The Most Important Decision in the History of the Church. (Acts 15: 1-35)

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Welcome back to another episode of The Biblle Project daily Podcast. I'm excited to have you with us today as we explore a pivotal moment in the history of the early church. In today's episode, titled "The Most Important Decision in the History of the Church," we will be diving into Acts 15:1-35, commonly known as the Jerusalem Council.

Throughout history, the church has faced numerous disputes, some minor and some major, that have shaped its course. The dispute we will examine today is one of the most significant, as it determined the future direction of Christianity itself. Understanding this dispute and the decision made at the Jerusalem Council is crucial for grasping the essence of New Testament Christianity and its implications for our lives today.

Join me as we delve into this fascinating and transformative chapter in church history. Let's discover how the early church leaders addressed the question of whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to the Mosaic Law, and how their decision continues to impact our faith and practice.

Episode Notes for "The Most Important Decision in the History of the Church":

Episode Title: The Most Important Decision in the History of the Church
Scripture Reference: Acts 15:1-35

Key Points:

1. The Dispute:
   • Certain individuals from Judea taught that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved.
   • Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed, leading to a significant debate.
2. The Jerusalem Council:
   • Paul, Barnabas, and other believers were sent to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders.
   • Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James spoke at the council, emphasizing God's work among the Gentiles and the fulfillment of prophecy.
3. The Decision:
   • The council decided that Gentile converts did not need to be circumcised.
   • A letter was sent to the Gentile believers, advising them to abstain from practices associated with idolatry and immorality.
4. Impact on Christianity:
   • The decision affirmed that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.
   • It emphasized the inclusive nature of the gospel and laid the foundation for the global spread of Christianity.

Reflection:

Understanding the events of Acts 15 helps us appreciate the inclusive nature of the gospel and the foundational principle that salvation is through grace, not legalistic observance. This decision continues to influence how we live our lives as Christians today, reminding us to prioritize faith and love in our interactions with others.

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Transcript

The Most Important Decision in the History of the Church.

 (Acts 15: 1-35)

Transcript:

Throughout the history of the church, there have been disputes. Some of these disputes have been small, while others have been significant, causing divisions and impacting the church greatly.

Disputes within the church are nothing new; in fact, they have been present from the very beginning. The first major dispute in the early church was not a minor disagreement but a critical issue that would determine the future direction of Christianity.

This dispute, which I want to explore today, was pivotal. Understanding this dispute is key to understanding New Testament Christianity. It not only changed the history of the church but can also change how we live our lives today. 

What follows in this passage may well be the most important decision made in the history of the church of Jesus Christ. 

So, what was this dispute about? How does it affect us? Today we are going to look at what many call the Jerusalem council in today’s episode of TBPDP….

Let's turn our attention to Acts chapter 15, commonly known as the Jerusalem Council, to find out what I believe is the most important decision ever made in the history of the church.

In verse 1, we read:

1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers there very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “These Gentiles must be circumcised and be required to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling them about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return

    and rebuild David’s fallen tent.

Its ruins I will rebuild,

    and I will restore it,

17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

    even all the Gentiles who bear my name,

says the Lord, who does these things’

18 things known from long ago.

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

The Council’s Write a Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:

From the apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [34] Some manuscripts include here, but Silas decided to remain there. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

This passage recounts the significant debate and resolution that was reached at the Jerusalem Council regarding whether there was a necessity for Gentile converts to adhere to the Mosaic Law, specifically circumcision. 

The decision reached here shaped the future course of Christianity, emphasizing that salvation comes through the grace of Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the old covenant laws. This decision ensured that the message of the gospel would be accessible to all, without the burden of the Jewish law.

When also saw that when Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, they brought back with them a letter from the Jerusalem council that confirmed this decision, providing great encouragement to the new Christian believers based there. This letter stated this by rather beautifully  saying that it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to the apostles to lay no greater burden on the Gentile believers other than to abstain from a certain few things.

These things were advised against because they had previously been closely associated with idolatry at that time, and immorality.

Understanding these events is still crucial for us today in understanding the transition from Judaism to Christianity. It highlights the inclusive nature of the gospel and the foundation of our faith in the grace of Jesus Christ, not in legalistic observance. 

This foundational decision continues to influence how we live our lives as Christians today.

First, let me explain the dispute we're dealing with and in doing so I’ll try and show how they deliberated and reached their decision, which was then delivered to the church. 

However, before diving into the details, let me provide some background to help you understand what happened just prior to this event.

If you've been following our journey through the book of Acts, you've noticed a subtle transition: Christianity, initially solely Jewish, began to embrace Gentiles, what I mean by the term “Gentiles”, is people from other nations and backgrounds. 

This shift started with Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7, which signalled the impending changes. Shortly later we saw Philip preach the gospel in Samaria and to an Ethiopian eunuch, a group not traditionally included in the worshipping nation of Israel , even a converts to Judaism. The climax came in Acts 10, when Peter, instructed by the Lord, preached to Cornelius and his household, marking a significant moment in welcoming Gentiles into the faith.

Following this, Paul and Barnabas were sent out from the church in Antioch to preach to the Gentiles. 

So, in the book of Acts we subtly see a transition from a strictly Jewish sect to a faith that welcomed all people and all nations. 

However, this shift did not come without opposition. When Peter preached at Cornelius’ house and saw conversions, it caused a stir, and Peter had to defend his actions before the church in Jerusalem previously. He explained that God had clearly worked through him, confirming the inclusion of Gentiles.

When Paul left the region and went to Galatia, after he left, some individuals insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised to be saved. Paul then during his break in Antioch responded with his famous letter to the Galatians, asserting that justification comes by faith, not by adhering to Mosaic Law.

At this point, Paul and Barnabas are still back in Antioch, where we now see again in the first verse of Acts 15:1 that certain men from Judea began teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation, within the Christian community based there

This teaching was in direct opposition to what Paul and Barnabas had been practicing, sparking a major dispute. The huge question was whether salvation was by faith alone in Christ alone, or if Gentiles needed to become Jews first by being circumcised.

This dispute had practical implications beyond theology. According to Mosaic Law, there were dietary restrictions that observant Jews followed but Gentiles did not. This could lead to significant practical problems, such as during shared meal times together. This created tension over how to maintain unity within the church if such fundamental practices differed.

In response to this issue, Paul and Barnabas engaged in a heated dispute. The original Greek words used here implies a serious conflict, almost insurrection-like in its intensity. This was not a polite debate but a fierce argument. One commentator described it as an violent contention and commotion amongst them.

So, unable to settle the dispute locally, Paul and Barnabas, along with some others, were appointed to go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders there. It seemed they needed a higher authority to resolve this matter. 

We also see that as they travelled, they shared the news of Gentile conversions, bringing great joy to the believers in various churches along the way. This support added weight to their case when they arrived in Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders then gathered to consider this crucial matter. This was more than just a theological debate; it was about the future direction of Christianity and maintaining unity within the ever-widening body of believers.

This welcoming wasn’t just a formality; they were genuinely glad to see Paul and Barnabas and hear their report. The apostles and elders gathered to listen to the marvellous works God had done among the Gentiles.

But we are told that some of the believers in this Jerusalem council said the same thing as was being said elsewhere that, 'The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.'" 

This verse is critical for several reasons. First, because it says that these were Pharisees who had become believers—meaning they accepted Jesus as the Messiah. However, they insisted that maintaining salvation still required circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law.

However, their insistence here implies much more than just circumcision. It meant keeping the Sabbath, observing food laws, and possibly maintaining all the feast days designated by the Old Testament.

The real debate here is actually about the nature of salvation. Is it by faith alone in Christ alone, or is it faith plus something else? 

Was this salvation by faith alone in Christ, or faith in Christ accompanied by adherence to the Mosaic Law—faith plus circumcision and other legal requirements.

Today, similar debates persist in different forms. Some say salvation requires faith in Christ plus keeping certain sacraments, like baptism, confirmation, confession, and participation in the Eucharist, communion. Others, denominations, insist on faith plus baptism or faith plus living a sinless life.

It important to remember that these Pharisees had been steeped in Judaism from birth, circumcised on the eighth day, and had strictly observing the Sabbath and dietary laws their whole lives. When they accepted Jesus as the Messiah, they likely didn't initially consider the implications of their deeply ingrained practices.

Their extensive background in Judaism heavily influenced their thinking. Despite believing in Jesus, their prior teachings and traditions didn’t just disappear. They naturally thought, “We’ve always had to do these things; therefore, new believers must do them too.” This thinking is understandable but problematic, as it added additional requirements to the simple gospel message.

This brings up a broader point relevant to all of us: just because someone comes to Christ doesn’t mean they immediately think biblically. The spiritual life is a process of learning to think like God. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” We all come from different backgrounds, with our own cultural preconceptions and experiences and if religious backgrounds that can sometimes distort our understanding.

As Christians on of the secondary purposes of our discipleship process should be to help us identify and correct these distortions to avoid drifting away from Christ. Even seasoned Christians continually encounter scriptural truths that challenge our preconceptions. The goal should always be to conform our thinking to God’s Word, not the other way around.

In this dispute, the Pharisaic believers thought that anyone seeking salvation must become a Jew first, because that’s what they had always believed. This mindset underscores the challenge of overcoming deeply ingrained beliefs and practices.

With the dispute outlined, how was it resolved? The apostles and elders convened in Jerusalem to deliberate the matter. From verses 6 to 21, we see three key figures stand up and speak. 

Let’s look at each their contributions to resolving this significant issue.

First, Peter got up and addressed them. Peter got up and reminded them how God had also chosen him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles first. He emphasized that God, who knows the heart, showed his approval by giving the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles that he preached too, just as he did to the Jews, and he had therefore purified their hearts by faith also.

The focus by Peter is also clearly on the internal change of heart, not external rituals like circumcision.

Peter further argued that it was God who gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentile. This reinforces that salvation is by faith, not by observing the law. Interestingly, Peter phrased it as God saving the Jews in the same way He saved the Gentiles, which subtly places the Gentiles' experience on par with the Jews', emphasizing equality in salvation.

Interestingly this moment marks Peter’s final appearance in the book of Acts. After this, the narrative shifts focus entirely to Paul. But Peter’s final endorsement of Gentile inclusion here is pivotal, but from here on, the story of the early church's expansion is primarily told through Paul’s missionary journeys.

Next, we see Barnabas and Paul themselves speaking briefly. They shared about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. Their testimony supported Peter’s argument that God was actively working among the Gentiles now.

The third speaker is James, the half-brother of Jesus, who had become a leader in the Jerusalem church. This is not the apostle James, who was martyred earlier. This James addressed the entire council and in verses 13-21, emphasizing that God’s acceptance of the Gentiles was in fact foretold by the prophets. He then quoted Amos 9:11-12, to back his argument, which speaks of God’s intention to include the Gentiles in His overall plan for the world.

James clarified that Amos’s prophecy aligns with the current events, showing that God’s purpose always included the Gentiles. 

James then proposed a solution: "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are now turning to God" (Acts 15:19). This meant not requiring them to be circumcised. However, he did suggest that they abstain from certain practices: food polluted by idols, meat from strangled animals, drinking blood and sexual immorality. 

The rationale was that these guidelines would help maintain fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers. You see idolatry and sexual immorality were common in pagan worship, so abstaining from these would be essential for gentile converts to help prevent them from being drawn back to idolatrise practices. This compromise would help bridge the cultural and religious divide.

Paul will later address the issue of food sacrificed to idols in more details in 1 Corinthians 8-10 where he advised that while eating such food is not inherently wrong, believers should avoid it if it could cause others to stumble in their faith. 

This later teaching aligns with the principles James sets out here, highlighting the importance of considering others’ consciences.

James's proposal at this point during this Jerusalem council was specific to the context of early church relations between Jews and Gentiles. It was not meant to be a universal law but addressed a particular situation that needed addressing to foster unity in the early church.

These early gentile Christians were not connected to Judaism, so while they didn't need to follow Jewish customs to be acceptable to God, they were encouraged to avoid certain practices and to try and avoid offending Jewish sensibilities. Essentially, James was saying, this is all about respect and love across the widening Christian community.

Paul and James are not in contradiction here their decisions along with James's are about maintaining harmony. 

The council agreed, by emphasizing faith and love as the core principles. 

They then decided to send a letter to the Gentile believers, which was well received. In fact, it tells us that the believers in Antioch rejoiced when they received the letter because it freed them from the burden of the law.

Judas and Silas, who were leading men among the believers there were sent back to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, and we are told that they encouraged and strengthened the believers with their words there.

Therefore, the decision of the council affirmed that salvation was by faith alone, and it also upheld the importance of loving one another.

If the council had decided otherwise, Christianity might have remained a sect within Judaism, requiring adherence to all Jewish laws, including circumcision and dietary regulations. Instead, they emphasized that Christianity is about faith and love. Paul will echoed this when he writes to them later in Galatians 5:6, stating that what counts is "faith expressing itself through love."

This principle of faith and love simplifies Christianity to its core. I often find myself explaining this to those with little background in Christianity. It simply boils down to trusting in Jesus Christ as your saviour and loving one another.

Let me finish with a story about Winston Churchill. Having been rescued himself once form drowning once as a child it is perhaps not surprising these events resonated with him.

His family were once having a picnic by a lake when another family nearby little boy fell into the water and started drowning. None of the adults could swim, and they panicked. But a passerby jumped in fully clothed and rescued the boy, risking his own life. When he brought the boy back to the side, the mother’s first question was, "Where is his hat?"

This story highlights how sometimes people can miss the bigger picture and focus on minor details. 

In the same way, Christians sometimes argue over trivial matters instead of focusing on the main issues of faith and love. We need to see the big picture: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and our mission is then to love one another, as Christ loves others.

I love this story, not sure if its true, but it’s funny and it makes my point well.

A university student writing to her parents and was wondering how she could tell them that she had failed her first year and would have to re-sit it. 

So, she wrote them a letter and told them she had failed her fist year but not to worry because she had fallen in love and wanted to drop out anyway.

She had fallen in love with this older man and was planning to marry him. It’s true this man had been married several time before and both his previous wives had divorced him for adulty, and yes he was unemployed with no job prospects but she was still planning to marry him.

The parent read the letter in horror and at the bottom of the first page, they turned it over and began to read  the second page began, let me clarify that none of what she had written on page one was true, except that she had failed her first year, but she planned to retake that year and maybe just needed a little more money for tuition. I Hope that changes your perspective , she said, and by the way, she planned to work much harder next year.

Sometime things can change our perspective and makes somethings seem minor in comparison to the imagined crises.

So, in conclusion, let's focus on the big picture: 

You and I are saved by faith, and we need to love one another. 

Let’s not major in minors but keep our eyes on what truly matters.