resolving religious tensions

So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

Acts 15:30-31

The apostles quickly dealt with what was for them the biggest threat to the advance of the gospel. Acts 15 details how this controversy was settled. The rest of the New Testament however shows us the issue would smolder in pockets of the First Century church for years. This issue raised by Jewish believers who had come from the synagogue to trust in Jesus as Messiah: Gentiles who come to Christ must also submit to circumcision in order to truly be redeemed and brought into the Church.

Judaism had a history of welcoming Gentile proselytes into the synagogue community. Two types were allowed: 1) A “righteous proselyte” to Judaism chose to conform to the Law in every respect and adult males were to submit to circumcision. They could become synagogue leaders but were still only allowed access to the Gentile courtyard of the temple.. 2) A “gate proselyte” could be part of a synagogue, but could not enter the temple proper. They were committed to obey aspects of food and moral laws in order to enter the fellowship of the synagogue and circumcision was not required of them.

Some in the early Christian community were demanding that Gentiles who came to Jesus and believed the gospel should also accept the Law of God as a “righteous proselyte”. This was causing divisiveness among Gentile churches. Where the apostles landed in the Jerusalem Council was to acknowledge that Gentiles were saved by faith in the gospel alone, that full commitment to the Jewish Law was not a part of salvation, and that recognition of parts of the “gate proselyte” understanding on the Law would bring unity with their Jewish fellow Christians and unite the Church.

Praise God that the Church can by grace resolve her own disputes under the authority of scripture and leading of the Holy Spirit! May these principles guide us in our own contentious times.