Written by Yahusha's Student: LUKE (the Doctor) ...
1 Then some men came to Antioch from Judea and began teaching the Gentile believers: “You can’t be delivered if you’re not circumcised as Moses taught us.” 2 Paul and Barnabas were against this teaching and argued with these men about it. So the group decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some others to Jerusalem to talk more about this with the other followers and elders. 3 The Fellowship helped them get ready to leave on their trip. Then the men went through the countries of Phoenicia and Samaria, where they told all about how the nations had turned to Alahim. This made all the believers very happy.
4 When the men arrived in Jerusalem, the Disciples and elders, (+ the whole fellowship) welcomed them. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told them all about what YAHUSHA had done with them. 5 Some of the believers in Jerusalem had belonged to the Pharisees, and they said, “Gentile believers must be circumcised. We must tell them to obey the Law of Moses!”
6 So YAHUSHA’S Disciples and the elders gathered to discuss this matter. 7 And after a long debate, Peter stood up and said to them,
“My brothers, I’m sure you remember what happened in the early days. YAHUSHA chose me from among you to speak the Good News to those who are not Jewish. It was from me that they heard the Good News and believed in the first place! 8 YAHUSHA knows everyone, even their thoughts, and He accepted these Gentile people, proving this to us by giving them His Spirit the same as He did to us. 9 So to YAHUSHA, those people are no different from us, and when they believed, YAHUSHA cleansed their hearts by belief also. 10 So now, why are you putting this YOKE ('teaching' ie circumcision in this case) on the necks of these Gentile believers? Are you trying to make YAHUSHA angry? We and our fathers weren't even able to bear that yoke ourselves (ie behave Torah properly). 11 No, we believe that we Jews and these Gentile believers will be delivered the same way—by the favour of our Master YAHUSHA.”
LIVING ALAHIM'S DIVINE LAWS WAS NOT A HEAVY YOKE TO BEAR (QUITE THE OPPOSITE), BUT WITHOUT YAHUSHA'S SPIRIT & DIVINE HEART OPERATION, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO BEHAVE. WHEN YAHUSHA SAID `COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO ARE HEAVY-LAIDEN AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST... LEARN FROM ME FOR MY YOKE (TEACHING) IS LIGHT" ... IT WASN'T THE TORAH-YOKE THAT WAS WEIGHING PEOPLE DOWN ... IT WAS THE STRESSES OF LIVING IN THIS WORLD, WITH THE CONDITION OF SIN.
UNLIKE WESTERN RELIGION TODAY, MOST OF YISHARAL NEVER SAW THE DIVINE LAWS (TORAH) AS A BURDEN - FOR IT CONNECTED THEM WITH THEIR ALAHIM, GAVE THEM PURPOSE, IDENTITY AND INHERITANCE ... JUST LIKE THE YOKE ON AN ANIMAL WAS NEVER TO BE HEAVY, CRUEL OR INFLICT PAIN, BUT TO KEEP THE ANIMAL FOCUSSED, ON THE RIGHT PATH, CONNECTED WITH IT'S MASTER'S DESIRES IN THE FIELD AND THE TASK AT HAND ...
12 Then the whole group became quiet, listening while Paul and Barnabas told them all about the miraculous signs and wonders that YAHUSHA had done through them among the Gentile people.
13 And when they finished speaking, James (YAHUSHA'S BROTHER) said, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon Peter has told us how YAHUSHA showed His love for the Gentile people, by raising up a portion of them in His Name. 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this too: 16'And after this I'll return and raise up the Tent of David that's fallen down, I’ll rebuild it’s ruins and set it up, 17so that a portion of mankind might seek Alahim (even all the nations) on whom My Name is called,' says YAHUAH, Who's doing all this'. 18 YES, All this has been known from the beginning of time. 19So we shouldn’t make things hard for those who have turned to YAHUSHA from among the Gentile nations. 20 Instead, we should write to them, telling them :
(NOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN WASHED CLEAN)
* Don't get defiled by idolatry,
* Don’t be involved in sexual sins (fornication/whoring),
* Don’t eat meat from animals that have been strangled,
* Don't eat/drink any blood.
(ALL THESE PRACTICES WERE PROMOTED BY THE PAGAN TEMPLES, DEITIES & SOCIETIES & INSTRUCTED AGAINST IN LEV 17.)
21 They shouldn’t do any of these things, because there are still men in every city who teach the Law of Moses. Infact the words of Moses have been read in the Synagogue every Sabbath Day for many years now.” 22 So YAHUSHA’S Disciples, elders, and the whole fellowship wanted to send some men with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. The group decided to choose some of their own men too: Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas (respected men). 23 The group sent this new letter with the men, which said: “From YAHUSHA’S Disciples and elders (your brothers), to all the gentile brothers in the city of Antioch and in the countries of Syria and Cilicia.
Dear Brothers, 24 we’ve heard that some men have come to you from our group, and what they said has troubled and upset you. Just know that we didn’t tell them to do this. 25 So now we’ve all agreed to choose some men and send them to you. 26 They are our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, who have given their lives to serve our Master YAHUSHA Messiah. 27 So we have sent Judas and Silas with them also, who will tell you the same things. 28 Now that you have been cleansed by YAHUSHA'S Spirit, we agree with Him, and you should have no more burdens, except for these necessary things: 29 Stay away from food that’s been offered to idols, or meat from animals that have been strangled, or from blood. And don’t be involved in sexual sin (fornication/whoring). For if you stay away from these, you will do very well. Now we say goodbye, so be strong!
30 So Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas left Jerusalem and went to Antioch. There they gathered the group of believers together and gave them the letter. 31 When the believers read it, they were so happy, for the letter comforted them greatly. 32 Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said many things to encourage the believers and make them stronger in their belief. 33 And after Judas and Silas stayed there for a while, they left, for they had received a blessing of peace from the other believers. So they went back to those who had sent them. 34 But Silas decided to stay there. 35 So Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching the believers and telling others of the Good News about YAHUSHA.
36 A few days later, Paul said to Barnabas, “We should go back to all the towns where we told people the message of YAHUSHA. We should visit them to see how they’re doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark with them too. 38 But on their first trip John Mark did not continue with them in the work, but had left them at Pamphylia. Paul didn't think it was a good idea to take him this time. 39 So there were sharp feelings between Paul and Barnabas, so intense that they separated and went different ways. Barnabas sailed to Cyprus and took Mark with him. 40 Paul chose Silas to go with him. The believers in Antioch put Paul into YAHUSHA’S care and sent him out. 41 Then Paul and Silas went through the countries of Syria and Cilicia, helping the fellowships grow stronger.
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