Acts 15:1–2, 4–5, 12–18, 20–29

Matthew S. Kerlin
Minister to the University, Samford University, Ph.D.

Finding Agreement

Acts 15:1–2, 4–5, 12–18, 20–29

Where do we draw the lines of orthodoxy? This question is as old as the church herself and all religious denominations and organizations struggle with it. In the introduction to “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis admits that trying to find a central core of Christian belief about which everyone agrees is fraught with difficulty, if not impossible. As those who have committed our lives to a set of beliefs, we should not be surprised that disputes about that set of beliefs will be frequent and heated. Nevertheless history seems to teach that we must find some core on which we can agree in order to proceed and advance the gospel.

The story of the early church in Acts shows disagreement and division among early believers, much of it centered on the issue of Gentile converts. Those disputes reach a tipping point in Acts 15 leading the apostles and elders to assemble for “much debate.” In the end, the believers reached a functional consensus and moved forward accordingly.

Acknowledge the Conflict (1–2, 4–5)

Many Jewish Christians considered circumcision necessary for salvation. Paul and Barnabas disagreed and the resulting dispute led to the meeting in Jerusalem described in Acts 15. Verse 2 tells us that serious argument and debate resulted from the disagreement. When no agreement was reached, the parties involved in this initial debate sought further input from church leaders in Jerusalem who welcomed them. The narrative gives no indication that anyone viewed such debate as sinful or contrary to the purposes of the gospel. Those who disagreed simply met each other face to face and talked through their difficulties then sought outside help, exactly in accordance with Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness in Matthew 18. The early believers fought passionately, but with respect for one another and a genuine desire for unity not victory.

Evaluate the Issue in Light of Scripture (12–18)

As evidence for Gentile inclusion in the church, Paul and Barnabas described the many signs and wonders that were being performed among the Gentiles. The signs and wonders that Jesus performed were often referenced as verification of the legitimacy of his ministry. Similarly Jewish believers would see God’s miraculous work among the Gentiles as evidence of their status as fellow believers. Experience was an important source of evidence, but not in isolation from God’s Word. Paul and Barnabas rightly evaluated those experiences according to the words of the prophets.

Both experience and Scripture are important considerations when discussing disputed matters, but ultimately the Bible is our primary authority. But, of course, interpreting the Bible is itself an experience, one that is subject to the frailties of all human experience. Two people can reach different conclusions each on the basis of Scripture. So while it is correct to give the Bible the final say in theory, in practice we know that disputes are not always so easily settled. These considerations should keep us humble about our positions and about our interpretations of the Bible.

Find Consensus Built Around Non-negotiable Principles (20–29)

The agreement of the Jerusalem council was that Gentile believers were to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating strangled meat and from blood. These requirements were not necessary for salvation but had the practical effect of allowing believers of all cultural and religious backgrounds to associate with one another without Jews ritually defiling themselves. In other words, the council identified the principle of church unity and made their particular decisions in accordance with that principle. Today most believers do not concern themselves with the dietary regulations enumerated in Acts 15. Yet we consider essential the principle of unity. Cultures change and our faith practices may change, but when we read carefully the stories of the early church we can identify principles around which we can build consensus and fellowship.