Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 16 — Circumcision of Timothy, a truth-speaking demon, unnecessary obstacles to God’s good news

After Paul and Bar-Nabbas part ways for a journey to visit the congregations they reached the first time, Paul seemed to contradict his teachings on circumcision by circumcising Timothy. In Philippi, Paul shut up a demon that had possessed a girl and was haranguing him with truth. Paul and Silas were shut up in prison, then led the jailer to salvation by their rejoicing during their incarceration.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 15 — to circumcise new believers or not to circumcise, to hassle them on Torah or not to hassle

Acts 15 recounts a “watershed” moment among believers in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) — should believers among the nations be allowed into the assembly of Israel and how. These events didn’t happen in a vacuum. Events from Acts 1–14 — Peter’s encounter with Cornelius and Paul’s first tour of Asia Minor — led to this momentous ruling by the elders. The passage from Amos 9 of restoration of a tabernacle for all believers is important. The Yerushalayim council ruled that we mustn’t “trouble” new believers as they learn Torah.