Acts 15:28-29 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: to abstain from things that have been sacrificed to idols and blood and things strangled and fornication, from which if you carefully keep yourselves, you will do well. May you be strong.
The Principle of Discussing Matters
in the Elders’ Meeting Being of Great Importance
In the church life the principle of discussing matters in the elders’ meeting is of great importance. According to the record in Acts 14:23, once the church came into being, elders were appointed in the churches locality by locality.
In the Old Testament the administration of God among His people was neither a democracy nor an autocracy but a theocracy; that is, God ruled His people directly. Two categories of people carried out this government: the elders and the priests. The elders carried out God’s administration, and the priests received instructions from God. In the New Testament age elders and priests are the same group of people. On the one hand, they rule the children of God; on the other hand, they seek God’s instructions.
Letting the Holy Spirit Be the Presiding One
The principle of the discussion of church affairs in the elders’ meeting is to let the Holy Spirit be the presiding One. In the elders’ meeting, we should never elect a presiding officer; if we elect one, we annul the authority of the Holy Spirit. We need to believe that every time we meet together, the Lord is in our midst (Matt. 18:20). Today the Lord is the life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45b), that is, the Holy Spirit, who is with us in all the gatherings of the church. The elders’ meeting is no exception, and it surely has the presence of the Holy Spirit. We must bear in mind that to elect someone to preside over the meeting is offensive to the Holy Spirit. In the church the Holy Spirit is the presiding One in all the meetings; thus, we should not have another presiding officer. The unique presiding One is the Holy Spirit.
All Attendants Bringing Up Matters for Decision
By Following the Lord’s Leading
In the elders’ meeting, all the attendants may bring up matters to be decided upon by following the Lord’s leading. There is no need for an agenda in the elders’ meeting. When the elders come together, if someone senses the leading within to mention a certain matter that needs a decision, he may mention it. After this, everyone needs to seek the Lord’s leading together. Perhaps some may have the same feeling, and some may have a different feeling; all may speak forth their feeling so that everyone may seek the Lord’s leading together.
Learning to Follow the Holy Spirit in Discussing Matters
In the elders’ meeting, we need to learn to follow the Holy Spirit in discussing matters. Hence, the elders should not only be elders but also priests who draw near to God and contact God. It is not sufficient for the elders to merely carry out the administration of the church; they must have direct contact with God and seek God. Their relationship with God must be so intimate that He can tell them His intention at any time. God tells man His intention by two means: the Bible and the Holy Spirit, which is represented by the breastplate of judgment in the Old Testament.
Neither Democracy nor Autocracy but Theocracy
When the elders follow the Holy Spirit in discussing matters, there is neither a democracy nor an autocracy but a theocracy, that is, the rule of God. Although the elders take care of the church administration, they need to fully submit to God’s leading. Today God’s rule is based on the Bible outside of us and on the Holy Spirit within us. Therefore, the elders must understand the Bible; if they do not understand the Bible, they will not be able to properly discuss and make decisions regarding church matters.
According to the Type of the Urim and the Thummim in the Old Testament
How does God lead the elders? First, He speaks through the Bible; second, through the Holy Spirit; and third, through the saints as an alphabet. When the elders come before God, they must bear the brothers and sisters on their shoulders and hold them in their bosom. As they bear the saints in God’s presence, God enlightens and enables them to read the condition of the saints. The longer the elders stay before God, the more they will understand God’s intention. In this way the elders will know what God wants them to do and what God’s present will is in the church life.
Using Facts and Experiences as References
Apart from the above points, we also need to use facts and experiences as references. Acts 15 shows that the brothers had a discussion (v. 7); this means that all the attendants had an equal right to speak. However, this kind of speaking should not be the same as in the worldly conferences in which quarrels and fights occur. We need to understand that even in our discussion, we need to follow the Spirit. When we follow the Spirit, our spirit will not desire to fight but will require us to be calm. There are no chairmen in our meetings; no one pounds a gavel and holds a sign to ask people to be quiet; rather, the Holy Spirit within us always pounds a small gavel and reminds us inwardly.
Making Decisions according to the Truth in God’s Word
After the brothers finished their testimonies, James decided the matter by offering his views based upon the truth in God’s word. We can see that James spoke very well. His speaking was fully in tune with the testimony of Peter and also with that of Barnabas and Paul. He was fully in coordination with the brothers.
The Decision of the Holy Spirit and the Apostles with the Elders
Eventually, a resolution was formed in Acts 15, which was the decision of the Holy Spirit and the apostles with the elders; this is beautiful (vv. 22, 28-29). The apostles and elders had the revelation of the Bible and the instant revelation of the Holy Spirit according to the condition of the saints at that time. (Crucial Words of Leading in the Lord’s Recovery, Book 2: Leading the Saints to Practice the New Way Ordained by the Lord, msg. 15)
