The Council of Jerusalem was possibly the first ``assembly'' of the Christian church, held c. A.D. 49
The Council met to consider whether circumcision was necessary for salvation
Acts 15:1 See also Romans 4:9; Galatians 5:2–3
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Paul and Barnabas came from Antioch to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders
The Council agreed not to make it difficult for Gentiles who turned to God
Acts 15:19–21 The Council was concerned to avoid forcing Gentiles to adopt Jewish customs (such as circumcision), and at the same time to require Gentiles to behave considerately towards their “weaker brothers” of Jewish birth, not all of whom could be expected to acquire immediately the emancipated outlook on food-laws and the like that Peter and Paul had.
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
James showed how the decision had confirmed an earlier prophecy
See also Acts 15:15–18; Amos 9:11–12
The written judgment was taken to the Gentile believers by Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas
The Council's judgment proved to be a great encouragement to the Gentile believers
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.