The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions, “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”, and in chapter fifteen and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them”, where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “but there rose up” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover there arose and stood up” “certain of the sect of the Pharisees” or “particular men who belonged to the chosen ones that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “which believed” which means “who trusted in, relied upon, clung to and had confidence in Jesus”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Luke shared how some of the “Pharisees” who became believers in Jesus declared the following words.
The verse continues, “... That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Luke added the words, “that it was needful to circumcise them” or “it was necessary, right and proper to cut off prepuce of the Gentile believers (which was used of that well known rite by which not only the male children of the Israelites, on the eighth day after birth, but subsequently also "proselytes of righteousness" were consecrated to Jehovah and introduced into the number of his people)”, “and to command them” which means “and to order, charge and enjoin the Gentile believers” “to keep the law of Moses” or “to observe, carefully take care of and hold fast the precept and rule that produces a state approved of God which belonged to Moses whose name means drawing out and was the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion”. Luke shared how the “Pharisee” believers in Jesus said it was “necessary” for the new “Gentile believers” to be “circumcised” and to observe “Moses' law”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn why there was such a contention between “Paul, Barnabas and their companions” and the “Pharisee believers” in the church. “Paul, Barnabas and their companions” observed God working by His grace to save the “Gentile” people who did not previously have “circumcision” or “the law of Moses”. In other words, through Jesus Christ, people who did not have “God's law” were forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. “Paul” will address these “Pharisee believers” in our next few verses, but for now let us be mindful that God desires to have a personal relationship with every person who yield themselves to His Son Jesus, and those who are wise surrender their lives to Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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