JAMES … PETER … JOHN … PILLARS

The context in which the events of this portion occurred was the meeting of Acts 15. Judaizers, who insisted on circumcision for salvation, had precipitated a crisis, the gravity of which Paul and others realized. In wisdom, and guided by the Lord, they went to the source of the problem in Jerusalem.

As Paul described the conference, he employed three terms: men of repute, v. 2, reputed to be something, v. 6, and reputed pillars, v. 9. None of these were meant in a derogatory manner, but were meant to convey that Paul was neither cowed nor intimidated by men when the truth of God was at stake. The man who could wait fourteen years to go up to Jerusalem, 2. 1, would not give place for even one hour to false teaching which robbed the gospel of its glory and believers of their security, 2. 5.

His term, ‘pillars’, does convey that he recognized them as men of character. They were men of reputation and men of responsibility. The weight of local testimony rested on the shoul­ders of these men. Kohath-like, they shouldered the burden of care for the assembly of God.

Once again we are reminded that leadership does not pro­vide place and power, but imposes burdens and responsibility. The Lord Jesus had taught His disciples that leadership meant serving others, Matt. 20. 26, 27.

While those in leadership bear responsibility for the testi­mony in a unique manner, each believer linked with a local gathering is also accountable to God personally. Am I upholding my role in God’s assembly?

Acts chapter 15 tells us that the meeting ended with a conclusion that ‘seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us’, Acts 15. 28. Those who were ‘pillars’ were able to give the ‘right hand of fellowship’, v. 9, to Paul and Barnabas, and the gospel was preserved in its purity.

How thankful we can be that men who were ‘pillars’ were able to uphold the truth of God and to prevent the diluting effect of legalism from robbing us of the rich heritage we have in Christ and in the truth of the gospel! v. 5.