The Jerusalem Council
Acts 15
The Question vs. 1-5
Judaizers claiming to be the disciples of James came to the church of Antioch and declared people cannot be saved unless they had been circumcised
The only book of the New Testament that was written was James
There was a great disagreement between them and Paul.
It was determined that Paul should go to Jerusalem and refer to the apostles and elders about this matter.
Antioch was a mostly Gentile church while in Jerusalem it was a mostly Jewish church, meaning they would more than likely support in keeping the tenets of the Law
Once in Jerusalem they gave a report and brought up the question.
The Pharisees took the side of Judaizers
The Pharisees to be saved would only have to recognize that Jesus was their Messiah, they wouldn’t have changed too much about their lives.
The Council vs. 6-21
Peter’s Speech vs. 7-11
Peter showed maturity in allowing others to dispute and argue and let them view their point, instead of being impulsive and forcing his was in.
Peter reminded them about Cornelius and how God had used Peter to open the door to the Gentiles.
Peter pointed out it was tempting God to put on a burden upon these believers that they Jews themselves could not bear
Paul and Barnabas’s Report vs. 12
People were silent after Peter’s speech.
They then asked Paul and Barnabas to give a report in the working with the Gentiles
James’s Answer vs. 13-21
James was the pastor of the church of Jerusalem
People also saw him as leaning towards works mixed with salvation
He used Peter’s Hebrew name Simeon
God went to the Gentiles to call out a people for His name
Vs. 16 James quotes Amos 9:11-12
James showed from this verse that God was going to return to dealing with the Jewish people, but for now was the time God was working with the Gentiles
Vs. 17 The residue of men – deals with the Jews who survive the Tribulation
The Conclusion Vs. 19-21
Don’t trouble the Gentiles with obedience to the Law.
However, if they are truly saved, then they need to act like they are saved. There should be a difference in their lives
It was no longer a question of law, but of love
The areas of concern for the Gentile believers:
Spiritual Issue – abstain from pollutions of idols
To eat of meats sacrificed to idols would be a partaker in idolatry
Moral Issue – Abstain from fornication
Many of the Gentiles grew up with sexual sins being common. The moral law needed to be obeyed. It wasn’t legalism; it was right. Liberty is not a license
Ritual Issue – Animals that were strangled had the blood still in them. The Bible told the Jews not to eat of the blood. This probation would make fellowship easier between the Jews and Gentiles
Vs. 21 This was to help ease the Pharisees who were suspect of anyone diminishing Moses. The law and the Old Testament are important. They help us see a clear view of God and His dealing with people. The Old Testament are not to be thrown away, but it still is to be used
The Letters Sent vs. 22-31
The council wrote letters to express their decision
They choose Silas and Barsabas to go with Paul and Barnabas to give confirmation of the decision
In the letter, they wrote that those Judaizers who came before did not go with the authority of they church in Jerusalem
Paul and Barnabas, however did have the authority and have gave their lives to see people saved
Vs. 28 The Holy Ghost was in control of it all