Interesting that you should ask. From today's first reading of the Mass:
Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.The pastors of the church, the apostles and the presbyters -- not just the apostles, are here invoking the authority of the God, the Holy Spirit in giving their judgment. That seems to be the operation of the Magisterium to me. Of course if you do not take the Bible at its word you can discount this.This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number [who went out] without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’” (Acts 15:22-29)
Well, it may be to you, but that's not what the Scriptures say.
And that is a perfect example of the Roman Catholic Church twisting Scripture to conform to its man-made office.
So, in actuality, when I take God at his word in scripture, I discount the Roman Catholic Cult.
Hoss
Acts is a time of transition. The offer of the Kingdom of Heaven is still on the table. The apostles were Jews, as were most early converts. They were still praying in the Temple, keeping the Law and the traditions. The Gentile Believers were NOT converting to Judaism, therefore they were not bound by Israel’s customs and traditions. Its commonsense. Paul’s Revelation of the Body of Christ would come much later, setting people free from all ceremonialism and ordinances.
Religious leaders deciding on application of Jewish Law to Gentile Believers has little relevance to Christians in this present dispensation of Grace. It certainly does not establish any precedent for a tyrannical religious bureaucracy ruling over the Body of Christ.
Now, there is neither Jew or Gentile, male of female, in the Body of Christ. (Galatians 3:28, 5:6, Colossians 3:11) There is one Body with Jesus, not some man or religious monarchy, but the personified Eternal Truth, as the Head of the Body. Believers in this dispensation are made alive in Christ, blessed with ALL Spiritual Blessings, and seated in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:1-14, 2:5-10) The division that once existed, and has been recreated by the religious during this dispensation, has no place in the Body. All that divides - decrees, ordinances, and religious hooey from the past, or in the future, has no use in the Body. The Believer is COMPLETE in Christ, who is the Head of All authority. (Ephesians 2:11-22, Colossians 2:1-23) If you are COMPLETE in Christ, what more could religion even do for you?
Believers are citizens of Heaven. Our focus is not earthly things like religion, but is placed squarely on Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:1-21, Colossians 3:1-25)
Of course if you fail to rightly divide God’s Word, and ignore the letters written specifically to the Body of Christ, its easy to miss these important Truths. Failure to believe God’s Word has left millions stuck in religious bondage, and not enjoying the Liberty found in Christ.