< Acts 15 >

This chapter records the first heresy introduced into the Church, fatal to salvation if accepted, with some asserting that Gentile disciples of Christ must keep, not only his commandments but also the law of Moses. This heresy was so serious that Paul and Barnabas perceived that the authority of all the apostles was required to counter it, and so a conference was held at Jerusalem to decide the matter.

To avoid offending the Jews who might yet believe the gospel and be saved, some particular precepts in the law were laid upon the Gentile disciples.

When the Gentiles were all released from the burden of the law of Moses they “rejoiced for the consolation”. Paul, Christ’s apostle to the Gentiles, later fully explained the importance of this provision. The law given through Moses was “holy, just, and good” but because of human nature no-one was able to keep it and obtain eternal life by obedience to it. Everyone under the law disobeyed, the consequence being death. Therefore, God provided Christ to keep the law perfectly that he might release us, not only from sin and death but also from the curse of the law Galatians 3:13.Galatians 3:13XWaiting for response He took the law “of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” Colossians 2:14.Colossians 2:14XWaiting for response For disciples of Christ, even today, this is a matter of great consolation, as it was to those in the first century, for “the wages of sin (disobedience to the law) is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23.Romans 6:23XWaiting for response

Paul's Second Journey