Bible Question:
Hi to all, Acts 21:20-24 "On hearing it, they praised God; but they also said to him, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of believers there are among the Judeans, and they are all zealots for the Torah. Now what they have been told about you is that you are teaching all the Jews living among the Goyim to apostatize from Moshe, telling them not to have b'rit-milah for their sons and not to follow the traditions. "What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow. Take them with you, be purified with them, and pay the expenses connected with having their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is nothing to these rumours which they have heard bout you; but that, on the contrary, you yourself stay in line and keep the Torah." Just wondering on the views out there on this verse. It just seems to contradict Sha'ul as historic Christianity has portrayed him. I personally believe that he was a torah-observant Pharisee, otherwise these things mentioned here would not be rumours. Also, it seems that he was not the only one, "tens of thousands of believers there are among the Judeans, and they are all zealots for the Torah." In Y'shua HaMashiach, Talmid (Num 6:24-26) |
Bible Answer: You are correct. Paul did not, as is often thought, convert to a new religion, nor did he stop observing the Torah AS IT OUGHT to have been observed. Since most of the Jews believed that Salvation was obtained by being Jewish, they felt very strongly about converting Gentiles to be Jews in order to receive salvation. Paul teaches against this. Most Christians believe that the Jews of Jesus day believe that they had to earn salvation by obeying the Law, but this is not accurate as can be seen in the very large amount of writing during this time. There were other problems Paul had to face. After he left, "Judiazers" came in and convinced many that circumcision was "required" and they also brought their traditions (oral law) that were extra Biblical. Paul becomes IRATE at this and blasts back with a very serious letter where he uses the term "works of the law." Paul is adamant that the Gentiles do not need to become a Jew and follow all of these absurd rules to earn salvation. They are saved by Grace, through faith, JUST AS THE JEWS are. Paul did not live long enough to see the new religion of Christianity come about. To him, he was leading a new sect of Judaism, and even those who did not believe in Jesus as Messiah saw them as a sect, not a separate religion. Historically around the 90’s and again in the second century when the Jews were being persecuted, Gentile Christians separated themselves. Also during this time the Jewish community introduced a new prayer in there service which basically made it impossible for Jesus believers to participate. Unfortunately, many people still today use Paul’s words to claim that the Torah was done away with as if God changes His mind. The worst is when they claim the “Spiritual Israel” ie. Christians replace Israel. I suppose I am preaching to the choir with you on this….but one thing to keep in mind; you most likely will not convince many that you are correct. Certain things are very strongly ingrained into the mind and theology and these things do not change very easily and for good reason. I have taken 6 full years to reach the point where I am now. I have practically become a historian, Hebrew scholar, and nearly have the books of Galatians and Hebrews put to memory. I’ve read so much on the culture, religion and the times Jesus lived in that I’ve had to add book shelves to my office, and still it was very difficult. Most people who disagree, even those who are “replacements” like my own family, are very good strong faithful believers who will have a secure place in the World to Come. Their’s has been the predominate teaching for hundreds of years, so there is a lot of solid interpretation behind it. God bless, MJH |