be saved. There is no extra requirement to add to what Jesus has done. Jew and Gentile, we are saved by the same Saviour and welcomed through the same grace of Jesus. This is one gospel, one Saviour, one mission to the ends of the earth.
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Further reading: Acts 15:1–35
Reflection
How does the church’s decision in Acts 15 encourage you to keep trusting Jesus’ grace? Pray that we would proclaim one gospel and welcome others through his grace.
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited