Acts 15-17

“God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith” (15:8-9). When Gentiles began accepting Jesus, church leaders met in Jerusalem to consider whether non- Jews could be included in God’s family. The leaders were persuaded that the same Spirit dwelled in the Gentiles as in Jews who followed Jesus. “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (15:11).

God has one great plan of salvation. Both insiders and outsiders, even those far away, are accepted when they call on Jesus’ name (17:24-31).