The earliest Christian churches were made up of Jewish believers. They recognised that Jesus had fulfilled the ceremonial laws, but they retained many of their practices (circumcision, food laws, festival days, etc.) even though it was not really necessary since Jesus had fulfilled these symbolic rituals. At first this wasn’t a problem. It became an issue though when there was an influx of Gentiles into the Christian movement, largely as a result of the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. Imagine Jews and Gentiles sharing the communion meal together (it was an actual meal) and the Gentiles not observing the food laws! It caused significant tension. So, the church leaders had to get together and resolve the issue, which they did at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). The decision that came out of it is filled with wisdom and really grasps what is most important. The most important thing in life is not rules but relationships. The rules are about relationships anyway, so, if we love others, we fulfil the law. The council therefore charges the Gentiles to be sensitive to Jewish scruples about food and it charges the Jews not to push their ceremonial rules onto the Gentiles. It was a meet-in-the-middle solution. Their advice is insightful. Life is full of conflicts and you may be in the midst of one right now. So, understand what is most important. Always put the relationship first, because there is nothing in life more important than relationships. If you gain something at the expense of a relationship, then you lose. If you sacrifice something for the sake of a relationship, then you win.
Reflect and pray about how you need to apply this.
Read Acts 15:1-35
