the Sabbath

[SabbathBlessing]

I see the same thing as you exactly!

Yes, the apostles were discussing circumcision as a means to salvation. Acts 15:1 Which means one could save themselves but we all need Jesus. The yoke of bondage was what Jesus condemned, the Jewish leaders added many man-made traditions to God’s commandments Mat 15:3-14, like doing well on the Sabbath, eating on the Sabbath and all of their other made-made traditions they kept over God’s commandments. If one were to read the Talmud would see how many rules and regulations the Jews had, there was no love in obeying God, its was about their rules and was no longer even about God, but control, if we love God we would want to obey what God’s asks and would never be a burden. 1 John 5:3 John 14:15 Exo 20:6. God does not want us to sin, because it shows we belong to another 1 John 3:8 God wants to free us from the bondage of sin.

People do not have a good understanding of God, because His law is a reflection of His holy character- they are perfect for converting the soul Psa 19:7 written by our perfect Savior and they are not burdensome 1 John 5:3. If people think spending time with God on His holy Sabbath day now, would be miserable in heaven Isa 66:23, which is why God’s Judgement is a Judgement of love.

God bless!

 

[Aaron56]

No, what they were saying was "The Law was read on every Jewish Sabbath and preached everywhere there were Jews. So let's get a succinct message to the gentiles so they are not convinced to take up the whole Law of the Jews."

There is a reason we are told not to add to God's Word. Pro 30:5-6 There is no scripture that calls God's Sabbath, the "Jewish" Sabbath. The fact is the Sabbath continues on forever for all flesh i.e. God's saints Isa 66:23 and I am sure there won't be only Jews in God's eternal Kingdom, but will be for both Jew and Gentile those who are grafted in through faith who uphold God's law though love. 1 John 5:3 John 14:15 Exo 20:6

God in His own Words He claimed the Sabbath as My holy day, the holy day of the Lord Isa 58:13 that He said was made for mankind Mark 2:27 and everyone Isa 56:6

Either Acts 15 is a complete list of rules for Gentiles or its not, and I don't think anyone will be in heaven by not loving God with all their hearts minds and souls and not loving their neighbor which is not listed in Acts 15. So obviously people have a misunderstanding on this passage.

You should reread the thread. It answers all your questions. The heavy burden (yoke) that the disciples nor their fathers could keep = the Law.

 

[Inquisitor]

Context!! you do not see the big picture and pick the verses you need here id the whole story about acts 15:10-11;

The Jerusalem Council
Act 15:1 Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Act 15:2 And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Act 15:3 Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.
Act 15:4 On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.
Act 15:5 But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”
Act 15:6 So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
Act 15:7 After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
Act 15:9 He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
Act 15:11 On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

the context is clear! circumcision not the rest of the law but people use verse 10 and 11 to push their point, this is dishonest and leads other to err.


Act 15:12 The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
Act 15:13 When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!
Act 15:14 Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.
Act 15:15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
Act 15:16 ‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
Act 15:17 so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things
Act 15:18 that have been known for ages.’
Act 15:19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Act 15:20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
Act 15:21 For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

If physical circumcision is the subject of the debate in Acts 15.

How do you explain the reply of the apostles to the Gentile churches?

Act 15:20
Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality,
from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

If physical circumcision was what Acts 15 was all about, then a simple reply by the apostles.
Would have been the reply that the Gentiles must not be circumcised.

Why would the apostles issue a decree to the Gentile churches to abstain from blood.
Abstaining from blood is a ceremonial law according to the SDA.

Why do the apostles promote the ceremonial law?

The apostles declaration has nothing to do with circumcision.

Something is wrong with your interpretation.

Your interpretation makes no sense.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

You should reread the thread. It answers all your questions. The heavy burden (yoke) that the disciples nor their fathers could keep = the Law.

Which commandment is a burden to you?

Only worshipping the one True God?
Not bowing to false idols?
Using our Lord and Saviors name only in a holy manner?
Keeping God’s holy Sabbath day so He can give us rest Exo 20:8-11 bless Isa 56:1-6 and sanctify us Eze 20:12 because we can’t do this ourselves.
Honoring our fathers and mothers a heavy burden?
Nor murdering someone a heavy yolk?
lying?
coveting?
stealing?
Not committing adultery to0 heavy of a yoke to bear?

Nah this is a doctrine of the devil, that sadly people have fallen prey to, hence why Jesus said it leads one in a ditch Mat 15:3-14

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

 

[Aaron56]

If people think spending time with God on His holy Sabbath day now...

"Spending time with God"

Is it your time to spend? In the Gospel of Christ, one has no time of their own to spend. They learn to do only what the Lord is currently doing.

 

[Aaron56]

What commandment is a burden to you?

Only worshipping God?
Not bowing to false idols?
Using our Lord and Saviors name only in a holy manner?
Keeping God’s holy Sabbath day so He can bless Isa 56:1-6 and sanctify us Eze 20:12 and spending time with God just as Jesus did on the Sabbath
Honoring our fathers and mothers a heavy burden?
Nor murdering someone a heavy yolk?
lying?
coveting?
stealing?
Not committing adultry to heavy of a yoke to bear?

Nah this is a doctrine of the devil, that sadly people have fallen prey to.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

All of the Law including the 10 Commandments.

Those aren't my words. Those are Peter's.

I suppose you could be better than Peter and all the generations of Jewish fathers but it's a long shot.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

All of the Law including the 10 Commandments.

Those aren't my words. Those are Peter's.

I suppose you could be better than Peter and all the generations of Jewish fathers but it's a long shot.

Sad, Peter never said any such thing. I guess thats why you quoted “you”.

 

[rrcn]

Revelation is mostly symbolic. That is symbolism for Christ himself sitting on the throne in heaven. It is used in that passage to indicate that all of the ungodly in the world are about to be slain at the presence of a holy God. No man besides the high priest was allowed to see the ark of the covenant inside God's earthly tabernacle/temple. Any others who did were killed.

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. Leviticus 10:1-3​

​

And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died; And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Leviticus 16:1-2​

 

[SabbathBlessing]

"Spending time with God"

Is it your time to spend? In the Gospel of Christ, one has no time of their own to spend. They learn to do only what the Lord is currently doing.

A Christian is a follower of Christ. Jesus kept the Sabbath Luke 4:16 and all of the commandments John 15:10 If we abide in Him we would follow in His footsteps 1 John 2:5-6 1 Peter 2:21-22

 

[Inquisitor]

Which commandment is a burden to you?

Only worshipping the one True God?
Not bowing to false idols?
Using our Lord and Saviors name only in a holy manner?
Keeping God’s holy Sabbath day so He can give us rest Exo 20:8-11 bless Isa 56:1-6 and sanctify us Eze 20:12 because we can’t do this ourselves.
Honoring our fathers and mothers a heavy burden?
Nor murdering someone a heavy yolk?
lying?
coveting?
stealing?
Not committing adultery to0 heavy of a yoke to bear?

Nah this is a doctrine of the devil, that sadly people have fallen prey to, hence why Jesus said it leads one in a ditch Mat 15:3-14

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

 

[Inquisitor]

Are the following commandments a heavy burden?

Nor murdering someone a heavy yolk?
lying?
coveting?
stealing?

Every day I struggle with the thought process that stems from the flesh.

I have so many times thought a person is a complete fool. That thought is sin according
to Jesus; the murder commandment amplified.

Matthew 5:22
...and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

I seriously struggle with that commandment as well as the commandment on coveting.

The thought crime is the same as breaking the commandment.

Are you saying that the law is not a burden a yoke?

The law is an impossible burden.

 

[TMS]

Imputed, imparted, ???

Christ was the only righteous one.

According to Paul everyone else is unrighteous.

Romans 3:10
As it is written: “There is no righteous person, not even one."

Romans 5:17
For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive
the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Righteousness like salvation is a gift given to us in Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Do you believe there is a difference between sanctification and justification?
No one is righteous except Christ and salvation is a gift. I agree.
But sanctification by faith is not the same as justification by faith.
Righteousness is Imputed and imparted.

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Th 4:3-4
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Eze 20:12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Sanctification is still by faith and is a gift but it is not replaced by Justification.

 

[TMS]

Are you saying that the law is not a burden a yoke?

The law is an impossible burden

That depends.... from my personal experience, it is not a burden or a yoke when I love Jesus enough to put Him first.
When I crucify the flesh and allow the Holy Spirit to live in me (Walk in the Spirit), the choice to obey is easy..

When the flesh is controlling me it is a burden and yoke.

So the determining factor in my experience is love for Jesus.

If I love Jesus it is not a burden.

Rom 8:1 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Walk in the Spirit ...

Are you saying that the law is not a burden a yoke?

The law is an impossible burden.

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Mat 26:41 KJV Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Gal 5:16-17
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

In the flesh it is impossible.
But by the Spirit it is a delight.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

So the determining factor in my experience is love for Jesus.
If I love Jesus it is not a burden.

I wish you had been there to tell this to Peter and Paul.

 

[Aaron56]

A Christian is a follower of Christ. Jesus kept the Sabbath Luke 4:16 and all of the commandments John 15:10 If we abide in Him we would follow in His footsteps 1 John 2:5-6 1 Peter 2:21-22

You keep making the same mistake. When you read “commandments” you insert “10 Commandments at Sinai”. I think it’s an addiction for control.

 

[SabbathBlessing]

You keep making the same mistake. When you read “commandments” you insert “10 Commandments at Sinai”. I think it’s an addiction for control.

I was quoting Jesus who quoted from the Ten calling them the commandment of God. Your argument is with a much Higher Authority than I.

Mat 15:3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; Quoted directly from the Ten Commandments where God identified them as a unit as "My commandments" Exo 20:6

 

[SabbathBlessing]

Are the following commandments a heavy burden?

Nor murdering someone a heavy yolk?
lying?
coveting?
stealing?

Every day I struggle with the thought process that stems from the flesh.

I have so many times thought a person is a complete fool. That thought is sin according
to Jesus; the murder commandment amplified.

Matthew 5:22
...and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

I seriously struggle with that commandment as well as the commandment on coveting.

The thought crime is the same as breaking the commandment.

Are you saying that the law is not a burden a yoke?

The law is an impossible burden.

Not if you have Christ because with our cooperation and love- He is the one doing

John 14:15 “If you love Me, [d]keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

 

[TMS]

I wish you had been there to tell this to Peter and Paul.

They say the same thing.
The Spirit delights in the law

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

But the flesh hates it.
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

The flesh is not willing to obey..

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1Pe 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Gal 5:16-18
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

How am I disagreeing with them?

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

How am I disagreeing with them?

Neither Peter, James nor Paul said what you're saying. They witnessed that the law was an unbearable yoke and burden, and the pharisees who insisted that gentile Christians must get circumcised and keep the law were troubling them and subverting their souls. Do you seriously think they would have said these things if all it took was love to keep the law?

 

[Magenta]

No, what they were saying was "The Law was read on every Jewish Sabbath and preached everywhere there were Jews. So let's get a succinct message to the gentiles so they are not convinced to take up the whole Law of the Jews."

There is a reason we are told not to add to God's Word. Pro 30:5-6 There is no scripture that calls God's Sabbath, the "Jewish" Sabbath. The fact is the Sabbath continues on forever for all flesh i.e. God's saints Isa 66:23 and I am sure there won't be only Jews in God's eternal Kingdom, but will be for both Jew and Gentile those who are grafted in through faith who uphold God's law though love. 1 John 5:3 John 14:15 Exo 20:6

God in His own Words He claimed the Sabbath as My holy day, the holy day of the Lord Isa 58:13 that He said was made for mankind Mark 2:27 and everyone Isa 56:6

Either Acts 15 is a complete list of rules for Gentiles or its not, and I don't think anyone will be in heaven by not loving God with all their hearts minds and souls and not loving their neighbor which is not listed in Acts 15. So obviously people have a misunderstanding on this passage.

From Acts 15:20 plus 28 Abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements