---
title: Acts 15:6
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/acts-15-6/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/acts-15-6.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Acts 15:6
testament: NT
section: Acts
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Acts 15:6

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.

## JW Usage

JWs cite "the apostles and the older men" as the first-century governing body in session, and argue that the modern Governing Body continues this pattern — a small group of men at Jerusalem (or Warwick) deliberating on behalf of the worldwide brotherhood and issuing binding direction.

## Protestant Usage

Read the composition carefully — "the apostles and the older men." The apostles are men personally commissioned by the risen Christ (Galatians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 1:21-22), and the older men are the local Jerusalem elders. This is not a permanent committee of eight men in a fixed office. It is the Jerusalem leadership plus whichever apostles were present. When the apostles died, that specific charism died with them. The modern Governing Body claims no apostolic commission — they have not seen the risen Christ, they work no signs to authenticate their office, and they explicitly disclaim inspiration. They cannot inherit an office the text never says transfers.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Acts 15 — A One-Time Council, Not a Standing Body](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/acts15-one-time-not-template.md) — The Jerusalem meeting never reconvened, never legislated again, never appointed successors [Authority]