Studying our way through James’s response to Peter’s testimony, and Paul and Barnabas’s report of their first mission journey, in Acts 15:13-29, is critical to understanding how the gospel to the Gentiles became the focus of the Book of Acts from chapters 16 to 28. Peter introduced the principles of grace and faith in V.9-11, stating that the Jews are saved by grace, just like the Gentiles. This brought the assembly to silence. James mentions the seven Noahide Laws given to the Gentile nations (V.20,29), in his response, encouraging the Gentiles who turn to Christ, to obey them, as opposed to the 613 Laws of Moses.
The Seven Noahide Laws Genesis 9:1-6
1. Do not deny God — no idolatry
2. Do not murder
3. Do not steal
4. Do not engage in any kind of sexual immorality
5. Do not Blaspheme
6. Do not eat the flesh of a live animal
7. Establish courts and legal systems to ensure obedience of these laws
Paul writes his letter to the Galatians at this time, warning them against assimilating the Law of Moses into their faith in Christ. Knowing the danger of putting the yoke of the law upon the Gentile converts, was the cause of Paul’s letter.
Galatians 5:1,13: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
We will continue our overview of Acts and get to the fourth great question (Acts 16) that reveals the progressive revelation found in this book of the history of the Church in the first century.