14th Sep 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Church structure and authority
Acts 15 - Series 2/Episode 08 - Tue, 14th Apr 2026 - Church structure and authority - Acts 15:22-35 - THE ANNOUNCEMENT - I Thessalonians 05:12-13
Acts 15:23-24 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. (24) Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"-to whom we gave no such commandment-
As we look at the life of Paul, we see him as a man of an independent and strong spirit. He gives an intense brief of himself to King Agrippa. Acts 26:17-20 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, (18) to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' (19) "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, (20) but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Though Paul was of such an independent spirit, he always saw himself as subject to the leadership of the church elders.
Let us learn from the example of Paul. He saw himself as one sent out by the church. Acts 13:2-3 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (3) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Even this dispute, which we have been studying as the Jerusalem Council, came about because of Paul and Barnabas submitting to the leadership of the church. Acts 15:1-2 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." (2) Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
The church in Antioch decided that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem to receive direction and guidance on this disagreement, to which they submitted. After the Jerusalem Council, they accepted the church's ruling. Acts 15:22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
Though Paul had received phenomenal revelation from God, he submitted to the church leadership to ensure that he had not run in vain. Galatians 2:1-2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
(2) And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
The church leadership, too, recognised that Paul had deep revelations from God but saw him and his teaching as part of the main body of doctrine for the church. Peter refers to Paul as a beloved brother. II Peter 3:15-16 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, (16) as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures._
The church leaders gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, with a specific expectation from them, to which Paul and Barnabas submitted. Galatians 2:9-10 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (10) They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
Paul, in turn, set up church structures in different places for the proper discipline and administration of the church. Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. / Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, *that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city* as I commanded you-
He taught the church to recognise and esteem those who labour among them and over them in the Lord. I Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, (13) and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
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