Changes

Throughout its history, the church's leaders have met to settle doctrinal issues. Historians point to seven ecumenical councils in the church's early history, especially the councils of Nicea (A.D. 325) and Chalcedon (A.D. 451). Yet the most important council was the first one—the Jerusalem Council—because it established the answer to the most important vital doctrinal question of all:"What must a person do to be saved?" The apostle and elders defied efforts to impose legalism and ritualism as necessary prerequisites for salvation.