So the apostles and eldersThe apostles were the original disciples of Jesus, chosen by Him to spread the Gospel. The elders were leaders within the early church, often responsible for teaching and governance. This gathering signifies the importance of collective leadership and decision-making in the early church. The inclusion of both apostles and elders highlights the balance between spiritual authority and practical wisdom. This structure is seen in other parts of the New Testament, such as in
1 Timothy 5:17, where elders are described as worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
met
The act of meeting indicates a formal assembly, suggesting the gravity of the issue at hand. This was not a casual discussion but a deliberate gathering to address a significant theological and practical concern. The early church often met in homes or synagogues, as seen inActs 2:46 andActs 5:42, reflecting the communal and relational nature of early Christian worship and decision-making.
to look into
This phrase implies careful consideration and investigation. The early church leaders were committed to discerning God's will through prayer, discussion, and examination of the Scriptures. This approach is consistent with the Berean attitude inActs 17:11, where the Bereans are commended for examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.
this matter
The matter in question was the issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law, as some Jewish Christians were advocating. This was a pivotal moment in church history, as it addressed the relationship between Jewish traditions and the new covenant in Christ. The resolution of this issue, as seen later inActs 15, affirmed that salvation is through grace and faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by adherence to the law, aligning with Paul's teachings inGalatians 2:16 andEphesians 2:8-9.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
ApostlesThe original disciples of Jesus Christ, chosen to spread His teachings and establish the early Church. They held authority in doctrinal matters.
2.
EldersLeaders within the early Christian community, often responsible for teaching and governance within the church. They worked alongside the apostles in decision-making processes.
3.
JerusalemThe central location for the early Church and the site of the Jerusalem Council, where significant doctrinal issues were addressed.
4.
Jerusalem CouncilA pivotal meeting in the early Church where leaders gathered to discuss and resolve the issue of whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision.
5.
Gentile BelieversNon-Jewish individuals who had come to faith in Jesus Christ. Their inclusion in the Church raised questions about the necessity of adhering to Jewish customs.
Teaching Points
Unity in DiversityThe meeting of apostles and elders demonstrates the importance of unity in the Church, even amidst diverse backgrounds and opinions. Christians today should strive for unity in essential beliefs while allowing for diversity in non-essentials.
Authority and LeadershipThe involvement of apostles and elders underscores the need for godly leadership and authority in resolving doctrinal issues. Believers should respect and seek guidance from their church leaders.
Seeking God's WisdomThe early Church leaders sought divine guidance in their decision-making. Christians should prioritize prayer and Scripture when faced with challenging decisions.
Inclusivity of the GospelThe Jerusalem Council's decision affirmed that salvation is through faith in Christ alone, not adherence to the law. This teaches that the Gospel is inclusive and available to all, regardless of background.
Resolving ConflictThe process of meeting and discussing differences provides a model for resolving conflicts within the Church. Open dialogue and a focus on Scripture can lead to peaceful resolutions.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 15:6?
2.How does Acts 15:6 guide church leaders in resolving doctrinal disputes today?
3.What role does prayer play in decision-making, as seen in Acts 15:6?
4.How does Acts 15:6 connect to Matthew 18:20 about gathering in Jesus' name?
5.Why is unity important when church leaders meet, according to Acts 15:6?
6.How can we apply the apostles' example in Acts 15:6 to modern church issues?
7.Why did the apostles and elders convene to discuss the Gentile believers in Acts 15:6?
8.How does Acts 15:6 address the issue of Jewish law for Gentile converts?
9.What significance does the council in Acts 15:6 hold for church authority?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 15?
11.What defines the Old Catholic Church?
12.How are Church Business Meetings conducted effectively?
13.Who were the Judaizers in early Christianity?
14.How are Church Business Meetings conducted effectively?What Does Acts 15:6 Mean
SoActs 15:6 begins, “So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.” That little word “So” ties everything back to the events that immediately precede the verse:
•Acts 15:1-5 describes men from Judea insisting that Gentile believers be circumcised to be saved.
• Paul and Barnabas dispute the claim, and the church at Antioch sends them to Jerusalem for clarity.
• The transition word marks a deliberate response of the church’s leadership to a brewing doctrinal crisis, much like earlier turning points (seeActs 6:2 “So the Twelve summoned the whole group” andActs 14:27 “So they reported all that God had done”).
It reminds us that God’s people never act in a vacuum; decisions rise from real situations where truth must be upheld and confusion dispelled.
the apostles and eldersTwo groups stand side by side:
• Apostles—eyewitnesses commissioned directly by Christ (Acts 1:2;1 John 1:1-3).
• Elders—local shepherd-leaders responsible for teaching and oversight (Acts 14:23;1 Peter 5:1-3).
The verse shows:
– Plural leadership, avoiding autocratic rule.
– Harmony between foundational witnesses (apostles) and ongoing pastors (elders).
– A model for cooperative oversight in the church (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Their joint presence signals that doctrine and pastoral care are inseparable.
met“They met” highlights intentional gathering:
• It was a face-to-face council, not a hasty exchange of letters.
• Corporate discernment echoesProverbs 15:22 “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
• The church habitually met for prayer and decision-making (Acts 1:14; 4:31; 6:6).
•Hebrews 10:24-25 underscores meeting together for encouragement and accountability.
Unity is fostered when God’s people sit down together under His Word.
to look into this matterThe purpose was investigation, not mere debate:
• “This matter” = whether Gentiles must keep the Mosaic law to be saved (Acts 15:1).
• Verse 7 reports “After much discussion,” showing careful listening, testimonies, and Scripture (Acts 15:7-21).
• They sought truth, not majority opinion—1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
•James 1:5 invites believers to ask God for wisdom; the council models that dependence.
• The result: a clear affirmation of salvation by grace through faith alone (Acts 15:11) and practical guidance for fellowship (Acts 15:28-29).
Their example calls every generation to diligent study and Spirit-led discernment (2 Timothy 2:15).
summaryActs 15:6 shows the church responding to doctrinal confusion with spiritually minded process: prompted by real need, led by recognized shepherds, gathered in person, and committed to thorough examination. The verse invites believers today to uphold biblical authority, pursue unity through humble counsel, and resolve issues by seeking God’s wisdom together.
(6)
And the apostles and elders came together.--The meeting rightly takes its place as the first in the long series of councils, or synods, which mark the course of the Church's history. It bore its witness that the government of the Christian society was not to rest in the autocracy of a single will, but in the deliberative decision of those who, directly or indirectly, having been appointed by the choice, or with the approval, of the people, represented the whole community. Presbyters had an equal voice with the Apostles, whose position was analogous to that of the later bishops. Those whom we should call the laity were present at the deliberations, and, though we have no absolute proof that they took part in them, gave their vote. (Comp. Note on
Acts 15:23.) Strictly speaking, it was, in the later ecclesiastical language, a provincial and not an ?cumenical synod, called to decide what seemed a question of discipline rather than of doctrine; but the ground on which the question had been argued made it one of world-wide dogmatic importance. If circumcision was necessary, then faith in Christ was insufficient. St. Paul saw and felt this in all its fulness, and therefore would not "give way by subjection, no, not for an hour" (
Galatians 2:5). We have no
data for estimating the number of the presbyters who were present. Probably they included those of the neighbouring towns and villages of Judaea as well as of Jerusalem, and if so, we may fairly think of some number between fifty and a hundred.
Verse 6.- The elders for
elders, A.V.;
were gathered for came, A.V.; to for
for to, A.V. The question was too important, and, perhaps, the persons who advanced the objections too considerable, to allow of a decision to be taken on the spot. A special meeting of the Church was called to consider the matter.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[So]τε(te)Conjunction
Strong's 5037:And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.apostlesἀπόστολοι(apostoloi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 652:From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.eldersπρεσβύτεροι(presbyteroi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4245:Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.metΣυνήχθησάν(Synēchthēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4863:From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.to look intoἰδεῖν(idein)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708:Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.thisτούτου(toutou)Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.matter.λόγου(logou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.
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NT Apostles: Acts 15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered (Acts of the Apostles Ac) 
