Acts 15 15

Acts 15:15 kjv

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Acts 15:15 nkjv

And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

Acts 15:15 niv

The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

Acts 15:15 esv

And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

Acts 15:15 nlt

And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written:

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 15 Meaning

Acts 15:15 encapsulates a pivotal moment in the early church's deliberations at the Jerusalem Council. It presents James's authoritative assertion that the current phenomenon of God saving Gentiles by faith, without requiring Mosaic law observance or circumcision, is in perfect harmony with and a direct fulfillment of the ancient prophecies found in the Old Testament. This statement links contemporary divine activity to enduring biblical truth, thereby providing a theological foundation for the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant people of God as equals with Jewish believers, undergirding the apostolic mission.

Acts 15 15 Context

Acts 15:15 is spoken by James, the brother of Jesus, during the pivotal Jerusalem Council, an assembly convened to resolve the contentious issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and observe the Law of Moses to be saved. This verse follows Peter's testimony, where he recounts God pouring out the Holy Spirit on uncircumcised Gentiles (Acts 10-11) and declaring that God had made no distinction between them and Jews. James, as the respected leader in Jerusalem, synthesizes the testimonies of Peter and Barnabas/Paul with the authoritative Old Testament prophecies. Historically, this debate was crucial for the burgeoning Christian faith, determining if it would remain a sect of Judaism or embrace its universal calling to all nations, echoing the Abrahamic promise. James's appeal to Scripture provided an irrefutable argument to counter the pressure from Judaizers, establishing a unified theological path forward.

Acts 15 15 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): This conjunction serves to connect James's following statement directly to Peter's preceding testimony and God's reported work among the Gentiles. It signals continuity and endorsement.
• to this (τούτῳ - toutō): Dative singular, meaning "to this" or "with this." It refers to the evidence presented—Peter's account of God's unreserved grace and Spirit given to Gentiles (Acts 15:7-11), confirming that God himself had already acted to include them. It highlights a divine precedent.
• agree (συμφωνοῦσιν - symphōnousin): From symphōneō, meaning "to sound together," "to be in harmony," "to agree completely." This is a strong verb indicating perfect accord and lack of dissonance. It suggests a divine orchestration where current events align precisely with ancient divine utterance, emphasizing the consistency of God's plan throughout history. This word choice resonates with the idea of a symphony where different parts come together in a unified, beautiful sound.
• the words (οἱ λόγοι - hoi logoi): Plural of logos, meaning "words," "sayings," "teachings," or "oracles." It refers collectively to the utterances, the recorded prophecies. The use of the definite article "the" points to a specific and recognized body of literature.
• of the prophets (τῶν προφητῶν - tōn prophētōn): Refers to the Old Testament prophets and their written prophecies, specifically invoking their divine authority and foundational significance for the Jewish people and the early church. It emphasizes the inspired source of the agreement.
• as (καθὼς - kathōs): A comparative conjunction, "just as," "even as," "according as." It serves to introduce the precise, direct quotation that will demonstrate the truth of the preceding statement.
• it is written (γέγραπται - gegraptai): Perfect passive indicative of graphō ("to write"). The perfect tense denotes a completed action with continuing results – "it stands written" or "it has been written and remains written." This is a standard and authoritative formula for citing sacred scripture, affirming its immutable truth and divine origin. It conveys the authority and permanency of God's Word.

Words-group analysis:

• "And to this agree": This phrase directly links God's current action among the Gentiles (witnessed by Peter) with the foundational truth of Scripture. It's a statement of theological unity between divine work and divine Word, silencing opposition by showing God's consistency.
• "the words of the prophets": This emphasizes that the decision is not based on novel interpretation or human reasoning, but on the unshakeable foundation of the Old Testament prophets, thereby appealing to the highest religious authority recognized by all participants, especially those from a Jewish background. It confirms that the current event is part of God's ancient plan, not an ad-hoc arrangement.
• "as it is written": This serves as the introductory formula for a direct citation of Scripture (specifically Amos 9:11-12, quoted in the following verses). It highlights the authority and inerrancy of the prophetic texts as the basis for their theological conclusion, leaving no room for dispute on the source of truth. It points to a divine blueprint that is now unfolding.

Acts 15 15 Bonus section

The specific Old Testament prophecy James refers to and quotes in the subsequent verses (Acts 15:16-17) is from Amos 9:11-12. Notably, James quotes the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, rather than the original Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT). The LXX rendition of Amos 9:12 is crucial here because it specifically interprets "that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name," which directly supports James's argument for Gentile inclusion. The MT, by contrast, speaks of possessing "the remnant of Edom and all the nations upon whom My name is called," which is more territorial and nationalistic, less explicit about spiritual conversion of all Gentiles. James’s choice of the LXX translation was thus key to establishing his case that the prophets foresaw and explicitly welcomed the salvation of Gentiles. This demonstrates the early church's use of and reliance on the LXX, which allowed them to articulate the universal scope of God’s plan, showing the enduring nature of God's covenant with David now extended to include all humanity in Christ.

Acts 15 15 Commentary

Acts 15:15 is James's decisive theological declaration that aligns the observable work of God among the Gentiles with the ancient, divine blueprint found in the prophetic Scriptures. By stating that the "words of the prophets" agree with God's contemporary actions, James not only legitimizes the Gentile mission but also asserts that Gentile inclusion was not an unexpected turn of events but a fulfillment of God's long-established purpose. This profound harmony between divine revelation and current redemptive history establishes a critical precedent: experience, particularly Spirit-attested experience, must always be understood and validated through the lens of Scripture. It underpins the catholicity of the church, proving that God’s redemptive plan has always encompassed both Jew and Gentile, not by converting Gentiles into Jews but by integrating them into the Messiah’s renewed "tabernacle of David" by faith. This verse solidified a core identity of the Christian movement as distinct from pure Judaism, allowing it to become a universal faith.