This was posted by THE SEARCHER a few months ago in response to member SAUVOJR regarding topics to speek with his wife about in their BIBLE only study some how i missed it before but excellent!!!
Suavojr, why not start with the big one - the GB!
The Circumcision Issue
bt chap. 14 p. 113 par. 11 - "The governing body in Jerusalem had reached a unanimous decision on the issue of circumcision."
The given understanding of the Bible account at Acts 15 regarding the circumcision issue is that Peter and a Governing Body was used to resolved the issue. This assertion is not based on the Scriptural evidence.
While Jesus walked the earth, some of his Apostles were contentious with each other, regarding who would be superior to the others. Equality was clearly not on their minds.
Did this attitude persist after Christ returned to heaven? This question is answered when Paul's words at Galatians 2:1-9 are examined closely.
Verse 1:
Paul speaks about going up to Jerusalem "after fourteen years". Fourteen years is a long time to ignore a "leadership", if indeed there was such. (Jesus had told his disciples that they were all brothers)
What impelled Paul to go and see the elders in Jerusalem is fundamental to establishing the truth about the dispute.
Verse 2 tells us: It was because of a revelation by God's Holy Spirit! Why did Jehovah reveal something to Paul and not to Peter &"the Governing Body"?
Verse 4 sheds light: Because false brothers had been brought in by some in Jerusalem, apparently to cause problems to Paul's ministry of teaching the nations. Also, they were spying on Paul, trying to subvert him and bring him under control of men in Jerusalem. Exactly who brought these ones in is not known, but whoever it was, they must have had some authority and prominence within the Jerusalem congregation in order to do so. Clearly, there was corruption within the ranks of the men in Jerusalem, and Paul, along with Barnabas and Titus, were directed by the Holy Spirit to go up to Jerusalem and settle this situation forthwith.
Verses 5, 6 & 9 show exactly how Paul viewed some of the men in Jerusalem - not as a God - appointed "Governing Body", but rather, as self-seeking men. Note his words -" to these we did not yield by way of submission, no, not for an hour".............. but on the part of those who seemed to be something — whatever sort of men they formerly were makes no difference to me"
If this was a God appointed "Govering Body" in Jerusalem, Paul would have been resisting the Holy Spirit by not yielding to such men, but the Scriptures definitely show exactly who was being Spirit directed in the circumcision issue!
Paul describes them as men who seemed to be something - in other words, not what they appeared to be.
He also made it clear that he was not impressed by their past histories - perhaps their association with Christ - because he stated that they told him nothing new!
He refers to them as "influential" men in one translation, but it is evident that he did not consider them as such. He describes Peter, James and John as "ones who seemed to be pillars", perhaps indicating that he had reservations.
Galatians 2:11 reveals further evidence that Peter was not viewed by Paul as part of a "Governing Body". No one in Jerusalem could or did "govern" Paul's understanding.
Verse 9 says, "they gave me and Bar´na·bas the right hand of fellowship". This does not indicate that they were directed by a leader in Jerusalem as to their ministry. (the Spirit had already done that)
It simply highlights the fact that a mutual participation in a venture was signified by a handshake or grasping another’s hand.
By examining Galatians 2:1-9, it becomes very clear that Jehovah used Paul to resolve the dispute about circumcision, not Peter or a "Governing Body" in Jerusalem, whom Paul clearly had to stand up to when given divine direction.