Snoopy Approaches Acts

[paradox3]

Interesting that the Pharisees do not appear to be unanimous in their opposition to the newly emerging church.

 

[GordW]

Interesting that the Pharisees do not appear to be unanimous in their opposition to the newly emerging church.

But not at all surprising. Some may have seen Jesus as a reformer/renewer within Judaism (and remember there are scholars who hold that Jesus himself may have had commonalities with the Pharisaic party). This thing we call the church may still largely see itself as a Jewish sect at this point in time (though possibly less so by the time Luke writes the book of Acts). This whole debate in fact centers on the question of "are we a Jewish group or something different" as more Gentiles are drawn to the teachings and story of Jesus. Knowing how groups tend to work I suspect the issue was not resolved with just this meeting. It probably held on as a matter of debate in some circles for a while and may really only have been settled by force of numbers as the Jesus movement became less Jewish and more Gentile in population.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Interesting that the Pharisees do not appear to be unanimous in their opposition to the newly emerging church.

Jewish people would find it very amusing that anyone would assume that a group of Jewish men would be unanimous on anything. Five Jews, six opinions at least.

 

[Mendalla]

This is really a crucial moment in the history of the church. Deciding that Christian converts must follow Jewish law and practice would have sidelined Paul's mission to the Gentiles. As a Jewish sect, Christianity would like have suffered the same fate as other Jewish sectarian groups when first the temple fell (70 CE) and then large numbers of Jews were extradited from Judaea after the Bar Kochba revolt (132-136). The split from Judaism, for instance, would have insulated Christians to some degree from the harsh consequences the Romans brought down after the latter, even if they had their own problems with the empire. To some degree, it is the real beginning of Christianity as we know it.

 

[unsafe]

there are scholars who hold that Jesus himself may have had commonalities with the Pharisaic party).

I think they did share some common Ground -----but Jesus was quick to call them out when He felt they were carrying things beyond what His Father intended -----



AI Overview

Jesus shared significant common ground with the Pharisees, including belief in the resurrection, the soul, angels, and future life, and a shared commitment to interpreting the Law and upholding Jewish tradition. However, this common ground was often overshadowed by their fundamental disagreements over Jesus's teachings and practices, with Jesus criticizing their hypocrisy and legalism while some Pharisees' opposition stemmed from a desire to protect their religious authority.

Shared Beliefs

• The Law and Scripture:
  Both Jesus and the Pharisees held the Law in high regard and believed in the authority of the Old Testament scriptures.
  
  
• Resurrection and the Afterlife:
  They agreed on fundamental theological concepts, such as the existence of angels and demons, the soul, and the doctrine of resurrection from the dead.
  
  
• Monotheistic Faith:
  As religious groups within Judaism, they shared the core monotheistic beliefs of their faith.
  

Points of Disagreement and Conflict

• Hypocrisy and Legalism:
  Jesus frequently criticized the Pharisees for their emphasis on external rituals and the "letter of the law" while neglecting its spirit, highlighting their perceived hypocrisy.
  
  
• Authority:
  The Pharisees saw Jesus's movement as a threat to their authority and influence within Jewish society, while Jesus challenged their interpretation of religious law.
  
  
• Social and Religious Practices:
  Jesus's association with "sinners" and tax collectors contrasted with the Pharisees' desire to maintain strict social and religious purity, which led to conflict and condemnation from them.
  

Moments of Connection

• Private Dialogue:
  The Gospels show instances where individual Pharisees, such as Nicodemus, engaged with Jesus in private discussions to understand his teachings better.
  
  
• Shared Ideals:
  Jesus sometimes appealed to the Pharisees' own ideals, reminding them of their commitment to righteousness and the prophets they claimed to honor.
  
  
• Pharisees Who Followed Jesus:
  It's important to note that some Pharisees, including Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, ultimately became followers of Jesus, bridging the gap between traditional Judaism and early Christianity.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 15:7-21

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 15:7-21 - New English Translation

After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he...

www.biblegateway.com

After much debate has taken place, Peter stands up and speaks. He indicates that God chose him to preach to the Gentiles so that they would hear the Gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, gave them the Holy Spirit.

Why place a yoke around the necks of the Gentiles? Neither they nor their ancestors have been able to bear it. All are saved, he says, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

The whole group remains silent and listens to the testimony of Paul and Barnabas. They explain the miraculous signs and wonders God has done through them among the Gentiles.

James now speaks, quoting from the scriptures. He concludes they should not cause extra difficulty for the Gentiles turning to God.

James proposes writing a letter telling the Gentile converts they should abstain from the following:
Things defiled by idols;
Sexual immorality;
That which has been strangled;
Blood.

He reminds them that Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town since ancient times. Moses is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.

 

[paradox3]

Peter and James provide leadership in today's text. And Paul and Barnabas are highly credible.

James seems to see they are breaking with the traditions of Moses. Yet there are four elements of the Law that are critical to retain.

James (brother of Jesus?) appears to understand the magnitude of the theological shift taking place.

 

[Mendalla]

So basically, call on the Gentile followers to live restrained, moral (by the specified standard) lives but not go all the way to making them strictly follow the law (so no circumcision, which would be a very hard sell in the Roman and Greek world). Seems like a reasonable compromise, really. Keeps some element of the Law in place, specifically the morality, while opening the door to those who would balk at a stricter interpretation. There seems to be wisdom all round here. Of course, the things defiled by idols becomes a sticking point for relations between Christians and classical pagans since idols and sacrifices are still a big part of that tradition. Sexual immorality is kind of interesting given the reputation of Roman elites for getting a bit wild (it was actually not as bad as sometimes made out to be, but they definitely had some parties that would make Hugh Hefner blush). But then again, we see as time goes on that a lot of the audience for the Christian message was not the elites, but the plebeians (working classes), equites (middle class), and slaves.

 

[paradox3]

Peter refers to a yoke neither they nor their ancestors have been able to bear (v.10)

Did he specifically mean circumcision? This was the issue which drove the formation of the Jerusalem council.

Could he have meant all aspects of the Law? Or many aspects of the Law?

 

[Mendalla]

The idea of the Law as "yoke" is an interesting one. It's like God had to control the Israelites like an oxen or something and now the grace that came through Christ is enough, no more yoke is needed. It's a passage that really seems to lean to "sola gratia", isn't it?

 

[paradox3]

Some commentators think the yoke comment applies only to circumcision. Who can know?

Doesn't Jesus say something about a light burden and an easy yoke?

 

[Mendalla]

Matthew 11:28-30 (NET)

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke[a] on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”

So referring to following his way as easy. Kind of fits if you're seeing the Law (or parts of it) as a burden to carry.

 

[paradox3]

Another echo from the Gospels.

 

[Mendalla]

Though weirdly, in other places in the Gospel he talks about the hardship of following him. I guess the grace makes up for it in the end?

 

[paradox3]

Yeah. And he came not to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10: 34-35). Divisions in families were to be expected, evidently.

Could be that's what we are seeing here in Acts with the schism in the church.

 

[Mendalla]

And likely you've got both Jewish and Gentile families where some members convert to follow Christ and some stick to the "old ways", creating divisions that way. You even see that today when family members change faith path (speaking from some experience here).

 

[unsafe]

So we see today that after debating the issue at hand which was about becoming right with God ---was it through Faith alone or was works required as well that is getting outward circumcision preformed and keeping the law -----in other words was the work Jesus did enough or do works need to be added ?????

Peter stand up and makes his case ----Stating he was called to preach the Word to the Gentiles and they would believe ----he says God knows and understands the heart ---giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to the Apostles and Disciples -----he says that God made no distinction between the Jews and Gentiles as he cleansed their hearts by Faith in Jesus Christ ----So in other words ---if God is receiving the Gentiles ==so should we ----

So here Peter says ---- that God made no distinction between the Jews and Gentiles-----
I say -------This was given to Peter in the vision of the blanket with all the animals ------

Peter says ----so why are you testing God by putting a Yoke on the neck of the Disciples ----
he is speaking of the law here and saying neither our Fathers nor they could bear

I say -----the law was a Yoke for sure as no one could keep it and if you broke ONE law you broke them all ----and there were 613 laws to keep -----and this one below about mixing was one of them -----Leviticus 19:19 posted below

They definitely were putting a Yoke around the necks of the Disciples as they were preaching Grace through Faith and these Judaizers were insisting on mixing the Law with Grace -----

I say ------And Folks that is what is going on today ---in many main stream churches today ---trying to mix the law with grace ----this is called Lukewarmness ---neither hot nor cold ----and God says he will Spew you out of His mouth for being Lukewarm ---

Your either with Jesus --or your against Jesus -----there is no inbetween --Folks

And God hates Mixture ---and made a law about it --so why are these people confused about what they should be believing in ----?????

Pretty Plain
Leviticus 19:19
You are to keep My statutes.
You shall not crossbreed two different kinds of livestock;
you shall not sow your fields with two kinds of seed;
and you shall not wear clothing made of two kinds of material.

Mark 2:22
Amplified Bible
No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the wineskins. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

Verse Eleven Speaks for itself

11 But we believe that we are saved through the [precious, undeserved] grace of the Lord Jesus [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life], in just the same way as they are.”

I say ----Grace comes through the Faith of Jesus Christ -----which we get from hearing the gospel -

So everyone remains silent as Paul and Barnabas tell about all the signs and wonders that God has done among the Gentiles --

So James steps in and says ---

And says that out of the Gentiles -(unbelievers -which we all were at one time )----God chose A People for his Name to honor and identify with Him ---and the prophets agreed with this

I say ----Notice here it says A People --not using the Ethnic Name of the Group chosen ---now being urged that all people are included now ----???

So peter says by his judgment it is better not make it difficult for those Gentiles who are turning to God by putting obstacles in their way ----

So in verse 20 --we see James giving a solution ----

20 but that we write to them that they are to abstain from anything that has been contaminated by [being offered to] idols and from sexual impurity and from [eating the meat of] what has been strangled and from [the consumption of] blood.

I say ------Spiritual Understanding is needed here -----as the Gentiles are not under any obligation to keep the laws ---but there is a Law of Agape -----to love your neighbour and so the Gentiles have an obligation of respecting their neighbour and not upsetting them ---so James is trying to make a comprise here ---by putting something in writing --to encourage the Gentiles to lay down their right in this matter --and hoping this will satisfy the Judaizers ---

Love (agape ) fulfills the Law

Romans 13:8 AMPC
​

8 Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one’s fellowmen, meeting all its requirements].

 

[unsafe]

Did he specifically mean circumcision? This was the issue which drove the formation of the Jerusalem council.

Could he have meant all aspects of the Law? Or many aspects of the Law?

Outward circumcision was just a sign ====

The Law was the burden -and the yoke was great ---because no one could keep the 613 laws in place --so this brought in the Curse ----and death ---the letter of the law Kills ----one law broken was all laws broken ---

 

[unsafe]

AI
The Problem with the Judaizers' Teaching

• Nullifying God's Grace:
  The core error of the Judaizers was in diminishing the sufficiency of God's grace through Christ by adding requirements for salvation.
  
  
• Leads to Defeat and Bondage:
  Their teachings led believers into a cycle of defeat and bondage because they relied on their own efforts rather than Christ's power.
  
  
• Contradiction to Christ's Work:
  The law was seen as temporary and unable to provide salvation; the new covenant established by Christ brought freedom through grace, not renewed bondage to the old law.

 

[Mendalla]

AI
The Problem with the Judaizers' Teaching

• Nullifying God's Grace:
  The core error of the Judaizers was in diminishing the sufficiency of God's grace through Christ by adding requirements for salvation.
  
  
• Leads to Defeat and Bondage:
  Their teachings led believers into a cycle of defeat and bondage because they relied on their own efforts rather than Christ's power.
  
  
• Contradiction to Christ's Work:
  The law was seen as temporary and unable to provide salvation; the new covenant established by Christ brought freedom through grace, not renewed bondage to the old law.

AI kind of got that right, I think, if you're analyzing the problem through a Christian grace-focused lens. A lot of Christians seem to want to create their own versions of "the Law" though and frequently cite the Jewish Law in doing so. Interesting, eh.