Why Did The Apostles Remain
In
Acts 7:57-8:4 reads,
7:57But
they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him
with one accord. 7:58They threw him
out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the
feet of a young man named Saul. 7:59They
stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my
Spirit!" 7:60He kneeled down,
and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don’t hold this sin against
them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep.
8:1Saul
was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against
the assembly which was in
Why did the apostles remain in
The Holy Spirit Was Given
Through The Laying On Of The Apostles’ Hands
Acts 8:14-24 reads,
8:14Now
when the apostles who were at
8:24Simon
answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have
spoken come on me."
Philip had been to
Those To Serve Yahweh
Should Have Upright Hearts
It should also be noted that rightness of a person's heart is very important in the determination of their suitability for service to Yahweh, especially in high office. Simon's heart wasn't right, and therefore he was rejected. Those who were accepted were those whose hearts were right before Yahweh.
The Apostles' Intervention
In
Acts 9:10-31 reads,
9:10Now
there was a certain disciple at
He said, "Behold, it’s me, Lord."
9:11The
Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which
is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man
of
9:13But
Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much
evil he did to your saints at
9:15But
the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is
my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children
of
9:17Ananias
departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said,
"Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you in the way which you came,
has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy
Spirit." 9:18Immediately
something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose
and was baptized. 9:19He took food
and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at
9:22But
Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at
Yah'shuah Personally Chose
Saul To Be His Servant
There should really be no dispute that Yah'shuah personally chose Saul to be
his servant, confirming this to Ananias, one of his disciples in
Apostles Have A
Responsibility To Resolve Difficult Matters Among Yah'shuah's Disciples
When the assembly in Jerusalem was faced with a difficult matter - the genuineness of Saul as a disciple of Yah'shuah - it took the apostles to resolve the matter, for most of the disciples didn't believe that the one who only a short while before was persecuting them to death had completely turned around the joined them. It therefore appears that apostles have indeed a responsibility to resolve difficult matters that come up before the assembly of Yah'shuah.
The Apostle Peter Was Taken
To Task By Other Disciples When He First Went To The Gentiles
Acts 11:1-18 reads,
11:1Now
the apostles and the brothers who were in
11:4But
Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, 11:5"I was in the city of
11:18When
they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying,
"Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!"
All Apostles Are To Submit
To The Law They Are To Submit To
It should be noted that even though Peter had been the one who was named first of the twelve original apostles he did not have some mysterious authority over his fellows. For when they heard that Peter had behaved in an unusual manner, a manner contrary to their Jewish traditions, they took issue with them and asked him to explain his actions. In other words, they understood that even though Peter was first among equals, he was not superior to the law that should be governing the conduct of all of them. They were all to submit to the law they were to submit to, with none of them exempt from so submitting to it.
All Disciples Must Submit
To The Authority Of The Spirit
In giving explanation for his actions Peter clearly narrated the events as
they took place, clearly informing them that his actions contrary to Jewish
tradition were done at the command of none other than the Spirit. And seeing
that the Spirit is superior in authority to human tradition, both he and his
fellows had to abide by the word of the Spirit. Upon this the
But the key point to note is that no apostle is superior to the word of the Spirit. All must abide by the word of Yahweh, even when it is contrary to their own human tradition, even a tradition that is widespread among their people.
Paul And Barnabas Were
Apostles
Acts 13:48-14:7 reads,
13:48As
the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many
as were appointed to eternal life believed. 13:49The
Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region. 13:50But the Jews urged on the devout women of
honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.
13:51But they shook off the dust of
their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 13:52The
disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.
14:1It
happened in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews,
and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. 14:2But the disobedient Jews stirred up and
embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. 14:3Therefore they stayed there a long time,
speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting
signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 14:4But
the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part
with the apostles. 14:5When some
of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to
insult them and to stone them, 14:6they
became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the
surrounding region. 14:7There they
preached the gospel.
Both Paul and Barnabas were apostles.
Barnabas And Paul Were
Apostles
Acts 14:8-19 reads,
14:8At
Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s
womb, who never had walked. 14:9He
was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he
had faith to be made whole, 14:10said
with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet!" He leaped up and
walked. 14:11When the multitude
saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of
Lycaonia, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 14:12They called Barnabas "Jupiter,"
and Paul "Mercury," because he was the chief speaker. 14:13The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in
front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have
made a sacrifice with the multitudes. 14:14But
when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their
clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out, 14:15"Men, why are you doing these things?
We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you
should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the
earth and the sea, and all that is in them; 14:16who
in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 14:17Yet he didn’t leave himself without
witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful
seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
14:18Even
saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice
to them. 14:19But some Jews from
Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they
stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
The Apostles And Elders Sat
Down To Determine Whether Gentiles Are Required To Observe Circumcision And The
Law Of Moses
Acts 15:1-35 reads,
15:1Some
men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are
circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved." 15:2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no
small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and
some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about
this question. 15:3They, being
sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria,
declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the
brothers. 15:4When they had come
to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the
elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
15:5But
some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is
necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of
Moses."
15:6The
apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
15:7When there had been much
discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a
good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should
hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 15:8God,
who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just
like he did to us. 15:9He made no
distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 15:10Now therefore why do you tempt God, that
you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers
nor we were able to bear? 15:11But
we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they
are."
15:12All
the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting
what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 15:13After they were silent, James answered,
"Brothers, listen to me. 15:14Simeon
has reported how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people
for his name. 15:15This agrees
with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
15:16‘After
these things I will return.
I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen.
I will again build its ruins.
I will set it up,
15:17That the rest of men may seek
after the Lord;
All the Gentiles who are called by my name,
Says the Lord, who does all these things.
15:18All his works are known to God
from eternity.’
15:19"Therefore
my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to
God, 15:20but that we write to them
that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from
what is strangled, and from blood. 15:21For
Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being
read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
15:22Then
it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly,
to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. 15:23They wrote these things by their hand:
"The apostles, the elders, and the
brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and
Cilicia: greetings. 15:24Because
we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words,
unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to
whom we gave no commandment; 15:25it
seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them
to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 15:26men
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15:27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas,
who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 15:28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and
to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 15:29that you abstain from things sacrificed to
idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from
which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."
15:30So,
when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude
together, they delivered the letter. 15:31When
they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. 15:32Judas and Silas, also being prophets
themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them. 15:33After they had spent some time there, they
were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles. 15:34*
15:35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in
Difficult Matters Among
Yah'shuah's Disciples Are To Be Determined By Apostles, Elders And Brethren
Sitting Together
Again, when a difficult matter arose in a given geographical part of the assembly, and agreement could not be reached on it, it was determined that the matter be settled by being taken to the apostles at Jerusalem for consideration and determination. It should therefore be clear that difficult matters are deliberated upon and determined by apostles, elders and other brethren sitting together for the purpose.
Barnabas And Paul Were
Recognised By The Jerusalem Brethren As Servants Of Yah'shuah
It is evident that the standing of both Barnabas and Paul was very high with those of the brethren in Jerusalem. For they called these two "our beloved Barnabas and Paul". Barnabas and Paul were clearly recognised as fellow servants of Yah'shuah.
What The Jerusalem Meeting
Did Not Consider
The key decision that came out of the this meeting was that observing circumcision and the law of Moses is not essential for salvation, for salvation comes by faith in Yah'shuah and not through observing circumcision and the law of Moses. Nevertheless it should be noted what the meeting did not sit down to consider. It did not sit down to consider whether it was necessary for Israelite brethren to continue to observe circumcision and the law of Moses, even though it was not essential for their salvation. The question therefore arises, is it necessary for Israelite believers to continue observing circumcision and the law of Moses even though it is not essential for their salvation, seeing that salvation comes by their believing in Yah'shuah as Yahweh's Anointed One or Messiah?
How The Disciples TESTED
Peter's Word And Came To Accept It
15:13-18 shows HOW the word that Peter has spoken was accepted by the meeting of apostles, elders and other brethren. Peter's words were accepted because they were in harmony with Yahweh's written word - the prophets in this case. In other words, Peter's words were not accepted because Peter was somehow a more special apostle than the other apostles. No! His words were accepted because they agreed with Yahweh's already revealed word. In other words, the basis for determining the correctness or not of any word, especially in a difficult matter, is whether it agrees with Yahweh's already revealed word. When a word agrees with that of Yahweh's it is accepted. But when it does not agree with Yahweh's word, even when uttered by a most esteemed apostle, it is not accepted. For Yahweh's word is supreme and ought to be the basis of our lives.
Apostolic Decrees Were
Delivered To Yah'shuah's Disciples
Acts 16:1-5 reads,
16:1He
came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named
Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek. 16:2The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium
gave a good testimony about him. 16:3Paul
wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of
the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
16:4As they went on their way
through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had
been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 16:5So the assemblies were strengthened in the
faith, and increased in number daily.
Why did Paul circumcise Timothy yet he believed that it wasn't necessary for a person to be circumcised in order for that person to be saved? 16:3 says that he did it "because of the Jews who were in those parts". The implication being that the Jews wouldn't have received any word Timothy spoke on the grounds that he hadn't been circumcised, and therefore it was necessary to circumcise him to allow the Jews to give him a hearing.
All Of Yah'shuah's Assemblies
Should Walk Together In Harmony
It is noted that the assemblies of Yah'shuah were expected to observe the decrees that had been arrived at by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. In other words, once a difficult matter has been deliberated upon and determined all in Yah'shuah's assembly should abide by the determined word, and walk together in harmony.
From the above examination of writings pertaining to apostles it is observed that they are chosen from among the number of Yah'shuah's disciples. They are given power and authority to both preach the gospel of the kingdom of Yahweh and to cast out unclean spirits and to heal the sick. They are also given authority to lay hands upon believers, praying that these believers be given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They also have oversight over the assembly of Yah'shuah, ensuring that various practices within it are in harmony with Yahweh's word. They are to focus their time more on prayer and the ministry of the word, than attending to various physical duties. Nevertheless, they retain overall responsibility over these physical duties. To ensure that these are done they appoint those of the assembly to perform these physical duties, appointing to such positions people whose hearts are right before Yahweh. When difficult matters arise in the assembly, especially concerning teachings and practices, apostles, together with elders and other brethren, sit down collectively to deliberate upon such matters and determine such matters according to leading of the Holy Spirit as confirmed by Yahweh's revealed word. The word of an apostle is not superior to that of Yahweh's revealed word, and can only be accepted as ruling for all when it has been subjected to the scrutiny of Yahweh's word and found to be in agreement with it. When it is not in agreement with Yahweh's word it is not accepted, for it is Yahweh's word that his people are to live by, not contrary words of errant servants of his.
It is also the case that apostles are not above being taken to task over any conduct of theirs. When they undertake conduct that appears to be out of harmony with accepted practice, they must justify that conduct before the assembly, doing so using Yahweh's revealed word, rather than their own opinion. This is because it is Yahweh's word that forms the basis of our lives and not the opinion of human beings. And when the word of humans is different or contrary to that of Yahweh's, even when the humans giving that word are in authority, even when they are apostles, Yahweh's people are not to comply with such words. Yahweh's people are to obey Yahweh rather than men. It is therefore imperative that Yahweh's people be thoroughly acquainted with his word that they may be able to verify whether a word they receive from a human being is in harmony with his word or not. When it is it should be abided by. But when it is not Yahweh's people must steadfastly obey Yahweh rather than men, and pay whatever consequences at the hands of the men whom they disobey on account of obeying Yahweh.
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