Jerusalem Council
- Dates
- 49 AD
People from Judea insist that new Gentile believers must be circumcised in order to truly be Christians. A special council is called in Jerusalem in which they decide against this requirement, but do list a few other requirements.
In detail
Arriving at Jerusalem, Paul and his companions were cordially welcomed by the believers (Acts 15:4). They began to recount how God had blessed the work among the Gentiles, but certain Pharisees, members of the church, soon raised the question of the necessity of circumcision and the keeping of the Mosaic law (v 5). Consequently, a council convened to decide the question (v 6). The matter was debated at length, with Peter, Barnabas, and Paul speaking against pressing the ceremonial law upon the Gentiles (vs 7—12). Their view prevailed, and it was ruled that the Gentile converts should not be expected to be circumcised or to keep the Law of Moses. They were, however, told to abstain from pollutions of idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood (vs 13—21).
Bible passages
- Acts 15:1-31
1 And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. …
Text of the King James Version.
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