A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS

DATE:
Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

DISCUSSION TOPIC:
A Meeting with the Council of Elders.

BIBLE READING:
Acts 15: 1-12

Qs. 1,2 See Questions HERE.

DISCUSSION:

Satan will try many ways to prevent the truth from being proclaimed. The violence against Paul has failed. Now the attack is not physical but psychological. Paul had reported how the Gentiles had believed their preaching about Jesus Christ and obtained salvation. But what were those from Judea teaching (v.1)?

The implication was that unless Gentile believers adopt and practice the requirements of Judaism, they are not saved. How are some churches and ministries today guilty of similar demands on new converts or their members?

Paul, Barnabas and some others were sent to the apostles and the Church in Jerusalem (v.2) for their resolution on this very sensitive matter. Note how the testimonies of what God was doing among the Gentiles brought joy to the believers even Samaria (v.3). From v.6 onwards, we have the proceedings of what was an important meeting of the Council of Elders in the early Church. What lessons can we learn from how the matter was handled? Note that there was much debate (i.e people had opportunity to express their opinions); Peter, the leader of the apostles, spoke drawing from his personal experience ***(vs. 7-9; cf, Acts 10:9-16); and the field Evangelists gave their testimonies (v.12).

To ponder:

How alive is the culture of collective discussion and collective decision in your congregation?

Prayer:

Thank you, Father that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ not by works.

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