Do you see that phrase stpio? The phrase “granting them the same spirit” was talking about the Holy Spirit. They were no longer to be kept “under the law” and that Holy Spirit” gave them the same freedom from the law and the same Holy Spirit that gave the apostles understanding gave the people understanding. The Bereans were commended in Acts for “interpreting” scripture because that is where they were going to “see if these things were true” which the apostles taught. The Bereans were commended for proving the teachers were right by going to scripture just as we are to prove the RCC or any other who would deem to teach us. It’s the indwelling of the “same Spirit” and the scripture which we are given to “interpret” the correctness of those supposed teachers.
>>Peter set them straight because of His authority.<<
Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Who was it again who said My sentence is?
Don’t give me that error from the CC that Peter was the leader. If he was it would have been him who made the final decision.
>> Council of Jerusalem, called by Peter<<
How about we read scripture before we believe that RCC error?
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they (Who? certain men) determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them (Who? Some of the certain men), should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
It was not Peter who called the meeting. It was the “certain men who decided they should go to Jerusalem to meet with all the apostles to decide. Peter spoke at that meeting as did Barnabas and Paul, it was then that the leader of the group, James made the decision and said wherefore my sentence is. There is no way anyone could conclude from that passage that Peter was in a leadership position in any way. It’s another lie from the RCC.
The entire basis of the hierarchy of the RCC is built on a lie. As a matter of fact they cannot prove that Peter was ever the bishop of Rome let alone the first Pope. Paul wrote to the Romans and never once mentioned Peter being there. No one did. He was NOT the leadership in Rome.
The Catholic church has attempted to bolster it's authority by tradition, looking back and claiming roles for Peter and others like someone named Clement whereas there is no support in the Scriptures for these claims.
And when tradition and Scripture conflict it will always be tradition that is favored..
Our discussion is proving “private judgment” is heresy. You stated in a past couple of posts two interpretations of Acts 15:8-9. Your FIRST, interpretation...”lay” people have the same authority as Peter and the Apostles. That’s not what those verses are about. Besides, there is no teaching from Christ that everyone has the authority to interpret Scripture. Multiple interpretations result in a house divided, PIOS does not come from God.
Today ~ CynicalBear:
“Don’t give me that error from the CC that Peter was the leader. If he was it would have been him who made the final decision.”
Look at all the verses, the ones preceeding Acts 15:8-9 and the ones to follow.
~ ~ ~
Acts 15:7
And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know, that in former days GOD made choice among us, that BY MY MOUTH the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
“Remember that Scripture must support Scripture, and since Scripture clearly demonstrates Peter’s primacy the Council of Jerusalem must be read in that context. So when you read Scripture you must ask yourself not only what is the author saying but also illustrating in the text.
First, what is the council deciding? Whether or not the gentiles should be circumcised. Okay, what next, after much debate, Peter stands up and addresses the assembly. Now think about that; if James was the authority why would Peter stand and speak first? Why you might ask? One, Peter has primacy over the apostles bestowed upon him by Christ. Two, Peter is always mentioned first among the apostles in Scripture indicating his primacy. Three, the writer wants to be congruent with the rest of Scripture and show that Peter is mentioned first.
Now here’s the key part. What is the first sentence that Peter says? Pay close attention now. He says from the earliest days God chose HIM, among the rest of the apostles, to covert the Gentiles. So the gentiles were entrusted to Peter by God. Since the gentiles were entrusted to Peter by God the gentiles are Peters domain. It is Peter’s prerogative then, to decide what is to be done with them, and that is what happens. Peter stands up and tells everyone what should be done. Then there was silence. Paul and Barnabas spoke about the signs and wonders that God worked through them. Then JAMES being the BISHOP OF JERUSELEM wholeheartedly agrees with Peter’s initial decision. When James says , “I judge therefore,” he is not invoking supreme authority over Peter. He’s actually saying “I am firmly of the opinion therefore”. Hope that helps”