Acts 15 11

Acts 15:11 kjv

But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Acts 15:11 nkjv

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."

Acts 15:11 niv

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Acts 15:11 esv

But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."

Acts 15:11 nlt

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus."

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 11 Meaning

This verse, spoken by Peter at the Jerusalem Council, is a profound summary of Christian doctrine regarding salvation. It declares unequivocally that salvation is received "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ," emphasizing God's undeserved favor as the sole means, rather than human works or adherence to the Mosaic Law. The phrase "we shall be saved, just as they will" highlights the universal nature of this salvation, asserting that both Jewish and Gentile believers obtain salvation on the same basis—grace through faith in Jesus, without distinction or added requirements like circumcision or observance of ceremonial law.

Acts 15 11 Context

Acts chapter 15 records the significant Jerusalem Council, convened to address a crucial theological dispute within the early church. Certain believers, described as "some from Judea" (Acts 15:1), identified by Luke as "some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed" (Acts 15:5), were teaching Gentile converts that "unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." This posed a fundamental challenge to the apostles' preaching and threatened to divide the burgeoning Christian community along Jewish and Gentile lines.

Peter's speech (Acts 15:7-11) is pivotal. He recounts God's supernatural acceptance of Cornelius and his household—Gentiles—who received the Holy Spirit simply by hearing the gospel and believing, without undergoing circumcision or full adherence to the Mosaic Law (Acts 10-11). Peter asks why they should "put a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear" (Acts 15:10). Verse 11, therefore, serves as the triumphant conclusion of Peter's argument, cutting through the legalistic demands and affirming the simple, inclusive, and liberating truth that salvation for all people comes by God's unmerited favor through faith in Jesus Christ, and nothing more.

Acts 15 11 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλά - alla): This is a strong adversative conjunction, signifying a sharp contrast or turning point. It emphasizes the complete contradiction to the Judaizers' insistence on law and circumcision. It sets Peter's statement in direct opposition to their argument.
• we believe (πιστεύομεν - pisteuomen): The verb is in the present active indicative, indicating an ongoing and firmly held conviction shared by Peter and the other apostles. It implies both intellectual assent and a personal commitment, pointing to faith as the human response to God's initiative. The "we" is inclusive, indicating the unified belief of the original Jewish Christians regarding salvation.
• that through (διὰ - dia): This preposition indicates the means, instrument, or channel. Salvation is not from grace directly but is conveyed through grace. It specifies the mechanism by which salvation becomes accessible.
• the grace (τῆς χάριτος - tēs charitos): The Greek word charis fundamentally means unmerited favor, undeserved kindness, or a gift freely given. This is in direct opposition to any system of earning salvation through adherence to law or ritual. It emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and generosity in providing salvation to the unworthy. It’s the antithesis of a covenant of works.
• of the Lord Jesus (τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ - tou Kyriou Iēsou): This phrase identifies the ultimate source and object of this salvific grace. "Lord" (κύριος - kyrios) implies supreme authority, ownership, and divine status. This title asserts Jesus' full deity and sovereign power as the giver of grace and salvation. "Jesus" points to His historical person and redemptive work. All salvation, therefore, is rooted in the person and work of Christ.
• we shall be saved (σωθῆναι - sōthēnai): This is an aorist passive infinitive, meaning "to be saved." The passive voice signifies that salvation is an action performed upon "us" by an external agent (God, through Christ's grace), not something achieved by human effort. It implies deliverance from sin, death, and eternal judgment, and entry into eternal life and fellowship with God. It speaks to both initial justification and eventual glorification.
• just as they will (τρόπον καθ᾽ ὃν κἀκεῖνοι - tropon kath’ hon kakeinoi): Literally "in the way according to which also those ones." "They" refers explicitly to the Gentiles (e.g., Cornelius and his household) who had received the Holy Spirit and believed. This phrase unequivocally asserts that there is one and only one path to salvation, equally available to and applied to both Jews and Gentiles. It crushes any notion of a separate, more demanding path for Gentile believers or any continued reliance on Jewish ethnic or ritual distinctions for salvation. It underlines God’s impartiality.

Acts 15 11 Bonus section

• This verse effectively counters religious exclusivism that attempts to add human stipulations to God's gracious offer of salvation.
• It serves as a strong apostolic endorsement of Paul's teaching on justification by faith, laying the groundwork for key theological arguments presented later in Romans and Galatians.
• The phrase "Lord Jesus" links Old Testament prophecy (where YHWH is often translated as "Lord") with Jesus' identity, subtly underscoring His divine authority to grant salvation.
• This statement highlights the importance of experiential theology alongside theological argument, as Peter's primary evidence was the undeniable outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles (Acts 10-11).

Acts 15 11 Commentary

Acts 15:11 stands as a concise yet powerful articulation of the gospel, encapsulating the early church's definitive answer to the legalistic controversy. Peter, as a central figure deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, delivers an apostolic declaration that resonates through the entire New Testament. His words definitively affirm that God's plan of salvation is anchored exclusively in divine grace, facilitated by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and accessed through faith—not through any human meritorious acts, such as circumcision or adherence to the ceremonial Mosaic Law. This profound statement dismantles the spiritual walls between Jews and Gentiles, establishing a single path to salvation for all humanity. It declares God's impartiality and radical inclusivity, confirming that Gentile believers are fully equal co-heirs with Jewish believers in the blessings of Christ. This was foundational for the church's global mission, ensuring that the good news would not be encumbered by cultural or legalistic burdens, allowing genuine spiritual transformation through faith to be the sole prerequisite for entering God's family.