Thursday, September 11, 2014

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Acts 15: 1-11

This portion of Acts describes the Jerusalem Council, which ultimately serves as a resolution to the dispute among the apostles over whether Gentiles who join the church must follow Jewish Law, including the practice of circumcision. This was a bitter dispute, with Paul and Barnabas representing the “no Law required” approach while many others insisted that such traditions must be upheld. Acts, which was most likely written by whoever wrote the Gospel of Luke, narrates an account whereby the leaders of the various church factions come together and in this particular section, Paul gives a brief speech, defending his apostleship to the Gentiles and the Gentile inclusion in the church. The account continues to verse 21, which includes a speech by James, who only insists that Gentiles avoid things polluted by idols, from “fornication,” and from eating things strangled and from blood. Those familiar with Galatians 2:1-14 will recognize that in that letter, Paul describes the Council somewhat differently. This indicates that “Luke” has shaped the account to reflect his understanding of the emerging church. “Luke” stresses, for example, a universalism, between Jew and Gentile, which is possibly reflective of his own identity and community.

The account is a good reminder that from the very beginning, the church had disputes over all kinds of issues. “Luke” attempts to provide a fairly harmonious picture, yet in reality, it must have been quite acrimonious. Of course, the Christian church did eventually abandon Jewish Law, especially as the church spread primarily among Gentiles. What would the church be like if things had gone in a different direction, and upheld the traditions of Israel?

- Alicia Batten