Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Debbie on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Hey there.

    Regarding Acts 15:1 -- circumcised after the manner of Moses. Does that mean following the 10 Commandments?
  • Ronald L Whittemore - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Debbie,

    When Paul first started carrying the gospel to the gentiles it was not totally settled in the minds of some about circumcision and the law, should the gentiles be circumcised and be under the law. A group of the sect of Pharisees told some of the gentiles they had to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses, this meaning the entire law, to be saved.

    Acts 15 is what they are discussing, they came to agreement, they said God chose them, and they received the Holy Ghost the same as they did, Peter said; "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"

    Paul addresses this many times in the letters he writes to the churches, we are not under the law, it is not by works of the entire law or just the 10 commandments, that salvation is received, it is by the grace of God through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

    James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

    2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Fred - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    The law is a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ The law of God is what we see in the ten commandments . The law is what God has established with His creation. It has been my experience that it is impossible to keep His law. However men of old before the Christ, shared in something called hope. They waivered not at the promise, much like we too look for the return of Jesus Christ! Waiting in faith, is the fundamental condition of establishing the law, while fulfilling it!

    When this happens it is now referred to as grace. Grace found in the same words our Fathers before us had! This is the salvation we have in the hope of our savior Jesus Christ. Much more now we are now sanctified and cleansed, cleansed in his holy blood! This being the requirement of the creator. There can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood! Christ heals us, makes us holy and perfect before the Father, clothed in White, able to stand before him!
  • Ronald L Whittemore - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Hey Fred,

    Not sure why the reply, the post was on Acts 15. I agree the law was the schoolmaster and now that we have faith in our savior Jesus we are no longer under the schoolmaster. I agree the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His blood cleanses us from sin and it is by the grace of God. Being saved by His life, the resurrection from the dead, we by faith, with the Spirit, the down payment, we will be raised incorruptible at His coming.

    We are not justified by works of the law, we are justified by faith in Jesus and the Spirit of God. Any works done is done by our faith in Jesus, He died for us, was buried, rose from the grave, now sets on the right side of the Father and is the only mediator between God and us, not by the flesh we are housed with.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Fred Scanlan - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Paul, before his conversion, thought he really had it all together, a Pharisee of the Pharisee's. So certain of his righteousness going about to kill those who didn't agree with the church. Studied under great philosophers such as Gamaliel. Jewish doctors of the law. Educated men, going about to kill Christ followers, after all they did kill Christ!

    Paul converted on the road to Damascus, on his way for more of these so called followers!

    I have a question? If you would be a true follower of the law, as those in the Sanhedrin, how then could you go about killing people? What would be the justification or premise, their bases for their belief? Perhaps it was, as it is written, a law unto themselves. What is interesting is that this had such an effect upon this man, perhaps with the underlying quilt that went along with it. That He was the one chosen for this event, the beginning of the church. His background , his history sent him into the desert for 14 years, enough time for many to forget Him! With all the evidence he had ,He knew that this calling was from above! So, he speaks with authority, from the heart, even taking on Caesar! what do think? Is this how God calls?
  • Ronald L Whittemore - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Hey Fred,

    Paul/Saul was consenting when they killed Stephen, Paul led driving people who had faith in Jesus out of Jerusalem, beatings in the synagogues, imprisoning men, women, and, children. A better question would be regardless of how bad a person is, there is redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ, and can be used to do Gods will. God calls according to His pleasure we cannot begin to comprehend.

    It is better if we have questions that we can find the answer in scripture not answered by opinion and speculation.

    RLW
  • Fred - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    you may have confused me with Donald. That is ok, I like hearing the conversations, I sure Jesus did too! Listening seems to be the hardest, one thing for sure reading the gospel can never get old!
  • Fred - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Do u think Paul had suffered from dehydration? I do think asking the speculative question helps to confirm my faith. I helps understand the works of God? How he works using his creation and the conscience of man to achieve His outcome . It is ok to be the devils advocate? Ananias, must had heard He was on His way, after all, Paul was slaughtering people! The holy spirit spoke to Ananias, Ananias saw this as an opportunity to convert this man and give peace to the church. Love the KJV!
  • Ronald L Whittemore - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Hey Fred,

    I understand, there is an old expression "into the weeds", it is used in different ways with different meanings. Sometimes when we get off the beaten path and into the weeds and examine details we mostly look over, our eyes and ears open to the Holy Spirit and strengthens our faith and shines a light on things that lead to better understandings.

    God sometimes uses the least to make the largest impact, like Paul, he considered himself the least of the apostles.

    It is a pretty good guess Paul was dehydrated, he had no food or water for three days. Without water for three days in that country, he was probably about ready to give up the ghost, but he was praying. He possibly looked like a wilted flower on a hot July day.

    Ananias knew what kind of man Saul/Paul was and he was probably thinking I don't know about this, Saul/Paul has the authority to lock us all up. But Jesus assured Ananias He was in control and Saul/Paul was chosen to do His purpose and bear His name before the Gentiles. Ananias probably said, thank you Lord, ok, let's do it.

    May we walk in the Holy Spirit of truth,

    RLW
  • Dianne - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Fred that just is a perfect example of how blinded and twisted the religious leaders at that time were. Thank God he called out Paul because he knew his heart was in the right place. Paul in his heart and mind totally believed he was dead right, in what he was doing before being born again. Again we can be thankful God new his heart and he needed a little convincing, sort of like us a times. God Bless
  • Dianne - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Fred God Bless I believe that Paul is one of the greatest examples of God knowing a mans heart, paul as he states in the epistles was born out of due time. He was a pharisee of pharisees and in his heart before he was converted until jesus appeared to him I don't care who else would have said what if you didn't do the law you deserved to die. Thank Jesus for appearing like he did and like you said he did not converse with flesh and blood but spent time alone with jesus Christ to get it together spiritually and screw his own head down. I cannot comprehend the shock mentally Something I've often thought about how many believers after conversion that he taught the word to that he helped murder family members because he did it out of ignorance because he didn't believe. I'll bet because he understood the deliverance from past sins he taught with all boldness no guilt. What a man of God.
  • Fred - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    The holy spirit has no parameters. Even so sister in Christ! The blessed assurance we have in these last days, while the spirit moves even upon an unbelieving world. God Bless while you seek Him, finding consolation in the love of Christ.
  • Dianne - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Not seeking him have been born again for 43 years.
  • Fred Scanlan - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Thanks for the reply. attracted to the name, Interesting name. You corrected me .the law was our schoolmaster "Was" not "is" Was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ! Thank u !
  • Debbie - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    That the Law of Moses had to be followed in order to be saved explains my question -- thanks.
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Yes Debbie, that was the dispute and burden that the believing Pharisees tried to lay upon the Gentiles. And the Apostles Argued against this as you see in Acts 15:1-20.

    I would like to share a couple of wonderful verses here in. Listen here to Peter.

    Acts 15:10-11. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

    But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

    Peter is saying trying to Keep the law put a yoke on them and their fathers. But through the Grace of Christ they now can be saved even as the Gentiles!! BY GRACE, NOT THE WORKS OF THE LAW.

    God bless.
  • Fred Scanlan - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Wouldn't you think, that the apostles and followers would have never ever excepted what the synagogue taught, since they have just subscribed and killed Christ along with many brothers and sisters. This law was not the law of Moses, for if it were how could they have killed anyone? How could the Jews or the apostles continue in such nonsense, let alone give their interpretation of it , any credence at all?

    Describing justification through faith without the deeds of the law should have been most obvious. Peter, hadn't made up his mind. Even after everything that had happened, he couldn't make up His mind, or more ,He couldn't separate himself from the self righteous Jews! Thank God , Jesus called the Apostle Paul. even though he was not one of the disciples ,Jesus in this time converted Him for this his mission the saving of the world from sin and death! The commission of bringing the gospel too the world! Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world! Jews and Gentiles! This is why he came!
  • Debbie - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    Oh S Spencer you always bring forth clarity!
  • Sacha - In Reply on Acts 15 - 2 years ago
    I think that : after the manner of Moses , probably means according to the law that was given to Moses .
  • Dianne - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hi debbie In addition to what sashe shared circumcision was originally given to Abraham by God to seperate what was to Become the Tribe of Israel that was eventually led out of Egypts rulers bondage and was continued to be carried out even to anybody that wanted to join Israel.
  • Debbie - In Reply - 2 years ago
    That is right about Abraham.



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