The Council at Jerusalem

MEMORY VERSE: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” —Romans 1:16

ACTS 15:1-11

IN THE Early Church the Jewish believers generally rejoiced over the fact that Gentiles were accepting the Gospel and fellowshipping with them. In the vicinity of Jerusalem there were certain Jewish converts, some of them of the Pharisees, who, while they probably were glad to realize that the Gospel was reaching the Gentiles, insisted that the Gentile converts should be circumcised. Otherwise, these teachers said, they could not be saved.

The controversy over the incoming Gentiles seems to have reached serious proportions at Antioch. Paul and Barnabas, who were servants of this congregation, resisted the views of their brethren who came from Jerusalem, and they “had no small disputation and discussion with them.” The congregation decided that Paul and Barnabas and certain others “should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”

On their way to Jerusalem they contacted the brethren in Phenice and Samaria, “declaring the conversion of the Gentiles.” The brethren in these areas rejoiced over this good news. As a rule the Lord’s people are happy when they see the providences of God so visibly manifested in the further extension of the Gospel. This was true also in Jerusalem when the brethren there heard of the experiences of Paul and Barnabas. “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.”

Then the apostles and elders came together to consider the matter, and there was much disputing. Apparently the Lord’s people then were no different than they have been throughout the age, for in every generation of the church there has been much disputing over differences of viewpoint. This can result in much good when those concerned are sincere and willing to consider carefully and prayerfully the viewpoints of others. On the other hand, it can lead to separation in the church of Christ, which of course is not good.

The facts of the case were clearly presented to those participating in the Jerusalem conference, for Peter was there, and he related his experiences in connection with Cornelius, the first Gentile convert. Then the brethren listened to Paul and Barnabas as they declared “what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.” (Acts 15:12) Thus one point was established—the Lord was extending the witness to the Gentiles and his blessing was upon those who believed. On this point there was nothing about which to dispute.

James, who served as chairman of the conference, took note of this. He said, “Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon [Peter] hath declared how God at the first DID visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” Then he added, “To this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.”—Acts 15:14-17

From this we learn that God’s first “visit” to the Gentiles was to take out of them a people for his name—those who would be associated with Jesus in the rulership phase of the messianic kingdom. And then, after this, the “residue,” or remainder, of the Gentiles were to be given an opportunity to seek after the Lord. In giving this summation James quotes from Amos 9:11,12.

Our memory verse is a revealing one. “The Gospel of Christ,” it states, “is the power of God unto salvation.” The power of salvation is not to be found in the rituals of the Mosaic Law, but through faith in Christ, a faith that is demonstrated by a full dedication of oneself to God through Christ. There is no other way to obtain salvation from death.

In Galatians 3:8 Paul informs us that the Gospel was preached beforehand unto Abraham when God said to him that through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. Paul said that this promise revealed God’s plan ultimately to justify the Gentiles through faith.

Jesus, of course, is the promised “Seed” of Abraham, and in Galatians 3:27-29 we are informed that those who are baptized into Christ are also a part of this promised Seed. These are the ones who, during the present age, are being called out from Jews and Gentiles, to be associated with Jesus in his kingdom, through which the promised blessings of life will reach all the families of the earth.

QUESTIONS

What dispute arose at Antioch over Gentile converts?

Can sincere controversy among the brethren be turned to good?

What great fact was established at the Jerusalem conference?

Is it possible to obtain salvation in any other way than through faith in Christ?

When was the Gospel of Christ first preached?

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