Footsteps #28

As we consider the council of Jerusalem, (Acts 15) I sometimes think that my protestant heritage of sola Scriptura (the Bible only) might have made me lean towards the Pharisaical argument rather than the ‘subjective “spirit” experience for knowing God’s will. Acts 15 shows us how to maintain a balance between the 2.  It shows us that these two principles need to co-ordinate. Though the Pharisee party probably had more explicit ‘texts’ regarding circumcising Gentiles (non-Jews), the apostles had both witnessed the Spirit baptism of Gentiles and had scriptures to contextualize and interpret that experience. There are countless references to God wanting inclusion of the nations in His salvation. We need to be able to balance Scripture with experience. 

The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is one narrative. God has been engaging humanity throughout history and revealing Himself in various ways. God’s revelation of Himself in Jesus supersedes all past revelations. The change God made by dropping circumcision as a covenantal requirement for Gentiles was not out of character in the light of salvation history. The events leading up to, and enacted, at the Jerusalem Council demonstrate how God’s larger intentions transform church practice. 

The church in Antioch was made up of Hellenistic Jews and uncircumcised Gentiles (Acts.11:19-21, Gal.2:11-13.) Until this time, they had lived in peaceful fellowship. This was shattered by individuals (Judaisers) from Judea (v5). They seem to have gone to Antioch on their own initiative (v24). When coupled with the episode recorded in Gal.2:11-13, it would appear that most Jews, including the apostles, were not very comfortable with the presence of uncircumcised Gentiles in the church. Paul in his letter to the Galatians labelled the Judaisers as trouble makers and false brothers who were trying to undermine the spiritual freedom of the gospel and to bring the Gentile converts into the slavery of legalism. There point was that converts should be circumcised and keep the other Jewish ceremonial laws in order to be saved. In short, Gentiles could only be saved if they first became Jewish proselytes(converts). For Paul and Barnabas these requirements went against the very nature of the gospel. There was heated discussion (v2.)