Page 72 - Acts Student Textbook

Doctrinal controversy and the Jerusalem council (15:1-35)

What principles can we draw from Luke’s description of the resolution process?

Firstly, locate a plurality of Authority. In this case, principals in the debate go to the church of origin
for a resolution and all authorities were in attendance (15:1-4).

Secondly, listen to God’s heart in the matter. In our case we see the complaint of the Judaizers
(15:5). We have testimony from experience of the gospel and Spirit (15:6-12), this includes: Peters’
experience at Caesarea (15:6-11) and Paul’s and Barnabas’ experience among the Gentiles (15:12).

Thirdly, look to the Scripture for confirmation. Here we see the testimony from Scripture by James
(15:13-18). 15:15-18 "it is written" This is a free quote from Amos 9:11-12 in the Septuagint. The
term "mankind" in verse 17 is Edom (the nation) in the Masoretic Text, but the Septuagint has
anthropos (mankind). James quotes the Septuagint because in this case it uniquely fits his purpose of
expressing the universal nature of God's promise of redemption.

Notice the promised actions are of YHWH. This is similar to Ezek. 36:22-38. Notice the number of
"I's"!

Manfred says, “This quote (15:13-18) from the LXX (Greek version of the Old Testament), which is
obviously at variance with the Mazoretic Text (Hebrew version of the Old Testament), shows that the
real issue of faith is not a perfect text, but a perfect God and His plan for mankind. None of us like
the textual variants of the OT or NT, but they do not affect believers' faith in the trustworthiness of
Scripture. God has effectively and faithfully revealed Himself to fallen humans! Hand-copied ancient
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texts cannot be used as an excuse to reject this revelation.”

It is obvious from the context that James chooses and modifies this quotation from the Septuagint to
assert the inclusion of the nations (15:16). He would also use the Septuagint because it was the OT
version which was widely circulated and largely used by both Gentiles and Jews.

These changes would be devastating to a "circumcision party" of believers. Now the chief Apostle
(Peter), the converted rabbi Apostle (Paul), and the leader of the Jerusalem church (James) all agree
against them, as does the consensus (vote) of the mother church and the mission churches! So the
dissension was mended. However, it was completed by another principle. Note the following…

Fourthly, Learn to compromise where you can. For this council, they gave four measures of
accommodation (15:19-21). First, no food polluted by idols (Lev 17:8-9). Second, no sexual
immorality (Lev 18:6). Third, no meat of strangled animals (Lev 17:13). Finally, no eating or drinking
of blood (Lev 17:10).

Fifthly, List your agreement in writing. Here the letter was drafted and two delegates sent to Antioch
(15:22-35).

Lastly, leave with grace when you must. In this case the meeting ended with much grace and
everyone was satisfied.

36 Manfred Brauch, Abusing Scripture, chapter 1, "The Nature of Scripture," (pp. 23-32).
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