The Council of Jerusalem: Controversy Addressed - Week 3

Acts 14:21-28;15:1-35


Note: The study related to these questions may be found at Catholic Exchange. Please go to their site for the complete material concerning this study. Below are my thoughts on the questions presented for the given study (Please see disclaimer at bottom).

The Problem of Circumcision

Read Acts 14:21-15:5

1. In addition to preaching the good news and encouraging the disciples, what did Paul and Barnabas do in each of the churches they established (vs. 23)?
(a) "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed." (Acts 14:23, RSV). A point of note, the Greek word for "elders" is presbyteros, from which we get the modern word priest.

2. Once it was clear that there was a real problem about circumcising Gentiles, what did the church in Antioch decide to do? What does this indicate about how these Christians understood the role of the apostles? Why couldn't they just pray and get it sorted out themselves?
(a) Once it was determined that this issue was becoming divisive, "Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question". (Acts 15:2b, RSV) (b) This indicates that these Christians understood the Apostles to have the ultimate authority to decide this matter, or any other related to Christianity. This sentiment is echoed throughout the history of the Church and by the grace of God continues today. One of the most famously quoted passages is from St. Augustine, "Roma locuta est, causa finita est" (Rome has Spoken, the Case is Concluded):
It was on Sunday, September 23rd, 417 A.D., that St. Augustine, being at Carthage, preached "at the table of Cyprian" that famous sermon against Pelagianism (from Pelagius and designates a heresy of the fifth century, which denied original sin as well as Christian grace) which concludes with these words:
"My brethren, be of one mind with me. Wheresoever you find such men do not hide them, have no perverse pity. Refute those who contradict, and bring to us those who resist. For already two Councils have been sent to the Apostolic See concerning this matter, and rescripts have come from thence [from Rome]. The case is concluded; would that the error would soon cease also. Causa finita est, utinam aliquando finiatur error.
(c) Because while these early Christians definetly had faith, they lacked the special Charism granted Peter and the Apostles as Shephards of the Church.
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt 16:18-19, RSV)


3. Look at vs. 4. What three groups of people welcomed Paul and Barnabas?
(a) "When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders".

4. For Catholics who disagree over a teaching each one holds dear and feels very strongly about, what should their first course of action be, in light of this passage from Acts?

(a) As Catholics we must first and foremost put our trust in Christ and His promise to us. Namely that our Holy Catholic Church will never teach error.

A Decision is Made

Read Acts 15:6-18

5. What two groups of people were involved in the decision-making process?
(a) "The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter" (Acts 15:6, RSV)

6. Before Peter stood up to make his pronouncement, the issue was thoroughly debated, which means there were strong arguments on both sides of the issue. Why do you think this question sparked so much debate among even the apostles, who knew the gospel better than anyone?
(a) Because different people may interpret the same passage differently. It is up to the Magisterium to determine what is the proper interpretation.

7. Why do you suppose Peter reminds them of his crucial role in declaring Gentiles welcome in the Kingdom of God (see Acts 10:24-48)?
(a) To show them that God revealed this not to just any Christian, but to the Head Apostle.

8. In vs. 10, how does Peter describe the law of circumcision and all the ceremonial law that was attached to it?
(a) Peter describes the law as a "yoke" that none of them have been able to bear.

9. What is the dogma that Peter pronounces here? In other words, what is Peter saying will be the church's teaching concerning how a person gets saved, whether he s a Jew or a Gentile?
(a) Peter pronounces the dogma that all, Jew or Gentile will be "saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus".

10. In vs. 3, this James is the one mentioned by Paul in Gal. 1:9 and was the "elder" of the Church in Jerusalem. Why do you suppose he quotes an Old Testament passage (Amos 9:11-12) at this point?
(a) While Galatia was a Gentile country and as such had no extensive knowledge of Old Testament Scripture, Israel was a Jewish country and well versed in these passages. This would have been especially true of the Pharisees.

11. Think about the development of the ruling on the question of circumcision first a problem arises in a local church, causing division and controversy. Then it is referred to the apostles in Jerusalem, where it is hotly argued. Finally, a decision is rendered. What are all the implications of this development for us today, as we continue to face difficult questions over what is true? Take time on this question and be as thorough as you can.
(a) Truth is absolute and never relative. Truth comes from God and is made known through His Church. If we doubt either one of these statements, then we leave ourselves at the whim of popular opinion. Today's culture teaches neither one of these ideas. Instead we are taught that what may be true for one is not necessarily true for another. While this may be convenient for avoiding dissent in the short term, it can only lead to anarchy. The Church in her role as mediator of the truth, is where we as Christians must place our trust. This was true in the first century, in the middle ages, and during the time of of the reformation. This continues to be true today and however many tomorrows we have before Christ comes again.


Disclaimer: I do not wish to present myself as an expert in either theology, history, or scriptural interpretation. I am merely someone who is attempting to answer the call of Christ. The ultimate authority and interpreter of scripture is our Holy Catholic Church. If at any point I deviate from the teachings of the Church, please correct me, alfredo@nevarez.net, as this is my shortcoming and in no way meant to be an expression of my views superceding those of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

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 Alfredo Nevarez
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