Acts 15 Destroys False Hebrew Israelite Teaching About Salvation

In Acts 15, The Lord’s brother James destroys the Hebrew Israelite belief that only Israel can get saved. They teach that people called Gentiles in the Bible, are Israelites in a “Gentile” state of mind, so only biological Israelites can get saved.

While not all Hebrew Israelites believe this, the groups you’re likely to encounter do. Acts 15 Changes Everything

James uses both Testaments to debunk the idea of Israelite-only salvation. The Old Testament passage James uses is clear…it says the Lord is doing this, not man. I’ll show you how both Testaments give you confidence that their teachings are false and shouldn’t be followed.

By the end of this article, you’ll see that some are forced to say James was in error because of passages like this. This is a position any real follower of Christ cannot take. Imagine believing Moses was sent by God to write scripture but made errors. At that point, how could you trust the Bible?

Cults like this get you the same way the devil did in the Garden of Eden: by questioning and throwing shade on God’s Word. They then bring in a new word that destroys. The big problem is, this new message is sending many people to hell. This is why articles like this are so important. So let’s begin.

The Church Meeting In Acts 15

Acts 15 is a glorious passage on many levels. This is where some believers went around saying you need to keep the law for salvation. They’re called Judaizers, much like the Hebrew Israelites I’m discussing today. Once you know this, it’s easy to track their errors as I walk through this chapter.

As you read Acts 15, imagine the Judaizers are the Hebrew Israelites today. But because this article today is about James, I’m going to start at verse 13. This is after Peter has said Gentiles do not need to keep the law, or get circumcised for salvation.

This refers to non-Israelites, not Israelites in a Gentile state of mind. But I’m not going to spend more time on that here because even if these were Israelites in a Gentile state of mind, Peter has said they do not need to keep the law for salvation. This already cuts their false doctrine. This alone is devasting to Hebrew Israelite beliefs.

In fact, he says both Israelites and Gentiles’ hearts are cleansed by faith and saved by faith. Remember, this is Peter, the leader, and one of the three pillars of the church at that time, saying this.

James’ Judgement In Acts 15

Listen to what verse 13 says,

“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me.”

The Lord’s brother wants you to listen to him. Let’s see what he says in verses 14-15,

“Simeon [Simon Peter] hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. [15] And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written.“

James is talking about what happened in Acts 10, a New Testament event. But he also says this aligns with the prophets of the Old Testament. James said, “As it is written.”

This isn’t something new, the prophets in the Old Testament spoke about this too. Not one prophet, but more than one, as James says.

James now quotes one of the prophets he’s talking about in verses 16-17.

James quotes the prophet Amos from the Old Testament.

Remember, he is saying prophets like Amos agree with Peter that Gentiles can get saved. You will see what kind of Gentiles they are talking about later in the article.

James Quotes Amos

Look at what James says,

“After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: [17] That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.“

The last words of that verse are deadly for Hebrew Israelites who teach salvation is only for Israel…

“Says the Lord who does these things.”

This is the Lord’s work.

But let’s break down what James quoted. The tabernacle of David will be rebuilt. What is that, you may wonder?

This is the Davidic kingdom the Messiah will reign over. This is the promise Gabriel gave to Mary, the promise given to David in 2 Samuel, that he would have an heir to rule for eternity.

In the first century, there was no Davidic king on the throne. Since the time of Israel’s captivity, they were under Gentile rulers. But Christ changed all that. He was the King of the Jews, the one to sit on the throne of David forever.

What was Jesus’ message from the beginning? Repent, change your mind and believe, have faith, that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It’s not about your bloodline for salvation. The first chapter of John shows you this.

Then it says in Acts,

“the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called.”

When the kingdom is rebuilt, all those remaining should seek the Lord, and also Gentiles called by God’s name. This doesn’t side with the Judaizers, the Hebrew Israelites today. This sides with the Christians.

Why Acts Is So Important On This Discussion

I’ll show you Amos in a minute, but notice this is the Lord’s brother in the book of Acts. Luke wrote Acts. Luke is a Gentile believer. This is why it shouldn’t surprise you that the Lord used Luke in his Gospel and Acts to share this doctrine. It’s not only in Luke’s writings but there’s a certain irony.

God definitely has a sense of humour. 🙂 

But Hebrew Israelites who reject this clear teaching want you to believe something foolish.

Luke wrote it, but Peter, James, or others didn’t rebuke, correct, or write something condemning him. Because Acts 15 shows, Peter and James agree with salvation for non-Israelites. A position many of the popular Hebrew Israelite camps you see don’t accept.

Should you follow men or God’s Word? I know who I’m following.

They want you to believe James is in error here, instead of accepting the Bible for what it’s saying.

James Isn’t In Error, He Lines Up With God’s Plan From The Beginning

Look at verses 18-19 as James continues,

“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. [19] Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.“

God has worked this out from the beginning. James’ conclusion is to leave Gentile believers alone. They do not need circumcision or to keep the law of Moses to be saved.

The Judaizers are WRONG.

And in turn, Hebrew Israelites (and everyone else like them) is wrong too.

Who Are The “Gentiles” In Acts 15?

Let me show you the Gentiles this is talking about.

Look at the passage in Amos James is quoting. This is Amos chapter 9:11-12,

“In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: [12] That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.”

Christ’s kingdom will not only possess Israel, but people from other nations too.

These are the non-Israelites called by God’s name.

This is what James is quoting about these new Gentile believers.

There are people called by God’s name from Israel, and not from Israel.

Some Hebrew Israelites will hone in on the word possess as if it only has a negative meaning when it doesn’t. The Gentiles with God’s name get possessed, inherited by Christ.

And the fact that Christ’s kingdom has Israelites and non-Israelites called by His Name is God’s will. Amos 9:12 ends by saying,

“Says the Lord that does this.”

So this is how the Lord’s brother James destroys Hebrew Israelite teaching. But this isn’t the only time. I talk about James doing this.

In my article on the Gentile James uses to shred to pieces, Israelite-only salvation. God Bless.

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