Legalism Versus Grace

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 15:1-29

 

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

(NKJV)

 

Do I do good works to win God’s approval in my life, or am I saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:14-17)? This is a debate that has lingered in the Church since its beginning, as illustrated in the text of this posting. The decision of the Jerusalem Council in this text provides a balance in this debate, something discussed in this post.

 

A group of men came to where Paul and Barnabas were, from Judea and began teaching the brethren that they needed to be circumcised to be saved (Acts 15:1). Paul and Barnabas had a large discussion with these men over the matter, and it was determined they needed to take the matter to the apostles and elders (Acts 15:2). On their way to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles, causing great joy (Acts 15:3). When Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and reported all that God had done with them, but a sect of the Pharisees, who believed, argued that these new converts needed to be circumcised (Acts 15:4-5).

 

The apostles and elders then came together to consider the matter (Acts 15:6). After much dispute, Peter rose up and told how a long while ago God called Peter to share the word of the gospel to the Gentiles, acknowledging it by giving them the Holy Spirit as He did to them (Acts 10, 15:7-8). This demonstrated to Peter that God makes no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles (Acts 15:9). Peter then questions those wanting to impose circumcision on the Gentiles, regarding why they want to place a burden on them that even they could not bear, expressing his belief that it is the grace of God that saves both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 15:10-11).

 

This silenced the multitude gathered with them listening to Paul and Barnabas giving a report of the miracles and wonders God worked through them upon the Gentiles (Acts 15:12). James then spoke up, telling how Peter has declared how God visited the Gentiles to take out a people for His name in fulfillment of Amos 9:11-12 (Acts 15:13-17). James then tells them not to trouble the Gentiles by requiring circumcision but to tell them to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood (Acts 5:18-20). As for circumcision, it is preached in every city in the synagogues every Sabbath (Acts 15:21). The Jerusalem Decree is then drafted, and Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas are chosen to deliver it to the Gentiles (Acts 15:22-29).

 

A doctrinal dispute has arisen between Jewish believers in Jesus as Messiah and Paul and Barnabas. The dispute concerns whether it is necessary for the new Gentile disciples to be circumcised. Perhaps among these Jewish believers are Pharisees who believe they can persuade one of their own, Paul, to agree with circumcising the new Gentile believers. However, Paul and Barnabas do not immediately jump on the circumcision bandwagon, and recommend having the apostles, the ones who were physically with Jesus, rule on the matter. The ruling of the Jerusalem council calls for the Gentile converts to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, blood, and things strangled. The desire is for the Gentile converts to worship God only, live lives of sexual purity so they are not distracted by the lusts of the flesh, and to practice dietary safety by avoiding blood and things strangled that still have the blood in them.

 

This debate continues to this day, with some believing one is saved by grace and not as the result of their works (Ephesians 2:8-9), and others citing James 2:14-17, believing one must have good works to have saving faith. The decision from the Jerusalem Council can provide a balance between these two extremes. If good works could save us, why was it necessary for Jesus to come, since we already had God’s law to follow for good works? Good works are not what saves us but are the result of one becoming a disciple of Christ living a fruitful life (Galatians 5:22-23). We know this because, when taken in context, James 2:14-17 is not speaking to the lost but to believers in Christ whose faith is dead because no fruit accompanies their profession of faith in Jesus as their Savior.

 

The grace of God saves one and, as a result, one should be a fruitful disciple of Christ, wanting to do good works for our Savior who loves us.  If you are reading this and have yet to take the first step to becoming a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ by confessing your belief in His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.