The Jerusalem Council

In response to false teachers who came to Antioch, Paul and Barnabas travelled to Jerusalem to confirm the truth that Gentiles do not have to keep the Law of Moses to have their sins forgiven.

Paul and Barnabas arrived back in Antioch at the church that had sent them out as missionaries. Soon afterward some Jews arrived from Judea insisting that Gentile believers must be circumcised to be truly saved. Paul and Barnabas protested fiercely. The church resolved the issue by sending Paul, Barnabas, and a few others to put it before the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem church and its leaders received them well. Paul and Barnabas reported about how God had used them to reach non-Jews on their missionary trip. Some Pharisees who had become believers, but still held to their former religious traditions dissented: “Pagan converts must be circumcised; they must keep the Law of Moses.”

The church leadership called a special meeting to consider the matter. After an extensive debate, four people made concluding remarks. First, Peter reminded them how God had used him early on to reach pagans with the good news at Cornelius’ house. Those people heard the good news, believed, and were cleansed by God’s grace in exactly the same manner as Jews. Conclusion? People—Jews and Gentiles—become right with God by faith alone in Jesus and His work.

That quieted the room. Then Barnabas and Paul reported what God had done through their ministry among the other nations. Conclusion? God is continuing to bring non-Jews to Himself as they trust in Jesus alone.

James had the final word on the subject. “My dear brothers, Peter told us the story of God’s grace to outsiders from the outset. This is in perfect agreement with the Scriptures. When Amos wrote of Messiah’s coming to rebuild David’s house, he said it would happen so ‘all the nations who are called by my name may seek the Lord.’ God declared He would do it and He is! He’s always known He would draw the nations to Himself.

“So here is my decision: We shouldn’t unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to God. Let’s write a letter encouraging them to avoid offending Jewish believers who choose to continue to follow the eating practices they learned as children. While we’re at it we should probably encourage them to abandon the sexual immorality that characterized the pre-Christian lifestyles of many of them.” Conclusion? God is saving non-Jews by His grace just as He said He would. Their lives should demonstrate what they received by faith alone.

Everyone agreed—leadership and church alike—to send a letter with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They chose two leaders in the church, Judas (nicknamed Barsabbas) and Silas, to accompany them.

They went to Antioch, gathered the church, and read the letter. How relieved and pleased the people were when they heard the church’s decision! After the letter was read, Barsabbas and Silas, both good preachers, encouraged and strengthened their new friends there before they headed back to Jerusalem to report to those who had sent them. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God with the other teachers and preachers that had developed in Antioch.