Autonomy and Authority:- 11
Jerusalem Conference Of Apostles And Elders (Acts 15)
There are some in the church today who use the events at Jerusalem in Acts 15 as a precedent for authoritative councils still. Not only would such a practice violate the whole tenor of New Testament teaching concerning the assemblies, as we have seen, but such a council would be impossible to duplicate! It was unique in the NT - unrepeated and unrepeatable.
The absolute uniqueness of the "Jerusalem Council" so-called, is seen in three particulars:-
(1) The place Jerusalem , was where the original assembly came into being by the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It had a special significance as being the place where two dispensations met: the Law dispensation terminated there and the new dispensation of Grace commenced there. Jerusalem was the original centre from where the Gospel of Christ radiated out to all the world, and where the precious blood of the Church's future Head was shed in sacrifice. It was also the place where the problem under consideration had emanated from (v.24) and was thus viewed as being authoritative in this matter. The place was unique and there is nowhere like it today.
(2) The persons gathered there were similarly unique, "the Apostles and elders" (vv.4,6). It was the original centre of Apostolic ministry, and the authority of the Apostles and their presence there made such a gathering at that time appropriate -but inasmuch as we have no Apostles today to gather with the elders, we have no sufficiently authoritative body to resolve difficulties and determine policies. The persons were unique, and we have none like them today.
(3) The problem was unique, having to do with the circumcision of the Gentiles and their observance of the law of Moses in order to be saved. It was a crucial question the answer to which would determine. the course of the new dispensation, the freedom of Gentile converts from all legal bondage, and the all-sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ alone for salvation. Having resolved this fundamental problem, no similar problem can now threaten the assemblies of God which does not already have an answer in the Scriptures. The Jerusalem Council was thus unique, and because of its uniqueness it is impossible to duplicate, and sets no precedent which has any Biblical validity. Vine is emphatic too on this point and says, "This gathering was incidental and not intended as a precedent. No other such assemblage is recorded in apostolic times”.
Conclusion
Following only the pattern of the Apostles and teaching of the New Testament, we must come to the conclusion that the control and organisation of assemblies by a central body claiming authority is invalid. What we see in fact from the practice of the Apostles is they were commended by independent local assemblies (Acts 13:1-3); they planted local assemblies (Acts 14. 26-27; 15:12 etc); they lived exclusively for the well-being of the local assemblies (Col. 1:24-25; 2 Cor. 11:28 etc.); and knew no other sphere of service than the local assemblies as the Acts and Epistles make abundantly clear. In fact the presence of Christ is revealed authoritatively only among the autonomous local assemblies (as to the corporate gatherings of the saints and distinct from any other organisation) although properly speaking the local assembly is not so much an organisation as an organism, instinct with the life of God (Rev. 2:7,11,17 etc.). And the final testimony of Jesus is to the local churches (Rev. 22:16). Everything that touches the believer's worship, walk, witness, and welfare therefore in the New Testament is centred in the all-important unit of the local assembly.
In closing let us recall the test of love given by our glorious Lord, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him.. If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My words: and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me" (John 14:21 -24).
Back
