¹⁹“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, ²⁰but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. ²¹For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” ²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders . . .

Some have used the example of James to justify a hierarchical approach to local church ministry, assuming James is speaking as the “senior pastor” or final authority. However, this is superficial on several accounts. First, it is inconceivable that a non-apostle like James would have authority over a group that included the twelve apostles, specifically Peter and Paul. Second, the issue involved was so central to the integrity and unity of the gospel, it would be contrary to all sensibility that one man would have the final authority to make such a theological determination. Third, James didn’t say, “It is my ruling” but “It is my judgment.” Everyone had a judgment; James was expressing his. Influential as it was, it was still only his judgment.

Fourth, everywhere in the NT, church leadership is expressed in terms of plurality. There is never any reference to a “senior pastor” who presides over all others in the church. The concept of a bishop presiding over a network of churches came in post-apostolic times. In the Scripture, the terms elder, bishop, and presbyter are used for the same church position or office.

To be sure, James had an impact on the resulting decision, just as Peter and Paul did at times. His gift seems to have been the ability to bring everyone’s thoughts and perspectives into a cohesive, succinct statement. Blessed is the church leadership team to have a voice like that.

So James articulates his synopsis of the prevailing thinking among the gathered leaders, and they essentially respond to him, “That’s it, James. You’ve captured all of our thinking perfectly!” Of course, it is doubtful that those “of the sect of the Pharisees who believed” would accept this lying down, as is evident as the book of Acts goes on. But the council of apostles and elders carried the day, and the issue was settled for the genuine Christian teaching of salvation by grace alone apart from the Jewish law.

There was a caveat, though: it was agreed that the Gentiles should avoid things that are specifically repugnant to Jews, like idol worship, sexual immorality, and a few things like that. Paul also addresses these things in his letters to the churches, but they are not to be seen as requirements for salvation.

Lord, help me to hold firmly to grace, yet avoid unnecessary offenses to others.