COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM
ACTS 15
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Background
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Acts 1:8 “you will be my witnesses …to the ends
of the earth.”
Pentecost – “each one heard them speaking in
their own language” 2:6
Samaria + Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8
Cornelius Acts 10
Church in Antioch Acts 11
1st Missionary Journey and the success amongst
the Gentiles and rejection by the Jews
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Acts 1:8 “you will be my witnesses
…to the ends of the earth.”
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The Immediate Reason
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15:1 Men from Judea to
Antioch “Unless you are
circumcised according to
the custom taught by
Moses you cannot be
saved.”
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These “men” are Judaisers
/ “circumcision party”/
Pharisees
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Judaisers
Regarded Gentiles as have low moral/
ethical standards – Jews having higher
standards
 The Law was a good thing
 Circumcision showed that you were
serious about the Law and in keeping it
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Judaisers
Jesus was a Jew and the Messiah (Christ)
so salvation through the Messiah must
come by following the Law
 Culturally – Jews saw Gentiles as ritually
unclean, so sharing a meal was impossible
 So, problems with Eucharistic sharing and
“agape” meal- Fellowship.
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Judaisers
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Luke highlights The Pharisee party as;
1.
Gentiles “cannot be saved” without
circumcision
“testing God”- remember Ananias Acts 5!
Harassing Gentile converts (James says
“stop making it difficult” Acts 15:19)
2.
3.
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The Meeting
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Paul and Barnabas “appointed” to seek an
answer from the Mother Church to the
problem
“Unless you are circumcised
according to the custom taught by Moses
you cannot be saved.” 15:1
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The Meeting- Private hearing?
Apostles and Elders meet. 15:6
 Peter gives witness to what
God had done with CorneliusThe holy Spirit was given to
them
“just as he did to us”
 “It is through the grace of our
Lord Jesus that we are saved”
15:11
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The Meeting- The Whole
Assembly
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15:12 Assembly listen to;
a.
Barnabas and Paul – the signs and
wonders done among the Gentiles. They
are witnesses to Gods work.
James- as leader (Bishop) of the
Jerusalem Church. Jesus’ cousin then
summarises the assembly's judgement
b.
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The Meeting- James’ Judgement
The will of the church
 God is fulfilling scripture 15:16-18 –
Gentiles are also called
 No circumcision required but abstain from;
Food sacrificed to Idols
sexual immorality
meat from strangled animals
blood
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The Meeting- James’ Judgement
Food sacrificed to Idols – against the
Commandments. Idol worship abhorrent
to Jews.
 Sexual immorality - prostitution, and
association with idol worship
 Meat from strangled animals –
sacrifice to idols / kosher
 Blood – possibly murder, also Jewish
ritual purity
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Apostles/ Elders/ Whole Church
ACTION – Send a letter; The Apostolic
Decree 15:23-29
 “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to
us” 15:28 The church is in harmony with
God
 Circumcision is not necessary; but abide
by the prohibitions
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The Apostolic Decree
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The Conclusion
Barnabas and Paul chosen to take the
letter north to Antioch
 Judas (Barsabbas) and Silas (prophets in
the church) accompany them
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Luke shows the reader how the Church
(ekklesia) responds to a crisis
The Church reaches a decision by discernment
through faith. Peter, Barnabas and Paul are
witnesses to Gods works – they are not pleading
a case.
 God’s actions dictate how we understand
scripture – so a new understanding of the old
law is possible.
 The decision is legitimate – Holy Spirit and “us”
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