This chapter is, from every angle, one of the most important chapters in the book of Acts. Structurally and thematically, it divides the book of Acts; Ernst Haenchen observes:
Chapter 15 is the turning point, 'centerpiece' and 'watershed' of the book, the episode which rounds off and justifies the past developments, and makes those to come intrinsically possible.
The Acts of the Apostles: A Commentary (Cambridge: Basil Blackwell, 1971) 461.
John Stott summarizes the historical-theological import of this chapter like this:
In this chapter Jerusalem is still the focus of interest, and Peter makes his final appearance in the story. But from now on Peter disappears, to be replaced by Paul, and Jerusalem recedes into the background as Paul pushes on beyond Asia into Europe, and Rome appears on the horizon. Indeed we ourselves, from our later perspective of church history, can see the crucial importance of this first ecumenical Council held in Jerusalem. It unanimous decision liberated the gospel from its Jewish swaddling clothes into being God's message for all humankind, and gave the Jewish-Gentile church a self-conscious identify as the reconciled people of God, the one body of Christ.
The Message of Acts (The Bible Speaks Today; Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press) 241.
This record of the Council holds the answers to questions of great theological and practical significance, and we encourage you to pay it special attention.
The chapter divides into # main sections:
1. The Problem Needing Attention, vv1-2a,
2. The Church's Approach to Solving the Problem, vv2b-4
3. The Apostles' Approach to the Problem, vv5-
Low Chai Hok
©Alberith, 2014