The Growth of the Church

The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 faced a critical decision that would shape Christianity's future. When teachers insisted Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved, the early church had to choose between legalistic requirements and salvation by grace through faith alone. Through this conflict, three principles emerge for church growth: releasing self-interest for God's will, recognizing the Holy Spirit's work among believers, and following leadership that makes Scripture-based decisions. The council's decision to welcome Gentiles without requiring circumcision preserved the Gospel message and allowed Christianity to spread beyond Jewish boundaries. This pivotal moment teaches us that churches grow not by avoiding conflict, but by navigating disagreements with Gospel-centered wisdom and unity.