Acts 15

Theme of chapter: The first riff in the church, as saved Pharises tell the church that Gentiles need to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The Apostles object and after long arguing, Peter speaks up to say that Christ died for all, and only faith is needed. No one can keep the law and it is just a burden to place this on the saved.

Most important verse: Acts 15:10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Most prominent word: consolation (encouragement; comfort)

Teaching about Christ: Faith in Christ is all you need for salvation. works of any kind won't do.

Command to obey: trust in Christ for salvation, not in man or in works.

Promise to claim: Christ lived, died for our sins, and was resurrected by the Father. He will come back to build his kingdom.

New truth learned: The Jews that were saved were still Jews. Old habits die hard, as the now converted Pharises attempted to enact works and the law on the backs of the converted Gentiles. But this is the era of grace, as Christ fulfilled all aspects of the law. Peter and the other Apostles had to step in to set them straight, that we don't live under the law anymore, and that no one can keep the law, it's just a mirror to show us our sins.