Shalom,
Scripture references are from,
the SET (Stone Edition Tanach) or the CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) for the OT
and the PNT (Power New Testament) for the NT unless otherwise specified.
Acts 15.1. And some who came down from Judea were teaching the brothers “Unless you would be circumcised in the custom of Moses, (Lv 12:3) you are not able to be saved.” 2. But when there was strife and no little debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others to go up from them to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. 3. Therefore now when they were sent on their way by the congregation, they were passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the heathens and they were giving great joy to all the brothers. 4. And when they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the congregation and the apostles and the elders, and they were reporting what God did among them. 5. And some of them from the party of the Pharisees, who believed, stood saying that it was necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Torah of Moses.
15:6. Both the apostles and the elders were gathered to see about this matter. 7. And after there was ample discussion, when Peter got up he said to them, “Men, brothers, you understand that from the beginning days of the congregation among you that God chose that the heathens should hear and believe the message of the Good News by my mouth. 8. And God, Who knows the heart, testified when He gave the Holy Spirit to them just as also to us 9. and nothing differentiates between us and them, since He cleansed their hearts by faith. 10. Now therefore why are you tempting God by placing a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? 11. But we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as also they are.”
15:12. Then all the multitude stopped speaking and was listening to Barnabas and Paul describing what signs and wonders God did through them among the heathens. 13. And after they were quiet Jacob responded saying, “Men, brothers, you must now listen to me. 14. Simon explained how God first showed His concern to take a people from the heathens in His name. 15. And in this the words of the prophets agree just as it has been written,
16. ‘After these things I shall return
and shall build up again the booth of David that has fallen down
and the things that have been destroyed, I will build up its ruins
and I will restore it,
17. to the end that the remnants of the Jewish people and all the heathens upon whom My name would have been invoked would seek out the Lord,
says the Lord Who does all these things’ (Am 9:11,12) 18. known from eternity.
19. On this account I judge that we should not cause difficulty for those of the heathens who are turning to God, 20. but to instruct them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols and from immorality and from the meat of strangled animals and from the blood. 21. For throughout every city from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
Generally I use this section of the Book of Acts to illustrate the difference between a MESSIANIC Jew and what I consider myself, a Completed Jew. Many MESSIANIC Jews will then jump to point out that this is in reference to circumcision. It is that but it is all inclusive of The Torah teachings as well. We know this because of...
5. And some of them from the party of the Pharisees, who believed, stood saying that it was necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Torah of Moses.
We know that The Torah teachings are not wrong.
They have not been "done away with", so what is the difference that is indicated here?
command them to keep... a.k.a. "Requirement!"
YHVH has never intended man to live for HIM because HE required it. YHVH has always wanted a love relationship with mankind.
HE has wanted mankind to respond to HIM because we desired to do so from deep within our heart.
He has wanted us to desire to be with HIM.
HE has always wanted us to be one with HIM, for HIM to be able to be with us, Emmanuel.
For us to be in HIM and for HIM to be within us. This has always been the basic message that HE tried to convey to mankind through the Prophets. This was the basic message of Y'SHUA.
"Emmanuel", with us is YHVH!
Let me ask this of you? When Peter states...
Acts 15:9. and nothing differentiates between us and them, since He cleansed their hearts by faith. 10. Now therefore why are you tempting God by placing a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? 11. But we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as also they are.”
...what had been the difference between the Jews and the Heathens prior to this?
The Torah, the written instructions of YHVH to mankind.
Does this mean that prior to the coming of The CHRIST that a Gentile could not be saved?
Rom 2:13. for it is not the hearers of Torah who are righteous before God, but those who do the commandments of Torah will be declared righteous. (Jas 2:14-26) 14. For when heathens, the ones who do not have Torah, would, guided by their natural sense of what is right and proper, do the things of Torah, these who do not have Torah are a Torah to themselves: 15. those who demonstrate that the work of the Torah is written in their hearts, when their conscience, accusing or even excusing, bears witness with them and between one another, as their thoughts will be 16. in the Day when God judges the hidden things of people through Messiah Jesus according to my gospel.
2:17. But if you would call yourself Jewish and would cause yourself to rest upon Torah and to take pride in God 18. then you know His will and since you are instructed in the Torah, you are testing the things that differ, holy and profane, 19. and you have persuaded yourself to be a guide of the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20. an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, since you have the essence of the knowledge and of the truth in the Torah: 21. then, why do you, the one who teaches another, not teach yourself? The one who preaches not to steal, are you stealing? 22. The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who detests idols, do you rob temples? 23. You who boast in Torah, you are dishonoring God by violating the Torah: 24. for just as it has been written, “The name of God is being blasphemed among the heathens because of you.” (Is 52:5, Ez 36:20) 25. For what does it profit if on the one hand you would practice Torah in circumcision: if on the other hand you would be breaking Torah. Your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26. Therefore if the uncircumcised one would keep the things established in Torah, will not his uncircumcision be credited to his account as circumcision? 27. And the physically uncircumcised, who are keeping the Torah will condemn you, although you have Scripture and circumcision, you are a violator of Torah. 28. For the Jewish person is not the one to be plainly recognized by what he wears, his prayer shawl or Kippah, and neither is circumcision just openly in the flesh, 29. but one is Jewish inwardly, and circumcised in his heart (Dt 10:16, Jr 4:4; 9:25) in spirit not letter, whose praise is not from people but from God.
NO!
YHVH is no respecter of man. HE could care less what you "call" yourself! It is not HIS desire to "force" you to comply with HIS will. HE did not force the angels to stay with HIM but gave them freewill and HE has done the same with mankind. Through the Prophet Jeremiah YHVH attempts to express this when HE states...
Jer 24:7 And I shall grant them the heart to know me, that I am HASHEM, and they will be a people unto me, and I shall be a GOD for them; for they will return to me with all their heart.
When they, the people, turn from their wicked ways and seek to be with YHVH then HE will turn to be with them as well. When you leave "your ways", your lifestyle, your whatever and turn to HIM, HE is already looking for you and HE is prepared to run to your side. HE will instantly be there to cover you from the accusing world. HE will be there to place HIS name upon you. HE will be there to make you look just like HIM to the rest of the world in every aspect possible. HE will be there to cover you with HIS glory and authority.
LK 15:11. And He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, you must now give me the part of the property that belongs to me.’ And he divided the property between them. 13. And after not many days, once he had collected everything, the younger son went on a journey to a far away country and there he squandered his wealth living dissolutely. 14. And, after he spent everything freely, a severe famine came throughout that country, and he began to be lacking. 15. And then he went and was joined with one of the citizens of that country, who then sent him into his fields to feed pigs, 16. and he was desiring to be filled with the carob pods which the pigs were eating, but no one was giving him any. 17. And then he came to himself and said, ‘How many hired hands of my father abound in food, but I am dying here in a famine. 18. When I get up I will go to my father and I will say to him, “Father, I sinned against heaven and before you, 19. I am no longer worthy to be called your son: you must make me as one of your hired hands.’” 20. Then after he got up he went to his own father. And while he was still a great distance away his father saw him and was sympathetic and then he ran and fell upon his neck and kissed him. 21. And his son said to him, ‘Father, I sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22. But his father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, you must right away bring out the best long robe and you must immediately put it on him, then give him a ring for his hand and sandals on his feet, 23. and bring the fattened calf, you must now kill it, then, after we eat, we could rejoice, 24. because this my son was dead, but he came to life again. He was lost, but has been found,’ and they began to rejoice.
...
32. but it is necessary to rejoice and to be glad because this your brother was dead and he lives, and though he was lost now he is found.’”
In our text, through the words of Peter, YHVH is offering to freely inhabit anyone who will turn to HIM, without "requirement." When The Prodigal Son returns the father does not burden him with rules, he places his arm around him, he embraces him, covers him, protects him, provides for him and dresses him with authority and power. YHVH does no less for you and I.
YHVH does no less than an earthly father would do for his lost child. All that was "required" of the son was to turn from his ways and turn to the father, to leave what he was doing! In taking these steps the son had placed his faith in the forgiveness of his father. This too is what YHVH has called for of us...
Acts 15:9. and nothing differentiates between us and them, since He cleansed their hearts by faith. 10. Now therefore why are you tempting God by placing a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? 11. But we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as also they are.”
Just as the father of the Prodigal Son did not expect his son to get cleaned-up and present himself perfectly before him neither does YHVH expect anything of us other than for us to come to HIM. HE will accept us just as this father had his son with open arms and everything that is within HIS kingdom powers. HE will hold no gift from us. There is nothing that is HIS that will not be ours and HE will not give one brother something of HIS that HE will not also make available to us.
Acts 15: 8. And God, Who knows the heart, testified when He gave the Holy Spirit to them just as also to us ... said Paul. YHVH did not give the manifestation of The HOLY SPIRIT only to the Apostles and HE did not give it only to the early church or HE would have been a respecter of one over another. The gift of the manifestation of The HOLY SPIRIT is just as available today as it was then. If we would seek YHVH and all that HE has, believing that HE will freely give all that HE is and has to those who will equally give all of themselves, then we will receive the gifts of The HOLY SPIRIT.
Regardless of whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, YHVH has always held HIS arms out to you. HE has known that many would fall and never turn back but HE has also always kept HIS eyes looking for those who would return...
Acts 15:17. to the end that the remnants of the Jewish people and all the heathens upon whom My name would have been invoked would seek out the Lord, says the Lord Who does all these things’ (Am 9:11,12) 18. known from eternity.
Paul sums up what I have written when he then declares...
Acts 15:19. On this account I judge that we should not cause difficulty for those of the heathens who are turning to God, 20. but to instruct them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols and from immorality and from the meat of strangled animals and from the blood. 21. For throughout every city from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.
For their health Paul addresses various food practices that should change but not as "requirement" for that they can find the teachings of Moses anywhere and everywhere. Paul, Barnabas, Peter and the rest of the disciples are putting to rest the "requirements" for becoming a child of YHVH.
No longer must man jump through hoops of religion to be or stay within the family of YHVH.
No longer is there a list of "Do's and Don'ts" to be adhered to.
The heart, the intent, the desire, these are where YHVH is looking. These are what HE is examining.
YHVH does not care how good you look.
HE does not care about the image you present or how clean you appear,
HE wants to know how committed you are to loving HIM?
HE is looking to see if you are a white washed sepulchre full of dead mans bones or if HIS SPIRIT is alive within you.
Are you dead or living for HIM?
Scripture references are from,
the SET (Stone Edition Tanach) or the CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) for the OT
and the PNT (Power New Testament) for the NT unless otherwise specified.
Acts 15.1. And some who came down from Judea were teaching the brothers “Unless you would be circumcised in the custom of Moses, (Lv 12:3) you are not able to be saved.” 2. But when there was strife and no little debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others to go up from them to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. 3. Therefore now when they were sent on their way by the congregation, they were passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the heathens and they were giving great joy to all the brothers. 4. And when they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the congregation and the apostles and the elders, and they were reporting what God did among them. 5. And some of them from the party of the Pharisees, who believed, stood saying that it was necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Torah of Moses.
15:6. Both the apostles and the elders were gathered to see about this matter. 7. And after there was ample discussion, when Peter got up he said to them, “Men, brothers, you understand that from the beginning days of the congregation among you that God chose that the heathens should hear and believe the message of the Good News by my mouth. 8. And God, Who knows the heart, testified when He gave the Holy Spirit to them just as also to us 9. and nothing differentiates between us and them, since He cleansed their hearts by faith. 10. Now therefore why are you tempting God by placing a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? 11. But we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as also they are.”
15:12. Then all the multitude stopped speaking and was listening to Barnabas and Paul describing what signs and wonders God did through them among the heathens. 13. And after they were quiet Jacob responded saying, “Men, brothers, you must now listen to me. 14. Simon explained how God first showed His concern to take a people from the heathens in His name. 15. And in this the words of the prophets agree just as it has been written,
16. ‘After these things I shall return
and shall build up again the booth of David that has fallen down
and the things that have been destroyed, I will build up its ruins
and I will restore it,
17. to the end that the remnants of the Jewish people and all the heathens upon whom My name would have been invoked would seek out the Lord,
says the Lord Who does all these things’ (Am 9:11,12) 18. known from eternity.
19. On this account I judge that we should not cause difficulty for those of the heathens who are turning to God, 20. but to instruct them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols and from immorality and from the meat of strangled animals and from the blood. 21. For throughout every city from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
Generally I use this section of the Book of Acts to illustrate the difference between a MESSIANIC Jew and what I consider myself, a Completed Jew. Many MESSIANIC Jews will then jump to point out that this is in reference to circumcision. It is that but it is all inclusive of The Torah teachings as well. We know this because of...
5. And some of them from the party of the Pharisees, who believed, stood saying that it was necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Torah of Moses.
We know that The Torah teachings are not wrong.
They have not been "done away with", so what is the difference that is indicated here?
command them to keep... a.k.a. "Requirement!"
YHVH has never intended man to live for HIM because HE required it. YHVH has always wanted a love relationship with mankind.
HE has wanted mankind to respond to HIM because we desired to do so from deep within our heart.
He has wanted us to desire to be with HIM.
HE has always wanted us to be one with HIM, for HIM to be able to be with us, Emmanuel.
For us to be in HIM and for HIM to be within us. This has always been the basic message that HE tried to convey to mankind through the Prophets. This was the basic message of Y'SHUA.
"Emmanuel", with us is YHVH!
Let me ask this of you? When Peter states...
Acts 15:9. and nothing differentiates between us and them, since He cleansed their hearts by faith. 10. Now therefore why are you tempting God by placing a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? 11. But we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as also they are.”
...what had been the difference between the Jews and the Heathens prior to this?
The Torah, the written instructions of YHVH to mankind.
Does this mean that prior to the coming of The CHRIST that a Gentile could not be saved?
Rom 2:13. for it is not the hearers of Torah who are righteous before God, but those who do the commandments of Torah will be declared righteous. (Jas 2:14-26) 14. For when heathens, the ones who do not have Torah, would, guided by their natural sense of what is right and proper, do the things of Torah, these who do not have Torah are a Torah to themselves: 15. those who demonstrate that the work of the Torah is written in their hearts, when their conscience, accusing or even excusing, bears witness with them and between one another, as their thoughts will be 16. in the Day when God judges the hidden things of people through Messiah Jesus according to my gospel.
2:17. But if you would call yourself Jewish and would cause yourself to rest upon Torah and to take pride in God 18. then you know His will and since you are instructed in the Torah, you are testing the things that differ, holy and profane, 19. and you have persuaded yourself to be a guide of the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20. an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, since you have the essence of the knowledge and of the truth in the Torah: 21. then, why do you, the one who teaches another, not teach yourself? The one who preaches not to steal, are you stealing? 22. The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who detests idols, do you rob temples? 23. You who boast in Torah, you are dishonoring God by violating the Torah: 24. for just as it has been written, “The name of God is being blasphemed among the heathens because of you.” (Is 52:5, Ez 36:20) 25. For what does it profit if on the one hand you would practice Torah in circumcision: if on the other hand you would be breaking Torah. Your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26. Therefore if the uncircumcised one would keep the things established in Torah, will not his uncircumcision be credited to his account as circumcision? 27. And the physically uncircumcised, who are keeping the Torah will condemn you, although you have Scripture and circumcision, you are a violator of Torah. 28. For the Jewish person is not the one to be plainly recognized by what he wears, his prayer shawl or Kippah, and neither is circumcision just openly in the flesh, 29. but one is Jewish inwardly, and circumcised in his heart (Dt 10:16, Jr 4:4; 9:25) in spirit not letter, whose praise is not from people but from God.
NO!
YHVH is no respecter of man. HE could care less what you "call" yourself! It is not HIS desire to "force" you to comply with HIS will. HE did not force the angels to stay with HIM but gave them freewill and HE has done the same with mankind. Through the Prophet Jeremiah YHVH attempts to express this when HE states...
Jer 24:7 And I shall grant them the heart to know me, that I am HASHEM, and they will be a people unto me, and I shall be a GOD for them; for they will return to me with all their heart.
When they, the people, turn from their wicked ways and seek to be with YHVH then HE will turn to be with them as well. When you leave "your ways", your lifestyle, your whatever and turn to HIM, HE is already looking for you and HE is prepared to run to your side. HE will instantly be there to cover you from the accusing world. HE will be there to place HIS name upon you. HE will be there to make you look just like HIM to the rest of the world in every aspect possible. HE will be there to cover you with HIS glory and authority.
LK 15:11. And He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, you must now give me the part of the property that belongs to me.’ And he divided the property between them. 13. And after not many days, once he had collected everything, the younger son went on a journey to a far away country and there he squandered his wealth living dissolutely. 14. And, after he spent everything freely, a severe famine came throughout that country, and he began to be lacking. 15. And then he went and was joined with one of the citizens of that country, who then sent him into his fields to feed pigs, 16. and he was desiring to be filled with the carob pods which the pigs were eating, but no one was giving him any. 17. And then he came to himself and said, ‘How many hired hands of my father abound in food, but I am dying here in a famine. 18. When I get up I will go to my father and I will say to him, “Father, I sinned against heaven and before you, 19. I am no longer worthy to be called your son: you must make me as one of your hired hands.’” 20. Then after he got up he went to his own father. And while he was still a great distance away his father saw him and was sympathetic and then he ran and fell upon his neck and kissed him. 21. And his son said to him, ‘Father, I sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22. But his father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, you must right away bring out the best long robe and you must immediately put it on him, then give him a ring for his hand and sandals on his feet, 23. and bring the fattened calf, you must now kill it, then, after we eat, we could rejoice, 24. because this my son was dead, but he came to life again. He was lost, but has been found,’ and they began to rejoice.
...
32. but it is necessary to rejoice and to be glad because this your brother was dead and he lives, and though he was lost now he is found.’”
In our text, through the words of Peter, YHVH is offering to freely inhabit anyone who will turn to HIM, without "requirement." When The Prodigal Son returns the father does not burden him with rules, he places his arm around him, he embraces him, covers him, protects him, provides for him and dresses him with authority and power. YHVH does no less for you and I.
YHVH does no less than an earthly father would do for his lost child. All that was "required" of the son was to turn from his ways and turn to the father, to leave what he was doing! In taking these steps the son had placed his faith in the forgiveness of his father. This too is what YHVH has called for of us...
Acts 15:9. and nothing differentiates between us and them, since He cleansed their hearts by faith. 10. Now therefore why are you tempting God by placing a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? 11. But we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as also they are.”
Just as the father of the Prodigal Son did not expect his son to get cleaned-up and present himself perfectly before him neither does YHVH expect anything of us other than for us to come to HIM. HE will accept us just as this father had his son with open arms and everything that is within HIS kingdom powers. HE will hold no gift from us. There is nothing that is HIS that will not be ours and HE will not give one brother something of HIS that HE will not also make available to us.
Acts 15: 8. And God, Who knows the heart, testified when He gave the Holy Spirit to them just as also to us ... said Paul. YHVH did not give the manifestation of The HOLY SPIRIT only to the Apostles and HE did not give it only to the early church or HE would have been a respecter of one over another. The gift of the manifestation of The HOLY SPIRIT is just as available today as it was then. If we would seek YHVH and all that HE has, believing that HE will freely give all that HE is and has to those who will equally give all of themselves, then we will receive the gifts of The HOLY SPIRIT.
Regardless of whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, YHVH has always held HIS arms out to you. HE has known that many would fall and never turn back but HE has also always kept HIS eyes looking for those who would return...
Acts 15:17. to the end that the remnants of the Jewish people and all the heathens upon whom My name would have been invoked would seek out the Lord, says the Lord Who does all these things’ (Am 9:11,12) 18. known from eternity.
Paul sums up what I have written when he then declares...
Acts 15:19. On this account I judge that we should not cause difficulty for those of the heathens who are turning to God, 20. but to instruct them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols and from immorality and from the meat of strangled animals and from the blood. 21. For throughout every city from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.
For their health Paul addresses various food practices that should change but not as "requirement" for that they can find the teachings of Moses anywhere and everywhere. Paul, Barnabas, Peter and the rest of the disciples are putting to rest the "requirements" for becoming a child of YHVH.
No longer must man jump through hoops of religion to be or stay within the family of YHVH.
No longer is there a list of "Do's and Don'ts" to be adhered to.
The heart, the intent, the desire, these are where YHVH is looking. These are what HE is examining.
YHVH does not care how good you look.
HE does not care about the image you present or how clean you appear,
HE wants to know how committed you are to loving HIM?
HE is looking to see if you are a white washed sepulchre full of dead mans bones or if HIS SPIRIT is alive within you.
Are you dead or living for HIM?
