Luke’s account of the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), held in 51 AD, reveals how different Paul’s gospel was from the gospel proclaimed by the believing Jews at Jerusalem.
- Due to the conflict between Jerusalem and Paul over the salvation of Gentiles, a council was required to settle the matter.
- Luke provided the human reason for the meeting – the church at Antioch decided Paul should go to Jerusalem to meet with its leaders (Acts 14:25-15:2).
- Paul provided the divine reason for his going to the meeting – he went “by revelation” – the risen Christ ordered him to go:
- Gal 2:1-2 – Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.