Something Profound | Ps Rob Buckingham
February 28, 2025

The story in Acts 15 is at the centre of the Book of Acts and expresses some truth central to our faith:

Profound Truth #1: Salvation is by grace alone

The church has accepted Gentiles, but should they follow specific practices commanded by the Torah for Jews?

Acts 15:1-2, Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.

We don’t know who these “certain” people were, but we do know that this heresy persistently hindered the church for the first century.

Some of these Pharisees were followers of Jesus and members of the church:
Acts 15:5, Then, some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” In other words, accepting Jesus as Messiah is insufficient for salvation. Gentiles must become Jews by being circumcised and keeping the law of Moses (in their opinion).

Have you ever met anyone—including Christians—who holds such strong opinions that they feel the need to argue about everything? They believe they’re right while everyone else is wrong. Their God-given mission is to try to convert others to their viewpoint, which they assert is the only correct one.

The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.

They maintained that confessing Jesus as your Messiah, your Saviour, and your Lord is NOT enough! You must also do “these things,” adding to the Gospel.

Legalism continues to be a regrettable presence in certain church circles today. Anything that adds to the gospel is an enemy of the gospel.

Paul: Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Paul: Romans 3:23-24, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Peter: Acts 15:8-11, God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

James: Acts 15:19, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Profound Truth #2: Freedom is restricted by love

Acts 15 tells us that Christians had differing opinions. Ancient society was very divisive, much like today, but church leaders sought consensus wherever possible—which is what they did here.

The church leaders wrestle with this dilemma, but James suggests a compromise that enables individuals with differing perspectives to find common ground.

James: Acts 15:19-20, It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write to them, telling them to abstain from:
• Food polluted by idols.
• Sexual immorality.
• The meat of strangled animals and blood.

Food polluted by idols. The Greek text does not mention food. Instead, it should be translated as “the pollutions of the idols.” Undoubtedly, this would include meat that has been ritually contaminated due to being offered in sacrifice to pagan idols. However, it should not be limited to this.

Sexual immorality (Gk. porneia) primarily refers to temple prostitution and various forms of incest (Lev. 18). It also encompasses extramarital affairs. The notion is that followers of Jesus should maintain their purity.

The meat of strangled animals and blood. Biblehub says, “This prohibition aligns with Jewish dietary laws, which require the blood to be drained from animals, as consuming blood was forbidden (Leviticus 17:10-14).”

Salvation comes through grace alone, and we should not add anything. However, there will be times when we choose to restrict our freedom out of love for others. James encourages Gentile believers to limit their freedom out of love for their Jewish brothers and sisters.

This was because “the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath. You will do well to avoid these things.” (Acts 15:21)

In other words, Gentile Christians would be aware that these actions could offend Jews, and they would not be acting in love towards others if they persisted in these practices.

Our freedom in Christ should never lead us to act unlovingly toward others. Paul wrote extensively on this topic in his letter to the Roman church (Romans 14:1-15:7).

Profound Truth #3: God works everything for good.

Acts 15:36-41, Some time later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

The second conflict in Acts 15 doesn’t appear to have a happy ending. The powerful team of Paul and Barnabas split because of a sharp disagreement over Barnabas’ cousin, John Mark. This conflict is handled differently from the Council in Jerusalem (15:22). This story has many truths, but the one I want to conclude with is that God works everything for good.

On the surface, the Bible appears to favour Paul, while Barnabas seems to fade into the background. But is that the case? Who is right, and who is wrong? Paul was justified in hesitating because Mark was young and inexperienced, leaving them in a tough spot on their first trip. I understand his reluctance to bring him back so soon. However, Paul was also incorrect because he failed to recognise the potential in this young man. Barnabas was correct in seeing Mark’s potential, but he was likely wrong to let their family relationship cloud his judgment. It’s important to remember that “Barnabas” is just a nickname. His real name was Joseph, but the apostles called him Barnabas, meaning “Son of encouragement.” That’s the kind of person he was. You would have enjoyed being around him because he always looked for the good in others—their potential rather than their problems—and he recognised the emerging gifts in his young cousin.

Ten years later: While Paul was in prison for the second time, Mark was part of Paul’s apostolic team, which he sent to help the Colossian church.
Colossians 4:10, My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

20 years later: While Paul was in prison for the third and final time.
2 Timothy 4:11 states, “Get Mark and bring him with you because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”

After Paul’s death, Mark worked with the apostle Peter. He was the scribe for Peter’s gospel, which we call “Mark.”
1 Peter 5:13, She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.

Barnabas, the son of encouragement, recognised Mark’s potential and dedicated years to nurturing it. Thus, the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas didn’t derail God’s plan because God works everything for good.

Meditate on this wonderful truth: God works everything for good—all your challenges, doubts, pain, conflict, good & bad, whatever you’re facing right now.

Martin Luther observed the following about Paul & Barnabas:
“Here, it appears either Paul or Barnabas went too far. It must have been a violent disagreement to separate two associates who were so closely united. Indeed, the text indicates as much.

“Such examples are written for our consolation: for it is a great comfort to us to hear that great saints, who have the Spirit of God, also struggle. Those who say that saints do not sin would deprive us of this comfort.

“Samson, David, and many other celebrated men full of the Holy Spirit fell into grievous sins. Job and Jeremiah cursed the day of their birth; Elijah and Jonah were weary of life and desired death.

“No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again.”

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever met anyone—including Christians—who holds such strong opinions that they feel the need to argue about everything? How do you (or have you) managed interactions with that person?

  2. Legalism continues to be a regrettable presence in certain church circles today. Have you encountered legalism in a church? How did it manifest, and how did you confront it?

  3. Discuss: “Anything that adds to the gospel is an enemy of the gospel.”

  4. Read and discuss these scriptures: Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-24; Acts 15:8-11.

  5. How could James’ advice in Acts 15:19 inform how today’s church welcomes marginalised people?
    “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

  6. Have you ever restricted your freedom out of love for someone? Share stories. What was the outcome? Consider Romans 15:1-2 in your discussions.

  7. Discuss Paul and Barnabas’ sharp disagreement in Acts 15:36-41. Could there have been a better outcome, and how would this have been achieved? Share stories of conflicts you’ve experienced and what you’ve learned from them.

  8. Share examples of how God has worked everything together for your good (Romans 8:28).

  9. Paul’s account of the conflict in Acts 15 differs from Luke’s. Read and discuss Galatians 2:1-10 and note the only condition applied to the Gentiles — remember the poor. How should this inform Christians and churches today?