Historically, church-convened councils do not create or expose a new revelation. Revelations come to people, and those people were the founding apostles. The church is built on this revelation, as witnessed by the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation by the names printed there. They are strong rocks and have withstood the test of time. Wise is the man who builds where God has laid his foundations.
Church councils are called to define the revelations and announce those definitions to the church. They do not create anything new, but examine accumulated problems and present what God has already told an apostle. That which cannot be traced back to an apostle must be cast aside in a true council.
Unfortunately, “church” and “council” have been redefined over the years. Undue authority has been given to subsequent councils. Often times, the new ideas became dogmas. Things that could not trace their origin in the apostolic writings rose above the Word. It can happen today. Councils are not always inspired by God, even the most well-intentioned of them.
What about that first council in Jerusalem? It was called because the Judaizers were trying to bring new believers under the Law … even Gentiles!
First, the false brothers presented their case. They didn’t belong there, but they had found a way inside. They confronted Paul openly. But Paul did not flinch. He openly fought these deceivers and skillfully defended himself and the gospel in this open forum (Galatians 2: 5).
He was then backed by the high-ranking apostles Peter and Peter’s assistant in Jerusalem, James, the Lord’s half-brother.
But Paul is not impressed with the people of men, not even with his own friends in the Gospel (Galatians 2: 6). He shows no disdain for his fellow apostles, but he also has no respect for them. He is an equal, made by Jesus Christ personally.
Martin Luther says: “I would honor the Pope, I would love his person, if I left my conscience alone and did not force me to sin against God. But the Pope wants to be adored himself, and that cannot be done without offending God.”
Even the favorable conclusions of the Council added nothing to Paul! His truth was not put to a vote, although the vote was decidedly in his favor.
There would be conferences to come in the history of the church or pseudo-church, where the truth would be shattered and twisted by men, but would continue unabated.
As we said, advice is good for confirming the truth already revealed, but never for creating a new truth.