Easter Season · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year C

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

The Jerusalem Council's Decision

May 21, 2028

A Byzantine icon of all twelve standing together in a single row, each individually characterised and none given precedence.The apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church: the reading is the first council, where the twelve had to agree on something difficult.Pushkin Museum, MoscowMoscow's museum of European art, founded as a teaching collection of plaster casts and transformed by nationalised private collections.Pushkin Museum, Moscow

Roman Lectionary

GospelJohn 14:23-29Jn 14:23-29 Alt. GospelJohn 17:20-26Jn 17:20-26

Second ReadingRev. 21:10-14, 22-23Rev 21:10-14, 22-23 Alt. 2nd ReadingRev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20

First ReadingActs 15:1-2, 22-29

Responsorial PsalmPs. 67:2-3, 5, 6+8 (4)Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6+8 (4)

Overview & Insights

"It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials." (Acts 15:28)

When a dispute arises over whether Gentile converts must be circumcised, the church at Antioch sends Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders decide against imposing the Mosaic law on Gentile believers. They send Judas and Silas back to Antioch with a letter announcing the decision, and the church rejoices at the encouraging news.

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Take it further: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Commentary

Acts 15 Commentary Precept Austin

Compiles commentary on the Jerusalem Council's debate and decision.

Acts 15 Commentary: The Jerusalem Council Enduring Word · David Guzik

Guzik traces the council's decision to require no further burden of Gentile believers.

Acts 15:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on the circumcision controversy that prompts the council.

Acts 15 StudyLight

Gill's Exposition offers detailed notes on the council's deliberation and letter.

Background & Word Study

Acts 15:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Greek of the circumcision dispute that opens the chapter.

Read Scripture: Acts BibleProject

An animated overview situates the Jerusalem Council within Acts' account of the gospel's expansion to the nations.

The Church Fathers

Acts 15 Catena

Patristic readings of the Jerusalem Council's decision.

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