The issue that the Church had to deal with at the Jerusalem Council was whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to follow Jewish laws and customs, such as circumcision, to be considered true believers. This was a significant point of contention, as some Jewish Christians believed that Gentiles needed to adhere to Jewish practices to be entirely accepted into the Christian community. The Council ultimately resolved the issue by deciding Gentile believers did not need to follow Jewish customs to be saved. They reached this decision after hearing testimonies from Peter, Paul, and Barnabas about the work of the Holy Spirit among Gentiles without the requirement of circumcision. The resolution was binding for all Christians at the time, and a letter was sent out from the Council to various churches affirming the decision and ensuring that Gentile believers would not be burdened with unnecessary requirements.
The Jerusalem Council came to a resolution that Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised or follow Jewish customs to be saved. They concluded that salvation was by faith alone, not by works of the law. This decision was binding for all Christians at the time because the apostles and elders present at the council were seen as having authority from God to make such decisions on behalf of the church. The decision was also supported by the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by the fact that the Spirit was present and guiding the discussion at the council. This decision set a precedent for including Gentile believers in the early Christian community and established a sense of unity and acceptance among all believers, regardless of their background.
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