Chapter Eight: Some Basic Leadership Principles from Acts 15 and 16

By Dr. Steve Davis

What you will get from this chapter: 

1) A glimpse into the cooperative decision making process used in the New Testament Church

2) That the decisions shaping the early church were not made by the congregation.

3)  Part of the Pastor’s job is to ensure that Biblical decrees are kept among God’s people

Acts 15 gives several glimpses of Biblical leadership in action.  It will be discussed in closer detail later.  For the purpose of this discussion, only the cooperative decision making process will be examined.  The Apostles and Elders had met together to seek the mind of the Lord concerning several issues, in Acts 15:6, "...The Apostles and Elders came together for to consider this matter."  After much discussion (verse 7) Peter stood and reminded the other Apostles and Elders that God had chosen each of them for a specific office with its specific responsibilities. 

Peter then gave accounts from his ministry how God had enforced his calling with results in the lives of the Gentiles (v.8‑11).  Next, Paul and Barnabbas spoke about events in their ministry and how God was using them.

Finally, the Elder who was the host at that meeting, James, summarized the meeting, gave scriptural principles, and made a judgment based on their experiences in God, the principles from scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit (v 13‑21, 28). These Elders then put into writing what they had received and selected other elders to relay these messages. 

The decisions weren’t made by popular vote. The people were allowed to witness and hear the discussion, but the discussion wasn’t held by the people. It was the Elders who held the discussion and brought forth Scriptural principles in deciding what had to be done. It is very clear that the discussion and the decision making wasn't done by the congregations or the richest or the most vocal members of any of the congregations.  It was done by the Apostles and Elders.

Then, the decisions that were made by the Elders were put into writing and made available to all the people. The people chosen to deliver the messages were also important. The Elders didn’t allow the people to pick a disgruntled congregation member to hand out the written down decision. So, who chose the ones to deliver the messages?  The Apostles and Elders.  Paul and Barnabas were chosen to bring the written report (v 25), Judas and Silas were chosen to present spoken reports of the meeting. (v. 27). 

When the four men reached Antioch, Paul and Barnabas read the epistle (v. 30).  Then, "Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words and confirmed them" (v. 32).  Apparently, Paul was more gifted as a writer than a speaker (1 Corinthians 2:1), so he was used for the area of the written word. When Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement, he paired up with Silas, the Elder who was also a Prophet, and with the blessing of the brethren they ministered as an Apostolic team.  On this same trip, they picked up Timothy, a disciple who was called to be an Elder (Acts 16:1). 

Acts 16:4‑5, "And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees (spiritual laws that were passed down in the power of the Holy Ghost) for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem and so the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily."   An Elder is commissioned to keep these decrees which have been passed down through the Word of God. As the churches obeyed the word of God, their faith was established and they grew and increased. When churches are declining and losing faith, it is a clear indicator that God’s decrees are not fully expounded and/or kept by His people.

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