The Council of Jerusalem

Context & Setting

• Main Biblical Reference: Acts 15:1–35 (cf. Galatians 2:1–10)
• Historical Period: The early decades of the church in the Roman Empire
• Geographic Location: Antioch of Syria and Jerusalem (Judea)
• Key Characters: Paul, Barnabas, Peter, James, certain Pharisees who believed, the apostles and elders, the church in Jerusalem, Judas called Barsabbas, Silas

The Narrative

The Beginning:
In Antioch, some men from Judea taught that Gentile believers must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses to be saved. Paul and Barnabas strongly disputed this claim, and the church appointed them to go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders about the issue.

The Middle:
In Jerusalem, the debate sharpened when some believers from the party of the Pharisees insisted that Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the Law of Moses. Peter reminded the assembly that God had given the Holy Spirit to Gentiles and made no distinction, cleansing their hearts by faith, and he warned against placing an unbearable yoke on them. Paul and Barnabas then reported the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles. James responded by citing the prophets to show that God’s plan included Gentiles, and he proposed a pastoral decision to welcome them without circumcision while asking for specific practices that would support holiness and fellowship.

The End:
The apostles and elders, with the whole church, agreed and sent a letter back to Antioch with Judas Barsabbas and Silas, affirming that Gentile believers were not required to be circumcised. The letter requested that they abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. When the church in Antioch read the message, they rejoiced at the encouragement, and the mission continued with strengthened unity.

Theological Meaning

The Council of Jerusalem publicly clarified that salvation is grounded in God’s grace and received through faith, not secured by adopting boundary-markers of the Mosaic covenant such as circumcision. At the same time, the council’s guidance shows that Christian freedom is ordered toward love, holiness, and the unity of a multi-ethnic people of God. The decision affirms that Gentiles are full members of God’s renewed covenant community through Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Historical & Cultural Insight

Circumcision functioned in Second Temple Judaism as a covenant sign and a major identity marker distinguishing Jews from Gentiles (Genesis 17). In mixed Jewish–Gentile congregations, questions about table fellowship and ritual impurity were practical flashpoints; the council’s requested abstentions reflect concerns that would allow shared community life while turning decisively away from idolatry and pagan sexual practices common in the Greco-Roman world.

Key Memory Verse

“We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.” — Acts 15:11