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“It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us…”
When it comes to religious matters, contentious confrontations often border on rigidity and impasse. For too long Christians have lived through such antagonistic relationships. The “trouble” of the age-old hostility and quarrel between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland is an example, although they now work together within one same government. The Russian Patriarch Kirill openly supports Putin’s war in Ukraine, which causes dissension among Orthodox themselves as well as other Christian leaders.
Thankfully, ever since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the Catholic Church has been pursuing dialogue and cooperation with other Christians and making some significant progress towards mutual understanding and unity.
In Acts 15, the apostles and elders of the Jerusalem Church convene a meeting with Paul and
Barnabas to resolve some critical issues. The Church leadership works hard to find a way that would respect all concerned parties in full confidence of their synergy with the Holy Spirit. We see some practical wisdom in action to reach a solution through the art of the possible in the deliberations. But more importantly, the decision by the Church leadership manifests that, while the essentials are preserved, non-essentials are given proper deference and consideration. Hence, the Gentile Christians are counseled to respect the concerns and background of the Jewish Christians in terms of the Holiness Code, while the Jewish Christians are instructed are not to think that their observance of such regulations will guarantee salvation, for God grants salvation only through the merits of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Non-negotiable are as follows: respect for each other’s concerns, mutual love, and preserving Church unity in conformity to the will of God, who is complete union and communion of love.
Thus, neither sectarianism that causes disunity among Christians nor denominationalism that perpetuates Church disunity is unacceptable. Various Christian communities have some contributions to make in their unique spiritual theological, and liturgical wealth, yet every attempt to further fragment the Church is to be denied and denounced.
The deliberations and decisions of the early Church as described in the Acts of the Apostles give us a shining example today regarding how we may resolve issues amid the seemingly contradicting views of Christians of different backgrounds and perspectives. Even within the Catholic Church, there are disconcerting assertions of self-proclaimed orthodox police, antagonizing various groups within the Church. Orthodox and Protestant churches have to deal with nationalistic divisions.
In the Jerusalem Council, the Jewish and Gentile Christians struggle to find a way to live the Gospel with integrity, while preserving the unity of the Church. This resolution gives us a crucial and magnificent example. May our life’s pursuits and all our decisions be accomplished with the conviction of the early Church fathers in Jerusalem: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us…” (Acts 15:28)
Yours truly in Christ,
Fr. Paul D. Lee