Peter had finished speaking, “ail the multitude held their peace”[1] (Acts 15, 12).
Then James[2], bishop of Jerusalem, spoke to the same effect. It was then[3] decreed by the whole Council of Jerusalem that the Christians of Antioch, or elsewhere, were no longer bound to observe the law of Moses. This decree[4] commenced with these remarkable words: “It hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay no further burden upon you.”
COMMENTARY.
General Councils. The assembly at Jerusalem was the first General Council, and has been the pattern of all succeeding Councils. Let us, therefore, examine: 1. how this Council was held; 2. what was the subject or matter discussed by it; 3. what was the significance of the decision arrived at by it.
1. How was the Council of Jerusalem held?
St. Peter presided over it and conducted its discussion?. His discourse was listened to with respect, and all opposition was silenced by it. All present took part in the discussion, but the decision was made by the apostles and bishops.
Thus has it been at every General Council. The successor of St. Peter, the Pope, or some one delegated by him to represent him, has presided over it. During the discussion, learned priests take their part as well as bishops, but only the bishops, as successors of the apostles, have the right of voting in the final decision.
- ↑ Held their peace. The Council received the decision of its head with a respectful silence; and even those who had formerly opposed the view he took, ventured on no answer.
- ↑ James, This apostle, known as St. James the Less, was bishop of Jerusalem. As the kinsman of our Lord, he was held in high esteem in the Church. He spoke “to the same effect” as the prince of the apostles, although he himself was a close observer of the Jewish law.
- ↑ Then. After Paul and Barnabas had related all the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the Gentiles by their means. They related these things to show that the uncircumcised Gentiles were acceptable to the Lord if only they believed in Him.
- ↑ This decree. To give greater finality to the decision, it was written down and sent to the Christians at Antioch, “which when they read they rejoiced for the consolation” that no barriers, such as circumcision, were to be put in the way of their salvation. We see that even in the first Council, in which the apostles were assembled, the word and voice of Peter ended the doubt and dispute. But as the doctrine of Peter was infallible, so the teaching of his successors in Rome is also infallible.
