Acts 15. This text is often known as the Jerusalem Council chapter, named after the conference of early church leaders where an important decision was made. The debate centered on what gentile converts to Christianity were required to do – did they have to obey the laws of Moses (keep Torah) which included circumcision, dietary restrictions, the sabbath, and more. This is an issue of religious-cultural “boundary markers”– a way of differentiating who is on the inside of the circle, and who is outside. Circumcision was The Big Question, because it was the one thing that every Jew had to do to be known as a member of God’s family.

The Jerusalem Council had realized by this time that gentiles could become Christians. “God who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did us, and He has made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.” (15:9) Peter goes on to argue that it is not circumcision who saved the Jews or the gentiles, “We believe that we [Jews] will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (15:11) This is such a shocking statement that the council falls silent. By grace alone we are saved, all of us (more on this when we get to Romans and other letters).

So, circumcision and keeping Torah is not required of any of us. Yay! But if circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing (1 Corinthians 7:19) in terms of gaining our salvation or place in God’s family,then what is required of new gentile converts? The council gives only some simple instructions (shortest memo ever!) that are designed to allow the two communities to hang out and eat together. Three dietary requirements (all related to how meat is handled) and a reminder to abstain from sexual immorality (15:20,29) because inappropriate sexual activity was a part of pagan temple practices.

Think about this question – what did you need to give up or take on when you converted to Christianity? For some people conversion to Christianity comes at a high cost, especially in other cultures. Other people might not be able to think of anything they needed to do differently, other than making time to go to church and making some behavioral changes (but you didn’t like strip clubs anyway, so no big deal).

Or think about this – what “boundary markers” exist today that mark Christians as different than those around them? (Hint: Baptism is the New Testament equivalent of a rite of passage like circumcision. There may be other cultural practices that separate Christians in your community as well.) Do all churches and traditions agree on these boundary markers? How does your church navigate differences of perspective and practice on these issues? The Jerusalem Council’s handling of this issue is very patient and balanced; and is a great model of conflict resolution.

What stood out to you in Acts 15?