It is usual that a brief summary of the proceedings of a meeting be issued, and signed by members who attended. What, then, was the content of the minutes of this first Council of the Christian church at Jerusalem?
It mentioned the sending body, which was made up not only of the apostles, but also of elders. They were not the only responsible party, for the whole church, as the body of Christ and an indivisible union, is ultimately responsible. Any decision that was not approved by them all would cause continuous disturbance, trouble, and problems.
It mentioned the addressees of the report, not only church members at the capital city of Antioch, but also members of small churches adjacent to and around Antioch. It included, as well, all the churches of Syria along with the districts of Iskenderun and Adana. The church members at Jerusalem called the children of these churches “brothers”. This title indicates equality in right and communion in the kingdom of their heavenly Father. With this one word the main difference was removed, and the problem alleviated. The believers of Jewish origin considered the believers of the Gentiles to be true brothers.
The essence of the letter centered upon the peace and joy that flows from the salvation of Christ. Three significant thoughts are included in this one Greek word, which the brothers at Jerusalem used to greet their brothers in Christ far off. The subject of our preaching is peace, joy and pleasure, and not law, repentance, and rebuke. We are servants of your joy, bringing to you the fullness of salvation in Christ.
It appeared from the report that the preachers of the law who had gone to the Antioch Church had not been sent from Jerusalem, and had not received an order in this matter. They had gone in their own name to spread their own personal opinions. The church felt sorry for these brothers whom these legalists had caused trouble and division. We do not read of it in the minutes, but Paul, in afterwards writing about them, said they were false brothers (Galatians 2: 4). We only read that they had not been delegated to preach their message by the apostles at Jerusalem, nor did the first Council at Jerusalem agree with or consent to their divisive work.
The wonder of wonders is that the synod did not compose a doctrinal letter or give detailed instructions. Instead, they unanimously agreed on choosing two prudent men to send to explain the advisory opinion. Written words alone were not sufficient, but needed the support of the word of God, embodied in His servants. Thus the synod at Jerusalem sent, along with the new directives, their interpretation. They did not issue lengthy commentaries, but sent brothers who were filled with the Holy Spirit.
The two commissioned prophets of the New Testament did not go alone. They set out with Barnabas and Paul, who had received an honorable report from the Jerusalem church. The report raised them above all blame, describing them as beloved. They were worthy of this title, for the love of God had been poured out in their hearts through the Holy Spirit. Love, pleasure, peace, and salvation constitute the foundation, power and principles for men of God in His churches. From these virtues the notable testimony of the two apostles ripened. They had risked their lives for Christ, for His name, and for His church. Here we read the same word that Christ spoke about himself: “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give My life a ransom for many.” This is the essential fruit of the love of God. It prompts us to sacrifice ourselves for the lost, as Christ gave His life a ransom for criminal sinners. This is the deep, innermost meaning of Christianity.
Then we read a statement sufficient to surpass all imagination. The principle church members at Jerusalem wrote that the Holy Spirit and they themselves had, together, made this decision. The Holy Spirit revealed to them that the Christian Church, which is free from the law, is completely in accordance with the will of God. Church members live in accordance with the pleasure of God in this new development. In the power and guidance of God´s Spirit those who formed the decision considered themselves to have the same degree of responsibility as the Holy Spirit. They willingly bore the responsibility for this decision. A spirit of independence did not rule over them, for they were servants of the Lord and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthian 4: 1).
Following, they wrote to the church members at Antioch to abstain from a mixing of religions, which was practiced when making offerings to idols. They were to keep away from every form of impurity, and also to abstain from eating things strangled and blood. By so doing they would be able to continue in fellowship with Christians of Jewish origin. This command is not related to receiving salvation, but to a continuing in the communion of the saints.