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What is the context of Acts chapter 15?
Were the Apostles throwing out the entire Torah (Law) of Moses for Gentile converts?
Reading the entire chapter in context, (along with the entire counsel of Scripture), and Paul’s other Epistles (namely Galatians); We learn that there was a Sect in those days who were called “Works of the Law” (Ma’aseh ha’Torah).
To learn more about the discovery of this Cult in 1947 with the Dead Sea Scrolls, click on the link below:
This Sect of the Circumcision was subverting the souls of the new converts who had just become “born-again” through faith in Messiah, Yahuwshuwa.
The Sect was requiring the new converts to be circumcised in the flesh outwardly “AS A MEANS TO SALVATION!”
However, these converts had already become born-again (and received the Holy Spirit), but they were being told that their salvation was invalid, unless they were circumcised in the flesh.
This is what Paul's controversy was about in Galatians! Paul was not against circumcision, nor the ENTIRE LAW OF MOSES!
Paul even circumcised Timothy in Acts 16, proving that he was not against circumcision. Paul was preaching against the notion that one must earn their salvation by being circumcised in the flesh FIRST!
The same Paul also also wrote the following:
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the Torah (law) through faith? Elohiym forbid: yea, we establish the Torah (law).
OUTWARD CIRCUMCISION IN THE FLESH WAS NEVER THE PRE-REQUISITE TO SALVATION, even under the Abrahamic & Mosaic Covenants!
Outward circumcision served only as AN OUTWARD SIGN, much like WATER BAPTISM does today for the new believer in Messiah.
Water baptism ALONE does not save a person's soul.
We must REPENT, and receive Yahuwshuwa sacrifice as atonement for our sins, FIRST!
Water baptism is then done as an outward sign of our faith in Messiah, Yahuwshuwa.
Even the thief who died on the cross next to our Messiah was unable to be water baptized, and yet, his contrite heart earned him a place in Paradise (Luke 23:43).
Abraham began following YaHuWaH at the age of 75, but he was not circumcised in his flesh until he was 99 years old!
In Romans 4:11, Shaul (Paul) illustrated this:
Romans 4:11 And he received THE SIGN OF CIRCUMCISION, A SEAL OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE FAITH WHICH HE HAD YET BEING UNCIRCUMCISED: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Therefore, to the new converts from the Gentile Nations who were joining the Yahuwdiym (Jews), they established “FOUR STARTER LAWS” for being allowed to fellowship with them.
The Apostles and the Jerusalem Council understood that these were “FOUR STARTER LAWS” until they MATURED IN THE FAITH, and continued to learn the ENTIRE LAW OF MOSES!
*Key Verses:
Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to Elohiym:
Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they ABSTAIN FROM POLLUTIONS OF IDOLS, and FROM FORNICATION [SEXUAL IMMORALITY], and from THINGS STRANGLED, and from BLOOD.
Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Let’s examine these four things they were required to abstain from:
1.) Pollutions of idols – In today’s culture, this would mean no statues of Mary & Baby Jesus. It also means throw away the ROSARY BEADS.
This also includes all false pagan holidays offered up to Baal and Moloch, which today would include Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, etc.
2.) Fornication, which includes all sexual immorality – this includes pornography, watching nudity in movies, masturbation, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, incest, bestiality, etc.
3.) Abstain from things strangled – animal meat (that is allowed under Leviticus 11) but has not been slaughtered the humane and correct way.
The correct and humane way to slaughter sheep and cattle, is by slitting the throat, so as to cause all the blood to drain out. Consuming animal blood can cause serious health issues, and even alter one’s DNA (according to recent studies).
4.) Abstain from blood – this means animal blood, and human blood. This includes blood transfusions from other humans (see Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11-14; Deuteronomy 12:23).
By reading the above guidelines, if we imagine that the Apostles were declaring “THESE FOUR NO MORE,” many people would be tempted to think that the Ten Commandments were also no longer required as part of our Covenant with YaHuWaH!
However, our Messiah made it abundantly clear that we must keep all the commandments in order to have ETERNAL LIFE.
Matthew 19:17 “But if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.”
In Matthew 19:18-20, Yahuwshuwa enumerated the Ten Commandments to the Rich Young Ruler, citing that they were required to inherit ETERNAL LIFE:
18 You shall do no murder, you shalt not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness,
19 Honour your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
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