Council of Jerusalem
The apostles and elders discern the reception of Gentile believers without imposing the full Mosaic ritual law.
Reception
The apostolic assembly narrated in Acts 15 is a shared scriptural precedent. It precedes the later numbered ecumenical councils; post-apostolic fallibility rules should not be substituted for its scriptural status.
Perspective note
Comparative historical/source study. The original author's or church's reception is retained; inclusion does not make every claim Oriental Orthodox teaching. Historical documents retain their original claims. The reception label follows the selected church perspective; library access does not imply assent.
People
- James
- Peter
- Paul
- Barnabas
Scripture
- Acts 15 — Acts presents debate over Gentile believers and the Jerusalem assembly's letter to them.
- Galatians 2 — Paul recalls a Jerusalem meeting over his Gentile mission; its precise relation to Acts 15 is debated.
Sources and further reading
- OCA: The first-century Church and Jerusalem council
- Reception: Canonical Scripture · Acts of the Apostles
Paul and Barnabas come to Jerusalem over the question of Gentile circumcision. Acts then narrates debate, testimony, James's judgment, and a letter to the Gentile believers.