Podcasts about Jerusalem Council

Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee discusses the significant, yet overlooked place of Acts 15:15 in the deliberations of the Jerusalem Council. Many think that Acts 15:21 is the most important verse of this record, when it is not. This is then followed by a review of important stories and issues from the past day or so, largely witnessed on social media.

Church shouldn't be boring. And, the book of the Acts is proof of that. In every generation of the church, people have rediscovered the story of the early church as it's told in the book of Acts—and it has set the church on fire. In a cultural moment where the church is in decline, we want to read the book of Acts page by page and highlight moments that have the potential to renew the church in our time. We don't just want to read stories from Acts, we want to live them. If that's what you want and you're just curious about faith, join us for Season 3 of Highlights from Acts.

Pastor Mike Nafziger  Sermon: The Jerusalem Council Part 2  Passage: Acts 15.19-21  Series: Acts - To the Ends of the Earth  October 5, 2025 

Acts 15:1-35 The question of Salvation by faith alone is brought up to the new church. The teachings of works-based salvation are infiltrating the church, and these teachings continue today. It is simple and difficult to understand that grace is a free gift.

Support us: Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingThe early church faced challenges that feel strikingly familiar to us today. From opposition to the deity of Christ, to the rise of proto-Gnosticism, to the pluralism of pagan culture, and even internal conflicts like the Jerusalem Council—Christians in the first century wrestled with many of the same issues we see in our modern “pre-Christian” world.In this lecture, Christian Barrett explores:- Why the Jewish leaders opposed Jesus and the early Christians- How "Proto-Gnostic" ideas threatened the church's doctrine- Paul's bold response to paganism in Athens (Acts 17)- The Jerusalem Council's decision and its impact on salvation by grace- How these early challenges equip us to face today's cultural and spiritual questionsWhether you're a student, pastor, or just curious about church history, this teaching will help you see that “there is nothing new under the sun”—and that the gospel is still the power of God for every generation.00:15- How studying history can help us face our challenges today07:31- The First Challenge: Judaism8:50- Why did the Jews kill Jesus?19:54- The Second Challenge: Proto-Gnosticism28:39- The Third Challenge: Paganism34:13- The Fourth Challenge: LegalismDiscussion Questions:1. What are some problems or challenges you see in Christianity today that you think the early church also faced?2. Why do you think acknowledging Jesus as God was so controversial then? Why is it still controversial today? A. How can we defend Christ's deity?3. Where do we see similar “spiritual elitism” or denial of physical reality in our world today?4. Why is it hard for people today to accept that Jesus is the only way?5. What are ways people today still try to add requirements to salvation, instead of trusting Christ alone?6. Which of these early challenges (hostility, false teaching, pluralism, legalism) feels most pressing to your faith right now? Why?Recommended Resources: Nick Needham, 2000 Years of Christ Power, Vol 1: https://www.amazon.com/000-Years-Christs-Power-Vol/dp/1781917787Justo Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, Vol 1: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Christianity-Vol-Church-Reformation/dp/006185588XThe Shepherd of Hermas: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0201.htmThe Apostles' Creed: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/apostles-creedThe Didache: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm#ChurchHistory #EarlyChurch #ChristianFaith #CollegeMinistry #Apologetics

When we read the Old Testament, we are going to have to ask the question: Does God want me to obey all of this too? Today, we'll look at that question as we study Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council. Join us!

Send us a textThere are just some common, persistent Hebrew Roots claims—I would even call them “biblical myths,” because they're so clearly untrue, yet they're continually repeated and still believed. In this video, we explore and debunk four such claims made by Hebrew Roots (Torah-observant) teachers—claims that often lead believers into confusion and division. In fact, we will interact with actual clips from a Hebrew roots teacher named Melissa Smith (aka God's Little Hummingbird).Using Scripture as our authority, we test each claim for its theological soundness and practical implications:How do we define sin? How can Gentiles be freed from the law if they were never under it?Did the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 give Gentile believers a "starter pack" of laws?Did Paul really keep the law in Acts 21?This video challenges the assumptions behind modern Torahism and aims to build up the body of Christ with clarity and truth. This discussion is a deep dive into biblical theology—more than just soundbites—and whether you're new to this conversation or deeply invested in it, you'll walk away with a clearer understanding of how the gospel of Jesus Christ stands in contrast to Torah-keeping legalism.The Biblical Roots MinistriesOur websiteOur YouTube ChannelProf. Solberg's BlogSupport our Ministry (Thank you!)

Pastor Mike Nafziger  Sermon: The Jerusalem Council Part 1  Passage: Acts 15.1-21  Series: Acts - To the Ends of the Earth  September 28, 2025 

Dive into this uplifting Double Edged Sword Podcast episode exploring Acts 15, where the Jerusalem Council, guided by the Holy Spirit, ruled against requiring circumcision for Gentile believers, fulfilling rather than abolishing the Old Covenant. Led by Peter, James, and Paul, their decision reflects a unified church, contrasting today's 45,000 denominations split by personal views and deception. Highlighting uniform liturgy, baptism's salvific role, and the Spirit's guidance over mere Scripture (1 Corinthians 1:10, 14:40), this episode urges unity in apostolic truth. Prophets Judas and Silas strengthened faith, not false predictions, as Antioch rejoiced in love and truth (1 Corinthians 13). Embrace Christ's unchanging Word (Hebrews 4:12) for a harmonious faith. Glory to His name!

In Part 2 from Acts 15:1–35, we see the early church wrestle with the question: must Gentile believers keep the law of Moses? The Jerusalem Council declares that salvation is through Christ alone—and calls the church to walk together in unity under His Word.

The Jerusalem Council is finished and the with the final decisions and letter written, Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch to give them the results. Preparations are then made to go on another evangelistic journey but this time with a new companion for Paul. And in all of this we see how God continues to press forward with His purposes even when we don't understand all of the reasons why.

The Jerusalem Council is finished and the with the final decisions and letter written, Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch to give them the results. Preparations are then made to go on another evangelistic journey but this time with a new companion for Paul. And in all of this we see how God continues to press forward with His purposes even when we don't understand all of the reasons why.

Galatians Summary Thanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcast You're the reason we can all do this together! Discuss the episode here Music by Jeff Foote

Galatians Summary Thanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcast You're the reason we can all do this together! Discuss the episode here Music by Jeff Foote

Main idea:  The gospel is not Jesus plus something—it is grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone. The Danger of a Distorted Gospel—v.1-5 The Encouragement of a Clear Gospel—v.6-11 The Grace of a Shared Gospel—v.12-21 Discussion Questions: 1. How can you tell the difference between faithful obedience to Christ and slipping into legalism? 2. If grace saves us, what role does the law play in the Christian life today? 3. Where are you tempted to add to the gospel in your own life—whether through spiritual performance, cultural expectations, or personal convictions? 4. How might our church better display the humility, love, and unity that flow from the shared gospel of grace?

What did Luke reveal about the Sabbath in the lives of Yeshua and the apostles? This teaching explores every Sabbath reference in Luke-Acts and shows how early Christians—including Gentile converts—continued to keep the Sabbath holy. Show Notes:This teaching walks through Luke and Acts to demonstrate consistent Sabbath observance by Yeshua, Paul, and other believers. From synagogue customs to Gentile inclusion and the Jerusalem Council, the Scriptures reveal that Sabbath never stopped being part of faithful obedience. Even Acts 20:7 fails to show any transition to Sunday worship. Learn why Luke emphasized the Sabbath and how it applies to followers of Messiah today. Spiritual Takeaway:If the earliest followers of Yeshua honored the Sabbath, shouldn't we?

In this episode, we explore Acts 15:21 and its often-overlooked role in defining the apostles' expectations for Gentile believers. Far from replacing Torah observance, the Jerusalem Council outlined a process by which Gentiles would begin their discipleship in the synagogue—learning Moses week by week.Show Notes: How were Gentile believers expected to grow in their faith after being welcomed into the community without circumcision? Acts 15:21 provides the key. James assumed regular synagogue attendance, where Moses was read every Sabbath. This teaching challenges the idea that the four rules in Acts 15:20 are the totality of Gentile responsibility. Instead, it shows how Torah learning was foundational to early discipleship. Scripture, scholarship, and first-century practice come together in this powerful teaching.Takeaway: Torah observance for Gentiles was never off the table—it was always on the calendar: every Sabbath.

Inland Empire Church of Christ

In today's message, Pastor Ray unpacked how the church in Acts 15 overcame conflict on the path to unity at the Jerusalem Council. First, we explore the cultural and historical context that led to the dispute before moving to the defense of Peter, Paul, and James for what God was doing among the Gentiles. We then unpacked James' Holy Spirit-directed decision that would promote unity between Jews and Gentiles. The legalists should lighten up and not lay too heavy a yoke on the Gentiles and the converts should be sensitive concerning their habits. Finally, we consider the direction-- what Holy Spirit might want us to focus today with "these three things:" Seek unity, Avoid offense, and Maintain a holy lifestyle. -Featuring Ray Grubbs

Is the Torah (Law of Moses) relevant to Gentile followers of the Messiah? Many say no, citing the Jerusalem Council event in Acts 15 as proof. In this message, David Wilber challenges that common interpretation through a careful reading of this passage within its historical and theological context. Far from rejecting the Torah, we'll see how the apostles wisely and faithfully applied the Torah to Gentile believers joining the Messianic Jewish community.https://davidwilber.com/

Acts 15 records one of the most important moments in church history—the Jerusalem Council. Faced with a serious debate over salvation, the apostles and elders had to answer a crucial question: Is faith in Jesus enough, or must believers follow the Law of Moses?Main scripture: Acts 15:1–41; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 1:6-9

In this enriching episode of the Double Edged Sword Podcast, we journey with Father Genard into Acts 15, where faith, obedience, and divine authority converge. Discover how the early Church faced the challenge of Gentile salvation, learning that true faith in Christ transcends the law through love and obedience to His commandments. Drawing from the wisdom of the apostles and the unity of the Jerusalem Council, we're reminded that to know and love our Heavenly Father, we must embrace the Son as the way, and honor the apostles He appointed. As James 2:17 teaches, faith without deeds is lifeless—let us live out our belief, trusting in Christ's authority and the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Tune in and be strengthened in your walk with God!

There's always been confusion about the differences between Jews and Gentiles and the question of how they're saved. Are they saved the same way, or has God established a different means for these two distinct people groups?Your support sends the gospel to every corner of Australia through broadcast, online and print media: https://www.vision.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this sermon, we explore the theme of unity in the Christian faith, drawing from Acts 15 and the early church's struggle with division over doctrinal issues. The sermon highlights the danger of adding requirements to the gospel, emphasizing that salvation comes through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone. Through the story of the Jerusalem Council, we learn the importance of setting aside religious practices that distort the gospel and finding our identity solely in Jesus Christ. The message challenges listeners to examine any "add-ons" they might hold and to embrace the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for salvation. For more information about our church, visit npfcc.org To help support the ongoing work of NPFCC and our mission partners around the globe, you can make a donation at npfcc.org/give

This week we dive into Acts 15 and the powerful moment in Church history when early believers confronted what it really means to belong. As Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and James wrestled with legalism and tradition, the Jerusalem Council boldly declared that salvation comes by grace alone—not by outward signs or cultural conformity. We explore how this turning point redefined the Church as a place of radical inclusion, anchored in the Gospel and led by the Spirit. Through it, we're challenged to tear down modern-day barriers and remember that Christ alone is enough. No matter your background or story, the invitation to the table is wide open—because grace doesn't just welcome you, it unites us all.Support the show

Join Matt Swords and David Burr as they discuss this weekend's message on the call to love and unity within the church, even when we don't agree. It's so easy to let our disagreements divide us, but God calls us to put relational connection above agreement, as evidenced in the book of James and the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Tune in for Matt and David's personal insights and strategies for how we can walk this out in our daily lives.

see link below: https://pastorsteverhodes.com/2025/06/15/the-jerusalem-council-acts-151-35/

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! This sermon is based on Acts 15:1–18, which is the story of the Jerusalem Council and an important conversation in the early Church about inclusion of Gentiles in the community of faith. Hope it will be a meaningful word to you this week.To find out more about our church, you can head on over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.williamsburgbaptist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have a moment, we'd also love for you to click over to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.We are a small but vibrant and growing congregation, and there are lots of ways to connect. Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can help support you in any way! Thanks so much for tuning in!

The church, led by the Holy Spirit, resolved conflict through truth, grace, and unity. Acts 15 explores how the gospel was preserved from legalism, and how today's church can still hold convictions without creating barriers.

This week, Joel (Central Service) explores one of the most crucial moments of the early church at the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). We explored the ‘tidal' nature of faith: diving into God's presence, which then ripples out to others. Through the passage, we see our call as disciples to embrace opportunities to share our faith, and embody a diverse, open, and formative Christian community.

This account shows how God used the Jerusalem Council to elucidate and affirm the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, apart from works, for Jews and Gentiles alike! The post The Jerusalem Council and Salvation by Grace (Acts Sermon 34) appeared first on Two Journeys.

This account shows how God used the Jerusalem Council to elucidate and affirm the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, apart from works, for Jews and Gentiles alike! The post The Jerusalem Council and Salvation by Grace (Acts Sermon 34) appeared first on Two Journeys.

This account shows how God used the Jerusalem Council to elucidate and affirm the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, apart from works, for Jews and Gentiles alike! The post The Jerusalem Council and Salvation by Grace (Acts Sermon 34) appeared first on Two Journeys.

Today, this episode is all about the local church at Antioch in the early days. Do you remember some of the particulars that Dr. Luke and the Apostle Paul documented about that extraordinary church? Well, for two thousand years, Antioch has been an amazing model for local churches desiring high impact for God's mission. Join Kevin as we walk through the nine key lessons for our churches that we can glean from the church at Antioch! // Download this episode's Application & Action questions and PDF transcript at whitestone.org.

As we continue to work our way through the book of Acts, we are not going to spend very much time on the retelling in verses 4-14. But we are not setting this repetition aside as unimportant because Luke obviously intends to emphasize it. He wants us to note it. He tells the story in chapter 10, and then repeats it in detail in chapter 11. Then there is a strong reference to this episode at the Jerusalem Council later (Acts 15:7-11). This incident was a significant event.We can note a few additional details we learn in this recounting. We learn that six Jews accompanied Peter from Joppa (v. 12). We learn that the angel told Cornelius that the message that Peter would bring would be words of salvation (v. 14). And Peter tells us here that the Spirit fell on them near the beginning of his talk (v. 15). So we will begin our exposition at verse 16.

What if Paul's vision of Christ reshaped Christianity in ways Jesus' own brother, James, never intended? In this episode, we explore the intense clash between Paul's Christ movement and the Jesus movement, led by James in Jerusalem, as they battled over the faith's direction. Paul's independent gospel, born from a divine encounter, drove him to spread his message to Gentile cities like Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, outpacing the Jewish-focused Jesus movement. As the Jerusalem community waned after the city's fall in 70 AD, Paul's universal vision took root, defining the Christianity we know today. Join Nate and Shelby as they uncover these pivotal shifts, question Paul's authority, and ask: could the Jesus movement have changed history if it had prevailed? Tune in to rethink the origins of your faith. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email  contact@almostheretical.com Become a member and get: 1. Bonus episodes and aftershows 2. All full-length, ad-free episodes 3. Access to Heretical Together (our private community of 350+ listeners) Become a member: almostheretical.com/premium #apostlepaul #earlychristianity #biblepodcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Christ Movement 03:03 Understanding Paul and His Background 05:31 The Conflict with Jerusalem Leadership 08:35 Paul's Independent Revelation 11:40 The Divergence of Movements 16:28 The Tension of Jewish Customs 19:01 The Jerusalem Council and Gentile Inclusion 22:45 Paul's Distinct Gentile Christianity 25:13 The Expansion of Paul's Movement 35:22 Grassroots Movement and Rituals 40:19 The Decline of the Jesus Movement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by renowned biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan for an exploration of the relationship between Paul and Luke in early Christian texts. Crossan provocatively challenges traditional understandings by arguing that Luke-Acts presents a deliberately modified version of Paul's mission to make Christianity more palatable to Roman authorities. Through detailed textual analysis, Crossan reveals how Luke downplays Paul's apostleship, reimagines his conversion, and strategically portrays Jews as hostile while depicting Romans as receptive. The discussion weaves through complex topics, including the Jerusalem Council, Paul's missionary strategy targeting "God worshipers," and the broader political implications of religious accommodation to the empire. With his characteristic blend of historical insight and contemporary relevance, Crossan ultimately suggests these ancient dynamics remain instructive today, as the merging of religion and politics continues to threaten not just democracy but "our soul." Perfect for listeners interested in biblical criticism, early Christianity, and the intersection of faith and power. To access all 5 of Crossan's lectures, submit questions, and join future live streams, head here to join the class. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, The Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, and The Power of Parable. He lives in Minneola, Florida. Previous Podcast Episodes with Dom & Tripp Paul & Thecla Ask JC Anything Diana Butler Bass & John Dominic Crossan: The Resurrection of Jesus Brian McLaren & John Dominic Crossan: The Message of Jesus & the Judgement of Civilization Brian Zahnd & John Dominic Crossan: God, Violence, Empire, & Salvation Why the Biblical Paul is Awesome Christian Resurrection & Human Evolution The Cross & the Crisis of Civilization The Coming Kingdom & the Risen Christ The Parables of Jesus & the Parable of God How to think about Jesus like a Historian the Last Week of Jesus' Life Jesus, Paul, & Bible Questions Saving the Biblical Christmas Stories the most important discovery for understanding Jesus The Bible, Violence, & Our Future Resurrecting Easter on the First Christmas   From Jesus' Parables to Parables of God  Render Unto Caesar on God & Empire Join Dom Crossan at ...Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025 3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends. A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here. _____________________ Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices