Every generation eventually faces this question. Is grace enough?
In Acts 15, the early church stood at a crossroads. Would they protect tradition or proclaim grace? Would they make the gospel clearer or more complicated? Their decision did not just shape their moment. It shaped the mission of the church for every generation that followed, including ours.
The tension did not come out of nowhere. It grew out of both hardship and growth.
After Stephen was martyred in Acts 8, persecution intensified. Believers were scattered. What looked like defeat became a platform for the gospel. Acts 11:19–21 tells us that those scattered traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, sharing the good news. At first, they spoke only to Jews. But soon, some began sharing with Greeks also. The result was unmistakable. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Hardship did not stop the gospel. It spread it.
When the church in Jerusalem heard what was happening, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Scripture says that when he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad. He encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Antioch became a thriving, diverse church. It was there that followers of Jesus were first called Christians. Barnabas and Paul taught there for a year, strengthening the church and preparing it for mission.
But about five years later, division entered the church.
Acts 15:1 records the issue clearly. Certain people came and taught, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
At its core, the question was simple. What are we trusting for salvation? Is faith in Jesus enough, or must grace be supplemented with religious performance?
Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed. They were sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders. Along the way, they shared stories of Gentiles being converted, and the believers rejoiced. When God is moving, the church should celebrate, not compete. We are family, united by the same Savior.
In Jerusalem, the apostles and elders gathered to address the conflict. They did not ignore it. They talked through it. Mature faith does not avoid hard conversations. It pursues truth with humility.
Peter stood and reminded them of what God had already done. God chose the Gentiles. God gave them the Holy Spirit. God purified their hearts by faith. His conclusion was unmistakable. “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15:11).
Grace was not part of salvation. It was the whole foundation.
James then pointed to Scripture, showing that God had always planned to gather people from every nation. This was not a departure from God’s plan. It was the fulfillment of it.
His final judgment was clear. “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God” (Acts 15:19).
The gospel removes barriers between God and people. The church must never rebuild what Jesus tore down.
That truth still confronts us today. We may not require circumcision, but we can still add barriers. Sometimes it is social expectations. Sometimes it is political alignment. Sometimes it is knowledge, behavior, or background. We subtly communicate that grace is not enough.
But grace is enough.
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And the same grace that saves us also changes us. The early church encouraged Gentile believers to turn from their old pagan practices, not to earn salvation, but because they already belonged to God.
Grace is not opposed to transformation. Grace produces it.
The question is not just theological. It is personal.
Are you trusting in your performance, or in Christ’s grace?
And are you extending that same grace to others?
Grace was enough then. It is enough now. And it will always be enough.
In Acts 15, the early church stood at a crossroads. Would they protect tradition or proclaim grace? Would they make the gospel clearer or more complicated? Their decision did not just shape their moment. It shaped the mission of the church for every generation that followed, including ours.
The tension did not come out of nowhere. It grew out of both hardship and growth.
After Stephen was martyred in Acts 8, persecution intensified. Believers were scattered. What looked like defeat became a platform for the gospel. Acts 11:19–21 tells us that those scattered traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, sharing the good news. At first, they spoke only to Jews. But soon, some began sharing with Greeks also. The result was unmistakable. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Hardship did not stop the gospel. It spread it.
When the church in Jerusalem heard what was happening, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Scripture says that when he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad. He encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Antioch became a thriving, diverse church. It was there that followers of Jesus were first called Christians. Barnabas and Paul taught there for a year, strengthening the church and preparing it for mission.
But about five years later, division entered the church.
Acts 15:1 records the issue clearly. Certain people came and taught, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
At its core, the question was simple. What are we trusting for salvation? Is faith in Jesus enough, or must grace be supplemented with religious performance?
Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed. They were sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders. Along the way, they shared stories of Gentiles being converted, and the believers rejoiced. When God is moving, the church should celebrate, not compete. We are family, united by the same Savior.
In Jerusalem, the apostles and elders gathered to address the conflict. They did not ignore it. They talked through it. Mature faith does not avoid hard conversations. It pursues truth with humility.
Peter stood and reminded them of what God had already done. God chose the Gentiles. God gave them the Holy Spirit. God purified their hearts by faith. His conclusion was unmistakable. “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15:11).
Grace was not part of salvation. It was the whole foundation.
James then pointed to Scripture, showing that God had always planned to gather people from every nation. This was not a departure from God’s plan. It was the fulfillment of it.
His final judgment was clear. “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God” (Acts 15:19).
The gospel removes barriers between God and people. The church must never rebuild what Jesus tore down.
That truth still confronts us today. We may not require circumcision, but we can still add barriers. Sometimes it is social expectations. Sometimes it is political alignment. Sometimes it is knowledge, behavior, or background. We subtly communicate that grace is not enough.
But grace is enough.
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And the same grace that saves us also changes us. The early church encouraged Gentile believers to turn from their old pagan practices, not to earn salvation, but because they already belonged to God.
Grace is not opposed to transformation. Grace produces it.
The question is not just theological. It is personal.
Are you trusting in your performance, or in Christ’s grace?
And are you extending that same grace to others?
Grace was enough then. It is enough now. And it will always be enough.