Acts 15 Round Two: Paul Has Had Enough

A tug-of-war over grace erupts as new Gentile believers face pressure to add the Mosaic law to their faith. We walk through the turning point at Jerusalem where Peter points to the Spirit’s unmistakable work among Gentiles and James charts a path that guards holiness without rebuilding old barriers. The council’s decision affirms salvation by grace through faith and offers four simple instructions to protect table fellowship and community life in mixed Jewish-Gentile churches.

From there, we follow the letter back to Antioch and the wave of relief and joy that comes with clarity. No extra gates on grace. No new burdens only the committed few can bear. Just a call to reject idolatry, resist sexual immorality, and live in ways that honor God and welcome one another. Then the narrative turns, and we face a hard truth: even faithful friends can fracture. Paul and Barnabas part ways over John Mark. The mission doesn’t stall—it multiplies—but the ache is real. Their story shows how to handle sharp disagreements without poisoning the witness of the church.

Throughout, we keep circling the same center: Jesus is the main thing. Where Scripture speaks, we obey. Where Scripture is silent, we pursue wisdom with charity. That balance—conviction anchored in the word, freedom guided by love—keeps communities healthy and the gospel clear. If you’re navigating questions about legalism, conscience, or church conflict, this conversation offers both clarity and courage for the road ahead.

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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT).
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Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.