Before we open
God's word let's pray.
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Lord give us Your
Spirit to understand Your Word
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Give us a heart to obey Your
Word, and thank You for giving
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us Your Word, in
Christ's name we pray, Amen
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My story begins with the ending
of the very first Christian
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missionary journey, traveling
an estimated 1400 miles
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Paul and Barnabas had led
an evangelistic team throughout
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Asia Minor baptizing numerous
converts and organizing many
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churches. The missionaries made
their final stop at the port
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city of Italia. Here they caught
a boat headed back to their
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home base, Antioch. They had
completed three exciting years
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and they were
ready for a furlough.
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We begin with Acts 14, verse 26
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This testimony was so important
that God arranged for the
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testimony to be given again and
again. Testimony is effective.
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And this testimony galvanized
the Antioch church into
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greater efforts to win Gentiles
to Jesus. While God was using
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Paul's testimony to advance
the Gospel's cause in Antioch
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Satan was inspiring his
agents to carry a far different
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testimony to Jerusalem. Jews who
had rejected and opposed God's
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uh Paul's Gospel message
wrote letters and traveled to
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Jerusalem for business
and for the Annual Feast
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Their testimony was
of synagogues being split
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and homes divided by Paul in
the most inflammatory manner.
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They told how Paul was
causing Jews to cast aside long
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established traditions
and customs. They blamed Paul
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Paul for stirring up dissension
among Jews scattered throughout
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the Roman Empire. These
testimonies stirred up the anger
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of the Jews that were in
Jerusalem. This made a very
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interesting situation. As a
Jew Saul had caused persecution
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in Jerusalem. But now as
a Christian it seemed like
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he was causing persecution
in Jerusalem for Christians.
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The life of Paul abounds in
such ironies. Saul's persecution
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of the church in Jerusalem
caused Christians to flee to
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Antioch where they established
the church which Paul's ministry
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subsequently built up. Saul went
out first from Judea to oppose
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Christians while Christians
later went out from Judea
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to oppose Paul. This brings
us to Acts chapter 15, verse 1
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Though these men had been sent
to Antioch, Syria by the leading
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brethren in Jerusalem
on official church business
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they carried an unofficial
agenda, for the verse continues
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The introduction of this new
and false teaching made of none
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effect the life and sacrifice
of Christ. It did away with the
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prophecy of Daniel 9:27
that Christ, the Prince of the
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Covenant would cause the
Sanctuary sacrifice and offering
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to cease. It attempted
to mend and restore the veil
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that an Angel hand had
ripped apart at Christ's death.
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Paul was well familiar with this
teaching for he had once taught
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it himself. During the trial
of Stephen he had supported the
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accusation of false witnesses
who stated that Stephen taught
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that Jesus of Nazareth will
change the customs that Moses
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delivered unto us. As a Jew,
Saul had made this accusation
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against Christians but
now Christians are making this
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same accusation against
Paul. After his conversion, Paul
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realized that in Jesus'
life type had met anti-type
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ending the purpose of the
ceremonial rituals given by
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Moses at God's command.
Careful students of the Word had
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recognized this truth
immediately, that unforgettable
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Passover weekend that Christ
was crucified. We should note
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this statement from
Desire of Ages and I'm reading
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They got it. The ritual
service had no further value.
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The deliverance from bondage
in Egypt had been superseded
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by the deliverance of bondage
from sin. Type had met anti-type
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The Communion service
replaced the Passover service.
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The one sacrifice on the cross
had replaced the daily sacrifice
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on the altar of burnt offering.
They were now Christians.
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Sketches from the Life of
Paul states it succinctly.
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The Law of ceremonies was made
null and void by the crucifixion
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of Christ. The pro-circumcision
teaching was a new heresy.
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Appealing to the
cultural prejudices of long held
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tradition of the Jews, it
attempted to inject fundamental
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change to Christianity not
authorized by Jesus. In contrast
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the pro-Christian teaching
of Paul was the continuation,
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renewal and flowering of
the teaching of Patriarch and
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Prophet. Acts
Chapter 15, verse 2
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This was the proper
response, for, as Sketches from
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from the Life of Paul states
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Paul and Barnabas were both
prophets with a inspired message
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They pointed their hearers to
appropriate and plain scripture
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This should've settled the issue
But the pro-circumcision party
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was not open to the Spirit
of Prophecy. Paul and Barnabas
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spent earnest time in prayer.
God's answer came to them
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by revelation, instructing the
brethren to go to Jerusalem for
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a general church council. Since
Biblically based global church
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unity is a priority with God.
Local practices that impact the
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church globally must be decided
globally. We see this was true
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from the very beginning
of the Christian church.
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Yet God's instruction
was counter intuitive.
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How could a General Conference
in Jerusalem solve the problem
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when Jerusalem seemed to
be the source of the heresy?
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But trusting the divine
directive, the Antioch church
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members ceased debating and sent
representatives to Jerusalem.
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An uncircumcised Gentile convert
Titus, went up with them.
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I like Titus' spirit. He
was willing to be circumcised
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or remain uncircumcised,
depending on the decision of the
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General
Conference. Verse 3 continues
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The trip South of Jerusalem
was a little more than 210 miles
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and Paul and Barnabas, as
often as they could, would stop
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and meet with believers on
their way South to share their
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testimony. Their reports
of God's mighty work among the
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Gentiles were very inspiring.
These testimonies reminded
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the Jewish believers that
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But the testimony that had
brought great joy to Antioch
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Phoenicia and Samaria
brought no joy to Jerusalem.
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Though they related the success
that attended the ministry
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the testimony
contained an important addition.
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Sketches from the Life of
Paul tells how they also told of
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Sometimes Paul is misportrayed
as rigid and dogmatic.
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That might have been true of
the Pharisee Saul but it was not
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not true of the Christian
Paul who was like Jesus.
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Gentle, soft hearted and easily
entreated. In fact four years
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after this experience when he
had returned to Jerusalem with
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the Gentile donations he was too
accommodating to the advice of
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the church leaders and
it resulted in his arrest
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and imprisonment. Gentle,
tactful, respectful, courteous
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was the striking characteristic
of Paul and it was the secret of
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his evangelistic success.
Sketches from the Life of Paul
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In my specialty of dermatology
I must sometimes tell patients
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that they have a melanoma. This
is never pleasant to say or hear
00:10:59.25\00:11:03.49
I try to say it as gently
as possible, but occasionally
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despite my best efforts
patients are unwilling to hear
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the diagnosis. Paul tried
to tell this group of church
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leaders as gently as he
could the serious and contagious
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spiritual disease in their
midst But they did not hear him
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Instead they viewed him as
the problem and they presented
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their own way forward.
From time to time the free will
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of life brings us to a fork
in the road and we must choose
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which road to take. There comes
a time when compromises are
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unachievable. Further delay is
impossible. A decision must be
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made between two choices.
The early church was faced
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with just such a situation.
Gentiles could not be partially
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circumcised. Circumcision
was either necessary or it was
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unnecessary. The Bible
alone must provide the answer.
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The church could not create
truth. It could not modify truth
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it could not abolish truth.
The church by vote could only
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accept or reject truth. It may
be helpful to briefly examine
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nine prominent characteristics
of the circumcision party.
00:12:17.33\00:12:20.40
First we should note that they
were sincere. Inspiration tells
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us they sincerely thought.
Second, the pro circumcision
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party prided themselves on
being moderate and progressive.
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They regarded the Jews belief
that only physical descendants
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of Abraham could be
saved as the extreme right.
00:12:35.45\00:12:38.59
They regarded the Christian
position that Gentiles could be
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saved without following the
Mosaic Laws as the extreme left.
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They advocated a new position.
A third position. That Gentiles
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could be saved if they were
circumcised and accepted the
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traditional, ceremonial laws.
They sincerely thought they were
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introducing a new way, a medium
ground between the two extremes
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of Jew and Gentile. They
believed this would build
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bridges between Jew and
Christian and overcome Jewish
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prejudice. But their bridge
brought Judaism to Christianity
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not Christianity to Judaism.
It was the fast track to
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Pharisaical tradition. Their
new doctrine was promoting a
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superficial and selective
outward compliance to God's
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law in place of an unconditional
surrender to God's will.
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Ellen White says, and I quote.
00:13:33.68\00:13:35.98
The problem with their
compromising position was
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not only what it affirmed, but
also what it failed to affirm.
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Like fast food, the pro
circumcision party's solution
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not only contained that which
was objectionable but it lacked
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that which was essential.
Their message was imbalanced,
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incomplete, lacking essential
gospel vitamins, minerals,
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amino acids and fiber. The
Christian message requires us
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to declare the whole counsel
of God not just the politically
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acceptable counsel of man.
The pro circumcision party's
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testimony was false,
neglecting clarifying truths.
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Compromise with error always
means surrender of the truth.
00:14:27.86\00:14:31.77
Third, the pro circumcision
party promoted their approach
00:14:31.80\00:14:36.20
as an important,
new, evangelistic tool.
00:14:36.24\00:14:38.37
They felt their moderate,
progressive view "would gather
00:14:39.87\00:14:43.21
in large numbers of the Jews".
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How true is Solomon's twice
repeated warning, There is a way
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that seemeth right to a man
but its end is the way of death.
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In place of being the new right
answer it was just another wrong
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answer. Instead of strengthening
the cause of truth it weakened
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the cause of truth by
dividing the believers.
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It is a law of the mind that
the rejection of truth gives a
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religious zeal that borders on
fanatical. Inspiration is plain
00:15:11.57\00:15:16.85
Growing up in a minister's
home I had the opportunity to
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frequently observe how rejection
of truth brought with it
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an energetic zeal in opposing
truth and promoting error.
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The pro circumcision party
is important for us to study.
00:15:36.33\00:15:40.07
They are a prototype for last
day deceptions within the church
00:15:40.10\00:15:44.11
This will happen in the
future. Speaking of the church,
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Ellen White stated thus
00:15:48.61\00:15:49.94
This is a clear, unambiguous
warning brothers and sisters.
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Fourth, the pro circumcision
party was sent to Antioch on
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official church business but
misused their church position
00:16:24.75\00:16:28.42
They promoted their personal
pet theories. By exceeding
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their authority they revealed
themselves unrestrained by God
00:16:33.42\00:16:38.29
appointed church delegated
authority. Fifth, they promoted
00:16:38.33\00:16:43.13
a party spirit. They're called
of the sect of Pharisees who
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believe. Sometimes they're
referred to as those of the
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circumcision and of the
concision, Philippians 3:2
00:16:49.64\00:16:54.08
Sixth, they divided
and unsettled members.
00:16:54.11\00:16:57.45
Fruit is a reliable way to test
a message. The fruit of Paul's
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message was strengthen
churches, but the fruit of
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the pro circumcision party
was divided, weakened churches
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which they then blamed on Paul.
00:17:10.49\00:17:14.53
The pro circumcision movement
was a repeat of Lucifer's
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rebellion in heaven. Though
professing complete loyalty
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to God Lucifer rejected
God's appointed messenger, Jesus
00:17:21.74\00:17:26.84
and God's appointed order.
00:17:26.88\00:17:28.91
Lucifer professed to be
promoting the harmony of heaven
00:17:28.94\00:17:33.28
and accused the loyal of being
the cause of division in heaven.
00:17:33.31\00:17:38.19
It is little wonder that Paul
warned the Philippians, 'Beware
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of the false circumcision' and
classed them with evil workers.
00:17:43.29\00:17:47.13
Seventh, the pro circumcision
party exhibited a willful,
00:17:48.70\00:17:52.13
stubborn and independent spirit.
00:17:52.17\00:17:55.14
Paul tells us they were
contradictory, insisting on
00:17:55.17\00:17:58.27
their own way with apparent
humility and conscientiousness
00:17:58.31\00:18:01.54
yet they undermined divinely
appointed church structure
00:18:01.58\00:18:05.48
and lawful authority,
Titus 1:10 puts it this way.
00:18:05.51\00:18:08.22
Volume 4 of the Testimonies
warns against those today
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who, and I am quoting
00:18:16.66\00:18:18.19
An eighth characteristic
of the pro circumcision party
00:18:33.27\00:18:36.85
is rejection of
Paul's instruction.
00:18:36.88\00:18:41.02
These men professed a high view
of Scripture but they did not
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accept the spirit of prophecy
as manifested through Paul.
00:18:44.89\00:18:48.49
Some regarded Paul's instruction
as applicable only to certain
00:18:48.52\00:18:53.56
local situations. Finally, those
in the pro circumcision party
00:18:53.60\00:18:58.83
missed a cultural sensitivity
for Biblical faithfulness.
00:18:58.87\00:19:04.04
Prevailing custom and tradition
profoundly impact all of this.
00:19:04.07\00:19:09.41
This was true even of
the earliest Christians.
00:19:09.44\00:19:13.55
Blinded by familiar culture
fallacious arguments were
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persuasive to Jewish believers
that were easily rejected
00:19:17.15\00:19:20.09
by Gentile converts. There's
important insight contained
00:19:20.12\00:19:24.83
in the statement of the pro
circumcision party Acts 15:5
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It is necessary to circumcise
them. The real issue of most
00:19:28.30\00:19:33.00
conflicts can be discovered
by a simple question, what is it
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that's felt to be necessary? It
is only as individuals believe
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something is necessary that they
feel justified, even righteous
00:19:41.18\00:19:45.51
in promoting it. It gives them
a cause. If it's really morally
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necessary then it is not just
related to the dominant culture
00:19:50.12\00:19:53.66
of the times. If it's necessary
then those agitating the
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question are right to
push it. If it's not necessary
00:19:57.96\00:20:01.63
the agitators have lost their
legitimacy for pushing merely
00:20:01.66\00:20:06.74
their personal or cultural
agenda. There is a group
00:20:06.77\00:20:10.97
within the Seventh Day Adventist
church that feel it is necessary
00:20:11.01\00:20:15.64
to ordain women to the office
of overseer. Womens Ordination
00:20:15.68\00:20:20.08
supporters agree that there
is no explicit Bible command to
00:20:20.12\00:20:23.59
ordain women. There is no
contemporary living prophet
00:20:23.62\00:20:27.62
living to confirm its
correctness. Yet Womens
00:20:27.66\00:20:32.26
Ordination to the gospel
ministry is still felt to be
00:20:32.29\00:20:35.40
such a moral imperative
that some enthusiasts feel it is
00:20:35.43\00:20:40.67
worth dying for. For 4000
years before the cross it wasn't
00:20:40.70\00:20:45.71
necessary. Jesus didn't find
it necessary in His life and
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ministry. The early church
did not find it necessary.
00:20:49.21\00:20:52.81
The Book Great Controversy
tells us of the Waldensians
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They did not find it necessary
to ordain women. The Reformers
00:21:02.62\00:21:07.00
did not find it necessary.
God raised up the Remnant Church
00:21:07.03\00:21:10.73
and it wasn't
necessary for the Pioneers.
00:21:10.77\00:21:15.17
In the New Jerusalem
human culture has no influence.
00:21:15.20\00:21:19.27
And the mistakes of earth are
corrected. Yet the men selected
00:21:19.31\00:21:24.38
as leaders of both the Old
and New Testament are honored
00:21:24.41\00:21:28.58
in heaven. Nothing is corrected.
No woman's name is added.
00:21:28.62\00:21:34.16
On the foundations are the
names of the Sons of Israel
00:21:34.19\00:21:38.73
not the daughter. On the gates
are the names of the disciples
00:21:38.76\00:21:44.57
of Jesus. All males. We
continue with Acts 15, verse 6
00:21:44.60\00:21:50.91
The deliberation must've begun
with earnest prayer for unity
00:21:56.34\00:21:59.58
and God heard the prayer and
sent testimony to bring unity.
00:21:59.61\00:22:03.45
From a historical perspective
I would love to have had the
00:22:07.12\00:22:10.13
entire transcript of the meeting
But we're seeing something about
00:22:10.16\00:22:14.36
God's character. He did
not preserve the arguments that
00:22:14.40\00:22:17.07
divided the early Christians,
instead He preserved the
00:22:17.10\00:22:20.00
Testimony that
would serve to unite them.
00:22:20.04\00:22:22.44
We should note
Peter's introduction carefully
00:22:36.05\00:22:39.69
Men and Brethren you know.
He wisely begins with something
00:22:39.72\00:22:44.33
they all agree on, something
they're familiar with, and
00:22:44.36\00:22:47.36
accept as truth. You know
that a good while ago God chose
00:22:47.40\00:22:52.83
among us. God
decides, He chooses among us.
00:22:52.87\00:22:57.34
That's His right, not our right.
God is the one who chooses
00:22:57.37\00:23:01.94
among His angels and gives them
their task. And God is the one
00:23:01.98\00:23:06.92
that chooses among His servants
on earth and assigns them
00:23:06.95\00:23:10.02
their missions. We do not demand
our task, we accept our task.
00:23:10.05\00:23:15.26
It is not our will but
God's will that is to be done.
00:23:15.29\00:23:18.99
Jeremiah said, It is not in man
who walks to direct his own step
00:23:19.03\00:23:23.97
It was God who chose the
apostles and appointed them
00:23:25.03\00:23:27.84
their work. Jesus had told
the 12, you did not choose me
00:23:27.87\00:23:31.67
but I chose you and appointed
you. God chose among us Peter
00:23:31.71\00:23:37.91
said that by my mouth the
Gentiles should hear the Word
00:23:37.95\00:23:40.78
of the Gospel and believe.
God selected a specific angel
00:23:40.82\00:23:45.59
to deliver a special message to
Cornelius. Though this angel was
00:23:45.62\00:23:49.82
in every way more qualified
than Peter, the angel was not
00:23:49.86\00:23:56.77
given the privilege of giving
his testimony to Cornelius.
00:23:56.80\00:24:01.74
The angel's task was to connect
Cornelius with the one who
00:24:03.77\00:24:08.31
was appointed to give his
testimony. An angel was also
00:24:08.34\00:24:12.38
given the task to prepare
Peter for this assignment.
00:24:12.41\00:24:16.35
It was important that
each did their assigned task.
00:24:16.38\00:24:21.26
The first manifestation of
Lucifer's rebellion in heaven
00:24:21.86\00:24:25.63
was Lucifer stepping
outside of his assigned task.
00:24:25.66\00:24:31.47
God chose among us that by my
mouth the Gentiles should hear
00:24:32.73\00:24:37.61
the Word of the Gospel and
believe. When these Gentiles
00:24:37.64\00:24:42.78
heard the testimony of
Peter they did believe.
00:24:42.81\00:24:47.58
Peter continued in verse 8.
00:24:48.05\00:24:49.95
Both could have purifying
righteousness only by faith.
00:25:04.73\00:25:11.64
Peter's statement was clear and
uncompromised. Then moved by the
00:25:13.94\00:25:18.05
Spirit, Peter gave a
sharp rebuke and warning to the
00:25:18.08\00:25:22.18
pro circumcision party. He began
with similar language that he
00:25:22.22\00:25:26.86
has used with Sapphira
just before she was struck down
00:25:26.89\00:25:30.89
by the judgments of God.
00:25:30.93\00:25:32.26
Testing God is a
very serious thing to do.
00:25:45.47\00:25:49.54
We'll briefly look at what
Peter meant by this expression.
00:25:49.58\00:25:53.31
First we test God by hypocrisy,
Matthew 22:18. We test God when
00:25:53.35\00:25:59.35
we profess a commitment to
God that we do not really have.
00:25:59.39\00:26:03.22
The wily Pharisees
and Scribes said to Jesus,
00:26:03.26\00:26:06.23
Second, we test God when we use
Scripture to promote wrong doing
00:26:22.61\00:26:28.58
like Satan did when he
tempted Jesus in the wilderness.
00:26:28.62\00:26:33.52
The inspired writings are not
given us as a smorgasbord from
00:26:34.72\00:26:38.86
which we pick and choose
our practices and beliefs,
00:26:38.89\00:26:43.20
they're given as our exclusive
source for doctrine and practice
00:26:43.23\00:26:47.67
In testing God, it is testing
God when inspired passages
00:26:47.70\00:26:51.67
are twisted and misapplied
to promote falsehood. We are
00:26:51.71\00:26:56.28
forbidden to teach as commands
of God what is merely opinion
00:26:56.31\00:27:00.08
of man, Ellen
White wrote in the Review
00:27:00.12\00:27:04.29
Third, we test God when we
fail to wait for His counsels,
00:27:15.73\00:27:20.47
Psalm 106:13 and 14. In the
wilderness the Israelites became
00:27:20.50\00:27:24.87
impatient refusing to wait for
His counsel. Finding a compliant
00:27:24.91\00:27:29.34
leader they forged ahead and
made a golden calf. They adopted
00:27:29.38\00:27:35.32
the worship practices of
cultural influences around them
00:27:35.35\00:27:40.36
and then called this
the worship of Jehovah.
00:27:40.39\00:27:45.03
This is testing God. Fourth,
we test God by complaining
00:27:45.06\00:27:49.96
of His ways, Exodus 17:2.
The Israelites tested God by
00:27:50.00\00:27:54.17
complaining of His providences
or accusing those whom God was
00:27:54.20\00:27:57.31
using. To one
individual Ellen White wrote
00:27:57.34\00:28:00.78
Lastly, we test God
when we pervert His commands.
00:28:17.76\00:28:23.03
Peter compared the Pharisaical
corruption of the ceremonial
00:28:23.06\00:28:26.94
system with its traditions
to an unbearable yoke for either
00:28:26.97\00:28:31.71
Jew or Gentile, quite different
from the easy yoke of Jesus.
00:28:31.74\00:28:36.44
We test God when we require
what God does not require.
00:28:38.05\00:28:43.59
But we just as surely test God
when we dismiss what God does
00:28:43.62\00:28:48.92
in fact require.
Peter's testimony was pointed.
00:28:48.96\00:28:54.80
The pro circumcision party's
pretense to full Biblical
00:28:54.83\00:28:58.07
faithfulness was hypocritical.
They were misusing the Bible to
00:28:58.10\00:29:02.30
promote error. They were running
ahead of the Lord, worshipping
00:29:02.34\00:29:05.51
their own way and calling
their desire God's commands.
00:29:05.54\00:29:08.58
They were unrestrained by God's
instructions, they were making
00:29:08.61\00:29:12.91
accusations against Paul, God's
anointed. Peter then declared
00:29:12.95\00:29:18.05
clearly and forcibly what was
necessary for Jew and Gentile.
00:29:18.09\00:29:22.32
By this important statement
Peter declared that it was grace
00:29:31.77\00:29:35.17
not race that saved the
Jew. He declared that the
00:29:35.20\00:29:39.41
pro circumcision party had it
backward. Instead of the Gentile
00:29:39.44\00:29:43.65
needing to become like the Jew,
the Jew needed to become like
00:29:43.68\00:29:47.08
the Gentile and have the heart
circumcision of the Gentile
00:29:47.12\00:29:50.49
the heart purified by
faith in order to be saved.
00:29:50.52\00:29:53.46
Peter gently softened his home
thrust by including himself.
00:29:54.42\00:29:58.23
We shall be saved in
the same manner as they.
00:29:59.36\00:30:03.73
And Peter's statement
remains true for us here today.
00:30:03.77\00:30:07.57
We are saved in the same manner
as they, our hearts too must
00:30:08.67\00:30:12.31
be purified by faith.
Peter's pointed testimony with
00:30:12.34\00:30:17.71
its strong rebuke was
the first step toward unity.
00:30:17.75\00:30:20.82
When we pray for unity we're
praying that God will restore
00:30:36.97\00:30:39.93
a clear, pointed, living
testimony in His church today.
00:30:39.97\00:30:42.77
And this type of testimony will
come because 'as many as I love
00:30:42.80\00:30:47.94
I rebuke and chasten', and
Jesus loves me this I know.
00:30:47.98\00:30:52.25
With Peter's rebuke ringing
in their ears, verse 12 says
00:30:53.38\00:30:57.32
This was no slick PR marketing
gimmick. These were real
00:31:05.26\00:31:08.70
miracles and wonders.
What stories did they relate?
00:31:08.73\00:31:12.47
We only have a few preserved.
Elymas the sorcerer struck with
00:31:12.50\00:31:16.07
blindness. Virtually the entire
city of Antioch, Pisidia trying
00:31:16.10\00:31:20.38
to crowd into a
synagogue for a Sabbath service.
00:31:20.41\00:31:23.41
An unstoppable message of the
Gospel spreading like wildfire
00:31:23.45\00:31:26.78
throughout the region
of South Eastern Turkey.
00:31:26.82\00:31:28.98
Fierce persecution resulting
in the message being joyfully
00:31:30.05\00:31:32.85
spread to Iconium where
great multitudes of both Jew and
00:31:32.89\00:31:37.29
Gentile converts were
causing a city wide division.
00:31:37.33\00:31:40.66
Persecution spreading the
message to the cities and the
00:31:40.70\00:31:44.17
region of Lycaonia. The
healing of a congenital cripple
00:31:44.20\00:31:47.90
resulting in an attempt
to worship Paul and Barnabas
00:31:47.94\00:31:51.01
as gods, followed by the
stoning of Paul and his apparent
00:31:51.04\00:31:55.54
miraculous recovery. Persecution
spreading the Gospel to Derbe
00:31:55.58\00:32:00.22
resulting in another
large ingathering of souls.
00:32:00.25\00:32:02.98
From time to time I see
patients with open sores of
00:32:04.65\00:32:07.72
Prurigo Nodularis. They usually
have scars. The sores may be
00:32:07.76\00:32:15.10
infected. Sometimes I
see will see a patient with
00:32:15.13\00:32:17.53
Lichen Simplex Chronicus. Both
these skin problems are self
00:32:17.57\00:32:22.57
inflicted from repeatedly
scratching and rubbing
00:32:22.60\00:32:26.27
and itching. The cure is to
stop the scratching and rubbing.
00:32:26.31\00:32:33.52
The church right now has a self
inflicted disease with wounds
00:32:33.55\00:32:38.15
open to the world.
Further agitation will help this
00:32:38.19\00:32:43.53
since it was agitation
that caused the problem in the
00:32:43.56\00:32:46.70
first place. The solution is
the discipline that my patients
00:32:46.73\00:32:51.03
need, the discipline from
the head to control the hands.
00:32:51.07\00:32:56.81
When Paul and Barnabas concluded
their testimony of God's work
00:32:59.17\00:33:02.74
among the heathen, a solemn
stillness from the Lord reigned
00:33:02.78\00:33:07.12
over the assembly and the
General Conference was finally
00:33:07.15\00:33:11.25
ready to come to a decision.
The head was to regain control.
00:33:11.29\00:33:16.12
But like the fair minded Bereans
James was comparing Peter's
00:33:38.25\00:33:43.25
testimony to the Scripture.
Like the Old Testament church,
00:33:43.28\00:33:48.46
like Jesus, James could
speak with authority from an
00:33:48.49\00:33:52.36
It is written, a
plain Thus saith the Lord.
00:33:52.39\00:33:55.86
Patriarchs and
Prophets plainly says
00:33:57.07\00:33:59.27
James understood this. Though
he gave one reference as sample
00:34:28.23\00:34:32.03
he acknowledges that the writing
of all the prophets agree.
00:34:32.07\00:34:36.50
It was on Scripture, not the
testimony of miracle and wonders
00:34:36.54\00:34:42.34
that the early church placed its
confidence. A General Conference
00:34:42.38\00:34:46.61
is not above the Bible. Without
Bible authority even the early
00:34:46.65\00:34:51.02
apostolic church had no
authority. James doesn't say
00:34:51.05\00:34:56.42
We believe because of the
testimony and miracles being
00:34:56.46\00:34:59.89
performed by Paul and Barnabas,
he doesn't even refer to them
00:34:59.93\00:35:03.57
The early church was in danger
of straying from the Bible.
00:35:03.60\00:35:08.30
By using the Bible just as it
is written without complicated
00:35:08.34\00:35:15.74
commentary, James was using
the Bible to correct the errors
00:35:15.78\00:35:20.32
seeking
admittance into the church.
00:35:20.35\00:35:23.89
In verse 16 James
continued by quoting Amos.
00:35:23.92\00:35:27.26
David's kingdom was a
type of Christ's kingdom.
00:35:45.77\00:35:49.44
Ultimately Gentiles made up a
significant portion of David's
00:35:50.28\00:35:54.55
empire. These Gentile subjects
like Ittai, were loyal and
00:35:54.58\00:35:59.79
trustworthy. Enlarging,
enriching and strengthening
00:35:59.82\00:36:03.39
David's kingdom. But David's
Gentile subjects were not
00:36:03.43\00:36:08.03
required to become
circumcised to become citizens.
00:36:08.06\00:36:10.90
As it was depicted in the type
so it would be in a much greater
00:36:13.57\00:36:18.17
measure in the antitype. Isaiah
describes the Tabernacle of
00:36:18.21\00:36:22.88
David as the throne room of the
restored kingdom, the Messiah
00:36:22.91\00:36:26.85
would set up. Following
the ascension of Christ
00:36:26.88\00:36:31.35
in the heavenly pageantry of
the enthronement in the heavenly
00:36:31.39\00:36:34.82
sanctuary, the good angels were
energized. While on this earth
00:36:34.86\00:36:39.83
Satan's angels were dispirited.
It was at this key moment
00:36:39.86\00:36:45.77
that Pentecost came. And in an
instant the Tabernacle of David
00:36:45.80\00:36:50.51
was rebuilt. In holy vision, God
had shown Amos this restoration
00:36:50.54\00:36:56.54
of David's kingdom and that a
major purpose in this restored
00:36:56.58\00:37:00.35
kingdom was to bring Gentile
subjects flooding into this
00:37:00.38\00:37:05.65
kingdom, those who were called
by God's name. By the sure word
00:37:05.69\00:37:10.06
of God it was the
time of the Gentiles.
00:37:10.09\00:37:14.73
In further agreement with Peter,
James adds that God had planned
00:37:14.76\00:37:18.67
for this all along, verse 18
00:37:18.70\00:37:20.87
From eternity God knows what
He's going to do. And He has
00:37:25.41\00:37:28.64
given His promise that He will
not make changes in the future
00:37:28.68\00:37:32.81
that He has not revealed
to His prophets in the past.
00:37:32.85\00:37:36.55
God makes no hasty, last minute
poorly thought through choices
00:37:36.58\00:37:43.73
that He suddenly springs on us.
00:37:43.76\00:37:46.70
His choices were long before
we were born. From His vantage
00:37:46.73\00:37:52.77
point of eternity
He chooses among us.
00:37:52.80\00:37:56.50
In Acts 15 we see the same
pattern that is given throughout
00:37:57.21\00:38:01.64
the Bible. It is the
present truth principle.
00:38:01.68\00:38:06.11
Present truth is a past prophecy
that is fulfilled in the present
00:38:06.15\00:38:14.66
Present Truth is the light that
guides us in making our decision
00:38:15.96\00:38:19.83
There are many examples of this
principle but we'll mention only
00:38:19.86\00:38:23.57
Four. The change from the first
born being the priest to the
00:38:23.60\00:38:27.44
priesthood being restricted
to the Levites, actually to the
00:38:27.47\00:38:31.51
Aaronites was first prophesied
by Jacob. But it was not
00:38:31.54\00:38:36.44
present truth until authorized
by their prophet Moses.
00:38:36.48\00:38:39.61
The change from Judge
to King was prophetic truth
00:38:39.65\00:38:44.59
when prophesied by Jacob, then
Moses, but it was not present
00:38:44.62\00:38:49.62
truth until authorized
by the prophet Samuel.
00:38:49.66\00:38:53.03
The change from united
to divided kingdom was first
00:38:53.96\00:38:58.13
prophesied by Ahijah
but it was not present truth
00:38:58.17\00:39:02.14
until authorized by
the prophet Shemaiah.
00:39:02.17\00:39:05.17
We must not miss this. It is
always God's Word that guides.
00:39:05.21\00:39:11.71
We do not look to the
whims of the people for guidance
00:39:11.75\00:39:15.42
We look to prophetic truth
with prophetic authorization
00:39:15.45\00:39:18.62
for any change we support. This
is why God's Word brings unity.
00:39:18.65\00:39:23.59
Jeroboam was authorized to be
king of Northern Israel but no
00:39:23.63\00:39:28.26
such authorization was given him
to introduce worship changes or
00:39:28.30\00:39:31.90
priesthood changes. The divided
kingdom was present truth and
00:39:31.93\00:39:35.94
must be allowed but the divided
worship and priesthood changes
00:39:35.97\00:39:39.87
were apostasy and must not
be supported by the faithful in
00:39:39.91\00:39:42.94
in Israel. Ellen White
asked an important question
00:39:42.98\00:39:46.65
Before accepting a worship
change Great Controversy tells
00:39:54.76\00:39:58.69
The Word of God is
clear. When a dispute is raging
00:40:05.73\00:40:09.40
in the church, Exodus 23:2
00:40:09.44\00:40:11.17
Pilate did not follow
this counsel of the Lord.
00:40:19.38\00:40:22.88
Instead he followed the crowd
to do evil. He let the loudest
00:40:22.92\00:40:27.09
voices make the choice. He went
with the easy, popular side.
00:40:27.12\00:40:31.16
But when the early
church leadership was tested
00:40:31.19\00:40:34.66
they did not make their decision
based on the local, vocal
00:40:34.70\00:40:38.23
majority. Peter and James
were guided in their testimony
00:40:38.27\00:40:42.70
by the present truth principle
not by the popular error
00:40:42.74\00:40:46.78
principle. They would not
turn aside after many to pervert
00:40:46.81\00:40:51.31
justice. The wilderness was
a type of God's people to the
00:40:51.35\00:40:55.35
close of time. Though all
leaving Egypt were commanded to
00:40:55.38\00:40:59.95
be circumcised, a short time
into the wilderness wandering
00:40:59.99\00:41:05.19
the children of Israel
were forbidden to circumcise
00:41:05.23\00:41:09.13
the newborns. Those born in
the wilderness wandering were
00:41:09.16\00:41:13.37
uncircumcised and they entered
the land of Canaan uncircumcised
00:41:13.40\00:41:17.61
As in the type, much more
in the antitype. This became
00:41:20.68\00:41:24.05
prophetic truth by Amos, Isaiah,
Daniel. It became present truth
00:41:24.08\00:41:27.55
when it was authorized by Jesus
and the apostles. With clear
00:41:27.58\00:41:31.19
prophetic guidance James
was prepared to make a motion
00:41:31.22\00:41:35.02
Although circumcision was
the flashpoint, this reveals
00:41:50.74\00:41:55.11
that there were three
items that were also included
00:41:55.14\00:41:57.71
in the discussion besides
this. Meats offered to idols
00:41:57.75\00:42:01.05
the use of blood in food
preparation and immorality.
00:42:01.08\00:42:04.32
Unlike the ceremonial laws
which were temporary, these 3
00:42:04.35\00:42:09.32
involve the moral law.
The second commandment forbids
00:42:09.36\00:42:13.26
idolatry. The sixth commandment
demands preservation of health
00:42:13.29\00:42:18.33
with avoidance of activities
that would shorten life.
00:42:18.37\00:42:21.07
And the seventh commandment
prohibits moral impurity.
00:42:21.10\00:42:25.44
The Jerusalem Council
recognized the eternal nature
00:42:25.47\00:42:30.21
of the moral law and upheld
it. Differentiating it from the
00:42:30.25\00:42:33.92
temporary, ceremonial system.
Putting personal prejudices and
00:42:33.95\00:42:39.72
feelings aside, the apostles,
elders and representatives
00:42:39.75\00:42:43.32
of the world church
passed this motion unanimously.
00:42:43.36\00:42:47.93
The pro circumcision heresy was
rejected. The Gentile convert
00:42:47.96\00:42:53.00
Titus was not required to
be circumcised by the Council
00:42:53.03\00:42:56.40
and apparently he never did
get circumcised. Furthermore,
00:42:56.44\00:43:00.34
the Council affirmed the work
of Paul and Barnabas while the
00:43:00.38\00:43:04.58
self appointed work of the pro
circumcision party was exposed
00:43:04.61\00:43:08.22
and explicitly condemned
regardless of their church
00:43:08.25\00:43:11.55
position, their church
connection these agitators did
00:43:11.59\00:43:16.26
not speak for the church.
They were simply giving their
00:43:16.29\00:43:18.73
personal opinion and
private interpretations.
00:43:18.76\00:43:21.33
The Council sent respected
church leaders to Antioch
00:43:21.90\00:43:24.77
to give their testimony of
the decisions of the General
00:43:24.80\00:43:27.20
Conference and affirm the value
of Paul and Barnabas' mission
00:43:27.24\00:43:31.07
and message. And that's the
story of Acts 15, but through
00:43:31.11\00:43:37.28
the centuries Acts 15 has been
misunderstood and misinterpreted
00:43:37.31\00:43:42.75
Historically it has been used as
a key argument by Sunday keepers
00:43:42.78\00:43:46.89
to justify the change
from Sabbath to Sunday.
00:43:46.92\00:43:50.76
Although Womens Ordination
is not in the same category
00:43:50.79\00:43:53.73
as the Sabbath, the underlying
arguments historically put
00:43:53.76\00:43:57.47
forward by the proponents of
Sunday are strikingly similar
00:43:57.50\00:44:01.20
to the arguments sometimes put
forward today by those in favor
00:44:01.24\00:44:05.54
of Womens Ordination. Since the
Jerusalem Council decision is
00:44:05.57\00:44:09.88
used as an argument by those
supporting Womens Ordination
00:44:09.91\00:44:14.45
and by Sunday keepers,
the arguments deserve a closer
00:44:14.48\00:44:18.72
examination. While Sunday
advocates acknowledge that
00:44:18.75\00:44:23.53
Sunday was not explicitly
commanded in the Bible, they
00:44:23.56\00:44:26.93
denied that it was explicitly
forbidden. However, if Sunday
00:44:26.96\00:44:31.50
keeping is not a command of
God it must be a command of man.
00:44:31.53\00:44:36.34
Tradition is basing a doctrine
on the commandments of men
00:44:36.37\00:44:40.81
and that is testing God. Since
we are to teach only what God
00:44:40.84\00:44:45.51
commands and we are not to
add to His words, what is not
00:44:45.55\00:44:49.42
expressly commanded is
excluded from true doctrine.
00:44:49.45\00:44:53.69
Since both Sabbath observance
and circumcision are taught in
00:44:55.09\00:44:57.89
the Old Testament, the Sabbath
was likened to circumcision.
00:44:57.93\00:45:02.13
Furthermore, it was denied
that the Sabbath was explicitly
00:45:02.16\00:45:06.17
commanded in the New Testament.
The trajectory of the Bible was
00:45:06.20\00:45:10.64
said to be the Lord's Day,
Sunday. The clearest text were
00:45:10.67\00:45:15.44
reinterpreted and explained away
by scholars while other texts
00:45:15.48\00:45:21.18
were taken out of context.
At first both Sunday and Sabbath
00:45:21.22\00:45:25.92
were treated in an egalitarian
way, but gradually God's order
00:45:25.95\00:45:31.59
was reversed until finally
it was abandoned altogether.
00:45:31.63\00:45:35.53
Those men pleasers who
were without conviction and were
00:45:37.20\00:45:40.20
therefore tolerant of both
Sunday and Sabbath considering
00:45:40.24\00:45:45.04
the topic to be non-essential
were lauded as truly enlightened
00:45:45.07\00:45:51.11
by the Gospel Spirit. That's
a quote from history. Although
00:45:51.15\00:45:55.88
efforts were made to give some
Biblical relationship to Sunday
00:45:55.92\00:45:58.95
keeping. The actual source of
Sunday keeping was not the Bible
00:45:58.99\00:46:03.86
but pagan culture. Sunday
keeping was urged as necessary
00:46:03.89\00:46:08.20
to increase the number of
converts, undoubtedly to keep
00:46:08.23\00:46:12.00
from losing young people
and to keep the church fresh
00:46:12.03\00:46:14.27
and relevant. As Sunday began
to be adopted it seemed to cause
00:46:14.30\00:46:18.77
no great problem. Each Council's
decision was never quite and
00:46:18.81\00:46:24.71
never enough to satisfy
those pushing Sunday worship.
00:46:24.75\00:46:27.62
But building on the last
compromise those in favor
00:46:27.65\00:46:31.35
of this innovation would
bring it back again and again to
00:46:31.39\00:46:34.12
gain further concessions. The
pastors of Sunday keeping church
00:46:34.16\00:46:38.66
reported how God was blessing
and there were wonders and
00:46:38.69\00:46:41.46
miracles. Those defending
the Sabbath were demonized as
00:46:41.50\00:46:45.43
Judaizers just like
the circumcision party.
00:46:45.47\00:46:47.74
Seen in Acts 15. Sabbath
defenders were marginalized
00:46:47.77\00:46:52.94
and silenced. Rome, leader
in this apostasy refused to wait
00:46:52.97\00:46:59.48
for the rest of the church and
forged ahead professing to honor
00:46:59.51\00:47:02.68
Jesus by honoring the
day of His resurrection.
00:47:02.72\00:47:05.19
Of course the moment the church
placed itself above the Bible
00:47:06.69\00:47:12.59
and permitted Sunday in some
Regions it was inevitable that
00:47:12.63\00:47:17.73
this apostasy would ultimately
spread to all Regions.
00:47:17.77\00:47:22.20
The foundation of the
Roman Catholic heresy was its
00:47:23.74\00:47:27.48
supplementing the Word of God.
Like Uzzah, steadying the ark.
00:47:27.51\00:47:35.82
This permeates every part
of the early Christian apostasy
00:47:35.85\00:47:40.19
The Catholic church disregards
the Sabbath but also disregards
00:47:40.22\00:47:45.49
God's instruction on ordination
refusing to allow the Bishops
00:47:45.53\00:47:49.63
to be the husband of one wife.
00:47:49.66\00:47:52.30
For the church to be engaged in
a major study on the laying on
00:48:18.99\00:48:23.43
of hands should make us very
humble since Paul lists this as
00:48:23.47\00:48:27.77
a beginners doctrine, part
of the mother's milk of the Word
00:48:27.80\00:48:32.41
a subject suitable for spiritual
babies. Those unskilled in the
00:48:32.44\00:48:37.48
Word of God, Hebrews 5:12
through 6:2, the laying on
00:48:37.51\00:48:42.38
of hands in ordination was
easily understood in practice
00:48:42.42\00:48:46.89
from the beginning by the
Adventist Pioneers. Even before
00:48:46.92\00:48:51.23
the church was officially
organized. Though the laying on
00:48:51.26\00:48:55.40
of hands is not a difficult
subject it is important
00:48:55.43\00:48:58.20
for Paul lists it as one of
00:48:58.23\00:49:00.27
Christianity's
foundational beliefs.
00:49:00.30\00:49:04.27
Since the pillars of the
Seventh Day Adventist Church are
00:49:12.25\00:49:16.38
built on the foundation of the
Christian Church, anything that
00:49:16.42\00:49:21.46
attacks the foundation of the
Christian church threatens the
00:49:21.49\00:49:24.83
pillars of Adventism. I would
like to return us to the great
00:49:24.86\00:49:30.20
miracle of Acts 15. The
Jerusalem Council closed
00:49:30.23\00:49:35.00
in unity. Unity and love
are the DNA marker of genuine
00:49:35.04\00:49:39.57
Christianity. This unity
was the most important testimony
00:49:39.61\00:49:43.31
and it's the
testimony that is needed today.
00:49:43.35\00:49:45.91
This was not a superficial unity
built around compromise. They
00:49:47.12\00:49:50.55
were of one accord. The
Christian church which began
00:49:50.59\00:49:55.76
in unity in Acts 1 and remained
in unity in Acts 15 must close
00:49:55.79\00:49:59.43
in unity. Men and women, youth
and age, every race and culture
00:49:59.46\00:50:04.53
working together in
harmony under God's direction,
00:50:04.57\00:50:08.30
this is the only testimony
to the world that matters.
00:50:08.34\00:50:12.41
Ordination is an important part
of the unity. It was designed
00:50:12.44\00:50:16.24
of God to preserve our
unity. Ordination restored unity
00:50:16.28\00:50:20.52
in the early church when
the seven deacons were ordained.
00:50:20.55\00:50:23.55
Christ prayed His prayer for
unity where we could overhear
00:50:23.59\00:50:27.16
Christ's prayer was not only
that each separate generation of
00:50:42.77\00:50:46.37
believers would be in harmony
with each other but that all
00:50:46.41\00:50:49.91
from the first generation
to the last generation would
00:50:49.94\00:50:53.35
be in harmony. The
last generation one with the
00:50:53.38\00:50:56.89
disciples and the early church.
00:50:56.92\00:51:00.02
This is the remnant principle,
the last of the bolt is like the
00:51:00.06\00:51:05.39
first. The Christian church
is to form one antiphonal choir
00:51:05.43\00:51:11.03
all following one Director, all
in harmony in tune without one
00:51:11.07\00:51:16.47
discordant, independent note.
00:51:16.50\00:51:18.54
It is important to examine
the original cloth on the bolt.
00:51:19.21\00:51:23.41
What was the early church like?
Is the Seventh Day Adventist
00:51:23.45\00:51:27.72
church today, living and
teaching what Paul and the
00:51:27.75\00:51:30.22
apostles taught? Are the two
churches one? Separated only by
00:51:30.25\00:51:34.96
by time not Biblical belief
or practice. If the Jerusalem
00:51:34.99\00:51:41.46
Council had been considering
the question of ordaining women
00:51:41.50\00:51:44.43
how would it have decided?
Any General Conference must be
00:51:44.47\00:51:49.94
focused on making the decision
that would keep the body of
00:51:49.97\00:51:54.14
believers in harmony one with
the early church by keeping it
00:51:54.18\00:51:58.61
in harmony with the Bible. The
decision must be based on the
00:51:58.65\00:52:05.75
order given in Scripture
not some end time politically
00:52:05.79\00:52:09.86
correct in cultural preference.
Jesus did not allow the culture
00:52:09.89\00:52:15.76
of the times to influence
His decisions such as in making
00:52:15.80\00:52:19.37
disciples. His
decision was clear. It says
00:52:19.40\00:52:25.44
Is the corporate body of
the church utilizing the women
00:52:31.45\00:52:34.15
of the church like Christ
and the apostles utilized them?
00:52:34.18\00:52:37.02
Treating each with dignity and
importance. What ministry did
00:52:37.05\00:52:40.86
Jesus give women? Is the Remnant
Church a promoter of the same
00:52:40.89\00:52:44.53
Womens Ministries? The ministry
of Peter's mother-in-law was
00:52:44.56\00:52:48.13
so important that Christ healed
her so that she could resume it
00:52:48.16\00:52:51.40
on the Sabbath. Unselfish
women ministered with their
00:52:51.43\00:52:54.97
substance. Dorcas' ministry
was so important that God
00:52:55.00\00:52:59.01
resurrected her so
that she could continue it.
00:52:59.04\00:53:02.11
Paul listed the qualifications
for women whose ministry
00:53:03.75\00:53:07.22
entitled them to the
church's sustentation fund.
00:53:07.25\00:53:10.62
Is the Remnant Church in
unity with the early believers?
00:53:29.60\00:53:33.78
Is the church seconding Paul's
emphasis on the importance of
00:53:33.81\00:53:39.18
women bringing up children
in the fear of the Lord?
00:53:39.21\00:53:43.22
We don't have to wonder if
Paul wrote this passage for some
00:53:43.25\00:53:47.49
unique situation there in
Ephesus. We don't have to wonder
00:53:47.52\00:53:51.69
if he's trying to describe both
men and women in this passage.
00:53:51.73\00:53:56.60
He's writing to women. On the
other hand what did God expect
00:53:57.10\00:54:05.04
from men who were overseers?
00:54:05.07\00:54:07.34
The Catholic church rejected
this instruction, we should not
00:54:19.29\00:54:22.96
join them in rejecting
this clear instruction.
00:54:22.99\00:54:25.53
Again, we must not join the
Catholic church in rejecting
00:54:58.36\00:55:02.70
this important
instruction of Paul.
00:55:02.73\00:55:04.97
Our pioneers early adopted
this Biblical instruction as an
00:55:18.88\00:55:24.05
important element of church
organization. If we would be
00:55:24.09\00:55:27.82
one with the early church,
this must continue to be taught
00:55:27.86\00:55:32.63
as a component of church
organization till Jesus comes.
00:55:32.66\00:55:36.43
Those in the circumcision party
didn't accept Paul's instruction
00:55:37.77\00:55:41.94
They felt at most it would
apply to unique circumstances.
00:55:41.97\00:55:46.94
In Acts of the Apostles,
Ellen White states emphatically
00:55:46.98\00:55:50.85
Though there is nothing
difficult to understand about
00:56:13.20\00:56:16.27
the word ALL we have difficulty
understanding what we don't want
00:56:16.30\00:56:20.34
to do. To say that Paul's
instruction on church leadership
00:56:20.38\00:56:24.11
doesn't apply to all classes
at all times, in all places
00:56:24.15\00:56:28.32
under all conditions
is to contradict the sworn
00:56:28.35\00:56:32.12
testimony of Jesus Himself.
00:56:32.15\00:56:36.12
Paul's instruction on leadership
qualifications applies today
00:56:38.16\00:56:41.96
just as it applied when
he was inspired to write it.
00:56:42.00\00:56:44.50
Those in the circumcision party
didn't accept Paul's instruction
00:56:44.53\00:56:49.34
The Catholic church chose
not to accept Paul's instruction
00:56:49.37\00:56:52.84
as it reads. Now the
Seventh Day Adventist Church
00:56:52.87\00:56:55.88
is at a similar crossroad.
00:56:55.91\00:56:58.31
Satan would love to hijack the
Remnant Church as he hijacked
00:57:04.42\00:57:10.33
the early church. He advances
his program little by little.
00:57:10.36\00:57:14.96
With gradual erosion of
faithfulness to the Bible.
00:57:15.00\00:57:18.50
He would succeed but for the
constant protection and watchful
00:57:18.53\00:57:22.30
vigilance of Christ over His
church. Today Christ calls us
00:57:22.34\00:57:28.31
He calls you, He calls me to
contend earnestly for the faith
00:57:28.34\00:57:33.28