If the first church was in Jerusalem and was made up of Jewish Christians with Jewish beliefs and practices, then why are there so many non-Jewish Christians in our world today who do not strictly adhere to these beliefs and practices? The answer is found in Acts 15. In this chapter, Luke tells of a meeting between the church leaders in Jerusalem who have gathered to discuss whether or not non-Jewish Christians have to "follow the (Jewish) customs taught by Moses" in order to be saved (Acts 15:1).
In Luke's account, Peter spoke first and shared with the council about his encounter with the Gentiles. He asserted that God showed His acceptance of the Gentiles by indwelling them with the Holy Spirit (v. 8). He also affirmed that like the Jewish Christians, these Gentiles were made right with God by their faith in Christ alone (v. 9).
Paul and Barnabas spoke after Peter and shared how God had blessed their message and ministry to the Gentiles and explained how He had been working in and through these people for His purposes. After hearing this report, James also shared a word from prophets Amos, Jeremiah and Isaiah who all foretold of God's favor that would be shown to the Gentiles. He concluded by stating, "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God" (v. 19).
APPLICATION FOR TODAY
This council publicly affirmed two essential truths of the Christian faith. The first is that God wants to be known and worshipped by all peoples. Peter asserts, "God, who knows the heart, bore witness to (the Gentiles), by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith" (vv. 8-9).
God’s desire to be known and worshipped by all peoples can be found throughout Scripture. The Abrahamic Covenant clearly stated that through Abraham, all nations will be blessed (Gn. 12:1-3). This covenant is fulfilled in the person and work of Christ. During His earthly ministry, He taught that the salvation He provides reaches far beyond His immediate audience. In John 10:16, Christ explains, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."
The second significant truth learned from the Jerusalem Council is that the only requirement of salvation for both Jew and Gentile is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This is voiced by both Peter and Paul. Peter asserts, “We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we (Jews) shall be saved in the same manner as they (the Gentiles)” (Acts 15:11).
Paul asserts that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone numerous times throughout the Scriptures, but never more clearly than in Romans 3. Throughout this chapter, he repeatedly reminds his reader that because God is one and is the God of both Jew and Gentile and because both Jew and Gentile are equally sinful and guilty before Him, they both must be made right with Him in the same manner. He asks, "Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—(He) will justify the circumcised (Jews) by faith and the uncircumcised (non-Jews) through faith" (Rom. 3:29-30).
It is rare today, especially in Christian circles, for a council to find common ground when resolving a conflict and make a decision that has a positive and lasting impact. The Jerusalem Council is unique in this way. F.F. Bruce explains,
In Luke's account, Peter spoke first and shared with the council about his encounter with the Gentiles. He asserted that God showed His acceptance of the Gentiles by indwelling them with the Holy Spirit (v. 8). He also affirmed that like the Jewish Christians, these Gentiles were made right with God by their faith in Christ alone (v. 9).
Paul and Barnabas spoke after Peter and shared how God had blessed their message and ministry to the Gentiles and explained how He had been working in and through these people for His purposes. After hearing this report, James also shared a word from prophets Amos, Jeremiah and Isaiah who all foretold of God's favor that would be shown to the Gentiles. He concluded by stating, "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God" (v. 19).
APPLICATION FOR TODAY
This council publicly affirmed two essential truths of the Christian faith. The first is that God wants to be known and worshipped by all peoples. Peter asserts, "God, who knows the heart, bore witness to (the Gentiles), by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith" (vv. 8-9).
God’s desire to be known and worshipped by all peoples can be found throughout Scripture. The Abrahamic Covenant clearly stated that through Abraham, all nations will be blessed (Gn. 12:1-3). This covenant is fulfilled in the person and work of Christ. During His earthly ministry, He taught that the salvation He provides reaches far beyond His immediate audience. In John 10:16, Christ explains, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."
The second significant truth learned from the Jerusalem Council is that the only requirement of salvation for both Jew and Gentile is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This is voiced by both Peter and Paul. Peter asserts, “We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we (Jews) shall be saved in the same manner as they (the Gentiles)” (Acts 15:11).
Paul asserts that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone numerous times throughout the Scriptures, but never more clearly than in Romans 3. Throughout this chapter, he repeatedly reminds his reader that because God is one and is the God of both Jew and Gentile and because both Jew and Gentile are equally sinful and guilty before Him, they both must be made right with Him in the same manner. He asks, "Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—(He) will justify the circumcised (Jews) by faith and the uncircumcised (non-Jews) through faith" (Rom. 3:29-30).
It is rare today, especially in Christian circles, for a council to find common ground when resolving a conflict and make a decision that has a positive and lasting impact. The Jerusalem Council is unique in this way. F.F. Bruce explains,
“The Jerusalem Council was both a theological and a practical success. The concessions it called for were not ‘compromises’; indeed, they reaffirmed the integrity of the gospel of salvation by faith alone...The first great threat to the unity of the Church brought rejoicing and encouragement instead (Acts 15:31)” (656).
Bruce, F.F. New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 1995. 656.
