Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?

[staysharp]

Were the Disciples caving under political pressure? Was Paul being deceitful? Why would he agree to keep the law when he had been teaching against it?

Acts 21
17When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received and welcomed us gladly.

18On the next day Paul went in with us to [see] James, and all the elders of the church were present [also].

19After saluting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20And upon hearing it, they adored and exalted and praised and thanked God. And they said to [Paul], You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are enthusiastic upholders of the [Mosaic] Law.

21Now they have been informed about you that you continually teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn back from and forsake Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or pay any attention to the observance of the [Mosaic] customs.

22What then [is best that] should be done? A multitude will come together, for they will surely hear that you have arrived.

23Therefore do just what we tell you. With us are four men who have taken a vow upon themselves.

24Take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses [for the temple offering], so that they may have their heads shaved. Thus everybody will know that there is no truth in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself walk in observance of the Law.

25But with regard to the Gentiles who have believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ), we have sent them a letter with our decision that they should keep themselves free from anything that has been sacrificed to idols and from [tasting] blood and [eating the meat of animals] which have been strangled and from all impurity and sexual immorality.

26Then Paul took the [four] men with him and the following day [he went through the rites of] purifying himself along with them. And they entered the temple to give notice when the days of purification (the ending of each vow) would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented on behalf of each of them.

27When the seven days were drawing to a close, some of the Jews from [the province of] Asia, who had caught sight of Paul in the temple, incited all the rabble and laid hands on him,

[Ferd]

They didnt have DanA and the Danites to tell them it was ok, that all they had to do was bask in the glory of the sacrifice.

[staysharp]

Originally Posted by Ferd

They didnt have DanA and the Danites to tell them it was ok, that all they had to do was bask in the glory of the sacrifice.

Do I sense a WEE bit animosity?

[ManOfWord]

When did Paul teach AGAINST the law? When did Paul ever cease from following the law?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by staysharp

Do I sense a WEE bit animosity?

The Danites ... classic ... Ferd ...

Of course it's sour grapes ....

Ferd ... good nite.

[staysharp]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

When did Paul teach AGAINST the law? When did Paul ever cease from following the law?

These are the Apostles words to Paul, not mine. Evidently, the gossip was strong enough to make a public expression again in the law.

21Now they have been informed about you that you continually teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn back from and forsake Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or pay any attention to the observance of the [Mosaic] customs.

Did Paul not tell them circumcision was no longer necessary?

Galatians 5

1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by staysharp

These are the Apostles words to Paul, not mine. Evidently, the gossip was strong enough to make a public expression again in the law.

21Now they have been informed about you that you continually teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn back from and forsake Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or pay any attention to the observance of the [Mosaic] customs.

Did Paul not tell them circumcision was no longer necessary?

Galatians 5

1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

I don't have time for a detailed response right now. I have a wedding in an hour. However, what you cite above is the accusation which was made against Paul. Paul did NOT do those things. The only thing Paul came against was the observation of the law FOR JUSTIFICATION. He clearly states that Jesus' blood took care of that as the high priest, passover lamb etc.

There is no evidence whatsoever that Paul ever ceased from following Judaism. He preached Jesus as the fulfillment of the law, not the replacement of the law. There is a huge difference between the two.

Gotta run!!!

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I don't have time for a detailed response right now. I have a wedding in an hour. However, what you cite above is the accusation which was made against Paul. Paul did NOT do those things. The only thing Paul came against was the observation of the law FOR JUSTIFICATION. He clearly states that Jesus' blood took care of that as the high priest, passover lamb etc.

There is no evidence whatsoever that Paul ever ceased from following Judaism. He preached Jesus as the fulfillment of the law, not the replacement of the law. There is a huge difference between the two.

Gotta run!!!

Some say that Jews were never ereleased from being Jews, that What Paul said to the Gentiles did not necesarily apply to the Jews.

Paul spoke of Jewish Christians that were still zealous for the law. I'm not sure that he condemned tha among Jews but was very direct in teaching that Gentiles that came to faith were in no way to be entangled in the Jewish customs and traditons.

[missdkendall]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

The Danites ... classic ... Ferd ...

Of course it's sour grapes ....

Ferd ... good nite.

Originally Posted by staysharp

Do I sense a WEE bit animosity?

Originally Posted by Ferd

They didnt have DanA and the Danites to tell them it was ok, that all they had to do was bask in the glory of the sacrifice.

You guys get each other so worked up

[mfblume]

Paul taught in Gal 3:10 that anyone who keeps law is under a curse.

Galatians 3:10 KJV For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

In my opinion, it is sever error to say the Jewish concerts to Christianity were expected to continue in law. Paul spoke about being one who is AS a Jew and AS under the law to them under law, implying he did not personally keep law of his own sake.


1 Corinthians 9:20 KJV And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;