This is a study of the main ethical points found in the decision of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15:4-29. It proposes that the council members attitudes of mutual trust, honoring God and his Word, and responding with some concession toward the others form important parts of the ethical teaching. The situation of the council is described in terms of the historical background and the flow of the narrative.

What was the nature of the ethnic conflict in early Christianity? Bennema examines how the early church approached one instance of ethnic conflict, that of admitting Gentiles into the people of God—the Antioch crisis (Galatians 2) and the Jerusalem council (Acts 15).

One aspect of hermeneutics which has provided no lack of scholarly discussion is the question of the interpretation and use of the Old Testament scriptures with regard to New Testament doctrine and practice. Discussion of this topic must consider the way in which the New Testament authors understood and applied the Old Testament.