Olive Tree Image

Olive Tree Image
Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction,
upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB95)

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Q. What were the three things that Paul was instructed by the Jerusalem Council to tell the Gentiles?

A. If I understand your question I believe you are referring to Acts 15. The chapter deals with what to do with Gentile converts . Do they get circumcised and convert to Judaism (become Jewish) or not. A certain sect of the Pharisees (15.5) believed they should and other believers like Paul, Peter, Barnabas and others believed that they did not have to undergo ritual circumcision (become Jewish) to be saved. Paul and Peter gave evidence that God was saving Gentiles without it. After much heated debate it was determined by the elders that the Gentiles did not have to become Jewish (get circumcised) to be saved. However, they did not say they did not have to obey the Torah. They determined that the new Gentile converts had to begin to observe several things, not only because it was sinful, but to have fellowship with other believers, especially in the synagogues. They are listed several times in the chapter. They were instructed to abstain from idolatry, from eating carrion (things strangled), from eating blood and sexual immorality. These were minimal standards found in the Torah and given to them to start observing immediately. Then in 15.21 the council instructs them to go to the local synagogues and learn Moses (Torah) and begin to observe what applies to them. After this was decided, the elders of the Messianic community sent a letter by the hands of Paul to Antioch, Syria and Cilicia and the decision was read before the congregations and it was received with much joy.

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