A cultural and theological crisis was brewing in the early church. Some Jewish followers
of the Messiah were insisting that Gentiles must be circumcised in order to receive
salvation. (15.1) Others— like Paul and Barnabas—- believe that Gentile believers are
welcomed into the church as Gentiles. The resulting discussion leads to the Jerusalem
Council where important questions are being raised around salvation, ethnicity, culture,
Torah, and how the church will be faithful on its mission into the Gentile world. In 2022
we may not struggle with the idea of Gentile inclusion, but the question of how the
church can be unified through our differences has not gone away. So… how can we
experience unity in diversity? How can the church make space for a unity that
transcends and includes our differences? How can we make possible the vision of unity
that includes every tribe, tongue, and nation?