Today’s reading is Acts 15:1-16:40.

As I read today’s chapter, I simply can’t help but think about the mistaken way I’ve heard people use this chapter over and over again. Too many folks have the idea that Jerusalem was the mother church. That is, that Jerusalem established the rules. They view Acts 15 as a council of delegates from multiple churches striving to determine how all the other churches should teach and act.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Paul and Barnabas and the contingency from Antioch did not travel to Jerusalem to find out what to teach about how Gentiles could be saved. Galatians 1:11-24 makes it abundantly clear that Paul received the gospel he taught by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. He did not go to men to find out what to teach. He wasn’t traveling to Jerusalem to find out what to teach about Gentile circumcision. He already knew. In fact, in Acts 15:12 he argued forth what he knew from the revelation God had given him by attesting to the salvation of the Gentiles with signs and wonders.

Paul went to Jerusalem because that was where the erring teachers had originated. Note Acts 15:24. The Jerusalem church wrote: “Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words…” Paul didn’t go to Jerusalem to find out what was taught. They did not conduct a council to determine what to teach. Rather, Paul went to Jerusalem to get to the bottom of who was behind this error going out and troubling the churches. While there, the Jerusalem church debated and had council regarding what they should do and teach.

Amazingly enough, it seems even those who originally believed Gentiles should be circumcised, came around to the truth. If only we could all so easily submit to the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?