I’m suremany have read this from scripture over the years and opted not to pursuebecause it did not fit a pattern already established.
Paulreturned to the Church of Jerusalem to report of How God had worked wondersamong the Gentiles. James the son of Mary, the mother of Jesus had become the churchleader. Instead of being overjoyed with this good news, they seemed offended. Hetold Paul not to be too quick to mention this to the members of the Church butto purify himself in Jewish custom and to give the appearance that he wasobedient to the Law
Acts 21:17-25
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters receivedus warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went tosee James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greetedthem and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through hisministry.
20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul:“You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of themare zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that youteach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, tellingthem not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, sothat they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is notruth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedienceto the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have writtento them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols,from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.â€
A mysteryChristians have fail to see is that the Original Church continued to follow theLaw of Moses They were never called Christians they were called followers ofthe Way.
Acts 22:
Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up inthis city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law ofour ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers ofthis Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them intoprison, 5 as the highpriest and all the Council can themselves testify.
Acts 24:14
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.
If thebelievers in the Church of Jerusalem believed in the Christ are they Christiansor are they Jews because they follow the Law.
Jesussaid no one can come to the Father except by Me; But will they will they beJudged according to the law?
Thequestions are, why have Bible scholars/Christian fathers not included this partof the New Testament Christians teaching. Either they missed this or at somepoint determined these passages do not fit the pattern which was alreadyestablished or both.
However Ibelieve is by God’s design that this remains a mystery till now.
If we areunderstanding scripture correctly, how will Christians fit this Portion of theBible into our Christian foundational beliefs?