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Tuesday, November
10, 2009
Flip Flopping The Truth
Acts 15:19-22 Wherefore my sentence is,
that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
(20) But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of
idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. (21)
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read
in the synagogues every sabbath day. (22) Then pleased it the apostles and
elders, with the whole church, 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: (KJV)
As we see according to this chapter, that
the people had come to a conclusion, or a partial one I should say, that being,
not to trouble the Gentiles with the law and its rituals. However, because
of all those old die hard staunch Jews that still were holding to the old
law they decided to keep it in play, which as we will find out half right
is not all right with God.
Acts 21:18-20 And the day following Paul
went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. (19) And when
he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought
among the Gentiles by his ministry. (20) And when they heard it, they
glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many
thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the
law: (KJV)
Again, we see Paul back in Jerusalem
coming before James who was considered an elder of the church there. And once
again we see Paul having to deal with this nagging situation; that being
those people trying to incorporate the old law into the new realm of faith.
As we are about to see, the matter once again is not dealt with properly.
Acts 21:21-25 And they are informed of
thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to
forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children,
neither to walk after the customs. (22) What is it therefore? the multitude
must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. (23) Do
therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on
them; (24) Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with
them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things,
whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou
thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. (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. (KJV)
So Paul, here is the deal, as verse 24
points out, you can go into the temple but that stuff about not observing
the law, yeah, leave that doctrine outside the door buddy. Oh, and one
other thing, you could use a shave, like say, how about your whole head
before entering in as well. Simply put, what they considered to be walking
orderly was still walking according to the ordinances of the old law, which
were just that, old and outdated.
Ever hear the term “not exactly”? Well,
according to those so called pillars of the church it was fine for the Gentiles
not to hold to the law and its rituals, but for the Jews it is still in play.
Sound familiar? As you progress in your walk with the Lord learning to walk
by faith, you will find that many are still flip flopping the truth, holding
to outward rituals and things that they think are still in play as well. God bless and stay vigilant.
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