The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35)

The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35)

Introduction

  • The 19th Century Roman Catholic Cardinal, John Henry Newman said, “To be deep into history is to cease to be a Protestant.” I would argue that history reveals as much about our failures as it does about our victories. For the first Protestants, the reformers of the church, it was a deep appreciation for history that lead them to an essential course correction.
  • Important church councils in history.
    • Nicaea, 325: Christ one with the Father.
    • Constantinople, 381: Holy Spirit person of the Trinity.
    • Ephesus, 431: Renounced Pelagianism, which denied original sin and claimed salvation was attainable by ones own merit.
    • Second Nicaea, 787: The necessity of venerating icons.
    • Fourth Lateran, 1215: Approved theology of transubstantiation, mandated Christians go to confession at least once a year.
    • Trent, 1545: Launched Counter Reformation in response to the numerous charges brought by the Reformers.
    • Jerusalem, 50: The most significant and only infallible council as it was recorded for us by Luke.
  • Luke doesn’t romanticize the early church. End of the 1st Missionary Journey and conflict erupts within the church over the influx of uncircumcised Gentiles.
  • How we handle conflict should reflect the unity we have with Christ and freedom we have in Christ.

A Tense Problem (1-5)

  • You can literally cut the circumcision tension with a knife.
  • Judaizers, “Gentile Christians must let Moses complete what Jesus began.”
  • 250 mile campaign through Phoenicia and Samaria.
  • Gal. 2:11-14 | Division threatens church leadership.
  • Tension from cliques often offset any joyful report of God’s work.

Something had to be done quickly and decisively.

A Definitive Solution (6-21)

  • Peter: (Showing remarkable humility since Paul’s rebuke) God initiated salvation, He gave the Holy Spirit without circumcision! Failing to trust what God has done is tantamount to challenging Him directly! Peter’s famous last words in Acts are found in v.11.
  • Paul & Barnabas: God’s saving of the Gentiles has been accompanied with God’s confirming miraculous activity just as in Jerusalem.
  • James: Jesus’ brother, became believer after resurrection appearance. Covenant language applied to Church (Jew & Gentile). Church NOT parentheses. Paul would refer to Gentile Galatians as “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). List of pagan ritual practice. Call for cultural sensitivity. Not required to become Jewish but no longer pagan Gentile either. Fellowship demands break from former life and acceptance of cultural differences.

So how would this decision be distributed and how would the people respond?

A Joyful Response (22-35)

  • Writing the Letter
    • “to the brothers” showing solidarity (23).
    • The troublers were unauthorized (24).
    • We are all united in this response (25).
    • “you will do well” NOT salvific.
  • Sending the emissaries
    • Delivered, read, rejoiced, encouraged.
    • Sent off in peace.
    • Paul and Barnabas continued their mission.
  • What if the circumcision party were right?
    1. Paul and Barnabas are false teachers.
    2. Faith is not enough to be saved.
    3. Gentiles throughout history are not saved. (Including us!)
  • Are we as emotionally invested in God’s Mission as these representatives were? Paul & Barnabas willing to suffer. Judas and Silas willing to sacrifice time and possibly sever friendships by delivering this letter.

How will we respond to tension that threatens the unity and fellowship of the body?

Conclusion

  • How we handle conflict should reflect the unity we have with Christ and freedom we have in Christ.
  • The Jerusalem Council is a model for handling disputes of theological nature. Both sides voiced concerns. The Church stood firm on the gospel of grace, but revealed a cultural sensitivity that was necessary to maintain fellowship.
  • Although the Council’s decision was clear, everyone was not ready to accept it. Paul dealt with the tension in Corinth and Thessalonica.
  • Rupertus Meldenius, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
  • Mark Ross, in an article on this quote for Ligonier writes,

“The multiplication of small groups who pride themselves on purity but who denounce and despise those who fall short of that standard does nothing to express the truth of ‘the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church’ for which Christ died. The love we must have for all of Christ’s disciples has no expression in this path.”

  • Let us be united in preaching a gospel as simple as Peter’s: “You can be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.”
  • Let us allow for liberty of conscience without compromising the pursuit of holiness.
  • And let us deal with all things, especially where there is tension, in a loving, charitable way.