Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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,

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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.

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

Do I sense a WEE bit animosity?

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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

Of course it's sour grapes .... :friend

Ferd ... good nite.

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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?

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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!!! :D

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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.

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

You guys get each other so worked up :runhills

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

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;

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

That's because some people can't handle the truth, they're too busy trying to defend their heretical "pet" doctrines...

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

:ursofunny

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

Once again, keeping the law was NOT a problem. What was a problem was keeping the law FOR justification.

Why can't a Jew remain a Jew by keeping the law for the purpose of his Jewish identity and at the same time accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah?

Are we saying that a Jew cannot become a Messianic Jew?

If I can be a Christian without following the "ceremonial" law, why can't a Jew be a Christian while choosing to keep the law as long as he accepts the Jewish messiah?

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

MOW, as long as our traditions don't get in the way of our salvation, I see nothing wrong in keeping whatever traditions one would like. However, I guess what Paul was saying, it wasn't necessary anymore. Why continue keeping the law, when Christ has made us free? A lot of work for nothing...?

We just came out of an organization that considered it a sin to cut a women's hair. They considered it a "sin of disobedience" and literally told people they were going to hell.

I don't have a problem with keeping whatever traditions they want, as long as they don't lie, cheat, manipulate and coerce people while trying to defend them.

What's wrong with telling people the truth. We do this because it's our traditions?

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

Like you, I came out of a similar and maybe even the same organization.

This issue has nothing to do with the truth if one desires to keep their traditions as long as they do so for personal reasons and because they simply desire to. I am assuming that they already DO know the truth and desire to follow whatever traditions they choose. For Jews, their identity is their history, their life etc. Most Christians have no absolutely no idea how much their traditions mean to the Jews.

If people would do their research and reading, they would find that Jesus was a Pharisee. However, He was not of the sect that He criticized. He criticized the teachings of Bet (house of) Shammai and not the teachings of Bet Hillel. Once again, most Christians are completely ignorant of their Jewish origins, history and practice.

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

MOW, I know some Amish and Old Order Mennonites who, like some Messianic Jews keep a very obvious and distinct identity and subculture.

I think there is a great temptation among such groups to loose the emphasis of the cross and focus much on "the laws" they have established to preserve their identity.

Truth is, I see it as somewhat problematic but certainly believe it can be done.

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

I think they kept the law out of Identification and as a means to continue to evangelize other Jews. They could show in the ceremonies Christ...the lamb of God

Re: Were the Disciples Guilty of Hypocrisy?
 

I agree. I have been with Messianic Rabbis who keep the dietary laws but do not do so out of fear. They do so because they believe that they should and not because they must. But it certainly can become problematic and many times does because of an over emphasis on their beliefs.