Church Organization
317
the side of right and to maintain it with firmness and decision. Thus
they would have a uniting influence upon the entire flock
As an important factor in the spiritual growth of the new converts
the apostles were careful to surround them with the safeguards of
gospel order. Churches were duly organized in all places in Lycaonia
and Pisidia where there were believers. Officers were appointed in
each church, and proper order and system were established for the
conduct of all the affairs pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the
believers.
This was in harmony with the gospel plan of uniting in one body all
believers in Christ, and this plan Paul was careful to follow throughout
his ministry. Those who in any place were by his labor led to accept
Christ as the Saviour were at the proper time organized into a church.
Even when the believers were but few in number, this was done. The
Christians were thus taught to help one another, remembering the
promise, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there
am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
Meeting Dissension in the Church
At Jerusalem the delegates from Antioch met the brethren of the
various churches, who had gathered for a general meeting, and to
them they related the success that had attended their ministry among
the Gentiles. They then gave a clear outline of the confusion that
had resulted because certain converted Pharisees had gone to Antioch
declaring that, in order to be saved, the Gentile converts must be
circumcised and keep the law of Moses. This question was warmly
discussed in the assembly. The Holy Spirit saw good not to impose the
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ceremonial law on the Gentile converts, and the mind of the apostles
regarding this matter was as the mind of the Spirit of God. James
presided at the council, and his final decision was, “Wherefore my
sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles
are turned to God.” This ended the discussion.
In this instance James seems to have been chosen as the one to
announce the decision arrived at by the council. The Gentile converts,
however, were to give up the customs that were inconsistent with the
440
The Acts of the Apostles, 91
441
The Acts of the Apostles, 185, 186