What was the purpose of delivering the decrees at Jerusalem?

• A. To unify Gentiles under one law.
• B. To fund missionary work.
• C. To establish the churches in the faith and increase their numbers.
• D. To settle a doctrinal dispute.

Answer: (C)

The thing being tested is how early church leaders moved to unify new Gentile believers with the existing Christian communities in a way that would help the church grow. Delivering the decrees from Jerusalem gave Gentile believers clear, shared guidelines that kept them from being burdened by the entire Mosaic law while still providing moral boundaries. This creates a stable, inclusive framework across regions, making it easier for churches to be established in the faith and to attract new followers. In short, the decrees served to unite diverse believers under a common practice that supported steady growth and expansion of the church.

This isn’t primarily about funding, nor is it only about resolving a doctrinal dispute in isolation. The practical effect of the decrees was to establish the fledgling churches in a coherent, welcoming structure that could multiply, which aligns with establishing the churches in the faith and increasing their numbers.