The Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem played a pivotal role in the early Christian Church, serving as leaders and decision-makers during a formative period for the nascent Christian community. Their influence is most notably recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of the New Testament.

Apostles

The term "apostle" comes from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." The apostles were chosen by Jesus Christ to be His primary messengers and witnesses to His resurrection. The original twelve apostles included Peter, James, John, and others who were directly called by Jesus during His earthly ministry (Matthew 10:2-4). After Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death, Matthias was chosen to replace him, maintaining the number at twelve (Acts 1:26).

The apostles were foundational to the Church, as described in Ephesians 2:20 : "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." They were entrusted with the teachings of Jesus and the establishment of doctrine, as well as the spread of the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. The apostle Paul, although not one of the original twelve, was later recognized as an apostle due to his encounter with the risen Christ and his significant contributions to the Church's mission (Galatians 1:1).

Elders

Elders, or "presbyteroi" in Greek, were leaders within the early Christian communities. Their role was to provide spiritual oversight, guidance, and governance. The appointment of elders is seen in various New Testament passages, such as Acts 14:23 : "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."

The elders in Jerusalem held a significant position, often working alongside the apostles. They were involved in key decisions, such as the Jerusalem Council, which addressed the issue of Gentile converts and the requirements of the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:2). This council, comprising apostles and elders, concluded that Gentile believers were not obligated to follow the entirety of the Jewish law, a decision that was communicated to the churches through a letter (Acts 15:23-29).

The Jerusalem Council

The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, was a defining moment for the early Church. It was convened to resolve the controversy over whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law. The council included prominent figures such as Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James, the brother of Jesus, who was a leading elder in the Jerusalem church.

Peter addressed the council, emphasizing that God had already accepted the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He had done for the Jewish believers (Acts 15:8-9). James, after listening to the testimonies, proposed a solution that was accepted by the council: Gentile converts should abstain from certain practices but were not required to be circumcised (Acts 15:19-20).

Significance

The collaboration between apostles and elders in Jerusalem set a precedent for church governance and decision-making. Their ability to address doctrinal and practical issues through prayerful deliberation and reliance on the Holy Spirit provided a model for resolving conflicts within the Church. The decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem were instrumental in shaping the identity and mission of the early Christian community, ensuring the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers under the lordship of Jesus Christ.