Abstract

The article discusses the authority and the effects of the first "Apostolic Council" in Jerusalem. Even though a Gospel for the uncircumcised without the Law and a Gospel for the circumcised including the obligations of the Mosaic Law were recognized as equal, the Pauline Gospel prevailed. Different factors influenced the reception of the Council and led finally to an all in all Gentile-Christian Church. In particular, the main factors were political and sociological circumstances, the swift growth of Hellenistic congregations, the impressive engagement of charismatic figures, the theological substantiation of the Pauline Gospel and an uncomplicated feasibility of Christianity without circumcision and the Law.