God's Redemptive Plan: Scofield's Summary of Acts Chapter 15

We begin with the Scofield Notes concerning Acts chapter 15, where Scofield points out several key dispensational truths.

1. The Dispensational Significance of Acts 15

Scofield emphasizes that this passage is “the most important dispensational passage in the New Testament.” It reveals the divine purpose for this present age and introduces the beginning of the next. Specifically, God is now “taking out from among the Gentiles a people for His name.” This is the distinctive work of the Church Age, the current dispensation of grace.

The word “church” (Greek ekklesia) means “called-out assembly.” Since Pentecost, this has been God’s ongoing work — not to convert all nations universally, but to call out a people from every nation who belong to Him.

2. “After This” – God’s Future Purpose

Scofield highlights the phrase “after this” (Acts 15:16), indicating a future sequence following the Church Age — that after God’s calling out of the Church, He will return to fulfill His promises to Israel. James, in the Jerusalem Council, quotes Amos 9:11–12, which speaks of the restoration of Israel. The verses following in Amos describe the final regathering of Israel, which the prophets consistently connect with the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant.

3. The Davidic Covenant and the Coming Kingdom

Scofield links this restoration to Isaiah 11:1, 10–12, where the prophet declares:

“There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”
“In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek, and His rest shall be glorious.”
“And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people... and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

Likewise, Jeremiah 23:5–8 reaffirms the same promise:

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper... In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely.”

The Lord will one day regather His people not merely from Egypt, but from all countries where they have been scattered, and they shall dwell in their own land.

4. The Restoration of David’s Kingdom

Scofield continues: “I will build again the tabernacle of David,” meaning the re-establishment of the Davidic rule over Israel. This promise was given in 2 Samuel 7:8–17, and reaffirmed in the angel’s message to Mary in Luke 1:31–33:

“Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.
And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”

5. The Residue of Men and All the Gentiles

Scofield notes that the phrase “that the residue of men might seek after the Lord” refers first to Israel, who will turn to the Lord in the latter days. This is supported by Zechariah 12:7–8 and Zechariah 13:1–2, which speak of God’s deliverance and cleansing of His people.

Finally, the phrase “and all the Gentiles” points to the inclusion of the nations in God’s redemptive plan, as seen in Micah 4:2 and Zechariah 8:21–22. This sequence aligns perfectly with Romans 11:24–27, which presents the divine order:

1. The calling out of the Church from among the Gentiles.

2. The restoration and salvation of Israel.

3. The establishment of Christ’s kingdom upon the earth.