Thoughts for the Day

We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles …                Acts 15:19

It must have been natural for Jews who decided to follow Jesus to continue following Jewish rules and practices unless they were clearly contrary to Jesus’ teaching.  Likewise, it must have been natural for Gentiles (non-Jews) only to adapt their rules and practices insofar as following Jesus demanded it.  So, it was only a matter of time before these approaches collided, which is good news for us because as a result we have in Acts 15 details of the debate and decision among the council of those early Christian leaders, including Paul and the apostles.  Paul argues theologically and passionately against adherence to Jewish practices because we are all saved by faith in Jesus, and to require anything more undermines that truth.   He is very black and white about it.

The outcome of the Council was slightly more nuanced and summarised in this one statement ‘It is my [the Council leader’s] judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.’   As I read it, this judgement, which was evidently well-received all round, rested on four principles:

• Although not stated, it has to be taken as read that Jesus’ teaching was preached to all alike – Jew and Gentile had that common ground.
• The gospel was not compromised – Paul’s argument against burdening Gentiles with the weight of the Jewish law was upheld.
• Eating food that was offensive to Jews’ dietary practices was to be avoided.
• Abstinence from sexual immorality was singled out for special mention.

Replace ‘Gentiles’ by ‘new believers’ and ‘Jews’ by ‘existing believers’, and suddenly this is incredibly relevant to us.  So much so that I will return to this next time before we continue exploring Jesus’ teaching that we are called to obey.