This post was made in response to this awesome post. Find the link here.
Kindly watch my video below:
HERE.
These are the amazing things I learned from Bro. Eli Soriano's teaching on the above-mentioned topic in addition to my own personal research as well.
Acts 15:19-21 (NIV)
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
We know and we have all heard that if all the events of time past were written out in the Bible with all the miracles Jesus did and all the message God wants to pass to us, if all these contents were put down, then the Bible would not have been as easy for us to carry as we have it in this modern world.
There is another thing and that is the 67th book of the Bible. We know the Bible has 66 books with around 40 authors but as it is and with this 67th book, it was revealed that the apostles came together to write a particular book.
This is the first time I am hearing this too and I am equally surprised but now informed as to the reality of it. No other preacher has preached this and I have never heard it in any place before now. Bro. Eli Soriano, now of blessed memory, of the Old Path ministry gave this interesting insight on the 20th of January, 2021 with Bible references to go with it. It was said that the apostles gathered together to bring clarity to a pressing issue and that was why they came together to write the 67th book to the gentiles.
There was a confusion in Jerusalem at that time as the Jews were telling the gentiles that they must be circumcised in other to be saved as it was written in the book of Moses based on the command that God gave to Abraham regarding the circumcision of all the people in his household.
In other to end the argument, James asked the gentiles not to be troubled and suggested that it would be better for the gentiles to be written to. Some of the contents of what was to be discussed were written in the Bible reference above.
Vs 22-24 (NIV)
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.
With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.
We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.
An epistle was written for the gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia to calm them down and reiterate the salvation they have received. They were told what to do and what not to do. The apostles all agreed and joined hands together to write this epistle to them.
The book wasn't written by one person but the combinations of the apostles which I believe was to show credibility as well as to let them know that who from among them that started the confusion as explained in verse 24 are not speaking for the whole apostles.
This book is different from the book of Acts because the book of Acts told us there was an epistle written and explained to us the motive and the intent of the epistle to the gentiles. The epistle was written by the apostles with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Vs 25-30 (NIV)
So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—
men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.
They were in agreement so they can find a solution to the discouragement that must be weighing in on the hearts of the gentiles who has accepted the gospel and the truth of Jesus Christ but are not circumcised.
I am able to learn from this. It was an interesting eye-opener for me to see that the apostles were concerned as to how the unbelievers would feel and seek to address it with the wisdom of God. The death of Jesus has paved the way for all of us to be a partaker of the Abrahamic covenant and the blessings that comes with it. We are all the seed of Abraham. Indeed, the Bible exposition by Bro. Eli Soriano was an eye-opener for me to understand the hidden messages in the Word of God and how it applies to us today as believers.
Romans 16:20-21 (NIV)
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
This Post First Appeared Here.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.