Judy wrote: > As I pointed out in a response to David, Paul > was advised to go to the temple that time with > the four men who had taken a vow to keep the > zealous Jews from making a scene.
Stop speculating. Get your viewpoint from the Bible. Rightly divide the Word of God. Your speculation makes Paul sound deceptive and dishonest. Do you really believe that Paul was putting on a charade to deceive the Jews into thinking he believed something other than what he really believed and taught? The elders told Paul that there were thousands of Jews who were zealous of the law. Many of these Jews heard a rumor (the same false rumor that you seem to believe) that Paul taught all the Jews that were among the Gentiles to forsake Moses. THIS WAS A LIE! Do you agree? According to Acts 21:24, Paul was instructed to take the vow so that the lie would be exposed. These elders of Jerusalem affirmed their position that the GENTILES which believe did NOT need to observe Moses. Their concern was not with what Paul wrote in the book of Galatians, but with the lying rumors about Paul teaching JEWS to forsake Moses and the customs of Jews. In summary, your speculation is that they wanted Paul to keep the Jews from making a scene. The Bible, on the other hand, indicates that they wanted Paul to expose the lie that was told about him, that he was instructing Jews to forsake Moses. Following is the actual Biblical text for your consideration. Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: Act 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. Act 21:22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Act 21:23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Act 21:24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. Act 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Act 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. Note that when Paul got to Rome, he said: Act 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, THOUGH I HAVE COMMITTED NOTHING AGAINST THE PEOPLE, OR CUSTOMS OF OUR FATHERS, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. If Paul was teaching that Jews should not be circumcised, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN LYING HERE BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING AGAINST THE CUSTOMS OF THE JEWISH FATHERS. Judy wrote: > This same man upbraided the Galatians, asking who > had bewitched them with another gospel for adhering > to Jewish legalisms so please don't be deceived about > this. It's not Jesus + the law of Moses. Rightly divide the Word of God, Judy. The message to the Galatians was to GENTILES. Paul taught that the Gentiles did not need to become Jews in order to have a covenant with God. He did not teach Jews to forsake Judaism in order to become believers. BIG DIFFERENCE! Judy wrote: > ... I'll have to be Berean about it and check it out. I sure hope you check out Scripture on this one rather than just raise objections from your own traditions and speculations. I mean you no offense, but speaking frankly because you brought this up as a bragging point for yourself, from my perspective, you have not approached this subject anything like a Berean. Judy wrote: > Yes but I don't know that being vegetarian is > doctrinally wrong, it's a matter of personal > conscience. Your implication here is that Torah is doctrinally wrong! Surely you do not mean to say that, do you? Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
