There is a lot that the modern Council could do. Perhaps more importantly they could help undo almost 2000 years of divisions on issues that have split and divided the Body of Messiah to this very day. Many of these issues beg for the Messiah himself to resolve with an iron rod, yet there is a lot of work to be done that can be done by humble leadership to reconcile many of the faith to one another, without compromising the truth.

Certainly leaders on the level of "witness" meeting the qualification of those who were with Yeshua, can not be appointed today, but neither would it be necessary to do so, as scripture does not give that qualification alone as one who may serve as a leader in the Body of Messiah. We don't need witnesses to the Messiah, we need leaders. We can't have witnesses as our leaders today since they are with Messiah now. We have always needed leaders here.

Isaiah 1:26
I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City."

Isaiah looked to a time when leaders needed to be restored like those in "days of old," and even "counselors as at the beginning!" With the exile of secular Jews over with the establishment of the modern State of Israel, and the re-apppointment of the Sanhedrin in 2005, is it time for the restoration of the Jerusalem Council? Messianic Judaism has surged in growth over the last 100 years, especially since the 1960s, and only in the last decade has Torah observant Messianic Judaism begun to flourish for the first time in nearly 2000 years. Sadly, Messianic Judaism is the most fractured group of the global Body of Messiah, as it faces the very same questions that challenged the original Messianic Jews of the 1st Century. It's almost as if time has mirrored itself - as quickly Messianic Judaism ceased to flourish, the Sanhedrin disbanded, and Israel exiled, it now appears that the reverse is taking place: the State of Israel has been founded, the Sanhedrin re-established, and Messianic Judaism is maturing and flourishing.

If this is so, then it is only a matter of time before a global Messianic Beit Din will be needed to address many issues in order to prepare the Bride for the prophesied rise of Anti-Messiah, and the Messiah's return - but this is just our assessment and is by no means the view of others who support this project, but we believe this viewpoint is close to accurately understanding the times that are rapidly approaching.

The same issue in the 1st Century concerning Gentile conversion to HaDerech, and participation in the Covenant is on the forefront, and now, like then, is dragging many into a cloud of confusion. Yet there are newer issues today that divide the body of Messiah unnecessarily that can and should be resolved by a resounding voice of reason and appointed leadership in the global Body of Messiah. We sadly live in a time of liberty-in-excess where many are doing their own thing, which furthers the divisions we have among us, and submission to authority is a foreign concept to the vast majority of those who have left religions, churches, and congregations to pursue what they feel is right and closest to the truth. Solid foundations in apologetics, identity, and our walk with Messiah are desperately needed by a generation wandering into the depths of traditional rabbinic Judaism searching for answers many are unprepared to deal with, with many ultimately forsaking the divinity of the Messiah; or on the opposite end of the spectrum, wind up rejecting the truth of the Torah and going back to the "comfortable" world of whatever religious upbringing they had before.

What can and should be appointed, are leaders from our current generation that meet the following biblical qualifications:

Exodus 18:21-22

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves.

1 Timothy 3:1-13

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Luke 12:57

"Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

1 Corinthians 6:4

Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!

Let us know what you think about these injunctions in scripture to appoint leaders. Granted, the body of Messiah may not be quick to accept leadership (after all, there wouldn't be divisions if people submitted to leadership!) but most likely their rejection is made easier if they do not have a voice in the process. This site aims to eliminate that objection, and provide all believers in Messiah that voice and a central location with which we can all discuss the issues that divide us. Truth knows no favorites, and we at JerusalemCouncil.org believe we all have something worthwhile to add to the discussions - and all because... Messiah Yeshua lives in us all! Perhaps when people realize that, uniting as one body under appointed leadership will be that much easier.

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Yeshua, John 17:20-23