The Early Church

Makestraightpaths.com examines the teachings of the religious group variously known as “the Family,” “The Family International,” the “Children of God,” or the “Family of Love,” and evaluates these teachings from a Christian perspective. This page is one in a series on the 'Law of Love' and the Family's sexual beliefs.

The Early Church

The Family often claims that God intended the book of Acts to be the blueprint for the church. As they also believe that Jesus' law of love is the basis for their sexual practices, a close look at Acts should reveal the early church's attitude to sex. If the Family is correct, then the book of Acts will show a liberal attitude towards extra-marital sex, but if they are wrong then Acts will clearly condemn sexual activity. There is one occasion recorded in Acts, when all the apostles and elders came together to discuss an extremely important controversy, and while doing so touched on the topic of sex. This page examines Acts 15 in light of the Family's sexual beliefs.

Acts 15

It was a very exciting time for the early church. Paul had been preaching the gospel throughout Asia - the regions of modern day Turkey - and was enjoying considerable success, coupled with considerable persecution. After returning to the church's home base in Syrian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas excitedly reported the news that Gentiles were coming to the faith.

Acts 14:27-28 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples. NASU

However, the news that Gentiles were converting to Christianity deeply troubled some of the Jewish believers, who travelled to Antioch to set things right.

Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." NASU

There was uproar! Eventually, Paul and Barnabas and a few other believers were sent to Jerusalem to discuss the issue with the apostles and those who were leading the church.

Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. NASU

The discussion that was held in Jerusalem (now known as the "Jerusalem Council") turned out to be a pivotal moment in church history, for here a new understanding was reached regarding salvation and conformity to the rituals of the Mosaic Law.

Acts 15:3-6
3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.
NASU

There was a long discussion (vs.7), during which Peter testified to the Lord's leading in preaching to the Gentiles and Paul related the wonderful things that God had been doing (vs.7-12). The evidence was overwhelming, and the elders accepted that God was moving among the Gentiles in order to bring them to himself (13-14). Then, James proposed a solution to the disagreement, to which all present agreed. His 'solution' involved two things. First, the Gentiles' salvation was not dependent upon obedience to the Mosaic Law. Second, in recognition of the fact that they had turned to God, the Gentiles were to refrain from certain sinful practices that would cause them to depart from God and would cause offence to the Jewish believers.

Acts 15:19-20
19 "Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.
NASU

Gentile believers were told to "abstain from fornication." The decision of the Jerusalem council was written in a letter and sent to Antioch (vs.23-29). The letter was very well received.

Acts 15:30-31
30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
NASU

Paul had no objections to the contents of the letter while he was at Jerusalem, nor upon his return to Antioch.

Conclusion

The early church were adamant in their opposition to any form of extra-marital sex. There is no justification for the Family's beliefs in the book of Acts, or indeed, anywhere else in the Bible.

See also

The Law of love in the Epistles

Jesus on adultery

The Law of Love in the Gospels

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