What does Acts 15:6 mean?

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. Acts 15:6

Explanation

Acts 15:6 speaks of a significant moment in the early Christian church. The “apostles and elders” referenced in this verse were leaders of the Christian community, including those who were direct disciples of Jesus and those who were considered elders because of their faith and leadership roles within the church. When they “came together,” it denotes an official gathering or council meant to discuss and deliberate on important matters affecting the church.

This verse is particularly focused on an issue that had arisen regarding the requirements for Gentile converts to Christianity. The question was whether these non-Jewish converts had to follow Jewish customs and the Law of Moses to be part of the Christian community. This gathering is therefore pivotal in the history of Christianity as it addresses the transition from Christianity being seen as a sect within Judaism to becoming a distinct religion with its own identity and practices.

Historical Context

This event occurs in the context of the early Christian church as it was expanding beyond its Jewish roots to include Gentiles (non-Jews). At this time, Christianity was spreading through the Roman Empire, and more Gentiles were coming to believe in Jesus Christ. This posed a challenge because there was a debate over whether these Gentile believers should be required to observe Jewish Law, including practices like circumcision.

Jerusalem, where this council took place, was the center of the early church and held significant authority. The council, known as the Jerusalem Council, thus represented an important moment for establishing how the Christian faith would recognize and assimilate believers of diverse backgrounds.

Theological Insights

This verse highlights a number of key theological insights:

• Unity in the Church: It underscores the importance of unity and collective decision-making within the church’s leadership.

• The Law and Grace: The debate addressed in this council goes to the heart of the relationship between the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses) and the New Covenant (grace through Jesus Christ). It touches on how the two covenants interrelate and the extent to which followers of Christ are bound by Old Testament laws.

• Inclusivity: Through this decision-making process, the early church explored the inclusive nature of the Gospel, opening the door for all people, irrespective of their cultural or religious background, to enter the faith.

Practical Applications

The teaching from this verse can provide several applications for current day living:

• Conflict Resolution: It models a method for addressing disputes within a community through communal discussion and consensus.

• Inclusivity: It encourages the welcoming of all people into faith communities without the need for them to conform to cultural practices not central to the faith itself.

• Authority Within the Church: The verse exemplifies a structured approach to church governance and the importance of leadership in guiding the direction of the church.

Cross-References

• Acts 15:7-11 – Details of the debate at the Jerusalem Council including Peter’s speech about God accepting Gentiles by faith.

• Galatians 2:1-10 – Paul writes about the Jerusalem Council and the agreement reached concerning Gentile Christians.

• Acts 10:44-48 – The account of the Holy Spirit coming upon Gentile believers, showing God’s acceptance of Gentiles without the Jewish Law.

Language Study

• “Apostles” (αποστολος, apostolos): This Greek term refers to one sent forth or a messenger, typically used to refer to the original twelve disciples of Jesus and Paul.

• “Elders” (πρεσβυτερος, presbyteros): This Greek word can mean an older man, a leader in the Christian community, or someone with a role of authority in the church.

• “Came together” (συνερχομαι, sunerchomai): This Greek verb conveys assembling or gathering, indicating a formal meeting or council taking place.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

At that time in history, religious traditions often had councils or gatherings where key leaders would convene to discuss matters of doctrine and practice. In Judaism, the Sanhedrin functioned in a similar capacity as a ruling body. Similarly, other religious and philosophical schools of thought would have their gatherings to debate and interpret teachings.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly relate to scientific perspectives as it deals with church governance and theological issues. However, the process of coming together and discussing various viewpoints as seen in Acts 15:6 may relate to modern scientific methodologies where peer review and consensus are important.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries provide insight into Acts 15:6:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the cooperative nature of the meeting, where elders and apostles came together with mutual respect to seek God’s guidance.

• The MacArthur Study Bible notes that this council marked a critical juncture in the early church as it clarified the relationship between Law and grace.

• The IVP New Testament Commentary Series treats the council as a significant development in the mission of the church, realizing that the Gospel transcends cultural and religious backgrounds, creating a new community based on faith in Christ.