11/03/2006 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Last week we examined the question of whether or not the Law was intended to be for Jews or Israelites only.

One chapter of scripture that we did not address is Acts chapter 15. Many have taken the ruling mentioned in this chapter out of context to suggest that Yahweh only wants Gentiles to keep 4 select commandments.

So let's examine this chapter in detail

Most modern teachers of scripture say that Paul never taught Gentiles to keep the law of Yahweh. But if Paul is an apostle (And I know he was)... Then he would have needed to teach that we should keep His commandments.

Why?

Isaiah 8:20 - To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

I believe that this scripture is true. Since it is true, then anyone who might come along that teaches contrary to the law would have 'no light in them'.

But Paul never taught anything like that

Let's now examine Acts 15:

Acts 15:1 - And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Based on a full analysis of this chapter, it will be concluded that this issue is what the remaining chapter is about. Can a person have salvation if they are not circumcised?

This is what the 'men from Judea' (likely from the Pharisees) taught the brethren...that 'you cannot be saved' unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses.

At that time there were Jews who believed that when you were circumcised, you were then considered a son of Abraham and therefore, you are among Israel and only then are you "saved".

There was a certain amount of national pride that went along with the idea of being a son of Abraham

To the sons of Abraham great promises are made, but they are nothing if you are wicked!

This also becomes evident when we read what John the Baptist said to them:

Matthew 3:7 - But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Matthew 3:8 - Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Matthew 3:9 - And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that YAHWEH is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Evidently, they were putting confidence in their lineage

He also warned them to put no confidence in their flesh, but that regardless of whether they were sons of Abraham they also needed to bear fruits worthy of repentance. And unless they would bear fruits worthy of repentance that they would be 'cut down and thrown into the fire'.

Matthew 3:10 - And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

The leaders of the Jews held the position of being a 'son of Abraham' in very high regard:

John 8:31 - Then said Yahushua to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John 8:32 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Notice that this is spoken to the Jews which "Believed on Him"

John 8:33 - They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Yet we see that they were excluding themselves from being convicted by Yahushua's words of life because they didn't see themselves as having ever been in bondage.

They were putting confidence in their geneaology rather than humbling themselves before Yahweh.

All of us, whether Jew or Gentile are called to repent, receive Messiah for salvation and live a life in obedience to Yahweh

So Yahushua replies:

John 8:34 - Yahushua answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

John 8:35 - And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

John 8:36 - If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

A sinner is a sinner, son of Abraham or not

This doctrine which put confidence in the flesh rather than a genuine admission that we are all in need of the freedom that comes from faith in Messiah

Correction: This is a doctrine which put confidence in the flesh rather than a genuine admission that we are all in need of the freedom that comes from faith in Messiah

But the truth is that it is by the grace of Yahweh that we are 'saved' and are made sons of Abraham.

So we see that John the Baptist pointed out that their belief was false doctrine, Yahushua came along and pointed out that it was false doctrine and we will see that Paul and the apostles at Jerusalem also conclude that it is false doctrine.

It is by His grace that we are 'saved' and are made sons of Abraham. Salvation doesn't come through circumcision or any other act of Torah keeping.

Back to Acts 15..

Acts 15:1 - And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye 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 assembly, 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 assembly, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that YAHWEH had done with them.

Paul and those with him were reporting what Yahweh had done with them concerning the Gentiles. There were great miracles, including the Holy Spirit falling upon the Gentiles even though they had not been circumcised nor kept the law all their life.

It seems that this triggered a response from among the Pharisees:

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.

We will see in the coming verses that the context of the above comments by the Pharisees was that they needed to do these things before they would be considered to be 'saved'

This is what they were claiming in verse 1 and we will see that this was the issue in a coming verse

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, Kepha rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago YAHWEH made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Acts 15:8 - And YAHWEH, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;

Acts 15:9 - And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Peter is reflecting back to an earlier time.. I believe that this is a key point.

Peter is referring to a situation back in Acts 10:45 where the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles:

Acts 10:43 - To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 10:44 - While Kepha yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit 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 Kepha, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Consider how remarkable this was. Cornelius and his household hadn't yet even stated that they believed in Yahushua. But they believed in their hearts!

Thus, Kepha recalls this event in Acts 15:8

Notice in Acts 10:45 that those of the 'circumcision' were astonished. They simply could not believe that an uncircumcised man would be saved and receive the Holy Spirit!

Later in Acts 10, some of the Jews were quite upset until Peter explained the vision and how Yahweh had shown that they were accepted in spite of their lineage.

Pardon, that was acts 11

So we see that the Gentiles received the Spirit and spoke in tongues. Then they agreed with him when Peter concluded:

Acts 11:16 - Then remembered I the word of Yahushua, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:17 - Forasmuch then as YAHWEH gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on Yahushua the Messiah; what was I, that I could withstand YAHWEH?

Acts 11:18 - When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified YAHWEH, saying, Then hath YAHWEH also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

This was the incident that Peter was referring to. Yahweh made no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Both received the Holy Spirit when believing in Yahushua. Circumcision wasn't a pre-requisite to being saved

In the First Century there was a lot of enmity between Jew and Gentile. The Jews did not like the fact that the Gentiles were reigning over them

Thus, these kinds of doctrines were born. Consider what Kepha said here:

Acts 10:28 - And he said unto them, Ye 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 YAHWEH hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

The word translated "Unlawful" actually does not mean it was against Torah. The Greek word is word # 111 which means "something forbidden". It is only used twice in the NT

Acts 10:29 - Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

So let's look again at Kepha's words in Acts 15 with all this in context:

Acts 15:7 - And when there had been much disputing, Kepha rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago YAHWEH made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Acts 15:8 - And YAHWEH, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, 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 ye YAHWEH, 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 favor of Yahushua the Messiah we shall be saved, even as they.

So what was that yoke that neither they nor their fathers were able to bear?

Note carefully in verse 11 that Kepha/Peter is referring to what is needed for a person to be saved.

This confirms what we mentioned earlier as to the context of this entire ruling.

So from the context we see the Pharisees are suggesting that we must be circumcised and keep the law to be saved. But we all know that NO MAN (Jew or Gentile) has ever kept the law (except Yahushua).

The law cannot save us. It can only condemn us.

The only way it could save us or justify us would be if we had kept it perfectly. But we haven't, so none of us will be able to stand before Yahweh in the day of judgment and declare that we kept His commandments perfectly.

Therefore, we cannot be saved by it.

So the Apostles and their fathers could not bear the yoke of observing the Torah for salvation and neither could the Gentiles..especially the Gentiles.

So what must we do to be saved? Kepha said:

Acts 15:11 - But we believe that through the favor of Yahushua the Messiah we shall be saved, even as they.

It is through favor or grace, and a heart of belief...and of course repentance also

As Kepha said:

Acts 2:38 - Then Kepha said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahushua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Our failure to keep the Torah of Yahweh is the whole reason we need Yahushua for salvation!

These Pharisees were teaching: Obedience and circumcision first, then salvation.

Yahweh teaches: Repent and be baptized in Yahushua's name. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit and salvation!

Repentance (Repent means to "turn") is an inner decision to change direction.

It doesn't mean that you instantly walk in perfection, but that you have made a decision to turn away from breaking the Torah (unrighteousness) and turn toward keeping the Torah (righteousness)

If these Gentiles could not be saved unless they kept the Torah/law of Yahweh, then both the Gentiles and the Jews alike are all lost forever because all have broken the commandments.

Once we have been given salvation, Yahweh does desire that we walk in obedience. And because we love Him, we will !

The final decision in Acts was not to tell them "Hey, the law of Yahweh is done away with now, you are free!" but rather to give them something to start with.

Peter walked with Yahushua during His ministry. He knew Yahushua's teaching on the Pharisees. The Pharisees were always wanting to lay a yoke on men but it is Yahushua's yoke that we really need!

Matthew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:30 - For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Continuing in Acts 15:

Acts 15:12 - Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders YAHWEH had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Barnabas and Paul declared all the miracles that Yahweh had worked thru them among the Gentiles. This further reinforced the fact that Yahweh had accepted them and indeed purified their hearts by faith.

Perhaps this was the "second witness" that James was looking for so then he spoke up with the decision:

Acts 15:13 - And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

Acts 15:14 - Simeon hath declared how YAHWEH 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 YAHWEH, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith YAHWEH, who doeth all these things.

Acts 15:18 - Known unto YAHWEH are all his works from the beginning of the world.

James demonstrated that even scripture predicts the Gentiles coming to Yahweh

Acts 15:19 - Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to YAHWEH:

A study of the greek reveals a more accurate translation in verse 19 to be:

Acts 15:19 Wherefore I judge, not to trouble those who from the nations (who are) turning to Yahweh

Most translation agree

The "turning" is a key point here.

Those from among the Gentiles that are "turning" to Yahweh

James was very specific in his edict in that he judged that they should not trouble: "those from among the Gentiles who are turning to Yahweh"

He didn't say "all Gentiles"

Just those from among the Gentiles that are turning to Yahweh

New converts so to speak

The word that is translated "turning" here is translated "converting" when James spoke in his own epistle (James 5:19,20).

James 5:19 - Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,

James 5:20 - let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

"converting" in the NKJV and "turns" in the KJV translation

Therefore James is speaking of not troubling those from among the new Gentile converts by telling them that they aren't saved unless they are circumcised or have kept the law first.

As we have seen, this is the context of the entire meeting up to this point. Not even the children of Israel were circumcised while in the wilderness, but they were circumcised just before they entered the promised land.

Let's compare Joshua 5:2-5

Joshua 5:2 - At that time YAHWEH said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

Joshua 5:3 - And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Joshua 5:4 - And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

Joshua 5:5 - Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

So the children of Israel went through the wilderness 40 years and many were not circumcised

Apparently circumcision wasn't the most important matter.

Of course, there was some serious sin that Yahweh had to deal with

Yahweh didn't institute circumcision with Abraham right away either.

After Abraham demonstrated his faith and obedience, he was given the covenant of circumcision

So that is the pattern in the Torah

In spite of this, circumcision was apparently one of the highest things on the list among certain Pharisees

But let's reason here... how many converts are you going to get if the first thing they have to do is cut their foreskin off?

And then tell them they aren't saved until they do?

That's not how Yahweh operates at all!

There are more important things that Yahweh needs to deal with first before even worrying about circumcision

Important things like what James lists in the coming verses:

Acts 15:19 - Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to YAHWEH:

Acts 15:20 - But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Contrary to popular belief, James was certainly calling on these Gentiles to begin their observance of Yahweh's law.

He lists some very important things here to get them started. These had much to do with idolatry that the Gentiles were formerly practicing. For them to even be considered to be followers of Yahweh, that was something that needed to be purged right away.

He wanted them to be keeping commandments concerning not eating things offered to idols (Exodus 34:14,15).

Also they needed to be keeping theirselves from fornicaton/sexual immorality as commanded in all of Leviticus chapter 18:1-20 as well as Exodus 20, Deut. 5 and other places.

And keeping from things strangled and blood as commanded in Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 3:17 7:23-27 and 17:10-14, Deuteronomy 12:16,23-25 14:21 and 15:23.

Now James states his reasons for only requiring these "necessary things." Let's look again:

Acts 15:19 - Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to YAHWEH:

Acts 15:20 - But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:21 - For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Because verse 21 begins with "For" (meaning "in consideration of, or in view of"), verse 21 is the voice of reason for the whole ruling.

Now if the Gentiles weren't already keeping the Sabbath and hearing the Torah, the reason for his ruling would have been without support

But it was because they would be learning the Torah every Sabbath that James only required these necesssary things for those who are turning to Yahweh.

Here then was an excellent opportunity for the Gentiles to learn the law of Yahweh and let the Spirit lead them into keeping the things that they learn. The Spirit was something that they obviously had, per the testimony of Peter/Kepha & Paul

You see, not all the Gentiles had the advantages that we have today. We need only just go down to our local bookstore and pick up a copy of the scriptures. With no printing press available, it was certain that the scriptures would be at least available in the synagogues AND it would be read to them.

A crucial point in this chapter is that James did not forbid anyone from teaching them the law, nor was he saying they ought not observe it. In fact, he left a provision for them to learn the Torah!

And in fact, he gave them Torah precepts to start keeping! If it was forbidden, why did he allow them to ever go to the synagogue? The issue was whether or not the Gentiles had salvation and how to get them started into obedience.

If James believed the law was abolished or if he believed that observing the law wasn't necessary, why didn't He just say "Hey...we are free from the law now.... why is this even an issue!? Gentiles, you are free..Free...FREE!"

Instead he declared that they would call on them to be obedient to Yahweh's law, but they certainly would not throw the whole load on them at one time, especially as a prerequisite to salvation. Let the SPIRIT lead...they obviously had it!

Acts 15:22 - Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, 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 - Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

There is a portion of this verse which is not found in the older/more reliable greek manuscripts. It is the phrase "Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law". (See the Nestle-Aland compared to the Majority text for those interested)

Therefore it should read...

Acts 15:24 - "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls to whom we gave no such commandment:"

I am not a proponent of the NIV but I'm glad that they weren't biased against Yahweh's law for once. The NIV scholars apparently were so convinced that the phrase "Ye must be circumcised and keep the law" was spurious, they didn't even include a textual note showing this variant reading!

Whereas usually you will see something in their footnotes like "Some manuscripts say..."

But the NIV reads in verse 24:

Acts 15:24 - "We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said"

James judges that we not trouble their minds by saying (as in verse 1) " "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." This is what those from Judea had taught the brethren according to verse 1. According to James, it (understandably) troubled and disturbed those who thought that Yahweh had accepted them.

Continuing in Acts 15:

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 Master Yahushua the Messiah.

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 Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29 - 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. Fare ye well.

Acts 15:30 - So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Acts 15:31 - Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

Note that there is no mention telling them they should visit the synagogue to hear the Torah every Sabbath.

If they weren't attending the synagogues already to hear the Torah, he would need to mention this important point.

But the fact that he did not mention it shows that it was a given!

So this further reinforces the fact that it was already well known that they all were meeting in synagogues and keeping the Sabbath. James later says the disciples are meeting in Synagogues in James 2:2 (See the greek there).

Now, we certainly cannot conclude that the "four necessary things" in Acts 15 was intended to be a complete list of everything a Gentile would ever need to be obedient to.

But some are under the impression that those are the only requirements for Gentiles

Yet the writings of the apostles mention many other things that was expected of them (and all of us).

As the assemblies grew, we read:

1Corinthians 6:9 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Corinthians 6:10 - Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH.

and again..

Ephesians 5:5 - For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and YAHWEH.

and again..

Galatians 5:19 - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Galatians 5:20 - idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Galatians 5:21 - envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH.

Hmm.. those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH? Was Paul a legalist?

Surely no

But if one were to take the Acts 15 ruling the wrong way, they could conclude that it is okay to steal, get drunk, be unclean, engage in hatred, contentions, jealousies, etc

For these are also things that the Torah forbids

Those who claim the Gentiles only needed to observe the four things until the day they die are misinterpreting the intention of the ruling and using grace as a license to sin!

1John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin trangresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.

Later in Acts 21 we see that this ruling is reaffirmed:

Acts 21:25 - As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

The context of this is Paul being told by James to go to the temple with four other Jewish believers to prove he kept the Torah

But concerning the Gentiles, James reiterated the former ruling that they were only required to observe the four 'necessary things'

Now was this all Gentiles at that time, even those who were in the faith for years?

We only need to look to the ruling for the answer to that. It is addressed to the Gentiles who are "Turning to Yahweh"

It is not intended for seasoned believers who have spent years listening to the Torah every Shabbat

As more is given, more is required

So why does verse 25 say, " that they observe no such thing"?

This phrase "that they observe no such thing" is not found in the older/more reliable greek manuscripts. (Again see the Nestle-Aland compared to the Majority text for those interested)

If the New Testament were in the hands of Torah-keepers and it was wrong to keep the Torah, I could see that someone might want to take out that phrase.

But the New Testament was (sadly) in the hands of Gentiles who refused to keep the Torah, so it is much easier to see that someone would add it later

They would have no motivation to remove that from the scriptures

In conclusion, I see that the Apostles agree with Yahushua and John. Being circumcised/observing the law cannot be a prerequisite to Yahweh saving us. What Yahweh looks at is a repentant heart.. that eventually produces the fruits worthy of repentance

The fruits that we bear are obedience to Yahweh, because we love Him.

John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:16 - And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Through the NT, the Torah is upheld as the standard of righteousness to which we should seek to live by

Even when Paul wrote to the Gentiles he said:

Romans 8:5 - For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:7 - Because the carnal mind is enmity against YAHWEH: for it is not subject to the law of YAHWEH, neither indeed can be.

It is the carnal mind that is not willing to be subject to the law of Yahweh.

The ruling in Acts 15 was intended to give liberty to the Gentiles who knew nothing of the Torah

Galatians 5:13 - For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

It wasn't given as a license to walk in a carnal way, contrary to Yahweh's Torah.

It was given in order to not throw a yoke on the Gentiles that nobody is able to bear. As they learn the Torah in the synagogue, Yahweh leads each one of them

I'm sure many of us who have been in this walk for many years can relate to that. If we had everything put on us at once, it would have been overwhelming

But Yahweh led each of us, little by little...

Not giving us an 80 course meal in one day, but spoon by spoon

This only works for one who has chosen to repent

And it is the repentant ones who believe in Yahushua that the ruling in Acts 15 is for

It should be the desire of any spirit filled, repentant believer in Yahushua to keep Yahweh's commandments:

Revelation 14:12 - Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of YAHWEH and the faith of Yahushua.

Let's be found faithful to cleave to BOTH. For this is the high calling, to walk in Yahushua's footsteps. May we walk in that calling... keeping the faith of Yahushua and keeping the commandments of our Elohim.

May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!