18.

 What questions did this chapter raise in your mind and then leave unanswered?

            The Council of Jerusalem assembled the leaders of the Church and its decisions were subsequently approved by the entire Church in all places and times. Why is the Council of Jerusalem not considered the first of the Ecumenical Councils?

            [Professor's addendum: The Apostolic Council was not ecumenical, but was local in nature. The Church had not yet reached the ecumene but was essentially Palestinian (in a broad sense). It seems that no one but Jewish (Palestinian) Christians actually participated in the Council, and only James, the bishop of Jerusalem, had an actual see. Because it consisted of the Apostles, it is given a higher calling than a local council and is called the Apostolic Council].