In this teaching from Acts chapter 15, Pastor Harley Doneburg walks through one of the most critical moments in church history—the Jerusalem Council—and addresses a question that still matters today: is salvation found through grace alone, or must something be added to it? As the gospel spreads to the Gentile world, tension arises when some believers insist that faith in Jesus must be accompanied by obedience to the law of Moses.
Pastor Harley explains how the apostles and elders come together to seek God’s will, listening to the testimony of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, and ultimately James, the leader of the Jerusalem church. Through Scripture and firsthand evidence of God’s work among the Gentiles, the church confirms a foundational truth: hearts are purified by faith, not by works, tradition, or religious effort.
This passage exposes the danger of legalism and reminds us that the law was never meant to save, but to lead us to Christ. Pastor Harley emphasizes that God desires a relationship, not rule-keeping, and that the Holy Spirit now lives within believers, empowering real transformation from the inside out. Salvation is not Jesus plus anything—it is grace alone, received by faith alone.
The message also highlights the importance of unity within the church, distinguishing between essential doctrines and secondary issues. Rather than placing unnecessary burdens on new believers, the early church chooses to protect the simplicity of the gospel while encouraging holiness, love, and consideration for one another.
This teaching calls believers to rest in God’s grace, reject false gospels that add to the cross, and walk in the freedom Christ has already secured.
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For more teachings from Calvary Chapel Perry with Pastor Harley Doneburg, subscribe to our channel and follow along as we journey verse-by-verse through the Book of Acts.
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