Joseph Attoh 
BEHOLD THE CHURCH
From dealing with individuals to nurturing a nation, the Spirit has been on the move among humanity. To reach all people and languages, the Church was born. A quick appraisal of the mission of Jesus Christ on earth reveals that He had a group of people in mind—those who would be called from all corners of the earth to become His ambassadors.
Notwithstanding His response to the Canaanite woman that He was “sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24), the reconciliation of all humanity to God remained at the heart of His mission. This response highlights Jesus as the Messiah spoken of by the prophets of old—the One who would bring restoration to Israel (Ezekiel 34:23–24).
Meanwhile, as the Messiah, His work among humanity is far-reaching; indeed, it is cosmic. The universal relevance of His messianic ministry is seen clearly in Matthew’s account, where He commissions the early disciples to “go into the world and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This is further affirmed in Acts 1:8. From His utterances, it is evident that He was raising a people who would carry on the mission of God.
He expected them to be a group bonded in love as a witness to the world that they are His disciples (John 13:34–35). This is further expressed in the “high priestly prayer” in John 17, where future believers were also included. Jesus endeavoured to call out a people from the world—regardless of their ethnocultural backgrounds—who would be recognised as His people, carrying His message.
The phenomenal event that occurred on the Day of Pentecost empowered this group, and they began a movement that has shaped the world to this day. This became the Church, operating in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through its councils, the Church has advanced the agenda of Christ across generations. These gatherings have contributed to building, correcting, restoring, and shaping the life and mission of the Church.
The Council of Jerusalem
In the early years of the Church, we encounter its formative stage in Jerusalem. The Church was largely centred there, and its expressions were predominantly Jewish in orientation, since Jerusalem—the centre of Jewish religious life—served as its base.
As an emerging Church, it faced a number of organisational and doctrinal challenges. With its expansion beyond Jerusalem and the Judean context (Acts 8), in fulfilment of Acts 1:8, new contextual questions began to arise.
One major issue was the insistence by some Judaizing Christians that Gentile converts must adopt Jewish customs. In Acts 15:1, certain Jewish believers—especially those of the Pharisaic group (Acts 15:5)—taught that unless Gentiles were circumcised according to the Mosaic tradition, they could not be saved.
This was the immediate issue that led to the Council of Jerusalem.
At this meeting, the apostles and elders deliberated extensively. A consensus was reached that Gentiles should not be burdened with the requirement of circumcision. In his submission, Peter drew on the move of the Spirit among the Gentiles, arguing that God had already accepted them (Acts 15:7–11). He highlighted a key principle of the Christian faith—salvation by grace—a theme later developed more fully by Paul, particularly in Romans.
Paul and Barnabas also recounted the works God had done among the Gentiles, demonstrating that God was indeed at work among them (Acts 15:12). James, on his part, referred to the prophecy of Amos and explained its missional significance for the Gentiles (Acts 15:13–21).
The Council of Jerusalem proved critical in facilitating the mission of God among non-Jews. It removed a major barrier to the spread of the Gospel. As a result, the Christian message spread widely across the Gentile world, and the Greco-Roman world eventually became a major centre of Christianity. This council has since served as a prototype for later Church councils.
Later Historical Councils
In the subsequent history of the Church, other councils brought about significant developments and helped clarify key doctrines. These councils reveal the ongoing work of the Spirit in guiding the Church.
To begin with, the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) addressed the teachings of Arius, who argued that Jesus Christ was a created being and not co-equal with God the Father. This teaching was declared heretical, and the council affirmed the full divinity of Christ. The Nicene Creed, which emerged from this council, remains foundational to Christian belief. The decisions of this council also contributed to stability within the wider society of the time.
Secondly, the First Council of Constantinople reaffirmed the conclusions of Nicaea and further clarified the nature of the Holy Spirit, affirming His full divinity alongside the Father and the Son. This addressed the teachings of groups who denied the divinity of the Spirit.
Thirdly, the Council of Chalcedon affirmed the doctrine of the two natures of Christ—fully divine and fully human—in one person. This helped resolve ongoing Christological debates and addressed teachings that either separated or diminished these natures.
Other councils, including those held at Ephesus, the later councils of Constantinople, the Second Council of Nicaea, and the Council of Trent, also played significant roles in shaping the life and doctrine of the Church. Through these gatherings, the Spirit continued to guide the Church in responding to emerging challenges.
In more recent times, councils such as Vatican I and II of the Roman Catholic Church, the first General Council of the Assemblies of God in 1914, and the General and Extraordinary Council Meetings of The Church of Pentecost demonstrate that God continues to work through such gatherings.
These meetings must therefore be approached with open and expectant hearts.
Conclusion:
The council of Church leaders remains one important avenue through which God works among His people in a corporate sense. Such councils—known by different names across Christian traditions—reflect the principle seen in Numbers 11, where leadership was shared to help guide the people of God.
In that instance, the Spirit rested upon the appointed leaders and manifested powerfully among them. This highlights the importance God places on leadership structures established to oversee His people.
It also affirms that the Spirit continues to work through such leadership bodies when they remain grounded in Christ.
Councils, therefore, call the Church into a posture of readiness—to discern the will of God and move forward together in unity. They signal moments when God may be doing something new among His people, requiring attentiveness and willingness to follow His leading.
By Elder Dr. Stephen Ofotsu Ofoe
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