Council Of Jerusalem ACTS 15 N. Hammersley N. Hammersley

Background Acts 1:8 “you will be my witnesses …to the ends of the earth.” Pentecost – “each one heard them speaking in their own language” 2:6 Samaria + Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8 Cornelius Acts 10 Church in Antioch Acts 11 1st Missionary Journey and the success amongst the Gentiles and rejection by the Jews N. Hammersley

Acts 1:8 “you will be my witnesses …to the ends of the earth.” N. Hammersley

The Immediate Reason 15:1 Men from Judea to Antioch “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses you cannot be saved.” These “men” are Judaisers / “circumcision party”/ Pharisees N. Hammersley

Judaisers Regarded Gentiles as have low moral/ ethical standards – Jews having higher standards The Law was a good thing Circumcision showed that you were serious about the Law and in keeping it N. Hammersley

Judaisers Jesus was a Jew and the Messiah (Christ) so salvation through the Messiah must come by following the Law Culturally – Jews saw Gentiles as ritually unclean, so sharing a meal was impossible So, problems with Eucharistic sharing and “agape” meal- Fellowship. N. Hammersley

Judaisers Luke highlights The Pharisee party as; Gentiles “cannot be saved” without circumcision “testing God”- remember Ananias Acts 5! Harassing Gentile converts (James says “stop making it difficult” Acts 15:19) N. Hammersley

The Meeting Paul and Barnabas “appointed” to seek an answer from the Mother Church to the problem “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses you cannot be saved.” 15:1 N. Hammersley

The Meeting- Private hearing? Apostles and Elders meet. 15:6 Peter gives witness to what God had done with Cornelius- The holy Spirit was given to them “just as he did to us” “It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved” 15:11 N. Hammersley

The Meeting- The Whole Assembly 15:12 Assembly listen to; Barnabas and Paul – the signs and wonders done among the Gentiles. They are witnesses to Gods work. James- as leader (Bishop) of the Jerusalem Church. Jesus’ cousin then summarises the assembly's judgement N. Hammersley

The Meeting- James’ Judgement The will of the church God is fulfilling scripture 15:16-18 – Gentiles are also called No circumcision required but abstain from; Food sacrificed to Idols sexual immorality meat from strangled animals blood N. Hammersley

The Meeting- James’ Judgement Food sacrificed to Idols – against the Commandments. Idol worship abhorrent to Jews. Sexual immorality - prostitution, and association with idol worship Meat from strangled animals – sacrifice to idols / kosher Blood – possibly murder, also Jewish ritual purity N. Hammersley

Apostles/ Elders/ Whole Church ACTION – Send a letter; The Apostolic Decree 15:23-29 “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” 15:28 The church is in harmony with God Circumcision is not necessary; but abide by the prohibitions N. Hammersley

The Apostolic Decree N. Hammersley

The Conclusion Barnabas and Paul chosen to take the letter north to Antioch Judas (Barsabbas) and Silas (prophets in the church) accompany them N. Hammersley

Luke shows the reader how the Church (ekklesia) responds to a crisis The Church reaches a decision by discernment through faith. Peter, Barnabas and Paul are witnesses to Gods works – they are not pleading a case. God’s actions dictate how we understand scripture – so a new understanding of the old law is possible. The decision is legitimate – Holy Spirit and “us” N. Hammersley