THE FIRST CHURCH COUNCIL IS HELD IN JERUSALEM

ACTS 15:1–35

The news about the Messiah Jesus spread rapidly from Jerusalem into the neighboring Roman provinces. The response to the message was varied, and the early church was soon faced with numerous challenges. Most of the first believers in Jesus were Jews who came to recognize that Jesus was the true authority of the Temple and the fulfillment of the promises portrayed there. As Jews, they continued to worship at the Temple and circumcise their children. The expansion of the church saw many Gentiles submitting to Jesus as Lord. Throughout Jewish history, Gentiles wishing to become proselytes within Judaism had to follow the laws of Moses, including circumcision. Was this still the case now that the Messiah had come? That was the critical question raised at Antioch after Paul and Barnabas returned from teaching in cities such as Paphos, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch—a question to be answered in the first church council, which was held in Jerusalem for a reason.

The question came to the foreground in Antioch of Syria when some men from Judea arrived at the city. In meetings with the church at Antioch they stated, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1).28 For Gentiles who were already putting themselves at great risk by associating themselves with a group that refused to participate in the worship of the Roman emperor, this was just another obstacle. It is no wonder that Paul and Barnabas traded sharp words in debating with these visitors (Acts 15:2).

Inscription discovered at Pisidian Antioch, mentioning the Roman governor (or proconsul) Sergius Paulus, who met with Paul, Barnabas, and Mark at Paphos (Acts 13:6–12).
© Dr. James C. Martin. The Yalvac Museum.

Wall remains of ancient Iconium.

The issue took on added significance because Antioch of Syria was a large, highly influential city29 that was uniquely positioned as a starting point for the church’s outreach to the world. If there was a place to determine if new Gentile believers in Jesus had to submit to Mosaic law, it was Antioch of Syria, for the answer given there—right or wrong—would multiply over and over again among churches throughout Asia Minor and Europe. Realizing this and aware of the risk of splitting the early church just when it needed to be united against external opposition, Paul and Barnabas urged that the matter be taken to Jerusalem (Acts 15:2).

When controversies arose in Judaism between the members of the Pharisaical party, they would often turn to Sanhedrin leaders like Gamaliel, who would provide answers (e.g., Acts 5:33–40). For the early church, however, the authority of Jesus replaced the Sanhedrin’s influence. Even though Paul studied under the famous Sanhedrin Pharisee Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), Jesus was now the one to whom he submitted. So those involved in this dispute in Antioch of Syria turned to Jerusalem, not because Gamaliel was there, but because the apostles, who now represented Jesus’s authority, were there.

The first church council was held in Jerusalem for a reason. While the persecution of the early church drove many from Jerusalem, the apostles remained (Acts 8:1; 15:6). These were the men who walked with Jesus and learned personally from him, as they had been given the responsibility to teach the truth on which the church was built (Acts 6:2). A question of this magnitude required their input. Peter in particular had struggled with this matter (see Acts 10 and Gal. 2:11–16), and it was his powerful voice that gave the compelling speech on the topic in Jerusalem: “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15:11).30 So the critical question that was raised in Antioch was answered in Jerusalem.

Concentrations of Jews in first-century AD Roman provinces

Foundation remains of the Basilica of Saint Paul at Pisidian Antioch.