THE FIRST RECORDED CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

Reading: Acts 15: 5-19

In Acts 15, the minutes of a Church Council meeting (the apostles and elders) are recorded:

The meeting was called to order by Peter at the 3^rd hour.  The main order of business: How should Gentiles who were coming to faith be received as full-fledged members of the church? 

One sect of the Pharisees presented the argument that Gentiles should be circumcised, taught the Law of Moses, and receive instruction to follow it. In other words, they were proposing that Gentiles become Jewish and through that means, become church members.

Paul and Barnabas gave a report on their work among the Gentiles and how many were becoming converted to a faith in Jesus.

The apostles and elders then looked into this matter and, after much debate, Peter spoke. He pointed out several similarities between how God worked in the Jewish believers and in the Gentile converts:

 

·         He gave them the Holy Spirit when they believed [vs 8]

·         He made no distinction between Jew and Gentile (no “them and us”) [vs 9]

·         Both groups' hearts were cleansed by faith [vs 9]

 

Peter further urged the Council to not put the burden of the law on the Gentiles, a burden that Jewish people have not been able to bear. He pointed out that “We Jews have been saved by faith just as the Gentiles have [vs 11].”

There followed further examples by Barnabas and Paul of signs and wonders God did among the Gentiles. The final ruling was given by James, “Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles [vs 19].”

It was agreed that a letter of welcome and encouragement be drafted and sent to the Gentile churches via Paul and Barnabas and two of the leaders of the Jerusalem church.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at the 5^th hour.

 

So why should we care about the minutes of a first century Council meeting? This particular gathering gave clarification early in the Church’s history of an essential truth: all are saved by faith, not by keeping the Law or rituals. It is only by God’s grace that any come to this faith [Ephesians 2:8, 9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”].  This teaching, distinctive from all other religions, needed to be understood from the start – and needs to be preserved in the church today.

 

Lord, help us to not get caught up in imposing rules or rituals on others (or ourselves) that we think will meet the requirements for our salvation. Continue to assure us of Your grace in bringing us to faith in Christ alone. Amen.