Congregation Book Study, Week 22 to July 28, 2024, Chapter 13, paragraphs 1-7, introduction to section 5 and box on page. 103, Answers.

Congregation Book Study, July 22-28, 2024, Chapter 13, paragraphs 1-7, introduction to section 5 and box on page. 103, Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 mins.) bt chap. 13 paras. 1-7, introduction to section 5 and box on p. 103.

The governing body is consulted if circumcision is necessary

Based on Acts 15:1-12

1-3. a) What debate threatened to divide the first-century congregation? 

The Debate that threatened to divide the first century congregation revolved around the issue of circumcision and the observance of the Mosaic law by Gentile Christians, with some Judean Christians insisting that to be true Followers of Christ the Gentiles were to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses. 

This generated a strong controversy between those who held this opinion and those like Paul and Barnabas who defended that salvation did not depend on circumcision or the observance of the law, but on faith in Jesus Christ.

1-3. b) Why do we do well to analyze this story?

Analyzing this account is beneficial because it offers us a model for how to handle certain issues while maintaining the unity of the congregation. 

The dispute that arose between the Christians of Judea was very close to dividing the congregation into two sides, since there were different opinions about how the treatment of Christians of Jewish origin should be, and whether Gentile Christians should or should not obey the law. Therefore, this story is a reminder of how to act in the face of conflicts that may arise within the congregation.

“Unless they are circumcised” (Acts 15:1)

4. What did some Christians of Jewish origin begin to teach, and what question is logical to ask?

These Christians of Jewish origin who had arrived in Antioch began to teach that unless Gentiles were circumcised they could not be saved. They were still influenced by their Jewish background, and possibly by the sect of the Pharisees who maintained a strict interpretation of the Mosaic law. . 

Given this, the logical question that arises is, if God had already made it clear to Peter years before that he accepted uncircumcised Gentiles in the congregation, why did some Christians of Jewish origin continue to insist on circumcision?

5, 6. a) Why were there Christians of Jewish origin who still defended circumcision?

There were Christians of Jewish origin who still defended circumcision, because circumcision was directly commanded by Jehovah as a sign of the special relationship that men should have with him. This command was first given to Abraham and then incorporated into the law covenant for all Israelites. Furthermore, circumcision was so significant that the law required that even foreigners who wanted to participate in Jewish celebrations, such as Passover, must be circumcised. For the Jews, an uncircumcised man was considered impure and therefore incapable of serving God.

5, 6. b) What is the difference between the circumcision covenant and the covenant with Abraham? (See note).

The difference between the covenant of circumcision and the covenant with Abraham lies in its purpose and scope, the covenant of circumcision was a physical sign that identified the descendants of Abraham and differentiated them from other peoples, it implied that all men must be circumcised as proof of their belonging to the people of God.

On the other hand, the covenant with Abraham had a broader and more spiritual scope. This covenant not only included the promise of numerous descendants and possession of the land of Canaan, but it also promised that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through Abraham's descendants. The new covenant replaced the law covenant and was based on Faith in Christ, not the discipline of circumcision.

7. What had the men who came down from Judea not grasped?

These men had not grasped the spiritual essence and the true purpose of the new covenant, they had not understood this transition from the external, to the internal, physical, to the spiritual. Although Jehovah's standards had not changed, these individuals did not understand that the new covenant followed the basic principles of the law of Moses in a deeper and more spiritual way. Paul, when speaking about circumcision in his letters, explained that what really matters is not physical circumcision, but circumcision of the heart, which is carried out by the spirit and not by adherence to a written code.

ANSWERS BASED ON THE BOX: «THE DOCTRINES OF THE JUDAIZERS»

By promoting circumcision and other observances of the law as requirements for salvation, Judaizers distort the message of the Gospel of Christ. Paul refers to them as false brothers who wanted to distort the message of Christ, even Peter was temporarily influenced by this mentality and avoided the Gentiles this shows the magnitude of the challenge this controversy represented.

Paul had to publicly correct Peter to defend the truth of the Gospel and the unity of the congregation. Therefore, studying this account teaches us about the need to be vigilant against any teaching that contradicts the gospel of Christ.

The Judaizers were a group within the early church who believed that to be considered righteous before God, a Christian must adhere to the law of Moses, including practices such as circumcision, dietary restrictions, and observance of Jewish holidays. According to Paul they distorted the message of the Gospel by adding these laws to Faith in Christ.

According to the text, the Judaizers wanted to impose these rules because their motivation was twofold: on the one hand, they wanted to avoid the persecution of non-Christian Jews, showing that they still followed Jewish law. On the other hand, they said that these practices were necessary for justification before God, which contradicted the Gospel teaching that justification comes through Faith in Christ only in this way.

The influence of the Judaizers generated an uncomfortable atmosphere, since especially in communities where converted Jews and Gentiles lived together, this was clearly evidenced when prominent figures such as Peter felt pressured to separate themselves from the Gentiles, contradicting their own teaching and practice that had previously been known to them. They had taught the people. In this case, Peter fell into thinking that coexistence without the barriers imposed by Jewish law was wrong.

Paul publicly rebuked Peter in Antioch for his hypocrisy and for not walking according to the true message of the Gospel that he himself had previously espoused. Paul saw this as a serious threat to the unity and purity of the Gospel that taught that all Jews and Gentiles They are justified by faith without the works of the law.

“The apostles and elders gathered together”

SECTION 5: “The Apostles and Elders Gathered Together”

(ACTS 15:6)

A very delicate issue caused controversy and endangered the peace and unity of the congregations. Who did they turn to for instructions to solve the problem? In this section we will look at the way first century Christians were organized and how that sets the tone for God's people today. A circuit overseer giving a talk to a congregation.