In the early days of the Christian religion, when Christians were Jews who believed in Jesus, they would go to synagogue on the Sabbath just as they had always done. That explains why Paul went into the synagogues to find Christians (Acts 9:2; 22:19; 26:11), and it also explains how Christian worship services got started on Sunday. The early Christians were already going to synagogue on the Sabbath, so they met on Sunday as Christians. This practice became the norm as the Jews began to force the Christians out of the synagogues and as Gentiles became Christians but could not participate in the synagogue services.
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It is amazing that long ago in the early church gentiles were streaming into the faith. Yet, they were not permitted to share the synagogues every Sabbath due to being Gentiles deemed unclean by the law to hear the word of God being read there unless they were proselytes in training willing to convert to Judaism. Circumcision became a big issue in those days for Gentiles in order for them to participate in the Passover due to the Torah commandment that only circumcised males could partake of it. This created much controversy due to gentiles being saved and the Apostle Paul addressed this issue head on.
It got so bad, that Christian Gentiles began to meet on the first day of the week due to Jewish persecution and rule making. I encounter another form of this today when planting an assembly in South Dakota. That group meeting on Sunday would create strife for other Sunday Churches in the area, so I suggested that they meet on Saturday night, not because it is considered the seventh day but rather to avoid strife and live at peace with all folks as the bible teaches us. That assembly’s numbers have doubled and are still growing. The other churches still have their members and strife avoided.
I cam image the strife the Jewish folks were stirring during the First century toward Gentiles who converted to follow Jesus. Should they be allowed in the synagogues every Sabbath to hear the word of God, pray, and share community life? How could they unless they be converted to Judaism and circumcised? What of the Jewish followers of Christ who were bringing them in? How should these Jewish believers in Christ be reined in and back to the rabbinic mold?
This was great controversy back then and similarly resurfaces today in some circles of the modern era Messianic movement thought life. It is as though the words of James spoken in Acts 15:9-23 mean nothing. Following the written Law is now a supreme duty for gentiles and no longer is the true law written in the heart of every believer described in Deut 30:6 and as the New Covenant defines in Jeremiah 31:31, 32, 33c heeded very well. Instead, it is a must to observe certain things to prove that you love God.
What happened to Grace?
Free Grace People are Holy People. The majority of them do not hold to sinning so that greasey grace abounds. They live quiet and lives and are sanctified by the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Law of God is inscribed in their hearts and they live by it. Do they worship on the alleged seventh day dictated by rabbinical Judaism? No, such folks as this were long ago forced out of the synagogues, and to avoid strife, worshiped on a day that commemorated Christ’s resurrection. Let’s not forget that sad chapter in Church history.
For some, the words of Paul mean nothing that are written in Romans 14:1-23 and Col 2:16 so that the order of strife pervades, today.
Why? Hmmm, is following the written letter of the Law now the means to keep oneself saved? So, should all gentiles become Rabbinic Jews to maintain their salvation and follow the dictates of Rabbi’s again? Does one new man mean now that gentiles must become a ‘
Jewish converted legalist?’
One new man does not mean we all must absolutely become Jewish legalist. That debate was settled long ago. Notice, one new man describes the means to make peace between two bounded together in heartfelt love for God, which of that love produces heartfelt obedience to God and his will. Not a love that forces one to demonstrate obeisance by the principles of legalistic obedience.
Ephesians 2:15-22, "
Through his body on the cross, Christ put an end to the law with all its commands and rules. He wanted to create one new group of people out of the two. He wanted to make peace between them. 16 He planned to bring both of them as one body back to God because of the cross. Christ put their hatred to death on that cross.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away. He also preached peace to those who were near. 18 Through Christ we both come to the Father by the power of one Holy Spirit. 19 So you are no longer strangers and outsiders. You are citizens together with God's people. You are members of God's family.
20 You are a building that is built on the apostles and prophets. They are the foundation. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in the building. 21 The whole building is held together by him. It rises to become a holy temple because it belongs to the Lord. 22 And because you belong to him, you too are being built together. You are being made into a house where God lives through his Spirit." NIrV
To accuse fellow Christians from any group who, by their life and conduct live to the inner workings of purification by the Holy Spirit, who’s love is for God and do not live in accord to worldliness, of violating God’s law comes close to heresy and borderlines falling from Grace into works. There is no peace between two, only strife and whom this strife comes from should heed 1 Co 3:3 and James 3:15, 16, James 3:17, 18…
For some, becoming a Jewish legalist is more important than becoming Christ like in conduct and character. So I ask, what does the bible say about this? Who are we to become more like?
Christ? (Gal 3:28, 1 Co 11:1) who By God’s love helps shed from our hearts our sins by profound grace that teaches us - Titus 2:11 - NIV Titus 2:12 NIV.
Or a Jewish Legalist? (Gal 6:13 - Philippians 3:5, 6, 7, 8, 9c)
Which of the two do the writers of the NT warn the most about and teach us to become more like?
You all decide…
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