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"GODFEARERS" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT: THE "PATTERN" FOR GENTILE PARTICIPATION IN THE ISRAEL OF GOD #3
Recorded for us in the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Acts one of the most important events recorded in all of Scripture. That event is often overlooked by the majority of Christians who lack understanding of the dynamics of the New Testament as well as the attending history and culture of the first century. What we will see in this article is further proof substantiating "the pattern" for Gentile inclusion into the Israel of God as taught by first century Judaism and as by the Holy Spirit and enumerated by the Jerusalem Church and James as well as the other Apostles and elders of the first century church. I must remind you that these instructions and commands that came from the Messianic Jerusalem Synagogue and Council long after the time allotted for the death of this Jesus and this fact alone should have a dramatic impact and importance for us as "Christians" today.
Let us begin with a more detailed account of the history surrounding the events that precipitated the Apostolic Council of 50 C.E.
On reaching Antioch in Syria, from which place they had been sent forth on their mission, Paul and Barnabas took advantage of an early opportunity to assemble the believers and rehearse "all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." Acts 14:27. The church at Antioch was a large and growing one. A center of missionary activity, it was one of the most important of the groups of Christian believers. Its membership was made up of many classes of people from among both Jews and Gentiles.
While the apostles united with the ministers and lay members at Antioch in an earnest effort to reach the Gentiles with the Gospel of Christ, certain Jewish believers from Judea "of the sect of the Pharisees" [some but not all believed this heresy] succeeded in introducing a question that soon led to wide-spread controversy in the church and brought consternation to the believing Gentiles. With great assurance these Judaizing teachers asserted that in order for Gentiles to be saved and accepted within believing Israel, the believing Gentile must be circumcised and must keep the entire Law of Moses just the way the Jew has to [613 mitzvot which included circumcision].
Answer for yourself: Were these particular Pharisees teaching that the only way the "non-Jew" can come to God and be accepted with God is through "full conversion" and circumcision to Judaism which reflect the School of Shammai's view? Yes they are.
Answer for yourself: Having read the previous two articles, do you remember that Gentiles were not required by God to be circumcised to be Godfearers and "accepted by Him" as was Cornelius example we saw in Acts 10 [circumcision was not part of the Noachide Laws]? Do you recall that the "non-Jew" could be circumcised and make full conversion to Judaism and be considered as if they were themselves "Jews' and "born again" if they so desired? I hope you do.
Answer for yourself: Are you beginning to see the mercy of God which was expressed through this momentous Jerusalem Council's decision which catalyzed a movement within Judaism to take Eternal Life through the Torah to Gentiles throughout the world? Are you seeing that by not requiring of the "non-Jew" the rite of circumcision which was never required of them by God and which often resulted in the death of such a male that there were big objections to it by the majority of adult Gentile men and that this bigotry by certain Jews caused many of these "non-Jewish" men, as well as their families, to reject the monotheism of Judaism and remain in false worship and possibly die eternally lost?
Paul and Barnabas, aware of the Laws of Noah and the Noachide Covenant, and no longer bigoted in keeping such a simple salvation message from multitudes of Gentiles (like Jonah had previously gone to Ninevah to share the God of the Jews and the hope of their repentance), met this false doctrine head on. They opposed the requiring of the "non-Jew" be circumcised and called to obey all 613 Laws given to only the Jews for Gentiles to be accepted within the Jewish community and become "saved". They both opposed the continued enforcement by Judaizing Jews of such measures upon the Gentiles which God never gave them in the first place for acceptance with Him (remember Cornelius?).
On the other hand, many of the believing Jews of Antioch favored the position of these "circumcising and Judaizing" brethren which had recently come from Judea, for after all up until this time the only way Gentiles had full acceptance with Jews and Judaism was through circumcision since the House of Shammai was in ascendancy in that day and their "theology" ruled paramount over the majority of Judaism at this time. This Shammai "theology" made full conversion (proselyte) to Judaism mandatory and at the same time made these Gentile converts subject to all the Law like the Jews (613 Commandments).
From the result of the efforts and labors of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles it was evident that their "converts" to Messianic Judaism, whereby believing Gentiles were accepted within Judaism through adherence to the Laws of Noah, kosher, and Sabbaths [including Feasts and Festivals] without circumcision, would far exceed the Jewish converts in number [requiring circumcision]. The Judaizing Jews of Shammai feared that if all the Law (613 Mitzvoth which included circumcision) and commandments were not made obligatory upon the Gentiles as a condition of synagogue and church fellowship, the national peculiarities of the Jews, which had hitherto kept them distinct from all other people, would finally disappear from among those who interacted with these "non-Jews" and that Jews would be influenced to fall away from such Torah adherence.
The Jews had always prided themselves upon their divinely appointed services, and understood that God had once clearly outlined the Hebrew manner of worship, and that it was improbable that He would ever authorize a change in any of its specifications. They made one fatal flaw because of their racial prejudices…they imposed upon the Gentiles as conditions of acceptance in the Israel of God measures which God never commanded of them; namely circumcision and adherence to all the 613 Commandments in the Law of Moses (as a Noachide believer God gave 7 Commandments or Categories with 66 subsets or manifestations, not 613). These bigoted Judaizing Jews insisted that circumcision and adherence to all 613 of the Mosaic Laws should be incorporated into the rites of Messianic Judaism as far as the Gentiles were concerned.
In the church at Antioch the consideration of the question of
circumcision resulted in much discussion and contention. Finally, the
members of the church, fearing that a division among them would be the
outcome of continued discussion, decided to send Paul and Barnabas, with
some responsible men from the Antioch Assembly, to Jerusalem to lay the
matter before the apostles and elders. There they were to meet delegates
from the different churches and those who had come to Jerusalem to attend
the approaching festivals. Meanwhile all controversy was to cease until a
final
decision should be given in general council by the leadership of the
Jerusalem assembly which were, in this case, hand-picked by the Jewish
Christ to lead the movement in its infancy. This decision on the
matter was then to be universally accepted by the different churches
throughout the world as letters recounting the final decision were to be
circulated among the Gentile churches worldwide as seen in Acts 16.
On the way to Jerusalem the apostles visited the believers in the cities through which they passed, and encouraged them by relating their experience in the work of God and the conversion of the Gentiles.
At Jerusalem the delegates from Antioch met the brethren of the various churches, who had gathered for a general meeting, and to them they related the success that had attended their ministry among the Gentiles. They then gave a clear outline of the confusion that had resulted because "certain" converted Pharisees (who had accepted Yeshua as Messiah) had gone to Antioch declaring that, in order for the Gentiles who repented and believed in God through Yeshua to be saved, these Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Again we must understand that although the Bible records this statement, it does not instruct us that this statement is true, but to the contrary it instructs us that this view held by these Judaizing Jews who believed in Yeshua was incorrect and not of God.
This question was warmly discussed in the assembly. Intimately connected with the question of circumcision were several others demanding careful study. One was the problem as to what attitude should be taken toward the use of meats offered to idols. Many of the Gentile converts were living among ignorant and superstitious people who made frequent sacrifices and offerings to idols. The priests of this heathen worship carried on an extensive merchandise with the offerings brought to them, and the Jews feared that the Gentile converts would bring Christianity into disrepute by purchasing that which had been offered to idols, thereby sanctioning, in some measure, idolatrous customs.
Again, the Gentiles were accustomed to eat the flesh of animals that has been strangled which yet contained the blood of the animal, while the Jews had been divinely instructed that when beasts were killed for food, particular care was to be taken that the blood should flow from the body; otherwise the meat would not be regarded as wholesome. God had given these injunctions to the Jews for the purpose of preserving their health and spiritual vitality. The Jews regarded it as sinful to use blood as an article of diet. They held that the blood contained the very Soul and life of God and was sacred, and that the shedding of blood was in consequence of sin.
The Gentiles, on the contrary, practiced catching the blood that flowed from the sacrificial victim and using it in the preparation of food. The Jews could not believe that they ought to change the customs they had adopted under the special direction of God. Therefore, as things then stood, if Jew and Gentile should attempt to eat at the same table, the former would be shocked and outraged by the latter.
The Gentiles, and especially the Greeks, were extremely licentious, and there was danger that some, unconverted in heart, would make a profession of faith without repenting of their evil practices. The Jewish Christians could not tolerate the immorality that was not even regarded as criminal by the heathen. With this understanding you can see why some of the Jewish Messianic believers considered it as highly proper that circumcision and the observance of the Jewish Law should be enjoined on the Gentile converts as a test of their sincerity and devotion. This, they believed, would prevent the addition to the church of those who, adopting the faith without true conversion of heart, might afterward bring reproach upon the cause by immorality and excess.
The various points involved in the settlement of the main question at issue seemed to present before the council insurmountable difficulties. But the Holy Spirit had, in reality, already settled this question, upon the decision of which seemed to depend the prosperity, if not the very existence and influence, of the Christian church.
"When there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe." He reasoned that the Holy Spirit had decided the matter under dispute by descending with equal power upon the uncircumcised Gentiles and the circumcised Jews. He recounted his vision, in which God had presented before him a sheet filled with all manner of four-footed beasts and had bidden him kill and eat. When he refused, affirming that he had never eaten that which was common or unclean, the answer had been, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Acts 10:15.
Peter related the plain interpretation of these words, which was given him almost immediately in his summons to go to the centurion and instruct him in the faith of Judaism which likewise teaches the "non-Jew's" path to God. This message showed that God was no respecter of persons but rather accepted and acknowledged all men everywhere who feared Him (regardless if circumcised [Jews] or uncircumcised [Gentiles]. Peter told of his astonishment when, in speaking the words of truth to those assembled at the home of Cornelius, who could not understand Hebrew by the way, he witnessed the Holy Spirit taking possession of his hearers, Gentiles as well as Jews. The same light and glory that was reflected upon the circumcised Jews shone also upon the faces of the uncircumcised Gentiles and besides all of a sudden the "understanding of Cornelius" was opened and the same miracle occurred in the presence of Peter that had occurred some 17 years earlier when pilgrims for all over the Gentile world had their "understanding" of the Hebrew tongue made plain to them having no ability to understand Hebrew before that time. This is described as the Second Pentecost. This was God's warning that Peter was not to regard such a one, a supposedly "dog" and "scab" as looked upon by Judaism, as inferior to the Jew, for through faith, repentance, and obedience all of God's children are accepted with Him both Jew and "non-Jew". Needless to say Peter was floored and then he knew for certain that not only the School of Shammai was in error about what they taught concerning the "non-Jew" and how he is to come to God but that:
Acts 10:34-35 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (KJV)
Once before, Peter had reasoned with his brethren concerning the conversion of Cornelius and his friends, and his fellowship with them. As he on that occasion related how the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles he declared, "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" Acts 11:17. Now, with equal fervor and force, he said: "God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them (uncircumcised Gentiles who had not made full conversion to Judaism) the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us (circumcised Jews); and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"
Answer for yourself: What was this yoke that these Judaizing believing Jews tried to put on Gentile believers in God through Yeshua?
You see, God never
promised salvation to the Jewish people by obedience to the Law, but by
faith only. Obedience was expected by God for His precious gift of
forgiveness of sins and when man failed then
God provided the gift of repentance whereby man could once again make
himself acceptable with God!
This "yoke" which was being Placed upon believing uncircumcised Gentiles was "obedience for salvation" [in particular circumcision and obeying all the 613 Laws]. These Judaizing believing Jews had forgotten that God never put on them circumcision and obedience to all the 613 Laws "FOR SALVATION," and to do so in regard to these Gentiles who are coming to God without circumcision was not of God.
Peter's address brought the assembly to a point where they could listen with patience to Paul and Barnabas, who related their experience in working for the Gentiles. "All the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them."
James, the Pastor of the Jerusalem Church also bore his testimony with decision, declaring that it was God's purpose to bestow upon the Gentiles the same privileges and blessings that had been granted to the Jews.
The Holy
Spirit saw good not to impose the law of circumcision, as well as all the
613 Laws of Moses on the Gentile converts, and the mind of the apostles
regarding this matter was as the mind of the Spirit of God.
James
presided at the council, and his final decision was, "Wherefore my
sentence is, that we trouble not them (by imposing mandatory circumcision
and adherence to 613 Laws of Moses upon these Gentiles who are only by God
the Laws of Noah), which from among the Gentiles are turned to God."
If the Gentiles wanted to acquire commandments that would be their free
choice whereby they could choose to obey those things which pleased God (Isa.
56).
In this instance James seems to have been chosen as the one to announce the decision arrived at by the council. It was his sentence that the entire Mosaic Law, which had previously been required by Jews for acceptance of Gentiles, and especially the ordinance of circumcision, should not be urged upon the Gentiles, or even recommended to them any longer.
Compelled by the love of Christ, the Apostles repented of their racial bigotry and influence of Shammai and returned to what God had originally commanded of all Gentiles (the Covenant and Laws of Noah), which when accepted and applied in their lives, brought acceptance with Him (remember Cornelius' prayers and alms was accepted with God before he was instructed by the Apostle Peter and the gospel that Peter came to preach about the Jewish Messiah.
James, the Pastor of the Jerusalem Church, sought to impress upon the minds of his brethren the fact that, in turning to God and accepting the tenants of Biblical Judaism (becoming new creatures as 2 Cor. 5:17 showed in the last article), the Gentiles had made a great change in their lives and that much caution should be used not to trouble them with perplexing and doubtful questions of minor importance, lest they be discouraged in following God.
The Gentile converts, however, were to give up the customs that were inconsistent with the principles contained in the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders therefore agreed to instruct the Gentiles in the Gentile nations of the world by letter to abstain from meats offered to idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood (4 of the 7 Laws of Noah). These proto-Christians (Godfearers) were to be urged to keep the commandments which applied to them and which God had given them and to lead holy lives. They were not required by God or the Messianic Community to adhere to or observe Laws and Commandments which men laid upon them! Also, they were free to choose others commandments and incorporate them within their lives as such pleases God, but this was a matter for their further education, and such choices were to be manifestations of their love for God and their fellow man. They were also to be assured that the men who had declared circumcision to be binding were not authorized to do so by the apostles, because James distinctly tells us that he, nor any others under his authority gave such a command (Acts 15:24).
Paul and Barnabas were recommended to them as men who had
hazardously risked their lives for the Lord. Judas and Silas were sent
with these apostles to
declare to the Gentiles worldwide by word of mouth the decision of the
council: "It seemed good
to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these
necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from
blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye
keep yourselves, ye shall do well." The
four servants of God were sent to Antioch with the epistle and message of
the First Church Council that was to put an end to all controversy;
for
it was the voice of the highest authority upon the earth; namely the
continued ministry of the Holy Spirit!
Answer for yourself: As a Christian today, have you been made aware of the Noachide Laws and that they are considered as "necessary things" by the Holy Spirit for you to be part of the people of God?
Answer for yourself: If these "necessary things" concerning the Laws of Noah were required to be a member in the Jerusalem Church and the Israel of God, then if you are not as Godfearers and believing Gentiles following the example of Cornelius and the teachings of James and adhering to such things as kosher and unclean food laws which are contained within the Laws of the Covenant of Noah, then, according to the Jerusalem Church and the decision rendered by them which seemed good to James and the Apostles as well as the Holy Spirit, are you SPIRITUALLY and OBEDIENTLY actually part of Christ's Church or rather a part of some man's church which has their own agenda (even though you attend a gathering somewhere)?
Answer for yourself: Since you were most likely not aware of the gravity of the situation, what do you think would have happened if you had died before you came to these truths?
Answer for yourself: Now, having come to the truth, do you remember what the Jewish Christ is to have spoken: "why do you say you love me and not obey me?" Well it is quite evident that the Jewish Christ has commanded certain things be done by Gentile believers (Godfearers), and the omission of those in the light of Scriptural knowledge can only be understood as rebellion which is as bad a sin as witchcraft!
Answer for yourself: I understand that
if asked you will say you love the Jewish Christ, but
how strong is that love for him if you fail to take to heart the message
presented in this article and repent of false belief systems you inherited
in Gentile antisemitic churches your whole life because your traditional
Gentile Pastors have failed to study out such truths and present them to
you properly?
The council which decided this case was composed of apostles and teachers who had been prominent in raising up the Jewish and Gentile Christian churches, with chosen delegates from various places. Elders from Jerusalem and deputies from Antioch were present, and the most influential churches were represented. The council moved in accordance with the dictates of enlightened judgment, and with the dignity of a church established by the divine will. As a result of their deliberations they all saw that God Himself had answered the question at issue by bestowing upon the Gentiles the Holy Ghost; and they realized that it was their part to follow the guidance of the Spirit by re-affirming the Laws of Noah upon all Gentile believers as "necessary " for their inclusion and right fellowship in the Israel of God.
The entire body of Christians was not called to vote upon the question. The "apostles and elders," men of influence and judgment, framed and issued the decree, which was thereupon generally accepted by the Christian churches. Not all, however, were pleased with the decision; not will be with these articles. But the truth is the truth! There was a faction of ambitious and self-confident brethren who disagreed with it, and will with what I have exposed in this article. But dear child of God, Biblical history as well as the original languages of the Bible does not lie nor the testimony of Judaism for thousands of years and is the final authority in all issues of disagreement! Those who disagree with what is written in these articles by murmuring and faultfinding, and proposing new plans and seeking to pull down the work of the men whom God had ordained to teach the real gospel message to a world full of Gentiles (no less James, John, Peter, Paul) will get their full reward for being false teachers! From the first the church has had such obstacles to meet and ever will have till the close of time.
The broad and far-reaching decisions of the general council brought confidence into the ranks of the Gentile believers, and the cause of God prospered. In Antioch the church was favored with the presence of Judas and Silas, the special messengers who had returned with the apostles from the meeting in Jerusalem. "Being prophets also themselves," Judas and Silas, "exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them" by sharing the decision of the Jerusalem Council and James. These godly men tarried in Antioch for a time. "Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also."
The history of this momentous event in the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles like you and me stands as a solemn warning to men in positions of trust in the cause of God, that they may not fail in integrity, but firmly adhere to principle. The greater the responsibilities placed upon the human agent, and the larger his opportunities to dictate and control, the more harm he is sure to do if he does not carefully follow the way of the Lord and labor in harmony with the decisions arrived at by the general body of believers in united council.
In his ministry, Paul was often compelled to stand alone. He was specially taught of God and dared make no concessions that would involve principle. At times the burden was heavy, but Paul stood firm for the right (most of the time..but there is that problem of the Antioch Incident). He realized that the church must never be brought under the control of human power. The traditions and maxims of men must not take the place of revealed truth. The advance of the gospel message must not be hindered by the prejudices and preferences of men, whatever might be their position in the church. It is such a spirit that Bet Emet Ministries continues to illuminate the way of obedience and holiness which is a measure of our love for God.
Answer for yourself: Was the Book of Acts written following the death of this New Testament Jesus? Yes.
Answer for yourself: If we discover major teachings from the Jewish Christ's church issued AFTER THE CROSS which were directed to ALL the Gentiles of the known world, then should this teaching and practice intended for Gentiles (like you and me-remember that it came AFTER THE CROSS OF THE MESSIAH), also apply to us today? Most assuredly!
Answer for yourself: When the Jewish Christ commanded his disciples and Apostles to go into all the world and "teach them (Gentiles) to observe those things I have commanded you," can we say for certain that some of "those things" which were to be taught and obeyed by ALL the Gentiles was the decision and teachings that would later come from the first "church council" in 50 C.E. since such teaching is said to "seem right to the Holy Spirit?" Most assuredly!
Answer for yourself: Do you see that
the momentous decisions reached at the first church council literally laid
the foundation for what was "necessary" for Gentiles to be "saved"
and included in the the Jewish Christ (Jesus) Messianic Movement and
church? Most assuredly we can and must since it not only "seemed
right to the Holy Spirit" but was understood as being taught by the
Jewish Christ to the disciples previously.
Answer for yourself: As you read the following articles, I ask you to be honest in asking yourself that if Gentiles like you and me are to be "taught to obey those things the Jewish Christ commanded them," then why is it that you have been attending Christian Churches your whole life and never were acquainted with nor taught to obey the things that you discovered in these articles? You must answer that for yourself.
Answer for yourself: Is it of the remotest possibility that you, after finishing this article, will come to the inescapable conclusion that you have definitely failed to be taught many fundament truths concerning the foundations of what your faith in the Jewish Christ should consist of and commanded by the first church of the Jewish Christ? Most assuredly!
So often many mistakenly believe that the "cross of Christ" altered "this or that" whereby many mistakenly lean on their own understanding or other's erroneous teachings in arriving at conclusions that often set the course of their beliefs, conduct and behavior which, unfortunately, CANNOT be supported and affirmed when compared with many other Scriptures and other facts and evidences that exist outside this Bible that "correct" such erroneous former conclusions. Thus, our faith and conduct cannot be RIGHT, and thus accepted by God if it does not line up with EVERY SCRIPTURE and all sources of facts and evidences that support the Hebrew Scriptures and at the same times expose the unreliable texts of Rome as forgeries crafted to create a false religion to steer the "non-Jew" away from Biblical Judaism. Unknowingly, much of the traditional Christian's reasoning violates Scripture and often such reasoning, when conceived in acts and deed, is defined by the Bible as "sin." The root of such "sin" and error is "false teachings" which often is caused by the lack of in-depth teaching by the vast majority of Christianity today and their leaders which seems to focus on "milk" instead of the "meat" of the Word of God. Without knowledge of the Bible as it was taught and understood when written and received by the "hearers" way back then and in the culture were it was received then we cannot be sure that our understanding is right when simply reading the English Roman texts because, as you have seen, and continue to see, the English language does great injustice to both the Greek and Hebrew language, thus distorting and completely changing the original meanings of Scripture in numerous instances. Some of this is accidental and some of this is purposeful; in fact the majority of "key" discrepancies and anti-Jewish propaganda and dogma in this Roman Bible received is purposeful; make no mistake about this.
The sad thing is that we spend our whole lives "thinking" our life-style is pleasing to God, where if we would have studied, learned, and repented where necessary when show a higher walk with God from the fruit of such study, we could have spotted hidden sins in our life and repented of them that stem from our lack of understanding of the Jewish Bible and the places where it is altered and later forged by Rome. In such study we would have had confident assurance that our lives are truly acceptable to God and a good witness of this God and his true message to others.
Answer for yourself: Has the failure on your part to study in-depth robbed you of vital information so necessary to your obedience to God and possibly are you not aware of the depth of what I ask at this moment? "Most definitely" is the answer that most honest Christians should utter at such a question.
Answer for yourself: Is the church council of 50 C.E. LOADED with hidden truths which, when known, should alter the course of the Christian's life? Most definitely!
As you can see, this momentous church council occurred in 50 C.E. in Jerusalem and speaks to the Christian today. Sadly, very few Christians have known the extent of what is taught in Acts 15, nor heard their pastor teach on the subject. The participants at this first church council are the zakenim (elders) and sh'likiim (apostles) which formed the foundation for this new Messianic movement which was headed by the Jewish Christ, the chief cornerstone. Let us never forget that the Jewish Christ's church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and not the Baptists or the Catholics, yet the majority of Christians today know very little about the "apostolic doctrine" taught by the early church of the first century.
Ephesians chapter two draws out attention now.
Eph 2:19 Now <3767> therefore <686> ye are <2075> (5748) no more <3765> strangers <3581> and <2532> foreigners <3941>, but <235> fellowcitizens <4847> with the saints <40>, and <2532> of the household <3609> of God <2316>;
20 And
are built <2026> (5685) upon <1909> the
foundation <2310> of the apostles <652> and <2532>
prophets <4396>, Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> himself <846>
being <5607> (5752) the chief corner <204> [stone]
Lexicon Greek 2310
2310 themelios {them-el'-ee-os} or themelion {them-el'-ee-on} from a derivative of 5087; TDNT - 3:63,322; adj AV - foundation 16; 16
Notice that in verse 19 the subject of the verse are Gentiles who are coming to God through the Jewish Christ. It is these Gentiles, like you and I, who are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and NOT DENOMINATIONAL AND NON-DENOMINATIONAL doctrines and teachings of a later Gentile Christianity as it separated from its Jewish Roots. Such teachings of this Gentile Church can be shown today to violate and contradict the Hebrew Scripture in multitudes of places. The Bible clearly and distinctly tells we are to be built upon the foundation of the Apostle's Doctrine (the Apostle's system of truth). We can start with Acts 15 and go from there as "Moses is taught in the Synagogues" as were the earliest "non-Jews" coming to the God of Israel,
Answer for yourself: Are you confident that what you have heard preached in your church you whole life is the Apostle's system of truth? How can you be sure?
You are mistaken if you said "yes", for the vast majority of contemporary Christian churches today teach and preach an antisemitic and anti-Judaic doctrine, either knowingly or unknowingly. Either way, this doctrine is incorrect and leads to major violations of obedience that the Bible terms "sin."
Answer for yourself: Have you ever compared Gentile Christian dogmas with Judaism and their religious beliefs on the same subjects? Would you care to? You better set down for this one!
The tragic part is that the vast majority of good Christians are not aware of such "sin" that is robed in antisemitic Christian religious doctrines and dogmas that is passed off as "orthodoxy" every Sunday to 2.5 billion uninformed Christians week after week.
Instead, the average Christian knows only their "denominational and denominational" doctrines, which are Constantinian to the core and more often than not, conflict with and oppose "Apostolic Doctrine" which the Jewish Christ and the Apostles both believed, taught, and took to the Gentiles in fulfillment of the Great Commission throughout the world. You may have never noticed, but the Great Commission of Matt. 28 DOES NOT SAY to take the Jewish Christ to the world, or the later theologies that will be created about him over the next 500 years by emerging Gentile Christianity and their Church Councils but instead it mandates that the Torah and the Law of Moses in the form of obedience to Commandments of God be taken to the Gentile world and this was done in Acts 15 and 16 when the Covenant of Noah and the Laws of Noah were taught to the "non-Jewish" world as part of this Apostolic Doctrine. Maybe you should read it for yourself slowly and think what it is really saying and not rely on what you have heard others say it says!
"Not so you say," well lets investigate the Great Commission in the next article and I promise you that you will be amazed by what you will now learn. Shalom!
Bennoah1@airmail.net