Acts 15:1-35

The Jerusalem council convened for the purpose of dealing with an issue that had to be settled.  As the gospel spread by the believers into Gentile territory and among the Gentiles, there were bound to be questions as to how Jewish one had to become to accept Christ. Three authorities convened and reasoned together: the apostles, the elders, and representatives of the whole church.  Their answer was that it was not necessary to become Jewish, but it would be a good idea to abstain from some things that Jews considered especially defiling if you intended to fellowship with them, or win them to Christ.  This decision was helpful because it clarified the gospel essentials, and it also established a strategy for spreading it in Gentile lands.

LORD, give us the wisdom to reason together, allowing the Holy Spirit to help us make our message clear, and reach as many with that message as possible.