January 6 - Council at Jerusalem

January 6 - The Council at Jerusalem - Acts 15:1-35

Religion has always gotten in the way of relationship. Rules are much easier to follow than the truth. And there is always someone around who is thrilled to tell you that unless you act in a certain manner, you aren't a Christian.

Well, it happened and there were words spoken (Acts 15:1). Finally, cooler heads prevailed and Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to speak to the disciples and elders. While they were on the road, they couldn't help themselves, though. They told everyone about how the Gentiles were converted. Isn't that awesome? The Good News just kept spreading and spreading. (Acts 15:3)

Remember, the believers had begun as Jews and Paul's entrance onto the scene is really the entrance of Gentile believers. So in Acts 15:5, when we read that some of the believers belonged to the Pharisees, these men were Jewish, yet believed in Christ's work on the cross. Their world-view existed fully in Jewish thought. They had been indoctrinated for generations and generations in the Law and only saw things through that point of view.

In challenging this, Paul, Barnabas and other disciples were leaping out of their traditions. Peter stands up in the meeting to consider the question and tells of God's gift of the Holy Spirit to Jews and Gentiles alike, with no distinction made. In Acts 15:10 he asks why the disciples should put a yoke on these new believers that even Jews can not bear. The grace of Jesus Christ crosses the boundaries of Jew and Gentile

Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:12) begin telling of miracles and wonders that God was doing among the Gentiles. And then James speaks up. This is Jesus' brother James, who will later become the head of the Jerusalem church.

Imagine that he is sitting quietly listening to the discussion and animated conversations that are happening in the room. He is a thoughtful man and his sermon in Acts 15:14-21 reflects this. While Peter claims that grace alone brings salvation, James backs him up with Old Testament support. (Acts 15:15-18)

In Acts 15:19-20, he offers common sense advice with regards to polluted food. Wycliffe says there was no need to wave red flags in front of Jews steeped in Law. However, these prohibitions were not about gaining or marking salvation, but were intended to increase community within the fellowship of believers.

Two leaders from the community were chosen to return with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch along with a letter from the church in Jerusalem. It's a simple letter and absolves them of undue hardship in becoming Christians, yet lays out some things that they would 'do well to avoid.' (Acts 15:23-29)

The church was in a period of explosive growth. Signs and wonders, prophecies and miracles were happening. People were excited about the word of the Lord. Because they listened to the Holy Spirit, they were able to meet a major obstacle in taking the Good News to the Gentiles. While some thought that they had all of the answers, because things had always been done one way, there were those that opened their hearts and minds and allowed the Spirit to guide them into truth.