Acts 15:1-11 The Jerusalem Council - Part I

One of the ploys the enemy uses to come against the Church is false teaching. Some men (Jews, of course) had come from Judea teaching that circumcision was a requirement for salvation and that Gentile believers needed to keep the Law of Moses to be part of the Church. Paul and Barnabas debated them, but it seemed to cause enough trouble to require a ruling on the matter. At this point we can see that the Jerusalem church acted as a "mother church" for the work that was taking root in the surrounding areas due to the fact that the Apostles were there. Paul and Barnabas were sent to consult them on this matter, but while they made their way to Jerusalem, they continued to testify what great things God had done among the Gentiles.

Apostles and elders gathered together to settle the matter through much debate. Peter relates to the brethren how God called him to preach to the Gentiles. He offers as proof of God's approval the giving of the Spirit to them just as he did to the Jews. God makes no distinctions. Salvation is by grace through faith and a requirement like this would only become a yoke (burden) to the new believers as it has been for the Jews all these years. Furthermore, Peter argues that such a requirement is to put God to the test sinning against him. It is important to understand that the Law referred to here has to do with circumcision, ceremonies and rituals, including kosher foods.

With the giving of any law, there are dangers that could be depicted as cliffs on both sides of a road. On the one hand, there is the danger of legalism. This is an excessive adherence to the letter of the law missing out on the spirit of the law. Rules and regulations are good, but when taken to extremes they snuff out the life it is supposed to protect in its adherents. Legalism makes adherence to the law a zealous compliance to form and rituals that becomes mechanical, devoid of fervor and passion and therefore, meaningless.

On the other hand, there is the danger of liberalism. This is a disregard for rules and regulations bordering on anarchy and producing chaos. In this view, rules and regulations are meant to be broken bringing freedom. Unfortunately, just like legalism, it enslaves its adherents to less than the law intended. The purpose of the law is to bring order and protect its followers from abuses. Without adherence to the law there is no order or safety. Liberalism produces in its followers an arrogant attitude against authority.

Salvation cannot be viewed as a bunch of dos and don'ts. The Jews were not able to comply with the Law and so it would be for the Gentiles also. No one can keep the Law! Jesus Christ came into the world to fulfill the Law of God and promote justice so that all who trust in him can enjoy the benefits of eternal life. He took upon himself the penalty of our disobedience to comply with the Law and to be able to offer eternal life to all who dare trust in him. The Gospel does away with all the ceremonies and regulations, but it does not do away with the ten commandments - the Moral Law. We are still to strive to obey and please our God, but in grace it is not in our strength, but with God's help. "Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Father, thank you for your Son who gave himself for me to make salvation by grace through faith possible. Teach me to obey your Law that I may please you. Guard my heart from the extremes of legalism and liberalism. Help me walk the straight path you have set out for me in your Word. Amen.