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Council was specifically in regard to the major number of Gentiles that
were now joining the Christian Church daily [predominantly through
Missionary efforts] and whether or not the Gentiles would have to be
circumcised and observe any of the Jewish customs or take part in any
of the established laws of Moses -- 'Acts 15:6 And the Apostles and
[Church] Elders [including James the ½ brother of Jesus] came
together for to consider of this matter.'
Acts 15:6-22 And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been
much disputing [arguing], [Apostle] Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good
while ago [Cornelius and his household at Caesarea] God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth
should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, *giving
them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, **purifying their hearts
by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke [law of Moses] upon the neck of the disciples, which
neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? **But we believe that through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we
[Jews who are Redeemed] shall be Saved, even as they [Gentiles who are now being Saved - Salvation]. Then all
the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had
wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James [the ½ brother of Jesus - Church
leader in Jerusalem] answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon [Apostle Peter] hath declared
how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, ***to take out of them a [Christian] people for His Name. And to this
agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After [Gentile Christian Church] this I [Messiah] will return [2nd
Coming], and will build again the Tabernacle [House - Dwelling] of [the Throne of King] David, which is fallen
down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That [during the Christian Church Age] the
residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called, saith the Lord, who
doeth all these things. ***Known unto God are all His works ***from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my
sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God [those who have the Holy
Spirit]: But that we write unto them, *that they abstain from pollutions of [Gentile] idols, and from [Gentile]
fornication, and from things strangled [Jewish law], and from blood [Jewish law]. **For Moses of old time hath in
every city them that preach him [abstain from idols and fornication because it is un-Christian, abstain from unclean
food and blood only if it offends the local Jewish population], being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole Church [in Jerusalem], to send chosen men of their own
company to [the Church in] Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief
men among the brethren • - Note: The early Church recognized that God was active in calling Gentiles into His
Christian Church and they also recognized that the Gentiles would have to conduct their new life in a manner
consistent with Biblical Christianity and finally they concluded that it is important for Christians not to openly
offend those that have remained Jewish. Also Note: All food including blood is now clean because the eternal blood
of Jesus Christ has cleansed the world. Eating animal blood and probably human blood if it were obtained in a legal
manner does not make a person unclean. Satan has devised a scheme that the world is unclean however it is not. It is
unprofitable to do questionable things and germs and disease might be involved but if someone for example drank
pig blood thinking it is an evil act the act itself is not but the intentions of their heart might be. - Some cultures eat
blood foods and if the Jews are simply notified that it is a custom and not a slight on Moses then they are free to eat
their blood food of course not offering any of it to a devout Jewish person because that would be terribly offensive.
The 1st Church council was saying to the Gentiles to have our Christian Gentile liberties but also to be mindful and
respectful of the [Redeemed] Jews who do still follow the laws of Moses.
{Basic Christian: blog Bible Study} Acts 15 (Part 2) - Christian Church
Councils - All of the Church Councils throughout history have dealt
specifically with the issues of God's Redemptive and Salvation plan for
http://www.basicchristian.org/blog_History_Study_Complete.rss[1/16/2012 7:38:03 AM]