The Great Decision of the Jerusalem Council The Beginning of the Second Missionary Journey Acts 15:1-41

Now that the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas has been completed (Acts 13:4-14:28), with the Galatian churches being established that was primary Gentiles, the church will encounter a great crisis!  In Jerusalem, the first church council meets to resolve the matter of whether Gentiles must be circumcised in order to be saved.  The Judean Hebrews, many are Pharisees, contend that Gentiles must come into the church through the Mosaic system.  Upon hearing of this contentious matter, the Jerusalem council met to resolve this crisis situation.  As we enter into the Jerusalem council meeting, we will discover that the apostles have a real grave matter to solve.

According to Acts 15:1, the essential question that needed to be addressed is: “Must one be circumcised in order to be saved?”  That question was really the crux of the issue!  After Paul and Barnabas engaged in a heated debate with the Judeans, it was determined that they should take this matter to the Jerusalem apostles and elders for discussion (Acts 15:2-4).  When Paul and Barnabas reached the church in Jerusalem, they reported to the church in Jerusalem.  Just as they had done to the church in Antioch, rehearsing what God had done through them in preaching the gospel in Galatia.

According to verses 5, 6, the council must render a decision on whether it was essential for one to be “circumcised and keep the law” in order to be saved.  In verses 7-12, Peter testified vehemently that the Gentiles had heard the Gospel and were saved.  He went on to utter that belief in Jesus Christ through grace was essential to salvation, for verse 11 says: “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”  When Paul and Barnabas had rehearsed their story, the council was silent (v. 12).  It was a silent council, for even the Judaizers were silenced by the reports of what had taken place!

Beginning with verse 13, James, the leader of the Jerusalem Council and half brother of Jesus Christ, gave a lengthy summation of the council, stating in essence, that Gentile believers are not required to meet any of the demands of the Mosaic system; but that they would exercise courtesy in “abstaining from the pollution of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood” (v. 20).

The decision of the council was that Gentiles who have turned to God are not to be put under the Mosaic system.

In verses 22-35, from the Jerusalem Council, Paul and Barnabas, along with Judas and Silas, made their journey to Antioch, reporting on the conclusion of the Jerusalem Council’s decision.  In verses 36-41, Paul expressed a concern to Barnabas that they would go back and revisit the churches in Galatia. However, a keen disputation arose between Paul and Barnabas, because Barnabas wanted to take his cousin, John Mark (Acts 13:13), the writer of St. Mark (vv. 37-38).  This disagreement between Paul and Barnabas resulted in Barnabas and John Mark traveling to Cyrus; whereas, Paul and Silas travelled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches (vv. 39-41).

May God Bless!