At the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15, the apostles and elders of the early church convened in Jerusalem to make a crucial decision regarding Gentile inclusion in the church. They affirmed that Gentiles (that is, non-Jewish people) did not need to be circumcised and observe the Old Covenant Law of Moses, in order to be saved. Indeed, we are saved by faith alone. In reporting this decision, their letter states in verse 28 that “it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden…” That’s a fascinating affirmation. They believed they know the Spirit’s mind and will – what seemed good to Him. How did they know what the Holy Spirit deemed to be good? It seems to me that they followed several lines of evidence. First, Peter recounted God’s work in the past among Gentiles. Specifically, Peter saw how the Holy Spirit saved Cornelius and other gentiles and gave them the Spirit, without their being circumcised. It was an argument from experience of God’s actions. Second, Peter argued from theological truth. They had never been able to keep the law of God. This fact underscored the theological reality that the Jewish people are saved by faith, just as all were. Lastly, James argued from Scripture, showing that the prophets told that the Gentiles would be included in the rebuilt people of God. Three lines of argument were used – experiential, theological, and lastly biblical. Knowing what God had done, how God works, and most importantly what God said, the early Christians were confident of the Holy Spirit’s will. It seemed good to the Spirit, and thus the church, that Gentiles be fully included in the people of God—saved by faith, and not under the burden of the Law of Moses.