WeekLy BooK oF Acts 15 1-21

 By Necessity Slightly 

       Paraphrased      

            15:1-21 

1 - Some came down from Judea and were teaching “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be a follower and disciple.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had been arguing and debating with them, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders to consult about the matter. 3 And being sent on their way by their fellow believers, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, and were describing in detail the conversion of Gentiles, which was bringing great joy to all the believers there.

     4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the believers, the apostles and the elders. And they told them all that God had been doing during their travels among Gentile cities. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It’s necessary they be circumcised, and ordered to keep all the law of Moses.”

    6 So the apostles and elders gathered together to discuss the matter. 7 And after there had been much discussion, Peter stood up and said, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God had me preach to the Gentiles, so they would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore testimony by giving them his Holy Spirit (his Presence) just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.” (All hearts, Gentile and Hebrew have to experience catharsis and healing, be given to him, who is trustworthy, and as a bonus, he has our best blueprint.) [Israel had always been required to stay separate from other nations. In order to be swaddling cloths for Messiah, the “Savior of the world”.] 10 “So now, why should we put God to the test by putting a yoke upon the neck of disciples? A yoke neither our fathers nor we have been able to carry? 11 And now we know we are saved (and enabled) through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

     12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles. 13 And after they finished speaking, James said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon Peter also has related how God has visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it’s written - 16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle/tent of David that has fallen. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called, says the LORD 18 who makes these things known from of old.’   19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles/nations who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollution of idols, from the sexual immorality. To abstain from what has been strangled (a practice to idols?) and from blood. 21 For from ancient times, Moses, is read in every city, in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” [The ten commandments are very societally preservative. The holy days and Sabbaths are a shadow cast by the genuine principle portrayed (and an outline of the advents of Christ. Spring and Fall, first and second, Lev.23.]

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