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.

James 2: 14-26

Faith Without Works is Dead

Please check out this link to watch Kevin Giannotti as he summarizes James 2: 14-26. I could not have composed a writing that compares to this message. He knows what it means to be a Christian, and  is putting it out there in a way that likely will touch the lives of many who would not have listened if he were just talking. If his style is not for you, that's ok, but please watch through to the end, and envision the lives he may be touching because of the method he uses to communicate this sincere message of the heart.    

Faith and Works by Kevin "Flow" Giannotti--A Spoken Word

Read/Listen to James 2: 14-26

Revelation 3:14-22 - To a Wealthy Church in Laodicea

Have you ever been thirsty? You take a swallow of what you think is ice-cold water; instead you end up with a mouthful of lukewarm water? When that happened to me, I wanted to spit it out.

Christ is about to spit out the Church of Laodicea for their lukewarm faith. Christ looks at the works of the Church and doesn’t like what He sees. The members claim to be Christian, yet what they do and how they live doesn’t reflect true faith. They are more excited and on fire about their accumulated riches. They are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm.

Christ tells the church He wants totally committed hearts or none at all. He tells them what they need to do, “Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!” (v 19b The Message)

Christ is looking at you and me as individuals and as part of the church body. Are we showing lukewarm faith, or are we on fire? Are we indifferent and uncommitted or excited and enthusiastic? Is Christ reprimanding us or praising us?

Christ is knocking at our door. He wants to generously pour out His grace on us. He wants us absolutely committed to Him.

When our faith is expressed through a commitment to glorify God, prayer and worship become more meaningful. God's love is more real and our faith comes alive in our hearts. Without thinking, we use what God has given us to bless others and are blessed in return. Isn’t this the faith God wants to see?

Read today's text, Revelation 3:14-22, on Biblegateway. Use the back arrow to return to this page.