ghtness.

They looked for a Jewish kingdom with Christ as earthly king, and of
course to retain in some way their existing customs.[162] They called
all who were not Jews, uncircumcised Gentiles. But few of the apostles
would sit at table with Gentiles or eat in their houses.[163]

Peter required a vision before preaching the Gospel to Gentiles, and
gave as his reason for hesitation that it was unlawful for Jews to keep
company or come unto those of another nation.[164]

Other apostles censured Peter for making the freedom with Gentiles which
he sometimes did.[165] Some insisted that Gentile converts to
Christianity be circumcised.[166]

Some taught: Except ye be circumcised ye cannot be saved.[167]

Gentile converts at Antioch resisted circumcision.[168]

Paul pleaded the Gentile cause before the elders and apostles at
Jerusalem.[169]

After much questioning Gentile converts to Christianity were excused
from circumcision but no others were excused.[170] Jews were reminded
that Moses was preached and read to them in the Jewish Synagogue every
Sabbath day.[171]

This reminder in connection with the subject before them indicates that
Jews were expected to continue as heretofore to circumcise their
children according to the law of Moses which was preached and read to
them in the Jewish Synagogue every Sabbath day.[172]

These elders and apostles know nothing about water baptism, being the
Christian successor of Jewish circumcision or they would surely have
instructed the Gentiles to this effect when they excused them from
circumcision. Their silence upon this opportune occasion and at all
other times is decided evidence that there was no such succession.[173]

Eight years later, the same old controversy about circumcision brought
Paul again before the elders and apostles at Jerusalem.[174]

They re-affirmed their former decision that Gentiles be excused from
circumcision but reminded Paul that he (a Jew) was expected to walk
orderly and keep the law of Moses.[175] They prevailed upon him to take
a vow, shave his head, and enter into the Jewish temple until an
offering should be offered for him, because he taught Jews of the
dispersion, that they should not circumcise their children nor walk
after the customs of Moses. Paul was induced to suppress or conceal his
indifference to circumcision but not his pronounced indifference to
water baptism.

Thus closes our last recorded meeting of the elders and apostles a