The Jerusalem Council

The lies that began in Antioch continued to spread throughout the Christian communities causing division between Jewish and Gentile believers. So Paul and Barnabas called for the apostles and pastors to hold a council around this issue. In the middle of this debate, Peter stood and addressed the crowd reminding them what God has done among the Gentiles in their presence. In the end, James and the leaders wrote a letter of encouragement to clear up the confusion for the Gentile believers.

In yesterday’s episode, we heard about the persecution brought upon Paul and Barnabas by Jews who wished to silence the message of Christ. Twice they had escaped those who wished them harm, but finally in Lystra Paul was seized by angry men who stoned him and carried him outside the city, leaving him for dead. But the disciples came to his aid and Paul rose up to continue preaching and teaching, and many more came to Christ as a result. Today we’ll hear how Christ-following Jews attempt to add to the gospel, trying to make Gentile believers follow Jewish religious traditions like circumcision. We’ll see Paul and Barnabas journey to Jerusalem and convene a council of the apostles and elders of the church to stand against these doctrines that threaten to rob the gospel of its power.