Well, Paul and Barnabas decided to journey to Jerusalem to see if this was true, that the Gentiles were required to be circumcised, for they had 'heard' nothing of it from holy spirit.
SJ (A Guest)
Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the Antioch congregation to correct this error before it spread further. And Paul showed little respect for the views of James, Cehpas and John on this matter. The details are contained in Galatians.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no mans person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: . . . 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Paul did not yield but Paul did not grasp the fact that the such Jews would continue in this teaching which they seemed to release the Gentiles from so he had to return to Jerusalem many years later to deal with it once again.
The term holy spirit has many uses, but in some texts it simply refers to the meeting itself or someone in the assembly that is preaching. There is no particular miraculous significance to this word or such decisions and they can be good or bad, whatever the case may be. Notice.
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
No miracle here. No voice out of the clouds. No visions, just discussion, prayer, fasting and a statement given by one in the assembly that was not identified by name but by the term holy spirit.
Nearly all of Pauls letters are full of this struggle that he had with Christian Jews throughout his territories and his counsel to them. But if any think James and the Jerusalem congregation was not in error then do you agree with his decision to force Paul into the Temple to take Nazarite vows so at to please the rest of the congregation in Jerusalem, convincing them that you also believe in the LAW? After all were they not the Governing Body of the time?
Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
No idle request this one. Failure to comply would have cost Paul his life and Paul needed time to reason with them. But as it turned out they nearly killed him anyway. It would finally take a letter called the book of Hebrews to correct this error once and for all time. And it would only be then that James would write Jews everywhere that their word is all that mattered not LAW.
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. . .
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this mans religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James should know. He did not belive in such liberty when he confrunted Paul but now he has changed his mind and letting Jews everywhere know of his change of heart.
Joseph
Edited by - JosephMalik on 2 September 2002 10:21:2
Edited by - JosephMalik on 2 September 2002 10:23:17
