From Pentecost

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From Pentecost Council of Jerusalem
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From crucifixion to the Ascension

• When Jesus was crucified, the disciples were
  afraid and were hiding
• After Jesus resurrection, the disciples are
  still hiding but they are not as afraid anymore
• Jesus appears to the disciples and tells them
  that He will return (Ascend) to the Father but
  that He is going to be sending the Holy Spirit.

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• 10 days after the Ascension, the disciples
  gathered for Shavuot (Jewish Pentecost)
• To commemorate Moses reception of the Ten
  Commandments

• They are celebrating Shavuot when, suddenly
• A violent wind blew through the room
• Tongues of fire appeared above their heads
• All were filled with the Holy Spirit
• All began to speak other languages (in tongues)
• The disciples experienced first hand the power of
  God Holy Spirit

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• Result of this experience the disciples
• Knew that God was calling them to a special
  mission
• Were no longer afraid of persecution or death.
• Renewed their identity as followers of Jesus
  The Way
• Event known as the Birthday of the Church
  (Christianity)

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Gentiles converting to The Way

• Even though the followers of Christ were baptized
  in his name, they still saw themselves as Jews.
• Worshipped in temple, synagogue, and homes
• Many Gentiles are converting to The Way
• Problem
• Worship idols
• Eat meat
• Pagan customs
• Jews(Christians) want Gentiles to become Jews
• Circumcision
• Sign of the covenant
• Chosen people

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Peter Has a Vision/Dream

• On the way from Lydda to Joppa (north west of
  Jerusalem)
• Has a vision of food
• Lowered on a sheet are all kinds of foods all
  sorts of four footed animals and birds of the
  air
• Unclean animals (see Lev.)
• A voice tells him to kill and eat them
• God makes them pure

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Peter Accepts Gentiles

• Peter learns from his dream that God has no
  favorites
• Peter explains his vision to the disciples
• Peter has also witnessed the Holy Spirit coming
  down upon all Gentiles
• Most of the disciples accept Peters testimony

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Council of Jerusalem the issue of Circumcision
continues

• Certain followers of the Way, who were Pharisees,
  said, Unless you are circumcised according to
  the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. (Acts
  151)
• Disciples now had to address the problem head on
• Should Gentiles become Jewish in order to be
  Christian?
• The council of Jerusalem allowed the church
  leaders to voice their opinions.

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Council of Jerusalem cont.

• What was said
• Peter argued
• God gave the gentiles the Holy Spirit
• Their hearts were clean
• They only need to have faith in Jesus, no other
  rules
• Paul and Barnabas testified
• to the miracles and healing they had done among
  gentiles
• James decided
• Gentiles OK w/out circumcision Mosaic Law but
• They must abstain from
• Eating food sacrificed to idols (Geek or Roman
  gods)
• Fornication
• Eating meat not killed in a kosher way
  strangled
• Eating the blood of an animal

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Council of Jerusalem the Sequel

• All settled?
• Well..
• Certain followers of the Way in Jerusalem still
  insisted that all Gentiles
• be circumcised and
• keep the 613 Laws of Moses

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Two main churches

• Jerusalem

• Jerusalem Church very Conservative.
• Strong Jewish-Christian identity.
• Gentile converts expected to attend synagogue,
  study Torah, and be Jewish like the rest of the
  Christians
• For them, being Christian means being Jewish.

• Antioch

• Different from Jerusalem
• Very accepting of Gentiles from the beginning
• God Fearers in the Synagogues
• God Fearers refers to Gentiles who have
  converted to Christianity but have not become
  Jews- no circumcision
• Gentile Converts accepted As Is
• 1st community to use the name Christian