Jews & Gentiles: Controversy in the Early Church

In today’s Epistle selection from the Daily Office, we hear from Paul’s letter to the Galatians:

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. (Gal. 2: 11-21).

Sometimes we think that the Church of today is filled with controversy.  But can you imagine being a new Jewish Christian in Jerusalem with Cephas (Peter), and now these Gentile Christians are in the mix and not only are they not keeping the Jewish dietary laws, which the early Jewish Christians considered very important (after all it was part of their tradition of the Law), but they are also not circumcised which was a mark of being part of God’s chosen people?  Today’s passage is from that great controversy. All of those things that marked the Chosen People as special, set apart, were being done away with.  I can only imagine the thinking, “Are we giving into the Gentiles?”  There must have been some loud exchanging of ideas, hurt feelings, fear, anger and other emotions. Yet, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Church worked through it.  The history of the Church is punctuated with great controversies, and it is through the Holy Spirit that the Church, the Body of Christ, you and me, survives and even thrives.

Let us pray:  Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

GOSPEL BY THE SEA: Saturday, 9 June 2012 at First Presbyterian.  This benefits the ministry of St. Vincent’s House.

SAFEGUARDING GOD’S CHILDREN: Saturday, 23 June 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Sutton Hall at St. Augustine’s.

ART HAPPENINGS

June 8th Friday night from 6:30 to 8:30, Adult class with wine, we will be making peace souvenirs for the September art show.

June 9th Saturday 10:00 to Noon: children and adult class, we will be working on a banner for the September art show.

June 24th Sunday, after breakfast we will have a very important meeting about the September art show along with a sign-up sheet. We have a list of all the things that we need to make this event a success; there is something for everyone even those who are not artist.

Get the word out ... our first Summer Children's Art Camp, will be every Saturday in July from 10:00 a.m. to1:00 p.m. with snacks. The theme is folk art from many cultures. $10 supply charge per class. Ages 7 to 18. We will need adult volunteers that have had Safeguarding God's Children Training to assist. Space is limited so sign up ASAP. Some of the classes will be taught by guest artists from the Galveston Art League.

        July 7: Signs and symbols found in all cultures, make your own sign.

        July 14: Guardian Angels - guest artist Mary Ann Hasty, Native American

        July 21: Mandela's, African Shields

        July 28: Collage and the art of Mexico.

        There will be no Friday night adult art class in July because of the Summer Art Camp.

STEVE POIRIER was just released from UTMB and has cancer. It is terminal. He is very ill and has no family in Galveston.  He will need an in expensive place to live and meals. His only income is Social Security. Please keep your ears and eyes open for a cheap, clean place to live.

INSTALLATION OF THE NEW RECTOR AT TRINITY: The Rev. Susan Kennard will be installed as Trinity’s new rector on Sunday, 1 July 2012 at 5 p.m.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Cory Smith who is recovering from surgery, Steve Poirier, Patricia Robinson, Betty Robinson, Robert, Jerald Flight in Afghanistan, Frances Hardaway who suffered a stroke, all of those who are out of work and who are seeking employment.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550