BIBLE STUDY LESSON 04
SERIES V --- JOURNEYS FOR YESHUA
THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL
THE COUNCIL IN JERUSALEM
From Acts 15:1-34
After their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch for some time. While they ministered there, some men from Judea came and taught that a person must be circumcised in order to become a follower in Moshiach. This led to considerable discussion, and even argument, between these men and Paul and Barnabas. When it became apparent that the issue would not be resolved in Antioch, the believers arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some other church leaders to discuss this with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. The entire church at Antioch joined together in sending these people on their way. On the way to Jerusalem, they stopped at Phoenicia and Samaria, where they told the believers how Gentiles were also following Yeshua. This made the believers very happy. When the delegates arrived in Jerusalem, they were warmly welcomed by the church, including the apostles and elders. Paul and Barnabas gave a report concerning their work, and how Gentiles were following Yeshua. Some of the believers present, who had previously been Pharisees, insisted that these Gentile believers [must be circumcised and must also observe the Law of Moses.] They were arguing that the Gentile believers must first observe Jewish customs in order to follow Yeshua. A meeting of the apostles and elders was called to discuss this matter. After a long debate, Peter stood up to speak. [Brothers, you know that long ago YHVH chose me to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles,] he said. [He wanted them to hear the Good News and believe. He showed them that He was accepting them, as He had accepted us, by giving Ruach HaKodesh. Thus, He cleansed their hearts by faith just as He cleansed ours by faith. There was no difference! Now would you tell YHVH He was wrong by burdening the Gentiles with the Law which neither we nor our ancestors could bear? Aren’t we all saved through the grace which Yeshua gives?] No one else had any further discussion, except Barnabas and Paul, who told the wonderful things which YHVH had done for the Gentiles through them. When they had finished, James stood up. [Listen to my words, my brothers,] he said. [Peter has been telling you how YHVH first caused Gentiles to follow Him. Actually, the prophets told about this many years earlier. For example, Amos said, ‘Adonai promised to renew His agreement with David someday, including even the Gentiles among those who seek Him. Adonai Who promises this has known these things from the beginning.’ Therefore, I believe that we should not require Gentile converts to follow Jewish practices or Laws, except that they, of course, should not eat meat sacrificed to idols, practice fornication, or eat meat of strangled animals from which the blood has not been drained. These things have been preached and read from the Law of Moses in our synagogues everywhere for hundreds of years.] The entire church at Jerusalem, including the apostles and elders, decided to send delegates back to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The delegates included Judas, also known as Barsabbas, and Silas. They took with them the following letter: [The brothers here in Jerusalem, including apostles and elders, greet you Gentile brothers in Antioch in Syria, and in Cilicia. We have learned that some unauthorized people have come to you from Jerusalem, troubling you with doubts about your salvation. With complete agreement, we thought it well to send some of our own appointed delegates with Paul and Barnabas, men who have risked their lives for Yeshua Moshiach, to tell you personally what we have decided. We believe Ruach HaKodesh would not burden you with any but the essential rules, that is, to avoid food offered to idols, to refuse to eat meat of strangled animals from which the blood is not drained, and to keep sexually pure. You will do well to keep these. Farewell.] When the delegates arrived in Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, they called a meeting of the believers and gave them the message. The church was filled with joy as it was read. Judas and Silas, both excellent speakers, preached long sermons to encourage and strengthen the believers. After a number of days, the delegates from Jerusalem returned home, while Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, helping those who taught and preached the Word of YHVH.
COMMENTARY
JEWISH CUSTOMS FROM THE LAW OF MOSES
Religious Jews cherish YHVH’s Law as their most precious possession. They think of it as a blessing, not a burden. They believe that the Commandments of YHVH are a sign of His great love for Israel. In their daily prayers they thank YHVH for the gift of Torah [the Hebrew word for Law]. [We will rejoice in the words of Your Torah and Your Commandments forever] they pray. [And may You never take away Your love from us.] The Law is also a badge of honour that sets the Jewish people apart from others. Their devotion to YHVH is shown in many visible ways that identify them as children of Israel. In Old Testament times these outward signs of obedience protected them from following foreign gods. Observant modern Jews continue to keep many of the customs of their ancestors. In the Book of Numbers, YHVH Commanded the Israelites to wear fringes on their clothes as a constant reminder of His Commandments. In ancient times, the men attached these fringes to their outer garments. But over the centuries, they adopted the [Arba Kanforth] {four corners}. This square garment has a hole cut in the centre for the head and a tassel attached to each corner. Religious Jewish men and boys today still wear the Arba Kanforth under their shirts. Tassels are also attached to the four corners of the Jewish prayer shawl. This flat rectangular cloth is called a [Tallit.] Most are made of white wool or silk with blue stripes across each end. Jewish men wear the Tallit over their shoulders and sometimes over their head during prayer. In addition to the Talith, Jewish men wear [Tefillin] while they pray. Two small black boxes, they contain miniature parchment scrolls. These are printed with the Commandment to wear the words of the Law as a [sign upon your hand and a frontlet between your eyes.] The first cube is attached to the upper left arm and its long leather strap is wound in a spiral seven times below the elbow. The second cube is fastened on the forehead with a knot at the back of the neck. The loose ends of the strap hang down in front. Like the fringes on the corners of his garments, the Tefillin are visible signs of the worshiping Jew’s devotion to the Law of YHVH. Jewish men keep their heads covered, indoors and out. They either wear a hat or a small cap called a [yarmulke.] {Also called kippot} it is a sign of respect to YHVH, and YHVH is everywhere. The [Mezuzah] on the doorpost of a Jewish home is another reminder of YHVH’s Commandments. Everyone who comes in or goes out of the house pauses to touch this rectangular box on the doorjamb. Like Tefillin, the Mezuzah holds a miniature parchment scroll printed with these words from the Bible, [And these words which I Command you this day shall be in your heart. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.] Keeping the Shabbat as a day of rest is another important Jewish custom. The whole family puts away work and dresses in their best. When the Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday, it is greeted with lighted candles and a special blessing. All work is forbidden, but Jews do not consider it a wasted day. Much of the time is devoted to prayer and worship in the synagogue. When the Shabbat ends at sunset on Saturday, a blessing is recited separating the holy day from the following week. Other Jewish customs are observed throughout the week as well as on the Shabbat. Many Jewish families still keep the Old Testament food Laws. They do not eat any meat that is considered unclean -- not {kosher} -- in YHVH’s eyes. Even the meat that is permitted must be carefully prepared. Milk and meat cannot be cooked together or served at the same time. Separate sets of dishes are reserved for each.
"If thou wilt not obey the voice of Yahweh thy God, to keep and to do all his commandments, and his ordinances, which I command thee this day, then all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee."
De 28
I'm shocked at how off the rails people can get when they reject Yeshua.
One moment they are claiming how they are true students of Torah and listen to what it says, and then the next they are telling me how they will be attending a local mosque.
Same people believe that I am a polytheistic for believing in Yeshua. Zero self awareness. Blindness and hypocrisy like I've never seen before.
At that time I said to you, ‘I am not able to bear you by myself.'
Deuteronomy 1:9
This recounting of the appointing of judges as recommended by Jethro appears to place the event almost 40 years after Exodus 18 says it happened, but that's a misunderstanding of the nature of the text. "At that time" refers to the era of Sinai, as in "during the time we spent in the wilderness around Sinai", not to a precise sequence of events.
Interesting aside: It appears that the people nominated their own leaders who were then confirmed or ranked by Moses.
The enemy didn't want this getting out, but we have finally managed to get it up online. Please watch and share as widely as you can!
The message, "Stand Against the Enemies of God," was delivered on location at 60 Bailey Ave., Manchester, NH for First Fruits Ministries Sabbath celebration on July 15, 2023. The message is an important look at some more controversial Old Testament passages regarding Phinehas's swift action to spear Zimri and Cozbi on account of their sexual immorality in Numbers 25 and Israel's resultant destruction of Midian in Numbers 31. There are no contradictions or inconsistencies in these passages, for they relate directly to today's world, the modern church and the coming judgment of the world. Watch this video to learn how followers of Yeshua should be handling themselves on account of what Scripture teaches in these verses.
Here is the Odysee video archive: https://tinyurl.com/k3ztf7yh
For the presentation transcript, download the PDF here: https://tinyurl.com/2743d2uh
Sermons at First Fruits Ministries are loosely based on the week’s
Torah portions: Numbers 30:1-36:13; Jeremiah 1:1-2:28; Jeremiah 3:4; Jeremiah 4:1-2; Luke 13:1-9; Mark 11:12-23; Acts 9:1-22; James 4:1-10: https://tinyurl.com/ycx2krch
It isn't healthy to stay still for long. Stagnation and atrophy are the poison fruits of a sedentary life. We must keep moving and growing throughout our lives or we'll die. This means constant learning, career advancement, greater responsibilities, spiritual growth, and seeking out challenges.
Deuteronomy 1:6-7
God is Gad is Ghode is god is Gade is the pagan idol of fortune! Lord is Hebrew for Ba'al and Ba'al is Hebrew for Lord! Ba'al Gad is Lord God! Christ is the Greek idol Christus. B.C. is Before they started calling their idols 'Christs'. Jesus is Greek for 'hail zeus'! Yeshua ir Yehoshua is Joshua, not Jesus. Idolatry is sin and no one choosing their own ways will enter the reign coming down from the heavens. There is no going to heaven! The skies are called the heavens. Taken up into the heavens to a safe place on His mountain. If you can't be bothered to respect the most quoted command in all of Scripture which is to keep Yahuah's Name set-apart! That is the most disrespected command and people always have excuses to fit in! There is One Name under the heavens in which you can be saved! Titles are not names! Rock, Teacher, Master, are titles, but His Name is Yahuah! Yahuah does nit share esteem with another! Yahuah is so jealous that He doesn't even want the names of idols and mighty ones to come to our lips! How can you ignore Scripture? Judaism is a works only religion based on dead works while Christianity is a greasy grace religion that abolished Yahuah's Torah as Jewish, even though the Jews are only 1 of the 12 Hebrew tribes. Yisra'êl was black in case anyone forgot. 2,000 years of slavery in different environments and diets eventually change their pigments. Yisra'êl is a multi-coloured coat and you can follow the major slave trades out of the middle east that turned into the trans atlantic slave trade. The Jews were exiled to Africa while the poor became what we know now as Palestine. The state of Israel is Babylon! Come out of her My people says Yahuah! I know it's hard, that's why you gotta count the costs of standing with the real Yisra'êl and keep Yahuah's Torah by the blood of Yahshua Messiah as a grafted in member! HalleluYah!
Without Yahuah's Torah there is no sin and thus no need for Yahshua! Watch your boldness towards Yahuah!
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