What God Opened, Legalism Tried to Shut
But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” ~ Acts 15:11
Whenever God is moving, you can count on resistance. It’s predictable. When the Lord opens a door to advance His kingdom, Satan doesn’t just sit back, he places people in position to slam that door shut. That’s exactly what happened in the early church.
God was doing something incredible. Gentiles, non-Jews, were being saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Lives were being transformed, and churches were growing. But not long after this open door of grace swung wide, troublemakers showed up. These were religious men, clinging to law and tradition, insisting that Gentile believers had to follow Jewish customs to truly be saved. Their message was clear: Jesus isn’t enough, you need works too. Acts 15:1 shows this clearly, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
It was a direct attack on the gospel.
So what did the early church do? They didn’t split into factions, they didn’t go off feelings, they came together and sought the truth, God’s Word, God’s will, and God’s Spirit. Acts 15:6 says, “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” Leaders like Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James gathered to deal with the issue. They listened, they testified, and most importantly, they submitted to what God had already revealed. Acts 15:8–9 records Peter saying, “God… put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”
There was no compromise on doctrine. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by keeping laws or rituals. Ephesians 2:8–9 confirms this, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” That truth stood firm. But there was practical wisdom in how it was applied. The church gave some instructions to help new Gentile believers avoid offense and maintain unity. That wasn’t a watering down of truth, it was a display of spiritual maturity. Acts 15:28–29 says, “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things…”
The result? Joy, encouragement, and strengthened faith. Acts 15:31 says, “Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.”
This isn’t just a history lesson, it’s a blueprint. Today, the enemy still tries to sneak in legalism, false gospels, and unnecessary burdens. Galatians 1:6–7 warns us, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Satan stirs division, confusion, and fear. But when the church stands on the Word of God, led by the Holy Spirit, united in truth and humility, we overcome. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
When God opens a door in your life or in your church, don’t be surprised when opposition comes. Expect it, but don’t panic. “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). Get into the Word. Test everything by Scripture. Stay grounded in the truth. And keep walking through the door God has opened. The enemy can’t shut what God has already declared open. “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Revelation 3:8).
2 Kings 4:18-5:27
Acts 15:1-35
Psalm 141:1-10
Proverbs 17:23
New Testament: Acts 15:1-35
Summary:
The Jerusalem Council
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
When God opens a door, the enemy has someone handy to try to close it. Judean legalists, false teachers who taught a doctrine of salvation by works, called Judaizers visited the Antioch Church and taught that Gentiles must become Jews before becoming Christians. It is important for sincere Christians to get together when they disagree and to seek the Word’s guidance. God was doing a great work among the Gentiles as Peter, Paul, and Barnabas reported, and James related that to the Word in the decision. Doctrinally, there was no compromise, but practically, there was a consideration.
Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch as well as Silas: teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. This they did in season and out of season, with power, purity, plainness, and faithfulness, preaching the word of God; the Gospel of Christ; not the word of men, but the word of God.
Overview: Acts 13-28 Click Here to Watch Video
~ Paul Washer
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