The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

104 not mentioned in the extended account of the council. While the results of the decree might well encourage social interaction between Jew and Gentile, the text points toward a different occasion. Lake agrees that the problem involved social intercourse between Jews and Gentiles, but makes the following admission: Reading Acts xv. as a connected narrative, and merely looking for the general meaning of the decrees, it is clear that the meaning of Luke was that they represent the minimum of the Law which was to be required from Gentile Christians in lieu of circumcision. 136 He then rejects the view because "it seems so inconsistent with Paul's position, as stated in Galatians and Romans, that it is almost incredible that he would have accepted such a compromise." 137 If, however we allow Luke to interpret Luke , rather than alleged Pauline theology , we find that Lake was correct in his initial admission rather than his disclaimer . Luke states that "some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren , 'Unle you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses , you cannot be saved,"' (15:1), and in verse 5, "certain ones of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up , saying, It is neces ary to circumcise them , and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses "' (15:5). Luke clearly tates that Paul and Barnabas are dispatched to speak to the elders "concerning this issue" (m:pl ToO s 11TriµaToc; To1.hou, 15:2) and that the council convene 'to look into thi matter" (nt:pl TOO >.oyou TOUTOU, 15:6). Ba ed upon the u age of aosw in Act ' 13 the the 1 g hi h 136 ake, Beginnings , vol. 5, 204. 137 lbtd. 4 , 7: pr c..lam tI n . "A o tie in u ·tralian Biblt al R nt t, l : l 1.