Download DAVID`S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY: COMPROMISE: Weakness or

DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
COMPROMISE: Weakness or Strength?
A. BACKGROUND: I’ve been warning that step by step the first generation of
believers in Jesus moved away from Judaism. Most were Jews: it was their
religion, tradition, history, culture, and identity. It is never easy to leave all that
behind. From America’s immigrants to Zero Mostel’s “Tradition” to changing
churches or jobs or party affiliation, change isn’t easy. Among the Christians,
first they welcomed some Greeks (non-Jews); then they gave up being Kosher;
then there were whole churches of people with no Jewish background; then they
intentionally set out to reach Gentiles/non-Jews. In one generation Christianity
went from being all Jewish, to somewhat Jewish, to being its own religion.
B. TODAY, Acts 15:5-20.
C. SUMMARY … despite earlier agreement that non-Jews were welcomed fully
into Christian fellowship, some hardliners still demanded that they must be
circumcised or else they “cannot be saved” (verse 1). Paul and others strongly
disagreed, so they were sent to Jerusalem to consult with the Church leaders
like Peter and James (the brother of Jesus). Peter agreed with Paul, citing his
own change of heart that led him to see people as God sees them, with “no
distinction” (verse 9). People are saved by God’s grace (verse 11), not by
ritual, tradition, or some action done by us. God does the saving. James agrees
and suggested that a letter be sent to all the known Christian groups everywhere
listing only three requirements (other than faith). They should not eat food
sacrificed before idols; not eat blood or animals with blood still in them; not be
sexually immoral. In effect, they were asking Christians to be respectful of
Jewish sensibilities, plus common morality.
D. KEY POINTS:
1. CIRCUMCISION is a big deal because …? I guess this is the “ewww” or
“yuck” factor, but so be it. Circumcision was one of the signs of the
Jewish people being set apart from all others in their unique covenant
with God. You could not be a male Jew without this “mark” on you.
The early Christians saw themselves as within Judaism. Logically, then,
for non-Jews to join the Christians they must become Jews. But as with
many rituals the form drowned out the substance. Long before Jews the
prophets pushed the Jews to remember the essence, the inside, the heart
of their faith. Yet even today many Christians have their litmus test.
Believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior, fulfilling the Beatitudes and the
Two Great Commandments, meeting Jesus’ expectations in Matthew 25
to “do unto the least” is not enough.
2. Why is meat offered to an idol a big deal? Despite circumcision,
Judaism’s #1 idea is MONOTHEISM. One God. Period. The longest of
the 10 Commandments is about IDOLS. Don’t do it. Don’t make ‘em,
have ’em, use ‘em, believe in ‘em. Period. But for Jews living outside of
Israel they probably bought their meat at a butcher shop that got much of
its meat from a local pagan temple where some sheep or goat or cow had
been sacrificed before an idol. The priests took their cut, the rest they
sold to a local butcher. By buying the meat the Jewish or Christian
customer was sort of participating in the process of pagan idol worship.
Even Paul later saw that as a stretch, but to keep things clear and pure,
stay away from such meat. Blood is the life force, and it was not thought
right to eat or drink blood. That’s why Jews (and Muslims) have strict
rules for animal slaughter and meat preparation. In short, Peter, James,
and Paul wanted new Christians to still be distinct from the rest of the
world, to stand out in ways that showed deference to God – without
going whole hog (no pun intended). The early Church, then, the modern
Church today, still wrestles with the bottom line definition of a
“Christian”. Is it our belief in Christ? Is it correct doctrine? Or
following Jesus’s teachings? Or following Church rules, practices, and
doctrines?
3. Ooooops! Paul argues for tolerance. He is one of the folks delegated to
personally explain the more open, tolerant Christianity agreed to in
Jerusalem by the Church leaders. No more circumcision. But, back in
Antioch he finds a young Greek man that he wants on his missionary
team – and immediately has him circumcised (Acts 16:3). Change is
tough. Traditions are powerful. Paul wasn’t ready to let go of the old
ways entirely. He argues eloquently that God’s grace frees us from the
burden of law. But, like all of us, Paul had his standards. Freedom in
Christ is a great truth, but hard to practice.