Hi Everyone,
Blessings to you through Messiah Yahushua, My YAHWEH and My ELOHIM!
Under the Law, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court, was ruled by a man called the Nasi or Prince of the Court. The Nasi was often the High Priest, but the King could also serve as the Nasi. In the absence of the Nasi, the Vice-President of the Court, referred to as the Ab Bet Din or Father of the House of Justice, presided over the decisions made by the Sanhedrin. In the spiritual, Messiah Yahushua occupies the position of Nasi.
By Jewish Law, a community of 120 persons was sufficient to establish a Small Sanhedrin. When Messiah ascended, the community of Believers in Jerusalem numbered 120 (see Acts 1:15); therefore, a spiritual Small Sanhedrin consisting of 23 Judges was convened to decide on a replacement for Judas. I desire that all come to an awareness here that the Law and the Prophets did not end with the Death, Burial, and 3rd Day Resurrection of Messiah Yahushua; otherwise, why do we see the Disciples continuing to structure themselves and to make decisions for themselves according to the Law (see Deuteronomy 17:8-13 and John 20:23 in connection with Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18) and the Prophets and the Psalms?
Eventually, the number of Believers at Jerusalem (see Acts 21:20) were sufficient to convene a spiritual Sanhedrin of 70 Judges to make a decision concerning the status and duty of Gentiles whom ELOHIM was calling to occupy a position in the Body of Messiah. In the physical, only a Great Sanhedrin had the authority to expand the Courtyard of the Temple. In the spiritual, this relates directly to converting Gentiles.
At the time of Acts 15, there existed a strong party within the community of Believers at Jerusalem that were insisting that converting Gentiles must undergo physical circumcision and also be compelled to follow the Law in a physical sense just like the believing Jews who had come to believe in Messiah. In the Book of Acts, this party of Believers in Messiah is called a Sect of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), and James appears to have been their leader (see Galatians 2:12). Please understand here that belief in Messiah Yahushua did not end the obligation of Believing Jews to follow the Law in a physical sense. Acts 21 shows us that these believing Jews actually numbered in the thousands, and these believing Jews were all zealous for the Law.
It is my belief that James occupied the position of Ab Bet Din at the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council. While Peter and Paul and Barnabas did give their testimony or opinion, James is the one who renders the sentence of the Council:
Act 15:19
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to ELOHIM:
Please notice that the reference to a "sentence" by James above follows the language of Deuteronomy 17:9-11, and please notice that once such a sentence is rendered and accepted by a Sanhedrin, that this judgment carries the same weight as if ELOHIM HIMSELF has spoken. Please examine on your own and make an effort to follow the argument of James in Acts 15. His argument is based upon the fulfillment of Scripture, and the Disciples all accepted his "sentence" because none desired to hinder the fulfillment of Scripture.
The arguments of Peter and Paul and Barnabas were not sufficient to bring the Council to a consensus of opinion concerning converting Gentiles. There are reasons for this, but suffice it to say, the Sentence of the Ab Bet Din, James, carried the day.
I desire that all here recognize that the Gentiles who are turning to ELOHIM were formerly Lo Ammi, that is, Not My People. By turning to ELOHIM, these Gentiles are in the process of becoming Ammi, that is, My People. How exactly does a Gentile move from Lo Ammi to Ammi?
Perhaps we should take the time to examine the dogma or opinion of Peter as stated in Acts 15? Why did his judgment not carry the day with the Council?
Thanking in advance all that may be moved to reply, I am,
Sincerely, Latuwr
Blessings to you through Messiah Yahushua, My YAHWEH and My ELOHIM!
Under the Law, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court, was ruled by a man called the Nasi or Prince of the Court. The Nasi was often the High Priest, but the King could also serve as the Nasi. In the absence of the Nasi, the Vice-President of the Court, referred to as the Ab Bet Din or Father of the House of Justice, presided over the decisions made by the Sanhedrin. In the spiritual, Messiah Yahushua occupies the position of Nasi.
By Jewish Law, a community of 120 persons was sufficient to establish a Small Sanhedrin. When Messiah ascended, the community of Believers in Jerusalem numbered 120 (see Acts 1:15); therefore, a spiritual Small Sanhedrin consisting of 23 Judges was convened to decide on a replacement for Judas. I desire that all come to an awareness here that the Law and the Prophets did not end with the Death, Burial, and 3rd Day Resurrection of Messiah Yahushua; otherwise, why do we see the Disciples continuing to structure themselves and to make decisions for themselves according to the Law (see Deuteronomy 17:8-13 and John 20:23 in connection with Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18) and the Prophets and the Psalms?
Eventually, the number of Believers at Jerusalem (see Acts 21:20) were sufficient to convene a spiritual Sanhedrin of 70 Judges to make a decision concerning the status and duty of Gentiles whom ELOHIM was calling to occupy a position in the Body of Messiah. In the physical, only a Great Sanhedrin had the authority to expand the Courtyard of the Temple. In the spiritual, this relates directly to converting Gentiles.
At the time of Acts 15, there existed a strong party within the community of Believers at Jerusalem that were insisting that converting Gentiles must undergo physical circumcision and also be compelled to follow the Law in a physical sense just like the believing Jews who had come to believe in Messiah. In the Book of Acts, this party of Believers in Messiah is called a Sect of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), and James appears to have been their leader (see Galatians 2:12). Please understand here that belief in Messiah Yahushua did not end the obligation of Believing Jews to follow the Law in a physical sense. Acts 21 shows us that these believing Jews actually numbered in the thousands, and these believing Jews were all zealous for the Law.
It is my belief that James occupied the position of Ab Bet Din at the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council. While Peter and Paul and Barnabas did give their testimony or opinion, James is the one who renders the sentence of the Council:
Act 15:19
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to ELOHIM:
Please notice that the reference to a "sentence" by James above follows the language of Deuteronomy 17:9-11, and please notice that once such a sentence is rendered and accepted by a Sanhedrin, that this judgment carries the same weight as if ELOHIM HIMSELF has spoken. Please examine on your own and make an effort to follow the argument of James in Acts 15. His argument is based upon the fulfillment of Scripture, and the Disciples all accepted his "sentence" because none desired to hinder the fulfillment of Scripture.
The arguments of Peter and Paul and Barnabas were not sufficient to bring the Council to a consensus of opinion concerning converting Gentiles. There are reasons for this, but suffice it to say, the Sentence of the Ab Bet Din, James, carried the day.
I desire that all here recognize that the Gentiles who are turning to ELOHIM were formerly Lo Ammi, that is, Not My People. By turning to ELOHIM, these Gentiles are in the process of becoming Ammi, that is, My People. How exactly does a Gentile move from Lo Ammi to Ammi?
Perhaps we should take the time to examine the dogma or opinion of Peter as stated in Acts 15? Why did his judgment not carry the day with the Council?
Thanking in advance all that may be moved to reply, I am,
Sincerely, Latuwr
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