The Debate - Pt. 2: Apostle Peter's Submission - Grace Alone

Baptist Daily Devotional
Aug 22
2 min read

Rev Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | August 22 2025 | Acts 15:6-21

KEY VERSE: “And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.” Acts 15:8 (ESV)

MESSAGE:

The debate asked one question. Is faith in the finished work of Christ enough for salvation, or must the Law of Moses be added? Peter’s conclusion is clear. “We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:11). Grace alone. Faith in the Lord Jesus alone.

With Acts 15:8 in view, Peter explains why he speaks this way. He points back to what the God of salvation did in Acts 10. First, God corrected Peter’s thinking: “Do not call unclean what I have made clean.” Then He sent Peter to a Gentile home to share the gospel. Second, in Cornelius’ house, many believed. God purified their hearts by faith and gave them the Holy Spirit. There was no distinction in how God received them (Acts 15:9).

Peter then issues a warning (Acts 15:10). Adding requirements to God’s way of salvation tests God and places a yoke on others. To demand more after God has given His Spirit would be hypocritical. Grace stands. God bore witness. Our task is to keep the gospel clear.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Verse 10 warns us. Do not add to God’s way of salvation. Teach Christ with clarity. Guard the pulpit from trends that shift the focus to prosperity and the “here and now.” Keep the gospel central.

PRAYER:

Lord, give us Peter’s insight into life and ministry. Keep us with Your grace. Make our message clear and our hearts true. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 234: 2 Chronicles 27–30 — Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah’s Reform

DAILY word study: WITNESS The Greek word is martureō (ἐμαρτύρησεν): to bear witness, to testify.

God “bore witness” to Gentile believers by giving the Holy Spirit—the same gift He gave Jewish believers. This is God’s own testimony that salvation is by grace through faith, without distinction (Acts 15:8–9). The Spirit’s gift is not a bonus add-on; it is God’s public confirmation that the gospel has truly taken root.

Reflect on This: Where are you tempted to add a yoke where God has already given His Spirit?