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Christians Are to Keep the SPIRIT of the Law and NOT the LETTER of the Law!
Are we as Christians commanded by God to keep the DIETARY LAWS written in the Old Testament?
In other words, if so be, we do NOT keep every single dietary law written in the Old Testament, then does this MEAN that we will NOT obtain ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come?
Now, according to the teachings of the Hebrew Roots Movement and the 119 Ministries, they are teaching that Christians must, without fail, KEEP ALL the LAW that is written in the Old Testament among which are the dietary laws pertaining to what the people of Israel could and could not eat.
In other words, the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement teaches that Christians are to KEEP the whole law written in the Old Testament. MEANING, not just the ten commandments.
But rather, they teach that Christians must keep the ten commandments as well as the WHOLE LAW that was given to Moses contained in some 615 ordinances in order to receive ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come.
And to try and prove that none of the Old Testament law was ABOLISHED or done away with, they use Acts chapter 10 where we read about the vision that God gave to Peter to try and prove that the EARLY CHURCH KEPT the WHOLE LAW, because Peter said in Acts 10:14 that he had NEVER EATEN ANYTHING that was called common or unclean.
So, therefore, they WRONGLY conclude that this PROVES that the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW written in the Old Testament.
We will take a closer look at this passage of Scripture in Acts chapter 10 in a moment, but first I would like you to consider the following questions.
Is this INTERPRETATION of Acts 10 that is drawn or concluded by the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement what the WHOLE word of Almighty God teaches us?
In other words, are we as Christians REQUIRED by God to KEEP every single dietary law written in the Old Testament to the letter in order to be granted the right to eat of the tree of LIFE in the world to come?
To say this another way, does the fact that Peter says that he has NEVER EATEN any unclean thing PROVE beyond any shadow of a doubt to MEAN that the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW written in the Old Testament?
Please keep in mind that this is just ONE verse written in the Bible and therefore this ONE passage of Scripture is NOT the WHOLE word of God.
And more particularly, the INTERPRETATION of the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement concerning this one passage of Scripture is NOT based upon the WHOLE word of God.
In other words, as I have said many times ANY verse when viewed ALONE and APART from the WHOLE word of God may SEEM to be saying or maybe INTERPRETED to mean something that it does NOT TRULY mean.
Please keep in mind the word of God ALSO says that those who are UNDER the LAW must KEEP EVERY point of the law because if they break even ONE point of the law, then they are considered to be transgressors of the WHOLE law and therefore GUILTY before God.
Now as you read this passage of Scripture I want you to THINK it through for yourself while asking yourself the question of WHY would this passage of scripture EVEN be in the New Testament if so be that the NEW Testament church was UNDER the LAW to KEEP EVERY POINT of the LAW?
Please read Galatians 5:1-10 where Paul is CLEARLY and PLAINLY teaching us that we as Christians are to STAND FAST in our faith to NOT be brought under BONDAGE, which is obviously speaking of the bondage of the LAW written in the Old Testament contained in ordinances.
Galatians 5:1-10.
“Stand fast therefore in the LIBERTY wherewith Christ has made us FREE, and be NOT entangled again with the yoke of BONDAGE.
Galatians 5:2. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if you be circumcised (Speaking of that which is written in the Old Testament which would also include if you keep the law contained in ordinances concerning what to EAT), Christ shall profit you nothing.
Galatians 5:3. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised (Or anyone that seeks to be justified by the LAW), that he is a DEBTOR to do the WHOLE law. (Meaning that if you seek to keep even one part of the law from which we have been made FREE in order to be justified, then you are OBLIGATED to keep the WHOLE ENTIRE LAW because)
Galatians 5:4. Christ is become of no EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the LAW; you are FALLEN from GRACE.
Galatians 5:5. For we, through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by FAITH.
Galatians 5:6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but FAITH which works by LOVE. (Since this study is focused upon the dietary portion of the LAW as opposed to the circumcision portion of the LAW we could also put the DIETARY portion of the LAW where circumcision and uncircumcision is being used by Paul.
In other words, it would be equally true to say, neither the eating of UNCLEAN animals that were called UNCLEAN UNDER the LAW avails anything, nor the eating of CLEAN animal’s avails anything, the only thing that matters is FAITH that works by LOVE)
Galatians 5:7. You did run well; who did HINDER you that you should NOT OBEY the TRUTH? (It was the JEWS who hindered Christians as well as SOME of the JEWS who became Christians that were being deceived by the JEWS who were HINDERING the Gentile Christians and the OTHER Jews who are Christians to be entangled BACK to the BONDAGE of being UNDER the LAW.
And Paul was setting things straight by teaching the TRUTH that if so be that anyone seeks to be justified by the LAW then they are FALLEN from GRACE.
WHY would this argument even be in the NEW Testament if so be that the early church KEPT the OLD Testament covenant?
When I say the early church, I mean the ENTIRE span of the New Testament. You see dear child of God, while it is true that the very FIRST Christians, who were indeed JEWS who believed on Jesus as their Messiah, did keep the Law of Moses, it is NOT true that the Jewish Christians continued to keep the LETTER of the Law of Moses.
For you see, they were still yet being TAUGHT by the Holy Spirit leading and guiding them into all truth.
Peter was being TAUGHT by this VISION of unclean meat to NOT call it unclean anymore because what God has cleansed is no LONGER unclean.
But the JEWS were HINDERING the teaching of the Holy Spirit to Peter, Paul, and the other disciples of Jesus to NOT OBEY the TRUTH)
Galatians 5:8. This persuasion (From those who are trying to bring you under the BONDAGE of the law from which you have been made FREE) comes NOT of him that calls you. (In other words, those who are trying to PERSUADE or CONVINCE you that you, as a Christian, are to KEEP the WHOLE LAW of Moses under the LAW of the OLD covenant does NOT come from Almighty God the Father and His Son Jesus)
Galatians 5:9. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Or beware for fear that you be falsely persuaded to obey the law on this one point to be circumcised that they also then continue to persuade you to be brought under bondage to keep the WHOLE LAW.
You see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, any movement that seduces Christians to discover their HEBREW ROOTS will always BEGIN their seduction with the KEEPING of the SABBATH as opposed to worshiping God on Sunday.
Then as soon as one becomes convinced that they MUST KEEP the Sabbath day, then these Hebrew roots groups will next move onto falsely teaching you that you MUST KEEP ALL the DIETARY LAWS under the law of the OLD COVENANT, then comes how one dresses and so forth and so on. A little leaven will begin to leaven the whole lump.
Also if one brother or sister be convinced or be persuaded to keep the law, then this false teaching will spread to other brothers and sisters in the Lord.
This is why it is so important to remove that bad apple of false teaching before it spoils the rest of the gospel of Jesus Christ.)
Galatians 5:10. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be NONE otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.”
So then, my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, do NOT be TROUBLED by those of the 119 Ministries or the Hebrew Roots Movement or any other group of believers who are SEDUCING you to be UNDER the LAW by trying to PERSUADE you to KEEP the WHOLE LAW written in the Old Testament beginning with the KEEPING of the SEVENTH DAY SABBATH and the DIETARY LAWS.
Stand FAST in your LIBERTY as Paul admonishes us so that you will NOT be deceived to be entangled under the BONDAGE of the law contained in ordinances from which Jesus Christ has made you FREE.
For you see, if you seek to be justified by keeping the DIETARY LAWS and keeping the Sabbath and feast days written in the Old Testament, then you are FALLEN from GRACE and Jesus Christ profits you NOTHING.
Now then, let us go back and take a closer look at Acts 10:9-14, while keeping in mind that whatever INTERPRETATION that is concluded or arrived at must AGREE with other passages of Scripture like this one we just read in Galatians 5:1-10 and if it does NOT agree, then that INTERPRETATION must be rejected as a FALSE teaching.
Well, we can ALREADY see that the INTERPRETATION of the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement, which concludes that the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW based upon Peter saying that he had NEVER EATEN anything that was called common or unclean CONTRADICTS this passage of scripture that we just read in Galatians 5:1-10.
Let us now read Acts 10:1-48 and consider the CONTEXT by comparing it with the WHOLE word of God to learn what this passage of Scripture is TRULY teaching us.
Acts 10:1-48.
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
Acts 10:2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
Acts 10:3. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming into him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
Acts 10:4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Your prayers and your alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Acts 10:5. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
Acts 10:6. He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall TELL you WHAT you ought to do.
Acts 10:7. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
Acts 10:8. And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:9. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Acts 10:10. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
Acts 10:11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Acts 10:12. Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:14. But Peter said, NOT so, Lord; FOR (Or because) I have NEVER EATEN ANY THING that is common or unclean.
Acts 10:15. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God has CLEANSED, that call NOT you common.
Acts 10:16. This was done three times: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Acts 10:17. Now while Peter DOUBTED in himself what this vision which he had seen should MEAN, (Peter DOUBTED that the MEAT was CLEANSED, which is also what this vision SHOULD MEAN.
For you see, later on, Peter ATE with the Gentiles, according to Galatians 2:11-14, and Acts 15:10) behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
Acts 10:18. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
Acts 10:19. While Peter THOUGHT on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek you.
Acts 10:20. Arise therefore, and get you down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Acts 10:21. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom you seek: What is the CAUSE wherefore you are come?
Acts 10:22. And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you into his house, and to HEAR WORDS of you.
Acts 10:23. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow, Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Acts 10:24. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
Acts 10:25. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
Acts 10:26. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
Acts 10:27. And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that were come together.
Acts 10:28. And he said unto them, You know how that it is an UNLAWFUL THING for a man that is a JEW to keep company or come unto one of another nation; BUT God has showed me that I should not call any MAN common or unclean. (And HOW did God SHOW Peter that God CLEANSED the Gentiles?
It was by the LETTER of the Law to not eat UNCLEAN MEAT!
So then, the DIETARY law was a SHADOW pointing to God CLEANSING the Gentiles through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross.
In other words, the dietary laws were a SCHOOLMASTER leading the Jews to understand the SPIRIT of the dietary laws.
The Spirit of the law is the TRUE reason for WHY the LETTER of the law was given in the first place)
Acts 10:29. Therefore, came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what INTENT you have sent for me?
Acts 10:30. And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Acts 10:31. And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Acts 10:32. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he comes, shall SPEAK unto you.
Acts 10:33. Immediately, therefore, I sent to you; and you have well done that you are come. Now, therefore, are we all here present before God, to HEAR all things that are COMMANDED you of God.
Acts 10:34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth, I PERCEIVE (Or I am beginning to understand) that God is no respecter of persons:
Acts 10:35. But in every nation, he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. (In other words, Peter now understands at least PART of what the vision that God gave him means)
Acts 10:36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)
Acts 10:37. That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
Acts 10:38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.
Acts 10:39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 10:40. Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly;
Acts 10:41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.
Acts 10:42. And He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
Acts 10:43. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 10:44. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Acts 10:45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (You see, the Jewish Christians were still LEARNING that they were to only keep the SPIRIT of the law and NO LONGER keep the LETTER of the law, according to Romans 7:6)
Acts 10:46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 10:47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 10:48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Now, those caught in the snare of the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement FOCUS on verse 14, which says,
Acts 10:14. But Peter said, NOT so, Lord; FOR (or because) I have NEVER EATEN ANY THING that is common or unclean.”
And then, they INTERPRET this one verse to mean that the EARLY CHURCH kept the WHOLE LAW contained in ordinances written in the Old Testament, BECAUSE Peter told the Lord no and that he would NOT EAT that which was called common and unclean.
BECAUSE before this vision he has ALWAYS OBEYED the LAW and has NEVER EATEN ANYTHING that is common or unclean.
So again, I ask you is this INTERPRETATION that is given by the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement AGREE with the WHOLE word of God.
Please keep in mind that we have already seen in Galatians 5:1-10 that their interpretation does NOT agree and therefore should be rejected as FALSE teaching.
But some of you may be thinking that their reasoning is very good and that it makes a lot of sense because there is no denying that Peter did, in fact, say that he had NEVER EATEN anything that was common or unclean.
And on the surface, it sure sounds like Peter was KEEPING the LAW because Peter said that he had NEVER EATEN that which is common or unclean AFTER the church age had already begun. So, therefore, it would certainly SEEM that the early church KEPT the LAW contained in ordinances.
YES, there is no DENYING that Peter did, in fact, say that he had NEVER EATEN ANYTHING that was common or unclean up to THAT POINT in TIME in which he received new revelation from God in a vision.
In other words, God gives us VISIONS to REVEAL something to us that we PREVIOUSLY did NOT KNOW.
So then, up to THAT POINT in TIME that Almighty God gave Peter this REVELATION Peter did NOT KNOW that Almighty God had CLEANSED not ONLY the Gentiles but ALSO the FOOD that was once called common or unclean by showing Peter ALL manner of animals BOTH clean and UNCLEAN and God TOLD Peter to kill and EAT.
Now, at first, Peter could not believe his ears and responded to God saying NOT so Lord for I have NEVER EATEN any UNCLEAN thing.
So, God showed Peter this same vision THREE times in all saying do NOT call what I have CLEANED to be unclean meaning that God had CLEANED the UNCLEAN animals, AND God had also CLEANED all of MANKIND. God CLEANED every creature of the earth.
BUT those who SEDUCE you to KEEP the WHOLE LAW under the OLD covenant have CONCLUDED and have INTERPRETED that this passage of Scripture has nothing whatsoever to do with God CLEANING the ANIMALS, but rather they argue that this passage of Scripture ONLY means that God has cleaned MAN or MANKIND.
Please keep in mind that ANY INTERPRETATION of any one verse or one passage of Scripture must AGREE with the REST of God's word or that INTERPRETATION is NOT a CORRECT interpretation and therefore must be rejected as FALSE teaching.
And we have ALREADY seen that Galatians 5:1-10 CONTRADICTS the INTERPRETATION of those who are SEDUCING you to keep the Sabbath day and all the DIETARY LAWS under the OLD covenant.
However, on the other hand, if you interpret Acts chapter 10 to mean that Almighty God cleansed BOTH mankind AND the UNCLEAN ANIMALS as well, then we have no CONTRADICTIONS with the REST of God's word.
If you read Acts chapters 1 through chapters 9, you will find that the gospel was preached ONLY to the JEWS. You see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ it was not UNTIL
Acts chapter 10, that is to say, it was not until AFTER Almighty God REVEALED to Peter what God had CLEANSED to no longer call common or unclean that Peter was sent to the GENTILES to preach Jesus.
So then again, up to this point in time Peter did not KNOW that God had cleansed the Gentiles and likewise or in the same way, up to this point in time, Peter did not KNOW that God had CLEANSED the UNCLEAN ANIMALS as well so that which was ONCE called common and unclean is no LONGER considered by Almighty God to be common or unclean.
For you see, God has CLEANSED all manner of FOOD just as he showed Peter in the VISION by telling Peter to KILL and EAT these FOODS that were ONCE considered common and unclean BEFORE God CLEANSED them.
Why would God give Peter a vision concerning FOOD if the vision had NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with God cleansing FOOD as well as the Gentiles?
You see, those of the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement make the CLAIM that this vision that God gave Peter has NOTHING whatsoever to do with FOOD and that the meaning of this vision deals ONLY with the GENTILES being cleansed by God.
And yet their INTERPRETATION does NOT AGREE with the REST of God's word as we have already seen in Galatians 5:1-10.
For some, this would be enough evidence from God's word to clearly show that Christians are NOT UNDER the LAW of the OLD covenant.
But for others, they may need more SOUND BIBLICAL evidence based upon the WHOLE word of God so let us continue this study in God's word.
If this were true that Acts chapter 10 has NOTHING whatsoever to do with FOOD, then what does God mean by this vision when he tells Peter to KILL and EAT if indeed this vision truly means that God has cleansed ONLY the Gentiles and NOT the FOOD?
Does God want us to go KILL and EAT the GENTILES? Absolutely NOT!
The TRUTH of the matter is that God has cleansed the FOOD as well as the Gentiles and neither is to be called common or unclean any longer.
Please read Acts 10:9-15 again and notice that FOOD was on Peter's mind when God gave him this vision.
Acts 10:9-15.
“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Acts 10:10. And he became VERY HUNGRY, and would have EATEN: but while they made ready (or while they were preparing the FOOD to eat), he fell into a trance,
Acts 10:11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Acts 10:12. Wherein were ALL manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Acts 10:13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; KILL, and EAT. (KILL and EAT WHAT? The GENTILES? Absolutely NOT! God is REVEALING to Peter and the church that He has CLEANSED the FOOD as well as having cleansed the Gentiles)
Acts 10:14. But Peter said, NOT so, Lord; FOR (Or because) I have NEVER EATEN ANY THING that is common or unclean.
Acts 10:15. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God has CLEANSED, that call NOT you common.”
Again, please keep in mind that if you dogmatically demand and insist that Acts chapter 10 must without fail means that the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW contained in ordinances that were written to the JEWS in the Old Testament, then this INTERPRETATION cannot CONTRADICT any other part of God's word.
And if it does then we must REJECT this INTERPRETATION of the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement as being FALSE teaching.
Also, keep in mind that we have ALREADY examined one passage of Scripture in Galatians 5:1-10 that CLEARLY and PLAINLY without a doubt CONTRADICTS this INTERPRETATION of the 119 Ministries and the Hebrew Roots Movement that the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW contained in ordinances that were written to the JEWS in the Old Testament based on the argument that Peter said that he had NEVER EATEN anything that was common or unclean.
But what they failed to understand was that up to THIS POINT in TIME that God REVEALED to Peter in the vision that he had CLEANSED that which was ONCE called COMMON and UNCLEAN. Remember to TEST EVERYTHING.
We all know and agree that God cleansed the GENTILES, but up to THIS POINT in TIME none of the early church KNEW that God had CLEANSED the GENTILES.
And NEITHER did they KNOW that God had CLEANSED the UNCLEAN ANIMALS up to THIS POINT in TIME UNTIL God gave Peter REVELATION through a vision of ALL manner of animals that God had CLEANSED telling Peter to kill and EAT.
Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, that it would have been easy for God to show the early church that He had cleansed the Gentiles WITHOUT any vision at all.
The CONTEXT clearly shows us that Peter did not understand what the vision meant UNTIL he saw the Gentiles being saved by being FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
You see, if Peter was to simply TELL the rest of the church that God had cleansed the Gentiles based on the VISION ALONE, then to me, there would be no doubt that they would NOT have BELIEVED Peter.
And if Peter had told the rest of the church that God had CLEANSED the UNCLEAN ANIMALS and that they are now FREE to eat ALL manner of animals based upon the VISION ALONE, then the rest of the church would NOT have BELIEVED him either, because all the church, up to THIS POINT in TIME, were all JEWS.
So then, it was EASY for God to prove to Peter and the rest of the church by the EVIDENCE of the Gentiles being FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
THIS EVIDENCE was something they could SEE and therefore KNOW that God had CLEANSED the Gentiles.
But what EVIDENCE could God give the church other than a VISION that He had cleansed BOTH the Gentiles AND ALL manner of ANIMALS.
You see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, by God giving Peter the EVIDENCE of FILLING the Gentiles with his Holy Spirit would ALSO PROVE to Peter and the rest of the church that God had CLEANSED ALL manner of ANIMALS as well.
We can clearly see from Peter's response that he was NOT going to EAT any UNCLEAN animal UNTIL he had PROOF that this VISION was from God so Peter thought on the vision while he followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to go with the three men sent from Cornelius to bring Peter to preach the gospel.
So once again, up to THIS POINT in TIME, it appears that the early church had indeed kept SOME of the Old Testament law such as the dietary laws, but AFTER this REVELATION knowledge, we start seeing more and more SEPARATION between the CHURCH and the JEWS in how they OBEYED God.
The Jews REMAINED totally UNDER the LAW while the CHURCH gradually received REVELATION knowledge from Almighty God as to what he wanted his Church to do and not do.
So then, let us now take a closer look at God's word to see if the early church kept the whole law contained in ordinances AFTER the time of this vision that God gave to Peter in Acts chapter 10, keeping in mind that it would have taken some time for this NEW REVELATION to have been taught to the church and would not have necessarily been written down specifically in the New Testament, because other laws of the Old Testament like CIRCUMCISION seemed to take precedence.
The law of circumcision was a really big deal, so much so that if the eighth day fell on the seventh day Sabbath, the law of circumcision was kept OVER the keeping of the seventh day Sabbath day.
So, it is understandable that not ALL and every point of the Old Testament LAW was dealt with specifically and individually.
However, the New Testament does offer more EVIDENCE that the church did NOT keep the dietary laws of the Old Testament AFTER the VISION and REVELATION knowledge that Almighty God gave Peter of CLEANSING that which was ONCE UNCLEAN under the OLD covenant.
Please read Acts 11:1-3 where the JEWS, who had accepted Jesus as their savior, CONTEND with Peter when they find out that Peter ATE with these GENTILES.
You see, these particular JEWS who were now Christians, had NOT YET received this NEW REVELATION from God that Peter received in his vision, but Peter DEFENDS himself telling them what God had done, then AFTER they heard Peter’s testimony they held their peace obviously agreeing with Peter when he said, Who am I that I should fight AGAINST God.
In other words, If God wants to make CHANGES in his law, then who am I to fight AGAINST God.
Acts 11:1-4.
“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea HEARD that the Gentiles had ALSO received the word of God.
Acts 11:2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision (Speaking of the Jews who had become Christians) CONTENDED with him,
Acts 11:3. Saying, You went into men UNCIRCUMCISED and did EAT with them. (BOTH keep company AND EATING with the Gentiles were wrong or breaking the law of Moses to a Jew.
And, therefore, up to THIS POINT in TIME, not ALL the JEWS who became Christians had HEARD of the REVELATION KNOWLEDGE that God gave to Peter in a VISION of CLEANSING that which was ONCE unclean)
Acts 11:4. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,”
Some have tried to REASON AWAY this passage of Scripture by saying that these Gentile Christians prepared a SPECIAL meal for the Jews who you must remember were the only Christians BEFORE this point in time.
But in truth, God was SHOWING the CHURCH that he had CLEANSED that which was ONCE UNCLEAN.
Again one can INTERPRET that God ONLY cleansed MANKIND, as opposed to God cleansing BOTH mankind AND ALL manner of ANIMALS as well.
But whichever INTERPRETATION one chooses it MUST AGREE with the REST of God’s word.
And we have already seen that the INTERPRETATION of those who are trying to SEDUCE you to KEEP ALL the DIETARY laws under the OLD covenant does NOT AGREE with the rest of God's word.
So, in my opinion, to try and reason away the above passage of Scripture by saying that the Gentile Christians prepare a SPECIAL meal for the Jewish Christians.
Now, do you really think that these UNCIRCUMCISED GENTILES prepared a special meal for these JEWISH Christians with food that they themselves did NOT EAT?
I mean, what would be the point of even mentioning that these Jews who have accepted Jesus as their savior that were in Jerusalem, CONTENDING with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles if the Gentiles were eating the SAME kinds of FOOD that the JEWS eat?
You see, verse 1 tells us that the brethren in Jerusalem had ALREADY HEARD that these Gentiles had received the word of God. So the CONTENDING was not the keeping company with the Gentiles, but rather, the contending was over EATING with the Gentiles.
Obviously, to me, the Gentiles were eating that which was forbidden for the JEWS to EAT, under the OLD Covenant, and when they heard that Peter ATE with the Gentiles they CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles.
So then, WHY would Peter EAT with the Gentiles knowing that it was against the LAW contained in ordinances? Remember that the Holy Spirit spoke to Peter and told him to doubt NOTHING?
Peter had ALREADY SEEN these Gentiles be ACCEPTED by Almighty God by SEEING them being FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
The word says that Peter PERCEIVED when he SAW God FILLING these GENTILES with his Holy Spirit that God no LONGER had RESPECT of person and NOW God ACCEPTED that which was ONCE UNCLEAN.
And when these new Gentile Christians asked Peter to EAT with them, I am quite sure that the Holy Spirit brought to Peter's REMEMBRANCE to doubt NOTHING.
So Peter obviously OBEYED the Holy Spirit and ATE with the new Gentile Christians.
Again, there would have been no point to even mention the CONTENDING with Peter if so be that Peter ate only that which was PERMITTED UNDER the LAW.
I am convinced that Peter ATE whatever was set before him doubting NOTHING as God has told him to do.
This is WHY God gave Peter the vision of ALL manner of FOOD and told Peter to KILL and EAT because God was showing Peter that he had CLEANSED the FOOD as well as the Gentiles.
Otherwise, if Peter did not understand this vision to mean that God cleansed the FOOD also, then surely Peter would NEVER have EATEN with the Gentiles.
And if so be that Peter ate ONLY that which was permitted UNDER the LAW, then there would be no need to mention the CONTENTION of Peter EATING with the Gentiles.
But the facts are that Peter DID INDEED EAT with the Gentiles and the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem did indeed CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles, UNTIL they HEARD that God had CLEANSED that which was once called common and unclean and then they left off contending with Peter, because they now understood that God had CLEANSED the FOOD as well as the Gentiles.
You see, in Acts 11:15-18 we read where these Jews who believed in Jesus CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles because they did NOT KNOW that God had CLEANSED the Gentiles and the FOOD, UNTIL Peter told them what God had done, the WHOLE matter.
Then AFTER they HEARD what God had done from the beginning to the end, then they held their peace and no LONGER CONTENDED with Peter about EATING with these UNCIRCUMCISED GENTILES.
In Acts 11:15-18 Peter expounds the WHOLE matter to the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem who were CONTENDING with Peter for EATING with the Gentile Christians whom they HEARD had received the word of God.
Acts 11:15-18.
“And as I (Peter) began to speak (To these Gentiles about Jesus), the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16. THEN REMEMBERED I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 11:17. For as much 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 11:18. When they (Speaking of the JEWISH Christians at Jerusalem who were CONTENDING with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles who had received the word of God) HEARD these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
Here we see that some MORE Jewish Christians accepted and BELIEVED the VISION and REVELATION knowledge that God had CLEANSED that which was ONCE unclean by hearing the EVIDENCE of Almighty God FILLING the Gentiles who received His word with His Holy Spirit.
Yes, they did not mention food specifically, because the greater emphasis of importance is the salvation of man.
Remember when the disciples came to Jesus and said even the devils obey us in Your name and Jesus answered them in Luke 10:20.
Luke 10:20.
“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus was not saying that we should not rejoice whatsoever at all, in what God is doing, but rather, our greatest joy should be on the salvation of others.
So then, we should not be surprised that every single detail is not told to us as to what God is doing.
We know that Peter did indeed EAT with the Gentiles and this was a CONTENTION with the Jews who believed in Jesus, who were at Jerusalem, UNTIL they HEARD the WHOLE matter of what God had DONE, and then they held their peace to no LONGER CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles.
So then, you have to ask yourself WHY it was no longer an ISSUE to the early church for Christians to EAT with the Gentiles?
Some again, some argue that the ISSUE was not EATING with the Gentiles, but rather, was merely being in the COMPANY of the Gentiles.
WHY then was EATING even mentioned if it was alright to EAT what the Gentiles ATE if so be that the real ISSUE was supposedly just merely being in the COMPANY of the Gentiles?
The TRUTH of the matter is that EATING with the Gentiles was the TRUE ISSUE that was being CONTENTED.
Please read Galatians 2:1-21 where Paul REBUKES Peter to his face for backsliding, so to speak, because Peter had indeed been OBEYING the TRUE GOSPEL to EAT with the GENTILES.
But when some JEWS started to JUDGE him for EATING with the Gentiles, Peter DREW BACK from eating with the Gentiles for FEAR of the JEWS who were COMPELLING him to be brought back and be placed back under the BONDAGE of the LAW contained in ORDINANCES.
Galatians 2:1-21.
“Then fourteen years after I (Paul) went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Galatians 2:2. And I went up by revelation and communicated unto them that GOSPEL which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of REPUTATION,(Speaking of the JEWS) lest by any means I should run, or had run, in VAIN.
Galatians 2:3. But NEITHER Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be CIRCUMCISED: (In other words, these JEWS of the reputation who came in unaware as spies were COMPELLING these Gentile Christians to be CIRCUMCISED and to follow the LAW of Moses contained in ordinances, but they did NOT succeed, because Paul says that NEITHER Titus was COMPELLED to be CIRCUMCISED)
Galatians 2:4. And that because of FALSE brethren unaware brought in, who came in privily to SPY out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, THAT (Or so that, or in ORDER THAT) they (Speaking of those of the reputation, the JEWS, these FALSE brethren whoever they were) might bring us into BONDAGE: (Speaking of being brought back into the bondage of the LAW contained in ORDINANCES that were ABOLISHED, SLAIN, NAILED to the CROSS and BLOTTED OUT by FAITH in Jesus Christ)
Galatians 2:5. To whom (Speaking of these SPIES, these FALSE teachers pretending to be our brethren) we gave place by subjection, no, NOT for an hour; that the TRUTH of the GOSPEL might CONTINUE with you. (Now, if so be that the early church did indeed KEEP ALL the LAW, like the Jews, then WHY all the CONTENTION between the Jews and the Christians?
This passage of Scripture makes it absolutely clear without a doubt that the early church did NOT KEEP the LAW contained in ordinances under the OLD covenant)
Galatians 2:6. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, [Whether they be GNOSTIC Jews, or Scribes, or Pharisees or just plain JEWS, whatsoever they were] it makes no matter to me: God accepts no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Galatians 2:7. But contrariwise, (Or on the contrary, or quite the opposite) when they SAW that the GOSPEL of the uncircumcision was COMMITTED unto me, as (Or in the SAME WAY as) the GOSPEL of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Galatians 2:8. (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the SAME was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Galatians 2:9. And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the GRACE that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen and they unto the circumcision.
Galatians 2:10. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Galatians 2:11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be BLAMED.
Galatians 2:12. For BEFORE that certain came from James, he (Speaking of Peter) did EAT with the Gentiles:(Or BEFORE these JEWS came in to judge and compel Peter to be brought under the BONDAGE of the LAW, Peter was EATING MEAT with the GENTILES, which Peter KNEW that the JEWS, of course, would JUDGE him as being a transgressor of the LAW, but Peter ATE with the Gentiles anyway knowing that they would judge him BEFORE those Jews of reputation came in unto him) BUT when they (Speaking of those of reputation, the JEWS) were come, he (Peter) withdrew and separated himself, FEARING them which were of the CIRCUMCISION.(In other words, Peter was being a hypocrite by first EATING with the Gentiles and now he WITHDREW and he stopped EATING with the Gentiles because he FEARED the JEWS)
Galatians 2:13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was CARRIED AWAY with their dissimulation. (Now HOW can Christians be CARRIED AWAY to KEEP the LAW under the OLD covenant if so be the early church was ALREADY keeping all the law of the OLD covenant? Now in this case EATING IS SPECIFICALLY named as the point of CONTENTION.
Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that there would have been no CONTENTION whatsoever if so be that the early church did indeed KEEP ALL the LAW of the OLD Testament as the JEWS. The mere FACT that there was CONTENTION between the Jews and the Christians proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the early church did NOT keep all the Law of Moses contained in ordinances including NOT keeping the dietary laws of the OLD Covenant)
Galatians 2:14. But when I saw that they walked NOT uprightly according to the TRUTH of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, (Or if you Peter being a natural born Jew who was before taught in all manner of JEWISH laws, but now being in Jesus Christ) LIVE AFTER the MANNER of Gentiles, and NOT as do the Jews, WHY COMPELL you the Gentiles to LIVE as do THE JEWS?
(You see, it was NOT that Peter was actually TEACHING or PREACHING to the Gentiles to live as the Jews.
But rather, it was the ACTIONS of Peter withdrawing himself from LIVING AFTER the MANNER of the GENTILES for FEAR of the JEWS that was the COMPELLING factor that was causing some of the Gentles Christians to FOLLOW Peter's EXAMPLE to RETURN back to live like the Jews.
And by doing so, Peter did NOT OBEY the TRUTH of the Gospel.
You see by WITHDRAWING from living in his liberty in Jesus Christ, Peter compelled some of these Gentile believers to live as the JEWS because they SAW Peter going back to living like the Jews and Paul WITHSTOOD Peter to his face for NOT OBEYING the TRUTH of the GOSPEL.
This passage of Scripture CLEARLY teaches us that BEFORE the Jews of reputation came unto Peter and put FEAR in Peter, he OBEYED the TRUTH of the gospel and lived AFTER the MANNER of the Gentiles, to EAT what the Gentiles ATE because Peter BELIEVED the VISION that God had indeed CLEANSED ALL manner of ANIMALS as well as ALL of mankind and that which was ONCE unclean, God had NOW made CLEAN.
But AFTER FEAR entered Peter because of the JEWS COMPELLING and SEDUCING Peter; he drew back and became DISOBEDIENT to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Hebrew Roots Movement uses FEAR to compel Christians to live as the JEWS live, keeping all the law contained in ordinances under the OLD Covenant. But the TRUTH of the whole matter is)
Galatians 2:15. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Galatians 2:16. Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the LAW, but by the FAITH of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the FAITH of Christ, and NOT by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:17. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Galatians 2:18. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (Paul is saying in these two verses that Peter and those who followed Peter’s WRONG and COWARDLY EXAMPLE to turn back to following the DIETARY laws are SINNERS)
Galatians 2:19. For I, through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
(In other words, there is no way that Paul is teaching in Colossians 2:16 for Christian to KEEP the holy days, or to KEEP the feasts days, or the new moon festivals, or to KEEP the Sabbath days, or to KEEP the dietary laws of the OLD TESTAMENT, because that would be building AGAIN these things that Paul destroyed by the preaching the TRUTH of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ.)
Galatians 2:20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the FAITH of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:21. I do NOT frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the LAW, then Christ is dead in VAIN.”
So you see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, there is no WAY that Paul was teaching in Colossians 2:16 for these Christians to KEEP the LAW and ORDINANCES to observe the holy days, the feast days, the Sabbath days, or the dietary laws of the OLD TESTAMENT.
But rather Paul was clearly and plainly teaching us, as Christians, NOT to keep the law and to NOT let the Jews or the Hebrews Root movement groups JUDGE us for NOT KEEPING the LAW.
I mean think about this for a moment, WHY would the Jews be JUDGING these Gentile Christians if they were truly being taught by Paul to KEEP the LAW as they themselves were teaching the KEEPING of the LAW to their fellow JEWS?
This makes no sense whatsoever for Paul to be teaching these Christians to NOT let these Jews JUDGE them in the matters of the LAW if so be, that Paul was TRULY teaching these Christians to KEEP the LAW.
Can you not see how the 119 Ministry and the Hebrew Roots Movement have ERRED in their INTERPRETATION of the scriptures?
Nevertheless we shall continue looking at some other arguments used by the 119 Ministry to TRY and support their FALSE interpretation that Paul was teaching us to KEEP ALL the LAW of Moses given in the OLD TESTAMENT by picking up where they left off teaching that the CONTEXT is what determines the meaning of the verse for us. Jesus taught us that it is NOT what goes INTO the belly that DEFILES a man.
Please read Matthew 15:10,11 which says.
“And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Matthew 15:11. NOT that which goes INTO the mouth DEFILES a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
The heart of this message can be easier understood by reading Luke 6:45 which teaches us the importance of the words we speak out of our mouth.
Luke 6:45.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth SPEAKS.”
So then, Jesus is teaching us that out of the abundance of the evil treasures of the heart DEFILES the man, because this man SPEAKS forth or brings forth by SPEAKING what is in his or her HEART.
Jesus is saying that it is not so much a matter of what is eaten that DEFILES a person, but rather it is the evil that is brought forth by the spoken WORDS of a person which defiles a person.
For a deeper understanding on this subject please read the study G-4. THE POWER OF OUR WORDS!
But for now, let us continue this study in God's word to see if the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW contained in ORDINANCES that were given to the JEWS under the OLD Testament.
As I said earlier, Peter did NOT KNOW that he was set free from the LAW contained in ordinances written to the JEWS under the OLD Testament, UNTIL Almighty God began to REVEAL this TRUTH to him and the church through the VISION God gave Peter that is recorded in Acts chapter 10.
Little by little the church then grew in the KNOWLEDGE of their liberty in Jesus Christ that they did NOT PREVIOUSLY know BEFORE God began REVEALING the entirety of this liberty to them.
All they knew at the first was Jesus was the PROPITIATION or the ATONEMENT for their sins and that the LAW of offering animal sacrifices was ABOLISHED.
In other words, they were still yet LEARNING as they went.
I mean THINK about this for a moment. Just how many JEWS would have ever been PERSUADED to walk away from EVERYTHING that they had been taught all their lives to accept Jesus as their Messiah?
God knew what He was doing by taking ONE STEP at a time.
The FIRST step was to PROVE his Son Jesus ALIVE from the dead. The second step was to PROVE that Jesus spoke the TRUTH by BAPTIZING them with the fullness of the Holy Spirit with the EVIDENCE of speaking in other tongues.
The third step was to CONFIRM His WORD with SIGNS following.
The gospel at the first was Jesus crucified and risen from the dead to the JEW first.
Then it became time for God to turn to the GENTILES, which is WHEN God first began to REVEAL that He had CLEANSED that which was ONCE UNCLEAN under the LAW.
This took awhile and God no doubt knew that there would be divisions at first.
But little by little the Apostles LEARNED what God's WILL was for the CHURCH, His CALLED OUT ones. God was tearing down the wall that divided the Jews from the Gentiles.
And God did this NOT to make the Gentiles become like the JEWS and NOT to make the Jews become like the Gentiles, but to make a NEW creature in Jesus Christ to walk in LOVE before Him. Nothing else availed.
The WHOLE law is fulfilled by walking in LOVE. ALL things were made CLEAN and nothing that God has cleansed is to ever again be called unclean.
In Acts chapter 15, we can see a division in the church concerning this issue of liberty versus keeping the law and they gathered together to see if a solution could be resolved.
After carefully considering this matter the Apostles and the disciples AGREED at this point in time that upon the Gentile Christians there should be place no OTHER BURDEN than to abstain from meats OFFERED to IDOLS, to abstain from eating meat with blood, which is according to Genesis 9:3 and 4, to abstain from things strangled, and to abstain from FORNICATION.
Please read Acts 15:1-29.
“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.
Acts 15:2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:3. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
Acts 15:4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
Acts 15:5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was NEEDFUL to CIRCUMCISE them, and to COMMAND them to KEEP the LAW of Moses.
Acts 15:6. And the apostles and elders came together for to CONSIDER of this matter.
Acts 15:7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, you 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.
Acts 15:8. And God, which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us;
Acts 15:9. And put no DIFFERENCE between us and them, purifying their hearts by FAITH.
Acts 15:10. Now therefore WHY TEMPT you God, to put a YOKE upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Acts 15:11. But we believe that through the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be SAVED, EVEN AS THEY. (Remember that this is PETER speaking here who said a good while ago that he never ate anything which was called common or unclean, but has now perceived of the Holy Spirit that God has made some CHANGES.
I believe that even at this point in time they have not yet come to the full knowledge of the truth, but they were still yet LEARNING from the Holy Spirit as Almighty God was leading and guiding them into ALL truth.)
Acts 15:12. Then 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.
Acts 15:13. And AFTER they had held their PEACE, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
Acts 15:14. Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Acts 15:15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
Acts 15:16. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
Acts 15:17. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does all these things.
Acts 15:18. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.
Acts 15:19. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Acts 15:20. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollution of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:21. For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.
(Still a little fear of the Jews. Still uncertain as what to do. Reasoning that surely God desires his church to at least not offer meat to IDOLS and commit fornication, because this is what they as God's people had been taught all their lives.)
Acts 15:22. Then pleased it (Or then it, the decision they had just reached please) the Apostles and elders, with the WHOLE church, (Referring to believers who were present and not literally every single believer all over the area that the gospel had been preached) to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Acts 15:23. And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The Apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Acts 15:24. For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, AND KEEP the LAW: to whom we gave no SUCH COMMANDMENT: (This ONE verse ALONE should be enough SOUND BIBLICAL evidence to clearly show any believer that the early New Testament church gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENT to KEEP the LAW.
All through the New Testament, the church is WARNED about those who would TROUBLE and try to SUBVERT them to become CIRCUMCISED and to KEEP the LAW of Moses contained in ORDINANCES, which included the DIETARY LAWS.
So then, it is certain that the apostles and the disciples did NOT teach the church to keep ALL the LAW written in the Old Testament)
Acts 15:25. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Acts 15:26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 15:27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
Acts 15:28. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no GREATER BURDEN than these NECESSARY things; (They were NECESSARY because the unsaved Jews would KILL the Gentile Christians if they ate meats offered to IDOLS)
Acts 15:29. That you abstain from meats OFFERED to IDOLS, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well.”
Now, I myself know of absolutely no Christians who eat PORK that has been OFFERED to IDOLS.
I know thousands of Christians who do indeed eat PORK without ANY condemnation whatsoever from the Holy Spirit of Almighty God Himself including MYSELF.
There is NOW no condemnation to those Christians who walk AFTER the Holy Spirit and not after the flesh.
To me, if it was indeed a SIN to eat PORK, then the Holy Spirit who DWELLS in me would certainly CONDEMN me for eating PORK.
But yet, neither I nor thousands, even hundreds of thousands or millions of other Christians are, or have ever been CONDEMNED by the Holy Spirit for eating PORK.
So then, it should be made clear to you that it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to the Apostles, at that point in time, to lay upon these believers no GREATER burden than those four necessary things again at that point in time.
And again, it was done to try to protect them from getting KILLED by the unsaved Jews that they were sent to PREACH the gospel of salvation to.
Can you not see that if so be that the HOLY SPIRIT of Almighty God HIMSELF wanted the CHURCH to NOT eat PORK and keep all the DIETARY laws under the OLD Covenant, then certainly this would have been the place to clearly and plainly make it KNOWN to the WHOLE church.
For you see, the WHOLE church was all assembled together and they were SEEKING that very SPECIFIC question to be answered or given to them by the Holy Spirit.
But the word of TRUTH says that it seemed good to them and to the HOLY SPIRIT to lay no other burden upon these Gentile Christians other than to abstain from meat OFFERED to IDOLS, fornication, and meats with BLOOD or animals that had been strangled. NOTHING mentioned about eating PORK of keeping ALL the dietary laws, but rather, only four things are given at this point in time from which Christians are to abstain.
Now again, this is NOT the only verse in the Bible either.
What I mean by this is that these four things that the early church listed as to be the ONLY four things that these Gentile believers were to abstain from was what the early church concluded or agreed upon at that point in time, which means that the Holy Spirit was still yet revealing things to the early church, but for that point in time, this is what it seemed that the Holy Spirit was teaching them to do.
You see, the church was still yet LEARNING and receiving revelation knowledge from God through his Holy Spirit.
Now if you read Romans 1:1 all the way through to the end of Revelation you will find that the early church taught that we are to keep the COMMANDMENTS of God, which are summed up in two commands that Jesus told us hangs all the law and the prophets.
In short, all these teachings agree, teaching us that it does not matter what we SAY if our ACTIONS do not agree with what we say. In other words, the entire New Testament agrees that if one SAYS that he or she loves God and does NOT love his or her fellow man, then the TRUTH is NOT in them.
So, all the emphasis of the law taught in the New Testament that we are to KEEP was on the MORAL law alone.
Please read Matthew 22:35-40, which says,
“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Matthew 22:36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Matthew 22:37. Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Matthew 22:38. This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:39. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:40. On these TWO commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
In other words, if you obey these TWO commandments, then you are fulfilling all the law and the prophets.
Then we read in Matthew 7:12 that whatsoever we would want people to do unto us we should do unto them is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12.
“Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for (Or because) THIS is the law and the prophets.”
So then, I personally do not see how keeping the DIETARY laws, written in the Old Testament, have anything whatsoever in relationship with doing something to another person or that person doing something to you.
It seems to me that God was tired and fed up with all the squabbling over who or what others should or should not do.
So, God decided to make it simple by condensing ALL the law down to LOVING God with all our hearts and to walk in LOVE one toward another by doing unto others as we would have them do unto us for how can we SAY that we love God when we do NOT love our fellow man.
In the same way that what we EAT has NOTHING whatsoever to do with walking in LOVE one toward another.
I, myself, do not see how observing the Sabbath or a day of rest on a particular day or observing the feast days or any day has anything to do unto others as you would have them to do unto you?
In other words, why is it so dogmatically important for some believers to observe the Sabbath on a Saturday, especially when DIVISION is created in the body of Christ?
I cover this question of WHY do some Christians keep only nine of the ten commandments in the study called Dd-21. SABBATH, SUNDAY, OR NEITHER DAY?
And Dd-12. REALLY ONLY NINE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?
But for now, I want you, the reader, to put yourself in the shoes of these early Jewish believers in Jesus Christ and try to relate to how they were taught from their youth all these laws, statutes, rituals, and ordinances that they observed all their lives.
Now I am not a natural born Jew, nor have I ever had a desire to become a Jew, but I can relate somewhat with RITUALISM.
I was raised in a RELIGIOUS home and from my youth, I was taught the various RITUALS that one goes through in Catholicism.
For example, upon entering the foyer of the church I was taught that we must dip two fingers into a basin filled with holy water and then make the sign of the cross on our body by first touching these two fingers to our forehead, then down to our abdomen, then to our left shoulder and back across to our right shoulder while saying in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Then if you were a man or boy and you had a hat on, you had to remove your hat, but if you were a woman or a girl you had to cover your head with a scarf, and then one could enter into the main part of the church where the people sat to participate in the mass.
Then one would proceed down the aisle to where they desired to sit, but before turning into the pew to sit I was taught to genuflect on one knee or bend one knee to touch the floor and while down on one knee you were to bow your head down toward the altar while again making the sign of the cross.
These are just some of the many rituals that a Catholic is taught that they must do to be a good Catholic and they become almost second nature to you, so you don’t even really think about them, you just do them.
In the same way, these early church believers, who were JEWS, kept on doing what they were taught to do all their lives.
In other words, they did not know to STOP doing the things they were taught in the law all their lives UNTIL Almighty God began to teach them otherwise.
So, of course, Peter DOUBTED the vision he received from God and did not understand at first.
Let me give you a short testimony of a similar thing that happened to me.
I very often pray during worship service. I pray in the Spirit or in other tongues quietly to myself making intercession for the people to receive from God.
One day while I was doing this, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said STOP PRAYING. Immediately I began to DOUBT that this was the Holy Spirit and began to ask questions of WHY? Why would the Holy Spirit ask me to STOP praying?
So, I kept on praying. The Holy Spirit said again for me to stop praying and said I want to SHOW you something. So, I stopped praying and immediately the song leader slammed his hand down onto the pulpit and began to rebuke the congregation for not entering into worship, then he stormed off the platform and went to his seat.
There was a silence so thick you could cut it with a knife. The pastor got up and went to the pulpit and the Holy Spirit said to me to start praying again, so I did.
Just a few moments went by after the pastor started preaching and the song leader came back up to the pulpit, whispered into the pastor's ear, the pastor sat back down, the song leader apologized and proceeded to lead us in worship once again.
Long story made short, the presence of God filled the sanctuary and the whole congregation began to worship God with all that was within us for over an hour.
The pastor got up and said that he could not add anything to what God was doing and he dismissed the people to go home. Some stayed and worshiped God a little longer.
Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me again and said that he wanted to show me what the prayer of just one person was capable of accomplishing if we do not DOUBT what God is doing through us.
So yes, Peter DOUBTED what God was telling him to do and told the Lord that he would not eat at the first, at that moment in time.
And yes, Peter understood that the Holy Spirit wanted him to go and preach Jesus to the Gentiles when they came to the door because God told Peter to doubt NOTHING and to go with these three men.
You see, Peter asked them what they wanted, when they came to the door, and when they told him that they were sent to bring him to preach to them, Peter then put two and two together and understood that this was God speaking to him, so he went with them following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
So, in the same way, when these Gentiles asked Peter to EAT with them he may have DOUBTED for a moment.
But then, when the Holy Spirit brought to his remembrance the vision of ALL MANNER of FOOD and God telling him to KILL and EAT and to doubt NOTHING Peter then put two and two together again and understood that it was alright to EAT with the Gentiles because what God had CLEANSE was NO LONGER to be called common or unclean.
Now some Christians, and not just those of the Hebrew Roots Movement and the 119 Ministries argue that God changes NOT.
So, therefore, what was written in the Old Testament is STILL required for us today.
Let us go back to the beginning BEFORE the LAW of Moses was given and see that Almighty God did, in fact, make some CHANGES in what mankind was to EAT.
First, we read in Genesis 1:29,30 that God gave both mankind and animals ONLY PLANTS and the FRUIT of these plants for FOOD to EAT.
Genesis 1:29,30.
“And God said, Behold, I have given you EVERY HERB bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and EVERY TREE, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for MEAT (Or for FOOD to EAT. The word “MEAT” here means FOOD and NOT actually the meat of ANIMALS).
Genesis 1:30. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat (Or I have given every green herb for FOOD to eat. Before the fall of man it appears that animals did not kill and eat other animals and mankind also did not kill and eat animals as well): and it was so.”
But then, in Genesis 9:3,4 after the flood of Noah, Almighty God CHANGES what mankind is allowed to EAT.
And now, God has given EVERY moving thing that lives as being free to eat along with the green herbs and fruit that God already had given mankind to eat.
Genesis 9:3,4.
“EVERY MOVING THING THAT LIVES shall be MEAT (or FOOD to EAT) for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Genesis 9:4. BUT flesh with the LIFE thereof (Being yet still alive), which is the blood thereof (Or still yet having blood in the meat), shall you NOT eat.”
Now, whether or not EVERY MOVING THING THAT LIVES is an all-inclusive statement that means every animal saved alive on the ark, both clean and unclean is not the point that I am making.
Rather, I am pointing out that God made some CHANGES from what mankind was permitted to eat in the Garden of Eden to what we know for certain that mankind was allowed to eat after the flood of Noah.
In other words, in the garden of Eden God gave the man Adam to eat only herbs.
Genesis 1:29.30.
“EVERY HERB bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and EVERY TREE, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for MEAT”
Then after the flood and perhaps before the flood even as far back as being expelled from the garden of Eden God CHANGED what mankind was allowed to EAT by ADDING animals to eat.
Genesis 9:3,4.
“EVERY MOVING THING THAT LIVES shall be MEAT (or FOOD to EAT) for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”
This clearly shows us that God does indeed CHANGE things.
And of course, we know that God CHANGED AGAIN concerning what could be eaten and not eaten, but not what all of mankind could eat.
But rather, what JUST His chosen people Israel could and could not eat under the LAW contained in ordinances.
God specifically spelled out the FOODS that were allowed and HOW they were to be prepared along with the foods that were not allowed by his chosen people.
Please keep in mind that the rest of mankind was not given the LAW of Moses.
So, in truth, the dietary laws were a SHADOW or a type showing that God's people are CALLED OUT to be separate.
In other words, many things in the Old Testament were used to TEACH spiritual things.
For example, the animal sacrifice of the lamb was TEACHING us of the TRUE which was to come.
And once the TRUE had come, the animal sacrifice was taken away and no LONGER ACCEPTED by God.
Now the Jews kept on with animal sacrifices even after the TRUE had come, but God no LONGER ACCEPTED their animal sacrifices. They availed NOTHING.
Now some may still FEAR the Judaizing Hebrew Roots movement groups to be compelled to keep all the dietary laws under the OLD Covenant and that is your choice, but for me eating or not eating avails NOTHING.
Now I am not going to go into detail of all these dietary laws written in the Old Testament, because it is made quite clear in the NEW TESTAMENT that God’s people are no longer under the yoke of bondage of the law contained in ordinances that were given ONLY to Israel.
Please read 1 Corinthians 10:25-31, which CLEARLY and PLAINLY teaches us that we as Christians are FREE to EAT whatever the Gentiles ate all through history.
In other words, the early church was not ONLY NOT UNDER the dietary laws of the Jews, but Paul goes on to teach us that Christians are EVEN FREE to eat meat that has been OFFERED to IDOLS because the meat is NOTHING bad or good.
Eating ALL manner of meat avails NOTHING. And NOT eating all manner of meat avails NOTHING.
1 Corinthians 10:25-31.
“WHATSOEVER is sold in the shambles, (Or whatever is sold at the public meat market) that EAT, asking no question for conscience sake: (In other words, Christians are FREE to eat ANY and ALL MANNERS of meat)
1 Corinthians 10:26. For (Or because) the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.
1 Corinthians 10:27. If any of them that believe NOT bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, EAT, asking no question for conscience sake.
1 Corinthians 10:28. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for HIS sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: (Speaking of HIS conscience and NOT the conscience of the BELIEVING Christians) for (Or because) the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof: (Or for what God has CLEANSED call NOT unclean)
1 Corinthians 10:29. Conscience, I say, NOT YOU OWN, but of the other: for why is my LIBERTY judged of another man's conscience?
1 Corinthians 10:30. For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I GIVE THANKS?
1 Corinthians 10:31. Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Please notice that TWO times the reason that is given in this passage of Scripture for it being alright to eat whatever is set before us is the earth and the FULLNESS thereof are the Lord’s.
The TRUTH of the matter is that Almighty God has CLEANSED ALL THINGS that were once CALLED uncommon or unclean.
Therefore, we are made free to eat whatsoever the earth provides for food with the giving of THANKS to the Lord.
This is made BLATANTLY clear again in 1 Timothy 4:1-6.
1 Timothy 4:1-6
“Now the Spirit speaks EXPRESSLY, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Timothy 4:2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 Timothy 4:3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to ABSTAIN from MEATS, which God has created to be RECEIVED with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the TRUTH.
1 Timothy 4:4. For EVERY creature of God is good, and NOTHING to be REFUSED, if it be received with THANKSGIVING:
1 Timothy 4:5. For (Or BECAUSE) it is sanctified by the WORD of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:6. If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, where unto you have attained.”
Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, the early church taught that we as Christians are NOT UNDER the LAW that is contained in ordinances, which includes the dietary laws written to the children of Israel in the Old Testament?
Now, some falsely teach that ALL the law of God has been abolished, but as for me, I see that the Apostles and disciples repeated the giving at least nine of the Ten Commandments.
However, they were given in SPIRIT rather than in LETTER.
What I mean by this is that the early church taught us to be led by the Holy Spirit of Almighty God.
You see the law or duty to observe the law brings bondage to the conscience, which the keeping of the law can never set one free because there is always that question as to whether or not the law keeping is doing ENOUGH to amend for the wrong he or she has done.
But contrariwise, when we receive forgiveness of our sins by FAITH, then there is no CONDEMNATION because we are in Jesus Christ.
It is in or with this PEACE that God desires to lead his people. You see, whenever we OBEY what the Holy Spirit is leading us to do or say, then there is no CONDEMNATION and we have that PEACE.
We are led forth by PEACE. But when we do or say that which is contrary to what God desires us to do, then there is a cringing in our spirit, a LOSS of that peace.
We know immediately that something is not right. We are brought under condemnation until we repent of whatever the Holy Spirit tells us that we did or did not do.
Just a moment ago I said that the New Testament restated nine of the Ten Commandments.
I will follow up this study with another study showing what the New Testament clearly lays out for what we must do and what we must not do in order to obtain eternal life in the world to come.
But I find nowhere in the New Testament where we as Christians are commanded to eat only those foods specified in the law contained in ordinances that were given to Israel in the Old Testament.
This study was just the TIP of the iceberg of exposing the ERRORS of interpretation made by the Saturday seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping churches, and the Sunday first day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians.
All of the studies listed below can be sent to a brother or sister caught up in the Hebrew Roots Movement or a Sabbath-keeping church by sending them this one link **Dd-0. What Is the TRUE SABBATH?**
Also read Dd-20. Did the EARLY Church KEEP the WEEKLY Sabbath DAY?
Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.
Once Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even atheists understand the REASON that Yahweh CREATED the Son of MAN, Jesus, was to have DOMINION over the work of Yahweh’s hands.
And after you understand that the REASON that Yahweh did that is to STILL His ENEMIES, Satan and the fallen angels.
Then you can understand that God made His human Son to become “a” Lord, “a” King, and “a” God, under and subject to his God and Father in order to JUDGE Satan and the fallen angels.
For a deeper understanding of this WAR that Lucifer and one third of the angels waged against the throne of Almighty God, please read the studies under the subject category called ** Q-0 Why Are We Here? Is God at WAR? **.
More studies are coming in this SHORTER Biblical Unitarian view of who Jesus is according to the WHOLE word of God.
If you have a PARTICULAR verse of Scripture that you would like to know the sound Biblical Unitarian meaning, then please email me at MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail.com and let me know.
For further and more in-depth studies on this subject of Jesus being created to STILL the enemies of Yahweh, please read the studies called D-25. A NEW LOOK at JOHN 1:1-In the BEGINNING, and D-28. The PRE-ADAMIC LUCIFERIAN FLOOD!
At the top of my homepage, there are subjects or categories which contain compiled lists of ** ALL Studies! ** I have written on that particular subject. So, if a link within a study is broken, then click on ** ALL Studies! ** to find the suggested study.
Or you can scroll down to the MORE dropdown menu list to find those studies as well.
Thanks again for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.
And again, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading ** D-0 The BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of Jesus! **
And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading ** C-0 The TRUE FOUNDATION of the Church! **
This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Brother Mark.
My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century.
So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
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