Acts 15:2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
–> From this verse, it seems rather clear that Paul and Barnabas did not have a slam-dunk argument to silence these Bible trained, zealous advocates! So a far reaching decision is being proposed: Call a council to decide the merits of this theological question and let’s unify all of the church with a clear doctrinal standard – especially as it relates to the gospel and the salvation promised by it!
–> Why do Presbyterians send their pastors to annual meetings? And why do they always meet in Vegas? They meet to promote unity – sometimes because there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Hopefully to mostly gather to report on how God is blessing ministry!
–> Acts 15 is known by Presbyterians like evangelicals know John 3:16! We know that the church gathers to affirm core doctrines and to ensure unity. It is in this setting that creeds and confessions are written and embraced by the entire body called the church!
–> Now recently, one Presbyterian denomination met and created a firestorm of disunity. A group of them wanted unity for the sake of unity; but not based upon the authority of the Scripture – based only upon the supposed value that unity should trump purity! Well, that decision has sent, last year, 61,000 people out of their churches.
–> And the question is: Why can’t we all get along, even though we are different? It ALL DEPENDS on what makes us different? If it is race, or gender, or culture, or even political party – these should not divide us! BUT, if it is in how the GOSPEL is defined? IF it is about foundational understandings of Who God is and What He calls the Church to be – we MUST part ways with those who do not uphold the clear implications of the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ!
–> Another burden: The phrase “Apostles and Elders” explodes in Acts 15! Why? Luke first defines elders as leaders of the Jewish councils which had earlier condemned the Apostles. Now the Christians must meet and they will do it through the same vehicle that had at one time been used to brand them as ‘heretical.’ We also read that Paul and Barnabas, with congregational vote, elected elders to the churches they planted on their first missionary journey. Now they need to resolve a doctrinal problem and it is NOT just the Apostles, but ELDERS too! Prophets are around, former Jewish Priests who are converts are around – but they’re not being consulted. ELDERS are. ”Elder” is the OT/NT term that survives as church leadership – and notice, it is and always has been since the OT a PLURALITY of leaders who make decisions for the household of Israel. Jesus is the King of the Church, and he rules over his Kingdom through the hearts of his people. His people are first directed by Apostles who see as their calling to install elders (See Info following…)
–> Two ways that churches both grow and stay healthy – plenty of conversions; but nourished by the maturity and shepherding of qualified elders!
“Shifting” Elders:
Luke 9:22
“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Luke 22:52
Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
Acts 4:5-8
The next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family… Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
Acts 6:12
They stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,
Acts 11:27-30
In these days prophets came down… The disciples determined… to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 14:23
They had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts 15:2
Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
[“apostles and the elders”] = Acts 15:2,4,6,22,23; 16:4
