Messianic Publications

By Scripture

Acts

7 archived articles.

Awaiting authorJanuary 2, 2019

Who Were the Judaizers?: The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15

Daniel Botkin

“And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, and said, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved .” (Emphasis mine) The main question of the so-called Jerusalem Council was not “how should Gentiles behave?” The question was “what do Gentiles need to do in order to be saved?” Some of the believers from Judea said that if the Gentiles wanted

8 min read

Awaiting authorJuly 24, 2014

Peter’s Conversation with God: A Lesson in the Perspicuity of Scripture

Ian Hodge

Many Christians are familiar with Acts chapters 10-11 and Peter’s vision. This passage is often cited to indicate an abolition of the dietary laws of the Old Testament. What many people may not be familiar with, however, is the conversation that I imagine went on behind the scenes between Peter and God. It went something like this: G.— “Peter, I need you to go speak with a Roman army officer.

10 min read

Awaiting authorSeptember 27, 2013

Circumcision in the Second Temple Period

Rob Vanhoff

This article is based on a series of presentations that Rob gave at the August, 2012 TorahResource Institute Conference in Tacoma, WA. [I]n Acts 15:1 and 5 we are confronted by two distinct halakhot , each reflecting Jewish concern for the boundaries of the people of Israel.[1] Though the text of verse 1 was altered by later scribes who seemed to believe both statements originated from believing Pharisees, a closer

20 min read

Awaiting authorJuly 2012

Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council: Did they conclude the Torah was not for Gentiles?

Tim Hegg

“Even the Apostles admitted the Torah was a burden no one could bear!” Such a statement characterizes a common sentiment about the Torah—one based upon an equally common interpretation of Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council. But let us look again at Acts 15 and the decision of the Apostolic Council convened in Jerusalem. What was the issue at hand? What had brought about the need for the Council in

39 min read

Awaiting authorJune 2011

A Hebraic Perspective on Peter’s Vision (Acts 10)

Robert Roy

By Robert Roy Last updated 6/27/11 9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by

11 min read

Awaiting authorJanuary 2011

A Short Midrash on Acts 21

Ariel ben-Lyman HaNaviy

Torah Observant “Shomer Mitzvot” (Note: all quotations are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, translation by David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., unless otherwise noted) * Updated: November 29, 1999 In this continuing “mini-series” on practical Messianic living, I want to address an issue, which I believe some non-Jewish believers might have questions on. Many of you might be wondering how us Messianic Jews feel about the application

4 min read

Awaiting authorby 2011

Exegeting Galatians Part 3: “Works of the Law” and a Lesson From Acts 10

Ariel ben-Lyman HaNaviy

Note: all quotations are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, translation by David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., unless otherwise noted . *Updated: September 7, 2008 Historically, the book of Galatians has misled Christian commentators due largely to the techniecal discussions of biblical topics ranging from circumcision, to the Torah, to freedom in Christ. In this series, Ariel HaNaviy takes us through a contextual study of Galatians that

12 min read