A Classic Error: Pseudo Judaic-Christianity
Here’s a verse which implies that “Judaism mixed ritualistic rites & observances type Christianity” is NOT to be observed by ‘true believers’ especially of the Gentiles (non-Jews):
“Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5)
Some will even go to the length of ‘warning believers’ that ‘you cannot be saved’ if you “don’t keep the customs (ritualistic rites) of Moses” as this problem also existed in the dawn of Christianity itself:
“Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)
*Pseudo = false
P/S:
Read Acts 15 for yourself and you will realize the ‘truth’ that verse 1 and 5 are quoted in the way to prove that such observances are NOT relevant under the New Testament.
So, following this discussion on Moses’ Law and Customs, the ‘leaders’ (apostles & elders) gathered and came up with a conclusion.
Consider the points & endorsements below:
(i) Those (unauthorized) ‘believers’ who quote observances from Moses’ Law and/or Customs have ‘troubled the mind’ of many other believers with their ‘false teachings’:
“We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.” (Acts 15:24)
(ii) The ‘apostles’ & elders approve ‘this conclusion’
“With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.” (Acts 15:23)
(iii) It seems ‘Good’ to the ‘Holy Spirit’ of God regarding ‘this conclusion’
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:” (Acts 15:28)
(iv) ‘This conclusion’ (the next verse) states that Gentile believers are only to observe these four things ‘ritualistically’ under the New Testament (note that circumcision, tithes, Sabbath, Passover feast, other Jewish feasts etc. are NOT mentioned** at all to be kept):
“You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.” (Acts 15:29)
I repeat:
(1) Abstain from food sacrificed to idols
(2) Abstain from (consuming) blood
(3) Abstain from the meat of strangled animals
(4) Abstain from sexual immorality
Final remark regarding ‘this conclusion’:
Don’t ‘add’ to the Word of God! after ‘this conclusion’ has been endorsed by the apostles, elders and it seemed ‘Good’ to the ‘Holy Spirit’.
Good luck to ‘those believers’ who still choose to ‘disobey’.
Remember, ‘no one has ever been justified by acts of sacrifice more than obedience to His Word’.
**If someone says murder is ‘not mentioned’ to be avoided here, so does that mean I can do it? Here’s a simple answer: Other parts of the New Testament clearly build up and mention that murder is not allowed.
But you can certainly read post-New Testament verses ‘after’ the Old Testament covenant has been ‘abolished’ and find that NO verse mentions the keeping of Sabbaths, tithes, feasts, circumcision etc.
Lastly, take note that Christ kept the Sabbath and mentioned the paying of tithes when the ‘Old Testament was still IN FORCE’. Now, it’s been nullified and the correct interpretation of which parts of Moses’ Law & Customs are to be kept is stated in Acts 15 (‘this conclusion’ above) and other parts of the New Testament only.
In short, what’s “not” mentioned to be kept, “don’t do” (obedience).
