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.

Confession of Freedom

“So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.” Acts 15:31

So what did the letter say? Why were the people glad?

In the early church, there arose a movement to put believers back under the law in some fashion. Convening what would become to be known as the Council at Jerusalem, however, the early church leaders decided they “should not make it difficult” for believers, for it “seemed good ... not to burden” them with works righteousness.

Whew! Two thousand years later, I’m glad too!

On our own, righteousness is unattainable; nothing within our human nature even approaches it. But when we discover the grace of God lavished on us through the miracle of “Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27),” our hearts leap for joy in freedom, because a righteousness unattainable through us has been forever gifted to us.

And Paul declared the great news of Jesus Christ in this one sentence: “I have been crucified in Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20” Jesus is our very life, so all he is, he is in us.

In this Confession of Freedom, be encouraged not only by what Christ has done for you, but also what he is and will always be – your life, and your hope of glory.

Confession of Freedom

By nature, I am captive, but there is no captivity in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is freedom.

By nature, I transgress, but there is no transgression in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is redemption.

By nature, I am fearful, but there is no fear in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is confidence.

By nature, I am inadequate, but there is no inadequacy in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is competence.

By nature, I am anxious, but there is no anxiety in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is peace.

By nature, I am weak, but there is no weakness in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is strength.

By nature, I am foolish, but there is no foolishness in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is wisdom.

By nature, I am prideful, but there is no pridefulness in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is humility.

By nature, I am despairing, but there is no despair in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is hope.

By nature, I am impure, but there is no impurity in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is holiness.

By nature, I am sinful, but there is no sin in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is righteousness.

By nature, I am condemned, but there is no condemnation in Christ.
       Christ is my life, and Christ in me is salvation.

By nature, I am dying, but there is no death in Christ.
       Christ is my life. Forever.

(To read the story of the Council at Jerusalem in Acts 15:1-35, click here.)