Affirmation of the Gentile Mission

Acts 15:6–12 (NASB95) 

6The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8“And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10“Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” 12All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 

In this segment of the Jerusalem Council, we observe a pivotal moment when church leaders, through thoughtful deliberation, affirm that God accepts those from all nations without the need for ritual circumcision. Salvation is grace through faith, not due to outward works. The apostles and elders engage in a measured discussion reflective of ancient civic assemblies, where every voice is heard yet unity is ultimately prized. Peter, speaking with the authority of one who has witnessed God’s transformative work firsthand, recalls how God graciously welcomed a Gentile household by pouring out His Holy Spirit—a powerful testimony that God cleanses hearts through faith rather than adherence to ritual law. Following Peter’s stirring reminder, Paul and Barnabas further validate the divine initiative by recounting the signs and wonders performed in their ministry, which confirm that God’s saving grace extends unconditionally to the Gentiles. This testimony not only underscores the fulfillment of prophetic expectations found in earlier Scripture but also represents a decisive moment in reconciling heritage with the expanding mission of the Church. 

 Today, as we navigate a context filled with cultural assertions and legalistic tendencies, this passage challenges us to embrace a scriptural understanding of God’s grace. Just as the early church leaders discerned that genuine faith is marked by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and that salvation is a gift of God’s unmerited grace rather than by external rituals, our ministry should reflect such an understanding. Whether in addressing societal divisions or reconciling differences within our congregations, let us be guided by the truth that salvation comes as a gracious gift from God. By maintaining unity within the church and affirming every believer who has faith through the power of genuine, Spirit-led transformation, we can continue God’s work of making His love accessible to all peoples.