Acts 15

It seems the ancient Church in the meridian of time had much of a the same problems as the modern Church as it began to grow. One of those was new members steeped in religious tradition or practices. It seemed to be a sensitive matter.

Many of the Christian Jews had been raised with Mosiac law and practices. Whole the gentile converts struggled with their own pagan rituals and traditions. There is no question that the Mosaic law was fulfilled with the atonement of the Savior. But many of those traditions were not necessarily wrong or unimportant. While Paul and Barnabus preached in Antioch -

"...certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." (New Testament | Acts 15:1)

This led to no small disputation. So Paul and Barnabus went to Jerusalem to receive instruction from their priesthood leaders. This same idea continued as, even in Jerusalem -

"...there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." (New Testament | Acts 15:5)

But what is important is not the opinion of the members of the Church, for -

"...the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter." (New Testament | Acts 15:6)

It was these brethren that held priesthood keys with authority to receive revelation for the Church. We see the working of these keys as the presiding authority -

:...Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." (New Testament | Acts 15:7 - 9)

And then by revelation, Peter declared -

"Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (New Testament | Acts 15:10 - 11)

It all came down to what was saving ordinances and what wasn't. What was essential commandments for salvation and what was only traditional. So, as if in an "Official Declaration" -

"... they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment..." (New Testament | Acts 15:23 - 24)

I noticed that they were very senstitive in that they did not attempt to denounce Jewish tradition but only to stress that doctrine which was essentials.

No question that we can liken the scriptures unto ourselves.