Quote:
Originally Posted by aegsm76
Here is an example of the Apostles giving direct instruction:
"But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood."
They set this down as new "laws" for the Gentiles to follow.
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Two things:
1.) These regulations were and are already part of the revealed testimony of Scripture. Instituting these regulations was merely the recapitulation of Torah mandates upon the Gentiles.
2.) These regulations were instituted by the Twelve, Apostles all. These weren't local shepherds feeding the flock. They had the power to bind and loose. And they used that power in
Acts 15 judiciously and correctly, because they already had clear mandates from Torah to do so.
And that's really the issue. Clear mandates allow for clear obedience. If it's not there, no one can force you to obey it.
In Brother Benincasa's case, he chose to be magnanimous, and out of love, submitted himself to the personal request and favor. I respect that. I've done similar things of a different nature. Not because there was Word for it, but because out of love and for the sake of someone else. That's a good reason to do something extra-Biblical. In fact, it's the ONLY REASON (in my opinion, of course).
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