The Jerusalem Council

Book of Acts

AD 49

~ Before the Jerusalem Council, many Christians (the first Christians were Jewish, of course), believed that Gentile Christians should obey Moses’s Law.

The Jerusalem Council was a pivotal meeting of the early Church. The apostles and elders, led by Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James, addressed whether Gentile believers must follow the Law of Moses to be saved—especially circumcision.

After hearing testimonies of God’s work among the Gentiles and recalling Scripture, the council concluded that salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by the works of the law. They affirmed the inclusion of Gentiles without placing the full yoke of the Mosaic law upon them, asking only that they abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, and consuming blood. This decision safeguarded the truth of the Gospel. It preserved unity between Jewish and Gentile believers and marked a defining moment in the spread of Christianity to all nations.

~ After the Jerusalem council, Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement and did not travel together anymore.

Significance

• This decision freed Gentile Christians from the incumbrance of becoming Jewish proselytes. The door for worldwide mission opened wide.
• Despite their disagreement, God still used Paul and Barnabas in His plan to take the Gospel to the nations. Instead of one missionary team, now there were two. Perhaps this is an example of God working "all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). Later, Paul speaks warmly of both Barnabas and John Mark (1 Cor. 9:6, 2 Tim. 4:11). The grace of God remained at work even after division.