James and the Gentiles

Acts 15:19-21

“13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, 16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up,17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18 known from long ago.’19 Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. 21 For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”

James, the brother of Jesus, was the leader of the Church in Jerusalem.  He, himself, observed the Jewish law rigorously.  But now he was faced with new information.  God was at work among the Gentiles.  Peter, Paul, and Barnabas had testified to witnessing the Gentiles repenting and receiving the Holy Spirit after hearing the gospel message.

Based on this information and the words of the prophets, James decided to allow the gentiles to become members of the Christian Church without becoming Jews first. But, until this time, Gentiles were considered unclean and no self respecting Jew would ever socialize or be a part of any social organization that included Gentiles. So James struggled with the question of how to take the Gentiles into the Church without alienating the Jewish Christians.

The compromise that James developed centered around sexual purity and diet restrictions.  I am sure Paul and Barnabas thought this was excessive, given the fact that God was already working among the Gentiles without these restrictions.  But, for the sake of unity, these restrictions were accepted.

Paul later wrote,“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved" (1 Corinthians 10:31–33). 

The restrictions were not for the purpose of salvation, but unity; a unity that was derived from a common faith.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)