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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper examines Acts 15 and interprets this controversy. The circumcision dilemma is discussed. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA708Act.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
that in order to be saved, a man has to be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to discuss the issue, amongst other unnamed individuals. Basically, according to
Acts 15, the Pharisees claimed that men had to be circumcised to keep the law of Moses. It should be said that when Jesus Christ came into being, Jewish law-which
is comprised of many dictums-would become irrelevant. This is an interesting question because it goes to whether or not Christs appearance supersedes Jewish law and for Christians, it does. But
there are these types of questions about specifics and whether or not some things should be kept sacred. Are there other things that should be kept in order to allow
people to be saved? According to Acts 15, Peter stands up and claims that it is now known that God sees every one as equal so why make something
out of this when everyone can be saved? Barnabas and Paul and James spoke too. There were many people at the Council but not all are named. The divisive issue
is whether or not everyone needs to be circumcised. Gordon sees the issue as clear cut and writes: "... the Council of Jerusalem (Acts of the Apostles, Ch 15) is
a decisive moment for the young Church as she breaks from Judaism to embrace Gentile culture" (53). It is true that to this day, Jews are circumcised but Gentiles do
not need to be. Donahue reports that in Acts 15, it was decided that men who did convert would not have to be circumcised (11). He goes on to say
that while that is the case, and that did occur in the Council, it would take some time for the decision to be accepted (Donahue 11). Donahue also claims that
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