Acts 15:8

The Jerusalem Council

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: ^a“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

8 So God, ^awho knows the heart, acknowledged them by ^bgiving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

9 ^aand made no distinction between us and them, ^bpurifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore, why do you test God ^aby putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But ^awe believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus¹ Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had ^aworked through them among the Gentiles.

13 And after they had¹ become silent, ^aJames answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Acts 15:8 Mean?

Acts 15:8-9

The Gentiles' conversion resulted in a serious controversy in the church over whether they should be required to be circumcised. This major issue resulted in the convening of the first ministerial conference in the history of God's church (Acts 15). At this conference, the ministry was led to decide that the Gentiles do not need to be circumcised.

God revealed to the apostles that, under the New Covenant, He makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Regardless of race or ethnic origin, He extends the promises of salvation to any and all whom He chooses to call. Under the New Covenant, physical descent from Abraham no longer matters because God is concerned only over the person's repentance and faith in Christ. Those who receive the Holy Spirit after repentance and baptism become "the seed of Abraham." Additionally, because the purpose and meaning of physical circumcision have been superseded by the New Covenant, there is no need to inflict pain and possible psychological distress on an adult male through this operation.

Peter emphasizes that God looked upon the hearts of the Gentiles and saw their repentance. Although they were not circumcised, God forgave their sins because of their repentance and faith in Christ and granted them the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were, therefore, justified by faith and spiritually circumcised, that is, in heart and mind (Romans 2:28-29). During the Jerusalem conference, God revealed to the apostles that justification fulfilled the spiritual symbolism of circumcision.

Earl L. Henn
Why We Must Put Out Leaven

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The Jerusalem Council

What Does Acts 15:8 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

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