Acts 14:24-15:25. Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, passing through Pisidia, Pamphylia, and Perga, and preaching in every place they go. At Antioch, where they had first been commissioned, they gather the church together and tell them of their great success in evangelizing to the Gentiles. Some men from Judea, however, were teaching that all must be first circumcised in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas debate this with them, and eventually the church in Antioch appoints Paul and Barnabas and several others to go to Jerusalem and put this question to the apostles and elders. On the way, they pass through Pheonicia and Samaria "reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren." When they arrive in Jerusalem they are welcomed by the apostles and the church, and they declare all that has happened. Some believers from the party of the Pharisees rise up and contend that it is necessary to first circumcise the Gentiles.

Fresh off so much success (and escape from danger!), Paul and Barnabas and the new Church as a whole, immediately confront a truly difficult question. One can easily see the arguments on both sides of whether or not men must be circumcised in order to be Christian. This discussion will play out over the next day or two of readings. In the Church's early days, there was no time for anyone to rest on their laurels - it required an awful lot of work and discussion to become properly formed. The Holy Spirit is guiding them all, of course, but that does not make it easy.

This question is a good example of the kinds of questions we can face individually or communally that we should take to discernment. We are often faced with two seemingly good choices that are in direct opposition to each other. The Holy Spirit will guide us in making our decisions, but prayer and listening to His voice are essential. When the decision must be made as a group, as here, listening charitably and respectfully debating, along with prayer and listening for God's voice, are essential.

Notice that there was debate, but not ad hominem attacks, and no shutting down of the other side, or moralistic preening on one side or the other. The question arose, there were arguments on both sides, and so it was brought to the leaders who will now discuss, debate, and discern the answer as guided by the Holy Spirit. How orderly! How right! I wish we had leaders like this today in both the Church and the world. Somehow, we seem to have forgotten the importance of discussion, debate, and discernment, and instead we tend to take an early hardline position and defend it at all costs, assuming we are right about everything.