Posted by cruiser on August 12, 2008 at 17:06:47:
In Reply to: I love the teachings of Paul, BUT.. posted by angel on August 11, 2008 at 19:18:16:
It's also documented in the book of Acts that James and Peter drew
themselves away from Gentiles not to be seen by the Pharisees.
Act 15 (1-41)
Act 15:1 ¶ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught
the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of
Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Act 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small
dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and
Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto
the apostles and elders about this question.
Act 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they
passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the
Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
Act 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were
received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they
declared all things that God had done with them.
Act 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees
which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to
command [them] to keep the law of Moses.
Act 15:6 ¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to
consider of this matter.
Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up,
and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good
while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth
should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness,
giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying
their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon
the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to
bear?
Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Act 15:12 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.
Act 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered,
saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me:
Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit
the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Act 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is
written,
Act 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the
tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the
ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
Act 15:17 That 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.
Act 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning
of the world.
Act 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them,
which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Act 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from
pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled,
and [from] blood.
Act 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that
preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Act 15:22 ¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the
whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch
with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas,
chief men among the brethren:
Act 15:23 And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner;
The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren
which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Act 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went
out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls,
saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave
no [such] commandment:
Act 15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one
accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and
Paul,
Act 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Act 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall
also tell [you] the same things by mouth.
Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to
lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from
blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if
ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Act 15:30 ¶ So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch:
and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the
epistle:
Act 15:31 [Which] when they had read, they rejoiced for the
consolation.
Act 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves,
exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed [them].
Act 15:33 And after they had tarried [there] a space, they were
let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
Act 15:34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
Act 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch,
teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Act 15:36 ¶ And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us
go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached
the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.
Act 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John,
whose surname was Mark.
Act 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them,
who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to
the work.
Act 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that
they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark,
and sailed unto Cyprus;
Act 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being
recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
Act 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cili
Paul had to with stood Peter and James to there face after Paul seen
them move away not to be seen with the Gentiles because of the
Pharisees.