Acts 15:1-5 – Facing Disagreement

Acts 15 describes the first Jerusalem council that took place. This marks a major turning point in the book of Acts. The mission to reach the Gentiles had been launched and numerous of them had been saved. Gentile congregations mushroomed in many places, in the two Antiochs, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.

Not governed by Jewish laws and traditions, the Gentiles found more liberty in expressing their new found faith in Christ. Furthermore there was no discussion or agreement by the leaders as yet on what the Gentile believers should or should not do. It is here in this chapter that we find such a discussion and an agreement on what to impose on the Gentile believers.

Up to this point, the church in Jerusalem was keeping a watchful eye on the development of the church. In Acts 11:1-8 they sent Peter and John to check on the outreach work among the Samaritans. Then in Acts 11:22, they sent Barnabas to inspect the development in Antioch. Now in Acts 15:1 we see that some unauthorized Jews came from Judea to Antioch and began to teach, whether formally or informally, that circumcision was a requisite for salvation.

Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them on the issue and great dissension and debate over it had taken place. Still the issue was not resolved. It threatened to break-up the harmony between the Jewish and Gentile believers. The brethren insisted that Paul, Barnabas and some of their people should go to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles and elders. No other detail was given but the dispute was serious enough that the Jerusalem council had to be convened to deliberate the issue.

So Paul and Barnabas and some of their people made their journey to Jerusalem, as they passed the region of Phoenicia and Samaria, they shared with the people on the conversion of the Gentiles. Their reposts brought great joy to the brethren in those places.

When they finally arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, the apostles and the elders. And they also reported to them all the work God had done with them. Nothing was said of the response of the church in Jerusalem except that some believers from among the Pharisees stood up and insisted that to become a Christian, circumcision and observing the Law of Moses was a necessity. 

What can we learn from this short five verses? For one, we know that unity in the church is of primary importance. There will always be issues we do not see eye to eye with each other. They should not be allowed to divide our oneness in Christ. We should talk about it and seek to disagree agreeably. In the essentials of our faith, practice unity. In the non-essentials, exercise liberty. But in all things show charity.