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ORGANIZATION

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 26, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 9.

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ORGANIZATION

By Ernest A. Raymond

The Early Church

ERNEST A. RAYMOND
WHAT is known as the first general conference of the Christian Church was held at Jerusalem. The church had arrived at a crisis in its history. “Certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren” that except they were circumcised, they could not be saved. It was the vital question of righteousness by faith, of the organization of the body of Christ, of regeneration, the perfect outworking of the indwelling life.
“When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they [the brethren] determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. . . . And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.” Acts 15:2–4.
The special matter concerning which there had been controversy was now brought forward, and “the apostles and elders,” also “the multitude,” the “whole church” (see verses 12 and 22, also 23 and 25. Comparing passages, it will be seen that the whole company is designated by its more prominent individuals), “came together for to consider this matter.”
“And when there had been much disputing [evidently a general discussion; see verse 12], Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
“Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.” Paul had come to Jerusalem for this very purpose, “with a view to revelation”—an allowable reading from the original of Gal. 2:2, and one harmonizing perfectly with the context and the facts. Having before explained the matter to “them which were of reputation,” he has the co-operation of Peter and James, both “pillars,” men of influence, in obtaining an impartial hearing before the whole church assembled. Without this, the conference must have resulted in failure. The Spirit ever works to enlighten the understanding.
“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon hath declared, . . . and to this agree the words of the prophets. . . . Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, . . . but that we write unto them. . . .
“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. . . . And they wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting. . . . Forasmuch as we have heard, . . . it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. . . . For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. . . . So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and . . . delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.”
Such, in brief, is the account of that conference; and from a careful reading, we find that the whole order of proceedings was in harmony with that of the other occasions mentioned in a previous article. Some additional points, however, may well be noted:—
1. Paul and Barnabas and “certain others” were designated by the brethren.
2. The active part taken by the “whole church,” the “multitude,” the “brethren,” from first to last, in this meeting. By them the delegates were received with the utmost cordiality; they took an active part in the discussion of the question; and they are expressly mentioned as rendering their decision conjointly with that of the apostles and elders. From no passage in the record can we regard them as anything other than the most interested and active participants in all that occurred.
3. The one thing necessary was that the facts be “declared,” the truth be made known. God himself had in reality decided the question before, as He has every knotty problem that may possibly arise. Given the facts, the truth, the needs of the work, and each can decide for himself, as led by the Spirit. Indeed, thus only does the Spirit work, and ever in harmony with himself. Paul went up “with a view to revelation.” Can not every delegate in modern times profit by his example?
4. “To this agree the words of the prophets.” The last and final test is by the Scriptures, the “more sure word of prophecy.” By them let us try every thought, every feeling, every fact of life. Perchance we feel “new power coming into our life.” Is it from above, or from beneath? for God has by His Spirit said that there would be power coming into men's lives from beneath. Paul says: “If any man think himself to be . . . spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” The power of the Spirit can be enjoyed only by first receiving the Spirit's organization. “Ye must be born again.”
5. A committee was chosen by the whole church, after a decision had been reached, for the carrying out of that which had been decided upon.
6. “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost.” God by His Spirit had signally blessed in the deliberations, and such a message, from such a source, under such circumstances, could not fail in accomplishing its purpose, and the recipients “rejoiced for the consolation.”