The Council at Jerusalem: What is Necessary for Salvation?

Author: Greg West

The early Church was growing rapidly in spite of resistance, divisions and persecution. The long awaited Messiah had come! Thousands upon thousands witnessed his miracles and heard his profound teachings. “The blind see, the lame walk . . . and good news is preached to the poor.” (Mark 11:5)  Some saw his power over nature, “Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27) And now he is being proclaimed as risen from the dead . . . as the Savior of the world!

We believe that all of us need to be rescued, to be saved from our sins; but what is necessary for salvation?  An ongoing debate was happening in the early Church as two cultures, Jew and Gentile, were coming together.  One group said that physical circumcision was necessary along with keeping the law of Moses. On the other side Paul and Barnabas with Peter and the Apostles held to the clear truth of the Gospel:

Peter declared: “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15:11). James spoke to the decision as well: “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God” (Acts 15:19). These were spoken at a great Council held in Jerusalem by the leaders of the early Church.

Is it possible we sometimes get it wrong and do similar things today? Do we convey to non-Christians that they should look like us, talk like us, dress like us, etc. and then they’ll be accepted into the fellowship? Do we in unintended ways make it difficult for people who are turning to God? Or do we welcome all and joyfully share of the saving grace Jesus offers to all who will turn to him in repentance and faith?

The early Church searched the Scriptures, were led by the Holy Spirit and were people of action – proclaiming Christ in word and deed wherever they went. Let us be like them!

About the Author:

Rev. Greg West serves as an Evangelist in the Virginia Conference of the U.M.C.  He is available for preaching, teaching and training in evangelism, a recovery of the Wesleyan Class Meeting and Hispanic Ministry.  He has served as the Pastor of churches for 11 years and served as the Chaplain at Virginia Wesleyan University for 10 years.