Snoopy Approaches Acts

[unsafe]

We often say that John's Gospel promotes anti-Semitism. Seems to me the same could be said of Acts.

This of course is a man --made term this anti -Semitism ----and for me it is a misused term when it come to saying the Bible promotes anti-Semitism -----God has a Plan and the Jewish Nation is a part of that Plan and God honors His Pledge to the Jews in the end ---and people who use this term to say God's word is anti Semitic show their ignorance in Spiritual understanding of what God and His plan is for His Jewish Nation is all about ------which is Agape and keeping His promise to His Chosen Nation -----

 

[paradox3]

Yes @unsafe I agree with you. The bible (Acts, John, any other book) doesn't actually promote anti-Semitism.

Unfortunately John in particular has been used this way historically.

 

[Mendalla]

Right, the authors of the Bible may or may not have been anti-Semitic but they sure wrote some things that have played right into the hands of modern anti-Semitism. Let's not forget that Martin Luther, the guy behind the Reformation and Lutheranism, was a virulent anti-Semite. And he based that on the Bible.

Now, many of those passages can be read in other ways, but the fact that they have been (and still are in Christian fundamentalist and nationalist groups) used to support anti-Semitic views and actions means Christian who don't read them that way need to be clear on that point and get the counter-arguments against that reading out there. Because the anti-Christian, anti-Biblical crowd are using that history of Christian anti-Semitism against the Bible itself, while the anti-Semitic crowd are pushing their viewpoint (supersecessionism in particular) pretty dang hard.

We really need a good, pop culture preacher, movie, or TV show/series dissecting Christian anti-Semitism and demonstrating how the "anti-Semitic" passages in the Bible need not mean what the anti-Semites say they do. For the most part, what little I've heard in that vein is targeted to people who already largely think that way, not to those being influenced by the Christian fundamentalist/nationalist voices.

 

[GordW]

Right, the authors of the Bible may or may not have been anti-Semitic but they sure wrote some things that have played right into the hands of modern anti-Semitism. Let's not forget that Martin Luther, the guy behind the Reformation and Lutheranism, was a virulent anti-Semite. And he based that on the Bible.

Now, many of those passages can be read in other ways, but the fact that they have been (and still are in Christian fundamentalist and nationalist groups) used to support anti-Semitic views and actions means Christian who don't read them that way need to be clear on that point and get the counter-arguments against that reading out there. Because the anti-Christian, anti-Biblical crowd are using that history of Christian anti-Semitism against the Bible itself, while the anti-Semitic crowd are pushing their viewpoint (supersecessionism in particular) pretty dang hard.

We really need a good, pop culture preacher, movie, or TV show/series dissecting Christian anti-Semitism and demonstrating how the "anti-Semitic" passages in the Bible need not mean what the anti-Semites say they do. For the most part, what little I've heard in that vein is targeted to people who already largely think that way, not to those being influenced by the Christian fundamentalist/nationalist voices.

I remember a teleconference about 30 years ago (as in we all dialed in to listen because that was the tech of the time) with John Dominic Crossan. [It might have been in relation to the release of his book "Who Killed JEsus?" ?????] In that session Crossan was addressing the way Scripture seems to be/has been used to promote anti-Semitic. His suggestion was that when these things were written down in the first century it was still a bit of a sibling rivalry but when one sibling got much bigger and more powerful (Imperial power even) sibling rivalry can take a very nasty turn.

 

[Mendalla]

His suggestion was that when these things were written down in the first century it was still a bit of a sibling rivalry but when one sibling got much bigger and more powerful (Imperial power even) sibling rivalry can take a very nasty turn.

That's an interesting take. Probably has some truth in it, too. Scripture is going to be read very differently by a small, apocalyptic cult being persecuted by an empire than a state religion backed by the power of an empire.

 

[unsafe]

Toady we see Paul supernaturally healing a man who was crippled ---Paul saw that he has the right Faith ---that is the Faith Of Christ -----and tells the man to Stand up ---and he does ----
The people witness a miracle healing here and start shouting that their gods have come down to earth ----they call Barnabas --Zeus and Paul Hermes ----

Apparently this god Hermes was a messenger god -----so they called Paul this name because he was the main speaker person --I Guess ?

about these gods
AI

Hermes was the Olympian god of messengers, travelers, merchants, thieves, and heralds in ancient Greek mythology, known for his speed and cunning, depicted with winged sandals and a caduceus. The son of Zeus and Maia, he served as the divine herald, guiding the souls of the dead to the underworld, and was also credited with inventing the lyre and other musical instruments.

Barnabas was called Zeus

AI
Zeus was the supreme ruler and sky god of the ancient Greek pantheon, known as king of the gods on Mount Olympus. He was the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and he gained his power by overthrowing his father. Zeus's main symbols were the thunderbolt and the eagle, and he was responsible for controlling the weather, including thunder and lightning. He was also seen as the god of law, justice, and order, and was considered the father and protector of both gods and humans.

I say
So we see that Paul and Barnabas upon hearing that they have been called these names ----tear their cloths as it is Blasphemy-----

Apparently this was a custom of the Jews to tear their cloths in disgust when there was Blasphemy committed
AI

It was customary for Jews, especially religious figures like the high priest, to tear their clothes as a sign of deep grief, outrage, and spiritual pain when hearing blasphemy, though the Leviticus law did forbid the high priest from doing so, except in cases of blasphemy where a special rabbinic ruling allowed it. This physical act was a way to express the profound inner anguish and shock that one felt in their heart and soul in response to sacrilegious words or actions.
I say -----Paul tells them they need to turn from these useless meaning things to the true living God-
who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them.---

Paul tells them God kept constantly doing good things and showing you kindness, and giving you rains from heaven and productive seasons, filling your hearts with food and happiness.”

Paul and Barnabas has a hard time preventing these people from making sacrifices to them --
But ---guess who arrives ---the Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium,
and they win over the Crowd and they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city -----they thought he was dead ----

This last verse speaks for itself

20 But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back into the city; and the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

 

[paradox3]

The second Vatican Council in the 1960's was pivotal in rejecting the idea that the Jews were responsible for the death of Christ.

Anti-Semitism, I understand, was rampant in the Catholic church before this time.

The change of heart in the Church came about in my lifetime. I was quite shocked to realize this.

 

[unsafe]

Regardless -----these Humans who are so ignorant about Scripture should before they go making false statements about God's word being Anti-Semitic they should do a lot of checking and research as they are falsely spreading lies about the true meaning of the Scripture and misleading many who are just as ignorant as they are about the Scriptures and they should be ASHAMED of Themselves -----

But God will deal with these People when they pass from this world -----you can be sure of that ------they are misrepresenting both God and His Word ------

They are Mocking God and His Word ---and God says ----

 

[unsafe]

The Groups of People denying the Holocaust and spreading hate for the Jewish Nation are the ones who are anti-Semitic --God Loves His Jewish Nation and has plans for their future existence ----

The Jewish Nation will be included in the New Jerusalem and their anti-Semitic groups will be in Hell where the Worms never die and their thirst is never quenched ------unless they Receive Jesus ----who is Jewish ----as their Lord and Saviour ---


anti-Semitic groups need to understand ----

There is only one Door to eternal life -----and that is through the ----JEWS

 

[GordW]

The Groups of People denying the Holocaust and spreading hate for the Jewish Nation are the ones who are anti-Semitic --God Loves His Jewish Nation and has plans for their future existence ----

The Jewish Nation will be included in the New Jerusalem and their anti-Semitic groups will be in Hell where the Worms never die and their thirst is never quenched ------unless they Receive Jesus ----who is Jewish ----as their Lord and Saviour ---


anti-Semitic groups need to understand ----

There is only one Door to eternal life -----and that is through the ----JEWS

View attachment 11693

Just to be clear.... THis has supersessionist and anti-Semitic notes to it as well as it insists the only way for people of Jewish faith to be made right with God is for them to renounce Jewish faith and become Christian. To be truly non-anti-Semitic would be to accept Judaism and its followers as they are.

 

[unsafe]

Right, the authors of the Bible may or may not have been anti-Semitic but they sure wrote some things that have played right into the hands of modern anti-Semitism.

Again you making this statement ---shows just how misinterpretation is created -----intellectual minds reading and misunderstanding what God did actually writing about and misunderstanding the concept that is unfolding in the Scriptures -----

Yet feel they can voice ---a statement like you make here --just because it fits your way of intellectual thinking ---

Your quote here ---
but they sure wrote some things that have played right into the hands of modern anti-Semitism.

This is very dangerous as it only creates more anti-Semtitism in my opinion ---about God and His word ---when spoken out of pure ignorance of the real message ------

 

[unsafe]

Just to be clear.... THis has supersessionist and anti-Semitic notes to it as well as it insists the only way for people of Jewish faith to be made right with God is for them to renounce Jewish faith and become Christian. To be truly non-anti-Semitic would be to accept Judaism and its followers as they are.

As to your first part of your statement -----Here you go now trying to turn what your human intellect thinks ----into making what I said ant-Semitic ------LOL ---This is just how dangerous this is ----

What your peddling here just again ignorance of what the Bible is all about ---you make this ridiculous statement here about the Jewish Nation having to renounce Jewish Faith and become Christian to be right with God as ant-Semitic ---LOL ---and that is so wrong ----Faith is what makes you right with God --not the religion of Christianity

Show me one scripture that calls out the name of the Religion of Judaism in the Scripture -----and that the Jews have to renounce their Faith of Judaism ---------you won't find it -----

The Jews were already with God GordW ---God Himself chose them ---and they are still with God ---he hasn't forsaken them ---they don't need to give up anything to be with God --------- Religion has nothing to do with being right with God ----as God is Spirit -----your right with God through His Faith ----not by receiving Christianity which is man made and man driven today --

AI

the specific word "Judaism" is not in the Bible, as it's a term coined after the biblical period to describe the Jewish religion and traditions, deriving from the Greek term Ioudaismos found in texts like 2 Maccabees.


Your last statement here --

To be truly non-anti-Semitic would be to accept Judaism and its followers as they are.

Again worldly thinking and a worldly concept ------The Jewish Nation was a follower of the God of Abraham ---Issac and Jacob and still are ------the Religion they call Judaism and they follow is man driven and man made and will disappear in the future ----they still follow the laws of God that He gave them and they still worship the God of Abraham --Issac and Jacob ----

The change that the Jews have not made it yet is a HEART CHANGE GordW ---and God will looks after that for His chosen Nation when He wants and is ready -----

There is no ant-Semitism in that concept as far as I am concerned ------

What is awful is that people who have no Spiritual concept about God --His Plan and His Scripture just throw this word anti Semitism in the Faces of people all the time ---Human intellect pushing Bible anti-Semitism -----

That is what is dangerous in my view -----

 

[paradox3]

Acts 14: 21-28

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 14:21-28 - New English Translation

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria - After they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the...

www.biblegateway.com

After proclaiming the good news in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas move on. They return to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.

They strengthen and encourage the disciples, telling them they can expect persecution. Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in the various churches.

They continue their journey and eventually sail back to Antioch. Here they gather the church together and report that God has opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. Considerable time is spent here.

 

[paradox3]

Yesterday we were discussing anti-Semitism and Christian Zionism. Please forgive me if I am not using this terminology correctly. But I think it applies to the viewpoint @unsafe is giving us.

We know that the relationship between Judaism and Christianity has a long and unfortunate history. As I mentioned earlier, the Roman Catholic Church only changed its stance at the second Vatican Council in the 1960's.

Here we are in Acts, reading and discussing early church history. Second temple Judaism is pretty much splitting into two streams.

Let's keep in mind we are reading the story from a Christian perspective. How might the Jews who remained loyal to the Law and their traditions have experienced this time in history?

Schisms in faith communities are not easy either at the congregational or institutional level. In recent years we have witnessed such a split in the United Methodist Church in America.

 

[paradox3]

Both factions in the United Methodist Church were absolutely convinced they were interpreting Scripture correctly.

 

[unsafe]

Today we see that Paul and Barnabas returning to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch

They are there to strengthen and establish the hearts of the disciples ---- and encourage them the remain steadfast in the faith of Christ ----this is important because these are new Babes in Christ and can backslide very easy in their Carnal intellectual state -- which is your mind --will and emotions --they need nurturing in their Faith walk ----

Paul tells them that they will have trials and tribulations as that is part of entering the Kingdom of God --

Paul and Barnabas pray and fast as they are wanting to pick elders for each Church --they pick their elders and entrusted them to the Lord ---

Paul and Barnabas then passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.and spoke the Word of Salvation in these places =====then they went back to Antioch and gathered the Church together and explained the work they did through God and how God opened the door of Faith to the Gentiles --and they stayed there with the Disciples for a long time ----

 

[paradox3]

Thanks for moving along with the text as I post it @unsafe

Tomorrow we will arrive at the Jerusalem council.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 15:1-6

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 15:1-6 - New English Translation

The Jerusalem Council - Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate with them, the church appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others...

www.biblegateway.com

Some men (unnamed) come from Judea to Antioch. They teach that proselytes must be circumcised according to the Law of Moses.

Paul and Barnabas argue the issue. They are appointed to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this point of disagreement.

As they go on their way, they relate at the length the conversion of the Gentiles and bring great joy to all the brothers.

They are received by the church in Jerusalem and report all the things God has done with them.

Some of the Pharisees insist that it is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and order them to follow the law of Moses.

Deliberation takes place among the apostles and the elders.

 

[paradox3]

Just imagine the heat of these arguments!

Anyone reminded of our own General Council in 1988?

 

[unsafe]

So here in the first sentence of Acts 15 we see this -----

The Jews telling the Gentiles that they must conform to their way in order to be save ----so we see the opposite of what worldly people think about the the Christ--ians making the Jewish nation conform to their way ------

Verse 1 AMP
15 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

This Group here are called Judaizers -----

AI Overview


Yes, in the context of Acts chapter 15, the term "Judaizers" refers to the group of Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be truly saved

Who were they?
Jewish Christians:
The Judaizers were a sect of Jewish believers who followed Jesus but still felt the Mosaic Law was binding on all Christians.

Opponents of Paul:
They were prominent figures who strongly opposed the Apostle Paul and Barnabas at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) and later in the churches of Galatia.

What did they believe?

Salvation through the Law:
Their central belief was that Gentile converts needed to become ethnically Jewish by observing Mosaic customs like circumcision and dietary laws to be fully accepted by God.


I say ------We see Paul and Barnabas disagreeing here -----Conflict and division arise over this

This shows us just how difficult it is to change our way of thinking from our old patterns to a new way -----These Jews were having a very hard time understanding that the Law was now put aside -----and a new way had emerged to the way of Salvation ----

Also this gives us the impression that this Group thought that by keeping the Law that ---that would save them ------
so that was never said by God -----the Blessings would happen NOT SALVATION -----

God said this ----Deuteronomy

Blessings for Obedience​

28 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

So these Judaizers ---though wrongly about their Salvation being through keeping the law ---which they could't keep ------

So they have a debate ===some form their group and the 2 Apostles decide to go to Jerusalem and speak with the other Apostles over this matter ----- by the Church as they supplied them with what they needed and were sent on their way ---

verse 3 says
they went through both Phoenicia and Samaria telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the believers-----

I say -----So they preached as they went on their way -----

In Jerusalem they were receive warmly by the church ----and the Apostles and elders filled them in on what God had been doing through them ----

We see that some sects of the Pharisees stood up and said ----
“It is necessary to circumcise the Gentile converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.

I say ------Again we see these leaders insisting the Gentiles must convert to their way -----

Very hard for these Pharisees to let go of their Old way of Thinking ----and convert to the New and Better Covenant ----

The Apostles and elders come together ---to discuss this matter ------


I say -----much Spiritual understanding is needed here Folks ---Cause the Hearts of the Jewish Nation remain hardened to accepting the New Covenant for God's reasons -----as God has an Plan that is still playing out to this day -----and God will be executing it in the future

Remember Pharaoh ---God allowed Pharaoh to keep his already hardened to remain hardened so God could show His power and might when Moses went to free the Israelite's =

Well the same thing is happening here with the Jewish Nation ----God is allowing the hearts of the Jewish Nation to remain hardened for a time to the hearing and accepting of the Gospel of the New Covenant of Grace so he can bring about His plan to be executed ----which is in the future ----
--

So all this anti Semitic garbage being put out there when it comes to Scripture and what it says --is a bunch of HOOEY ----God is in control of the hearts of people ---and the Jewish Nation is no exception ----their hearts will remain hardened to the Gospel of Grace till God is ready to bring to completion his Plan in the future -----

People need to stop this anti -Semitic rhetoric when it comes to Scripture and get Spiritual understanding of what God is doing and what He is in control of which is the hearts of HIS Jewish Nation ----

People need to get the Proper Spiritual understanding about God and what He is doing ------you don't have to like it ---but you can't do anything about it ----

Proverbs 4:7




AI Overview

The phrase "God is allowing the hearts of the Jews to remain hardened for a time" is a reference to Romans 11:25, which describes a temporary "partial hardening" of Israel, not a permanent rejection. According to this interpretation, God allowed this temporary hardening so that non-Jewish people (Gentiles) could come to faith in Christ, fulfilling a plan to bless all nations. This hardening will end when the "fullness" or complete number of Gentiles have come to faith.

Key points from Romans 11:

• Not Permanent:
  The hardening of Israel is not forever but is a temporary situation.
  
  
• Purpose:
  The hardening served a specific purpose: to provide a path to salvation for Gentiles.
  
  
• A "Remnant" Remains:
  Even during this time, a faithful remnant of Jewish people still believed in Christ.
  
  
• Restoration is Promised:
  The hardening will end when the "fullness of the Gentiles" has come in, and Israel will ultimately be restored and brought to faith.

In summary:
This concept suggests that God's plan involves a period where most Jewish people are prevented from accepting their Messiah, allowing others to receive God's salvation.

This is not an act of eternal judgment but a stage in God's comprehensive plan for the salvation of all people, including Israel.


We should ALL _______Digest this Folks ---and stop promoting anti -Semitics when it comes to God 's word -----

Anyone interested in reading about this group called Judaizers can read this for themselves

Who were the Judaizers? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Judaizers? Are there Judaizers in the church today? What groups today are similar to the Judaizers mentioned in the New Testament?

www.gotquestions.org