Saturday 9 May 2026

Psalm 43

Background
There were differences of opinion in the Early Church. Different leaders tended to emphasise the importance of different elements of the faith. Paul, as a former Pharisee, had been obsessed with the law as a young man, and when he started following Jesus in a way he remained obsessed with the law, but now his message was about how Jesus sets people free from the law.

One of the other key leaders in the Early Church was James, the brother of Jesus. This James had not followed Jesus as a disciple, and only became a believer after Jesus’ resurrection. He didn’t have Paul’s great learning as a Pharisee, or Barnabas’ knowledge of the sacrificial system as a Levite. He didn’t have Peter’s familiarity with Jesus’ teaching from three years of first-hand knowledge. But he had known and grown up with Jesus from childhood, and so became looked upon as another great leader in the Church.

These four had differences of opinion on some matters of faith, such as whether Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians could eat together (see Galatians 2:11-14 for this story).

In Acts 15 these four were all present at a Council of Jerusalem, deciding one of the most momentous questions in church history. Did the Gentile Christians also need to get circumcised and follow the full Jewish law given through Moses, or was faith in Jesus enough for them to be saved? After a full debate, during which Peter, Paul and Barnabas all share stories of God pouring out the Holy Spirit on the Gentile Christians, James offered a summing up that was accepted by all present: the Gentile Christians did not need to be circumcised.

This decision has been described as a game-changer in Christian history. It ensured that Christianity would not remain as a sect within Judaism, but would become a global movement in line with Jesus’ commission that the message was to be taken to 'all the nations'. Through listening to one another, through reasoned discussion, and we can presume also through a fair amount of prayer, God guided the first ecumenical council in church history to a momentous decision.

To Ponder:

• What laws from the Old Testament do you believe are still binding on Christians today?
• What are the essential requirements for someone to be saved?
• Where there are differences of opinion on theology and practice, how do you suggest individual churches or groups of church leaders can best discern God’s will?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the freedom we have from the law due to your death and resurrection. Thank you that your grace is sufficient for us, that your Spirit does what the law was powerless to do, enabling us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. Guide me towards your truths in doctrine and practice. And guide us as a Church in how to come together and discern your will on any of the issues that divide us. Amen.

Bible notes author: Mark Williamson
Mark Williamson works for One Rock International, helping Christian leaders to start up and scale up mission projects. Methodist lay leaders are invited to join the next online One Rock Institute course of training and coaching in Christian leadership, starting in September 2026 – see https://onerockinternational.com/institute/.  Mark is also chair of Fresh Expressions UK, a local preacher, and a member of Methodist Central Hall Westminster.