Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Acts 15 and Psalm 82

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements …” (v.28)

Acts 15 reflects a watershed moment in the history of Christ’s Body, the Church. The early Church had to discern whether the LORD required Gentile believers to be circumcised and to keep all the requirements of the law of Moses in addition to placing their faith in Jesus Christ in order to be saved. This was the firm conviction held by a group of believers who had come to faith in Jesus from the religious school of the Pharisees. But it was contrary to the understanding and practice of the Church in Antioch and their brave missionaries, Paul and Barnabas.

The controversy led to what is widely recognised as the first ever “Church Council”. The apostles and elders of the “Mother Church” in Jerusalem gathered to discern the will of God in this matter; and their approach is very informative.

• First they heard the evidence and opinions from both sides of the debate.
• Then they heard Peter’s testimony of the revelation he had received from the Holy Spirit (recorded in Acts 10) and his opinion in the matter; viz., “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
• They heard supporting evidence from Paul and Barnabas.
• Then the apostle James (the brother of Jesus and recognised leader of the Jerusalem Church) pointed them to the Scriptures, and particularly to Amos 9:11-12 (quoted in Acts 15:16-18).
• And finally, on the basis of all the above, James proposed that their judgment should clearly be that the Lord did not want them to “make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God“. Instead he proposed that they should impose only the requirements of (a) the rejection of idolatry, (b) a commitment to sexual holiness, and (c) dietary restrictions that would make it possible for Jewish and Gentile believers to freely have table fellowship with each other.

The council of the Church agreed wholeheartedly and even concluded that this is what “seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (v.28). They firmly believed that the Holy Spirit had spoken to them through their sacred, sincere conversation, the Scriptures and their consciences.

Life Application: When we are unsure on any particular matter, we would be wise to turn to this approach: Consider both sides of the matter well, seek the counsel of godly and wise fellow believers, search the Scriptures, and apply the witness of our minds and our consciences, before prayerfully coming to an agreed conclusion about the matter and trusting that the Spirit has spoken!