The Jerusalem Council - Acts 15

The Jerusalem Council settles the doctrinal question, “What must a person do to be saved?

The backdrop:  The wholesale entrance of Gentiles into the church was very disturbing to the Jewish believers.  Many believed the Gentiles had to convert to Judaism to become Christians.  They saw Christianity as the culmination of Judaism.  Therefore, the influx of Gentiles into the assembly appeared to be short-circuiting the traditional process. 

They could not conceive that former pagans could simply enter the church and immediately be on an equal basis with Jewish believers.  That seemed unfair to those who had devoted their lives to keeping God’s law.  They feared, too, that in an increasingly Gentile church, that the Jewish culture, traditions, and influence would be lost.

Recognizing the far-reaching implications of this issue, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. The vital issue of how Gentile’s were to be saved cannot be settled in one local congregation. The decision would have to be made in Jerusalem by the God ordained leaders of the church, the apostles, and elders.