The White Whole Theory

The scripture in Acts 15 is used by both catholics and protestants (which includes Pentecostals) to argue for a hierarchical structure for church government.  Catholics use this scripture to make Peter the first Pope and protestants use this scripture to make James the leader of the early church, but neither position is supported by reading the scripture.  If we examine the context surrounding the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15 and the response of the Apostles and Elders in the council there are some profound ramifications for our current church governmental structure.

The reason for the council was that some men came to antioch teaching that the believers needed to be circumcised as required by the law of Moses to be saved (Acts 15:1).  In reading this scripture there are a couple of things that we need to note:

1. Paul and Barnabus argued with them vehemently about this as they knew this was false teaching.  Some scholars believe that the letter to Galatians was written before Paul went to Jerusalem for the Council and in Galatians Paul was brutal in his dismissal of this teaching.
2. It was the church in Antioch that asked the church in Jerusalem for help with this issue.  An important consideration in why the church in Antioch doing this is that they did not have the New Testament and only Galatians and James where written before the Council.  This means that if the Antioch church was unsure of which was the correct teaching, the Jerusalem Church would have been the logical place to appeal to for help.
3. In Gal 2:11 we find out the Paul confronted Peter because he was not opposing these men who where proclaiming this teaching and started avoiding gentile Christians because of peer pressure.  It is possible and probably likely that this happened while Paul and Barnabus where in Antioch and would understandably have confused the Christians in Antioch if Peter seemed to support them by association even if he didn't actively support their teaching.

When the Council in Jerusalem is held it starts with a lot of discussion then Peter addresses the council reminding them that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by Grace.  This allows Paul and Barnabus to tell the council about there missionary Journey and all the wonderful things that God has done among the Gentiles.  After this James speaks to the council giving them his opinion, which the apostles and elders agree with in their letter.   

In examining the response of the apostles and elders we need to note the following:

1. The authority in the letter rests on the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, not the authority of either Peter or James.
2. Neither Peter or James are given any special position in this council other than that they had oppinions that where worthy of noting in scripture.  Any special positon to either of these men is given by us in our interpretation of scripture, based on our experience that church has a hierarchical structure.
3. The question the church in Antioch asked was do we need to be circumcised, yet the response from the Jerusalem Council and ultimately the Holy Spirit is a general one about the Jewish law mentioning only 4 things from the whole of the old testament law.  An important note here is that they didn't mention tithing even though this is in the law and it would have fit with the response that the council gave.
4. So as you can see this passage of scripture gives no support to our current hierarchical church structure where a Senior Pastor rules his little kingdom as he sees fit.  In fact it actively opposes it as the ruling was given by a council of apostles and elders with no mention of any single leader.  

Prov 4:23, Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

This was one of the favourite scriptures of one of my previous pastors and it was a common scripture in many of his sermons.  I think I might know one of the reasons that guarding your heart is so important.

I was reading the Gospel of John and thinking about the Pharisees and the Israelites reaction to Jesus.  Everyone knew the Messiah was coming, they even know the town that he was going to be born in and the approximate time that he was to be born, but still they did not recognize him.  They were looking for a king who would rescue them from the Romans and live and rule forever (John 12:34).  There focus was on their natural desires and passions and it was through these desires that they interpreted the scriptures.  So that when the Messiah actually came as the Lamb of God and not the Conquering King they missed entirely the fact that God walked among them.

And we still do the same thing today, I know I do.  That is why it is so important to guard our heart and ensure that every desire is submitted to God, so that it doesn't lead us astray and bring us to an interpretation of scripture that is based on earthly passions and desires.  And it is even more important when you consider that the Israelites desire for an earthly king and deliverance from the Romans was not in and of itself sinful.  But the important thing was that it was not God's desire, His desire was for the Lamb of God to die on a cross to restore and redeem the entire human race, tearing the veil that had separated us from his presence ever since Adam first sinned in the Garden of Eden.