By Steve A. Hamilton

A trend has developed over recent years whereby churches are permitting their decisions to be made by the general assembly of saints. The disturbing aspect of this development is the abandonment of the eldership to make decisions and the embracing of a women’s role in decision making.

In an effort to justify this trend, our attention is drawn to Acts, chapter 15. It is here where a general assembly of saints meet to discuss the issue of circumcision and the Old Law (Acts 15:5). There is an assumption that such gatherings permit the church to make decisions authorized by this example. However, the decision regarding the issue of circumcision and the Old Law had already been made before the church gathered in Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas had already defended the truth on this issue while they were in Antioch (Acts 15:1-2). They were disputing a false doctrine brought by wicked brethren who came up from Judea (Gal. 5:1-4). Paul reflects upon this occasion by stating, “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:4-5).

The Lord told Paul to go to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:2). Apparently, the believing Pharisees would not accept what Paul and Barnabas instructed concerning this issue. Since these men were from Judea and likely from Jerusalem (Acts 15:1), they would also be accountable to the Jerusalem church for their actions and statements. They obviously had no respect for Paul and Barnabas. Surely they would listen to men of reputation in Jerusalem.

Paul reveals the fact that he spoke to those of reputation (assumable the elders and apostles) in private before the recorded meeting in Jerusalem took place (Galatians 2:1-2). It seems Paul wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page before they discussed the issue publicly. These inspired men of God already knew the truth before Peter spoke. No decisions were made about the issue of circumcision or about keeping the Old Law because these men already knew the truth! However, the church had to understand the truth concerning this matter. The Apostles took this occasion to teach the truth to the whole church that gathered in Jerusalem.

J. W. McGarvey has a revealing commentary on the circumstances surrounding Acts 15 in his book, Original Commentary On Acts. On page 183, Brother McGarvey writes, “The public discussion was not for the purpose of bringing about an agreement among inspired men, for they really did not differ after the facts were stated by Paul and Barnabas. But it was an effort, on the part of the apostles, to bring the other brethren to the same conclusion in which they themselves had already united.”

We should understand the forum in which this meeting took place. The meeting provided an opportunity for the apostles and elders to give the issue consideration (Acts 15:6). It was a gathering where information was exchanged and disseminated. Both sides of the argument were represented. The whole church was witness to the discussion. The truth was revealed in a manner that convinced the gainsayers (Titus 1:9). Please notice the apostles never took a break to come to a consensus. Rather, they directly addressed the evidences for the already determined decision that was pronounced by James.

This meeting was not an occasion for women to speak their mind. In fact, the audience was silent, which would include the women (Acts 15:12). It would be safe to assume the women knew their place (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Leaping to a conclusion where women were involved in the discussion based upon the presence of the church does not coincide with the role of women found elsewhere in scripture (1 Corinthians 14:34-36). Since the whole church was gathered, the women had to remain silent.

The Lord left the local church to the oversight of the elders. Their responsibilities are to lead and rule while the members are to be submissive (Hebrews 13:17). Church decisions are ultimately the elder’s responsibility “for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” If an eldership can not handle their responsibility by dismissing important decisions to the majority of the church they have denied their role as shepherds. It should be the elders who take the lead in any such discussion while proving to the whole church the reasons for the decisions they have made.

Was Acts 15 a pattern for church decisions? No, it was not. The actual decision was attributed to the apostles and elders (Acts 16:4). The whole church was pleased to send out a letter (Acts 15:22), but no where is there evidence that the church made any decisions. If anything, Acts 15 is a pattern for disseminating information on a topic that needs wide exposure. If a church is caught up in a false doctrine, this would seem a most effective way to establish the truth.