Arguments, even among friends, can lead to anger and separation. You might think that true Christians would not have arguments. Here we find a “sharp dispute and debate” among Christians (verse 2.) Let’s find out how this dispute about what is essential for Salvation was settled. Some ignore this, and keep the debate going on and on!
The good news, that God was ready and willing to offer Salvation to all men, was spreading far and wide. Whether a person was religious, or cared nothing about God, the message was the same for everyone: turn in faith to Jesus Christ to save you. (Acts 3:19. 16:31.) God “purified their hearts by faith.” (verse 9. Acts 26:18-20.)
In Antioch, the unbelievers had caused Paul and Barnabas much trouble, but that was to be expected. (John 15:18-21.)
A greater problem arose, when some men came from Judea teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised, you cannot be saved …” Paul and Barnabas got into a fierce argument with them about this. (verses 1-2.) Paul had been teaching that only Jesus Christ could forgive sins, and the sinner needed only to put faith in Jesus to be saved. But these other teachers were teaching “you cannot be saved” without the sacraments!
“Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.” (verse 2.) When they arrived, they were welcomed by the Church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.” (verse 4.) Some of the believers in Jerusalem insisted that the sacrament was necessary for Salvation. (verse 5.)
“After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe … God accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us … for He purified their hearts by faith.” (verses 7-9.) Peter asked why some of them now wanted to teach people that they could not be saved without the sacraments. (Galatians 1:6-9. 2:16.) “No!” Peter said, “We believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (verse 11.) Barnabas and Paul told of how God had shown His approval by all the miracles He had done among the Gentiles who had believed. (verse 12.)
There could be no excuse for keeping on with the argument that the sacraments were essential for Salvation. God had made it clear, that the Gentiles had simply to have faith in Jesus as their Saviour. They had not needed any sacrament to receive the Holy Spirit from God. (Acts 10:42-48.)
The evidence showed that God purifies any who believed in Jesus as Saviour, and He gives to them His Holy Spirit. (verses 7-11. Ephesians 2:8-10. Titus 3:4-8.)
Read what God says is essential for Salvation in Acts chapter 15, verses 1-12.
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