[JohnnyM]

In Acts 21 we have yet another example of this. Paul comes to Jerusalem and the saved Jews are upset because he is telling others not to observe the Law of Moses and James says this in verse 25:

"But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication."

Here James is restating the point that the Gentiles need not walk according to the customs, which would include the Holy Days and dietary laws, except for those mentioned in the letter.

Once again, why send them a letter at all? If they were to observe the customs and Laws as you say, then there was no need for the letter for this is what you say they were being taught anyway. Or if what you say is true, why not say so in the letter to clear up the confusion that was arising? They were having the same issues we are talking about now. They cleared it up by saying to just observe these essential and you will do well. If observing the feasts were essential, as you say, would that not have been mentioned? Plus, Acts 15:21 was NOT included in the letter nor is it mentioned in Acts 21.

JM

[DouglasKC]

Here James is restating the point that the Gentiles need not walk according to the customs, which would include the Holy Days and dietary laws, except for those mentioned in the letter.
Once again, why send them a letter at all? If they were to observe the customs and Laws as you say, then there was no need for the letter for this is what you say they were being taught anyway. Or if what you say is true, why not say so in the letter to clear up the confusion that was arising?

These were the minimum requirements for gentiles to initially follow in order to get along with the jews. The early church was a co-mingling of Christian Jews and converted gentiles. Many of jews still had hangups about cermonial and traditional rules when it came to associating with gentiles. A good example of this is in Galatians chapter 2. Remember that many of these laws and traditions were manmade...not scriptural.

So the converted jews were insisting that in order to be SAVED one had to observe ALL the law of Moses:

Act 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Of course that's not true. One doesn't have to observe all the laws or Moses...or any of them to be saved. One only has to receive God's spirit, as the gentiles had.

BUT, there was still the issue of obedience to God's laws. Obedience to God's law comes as one learns and grows spiritually.

Please note that I am not advocating that all of the old testament laws still need to be followed. Paul makes it clear exactly which ones were obviated by Christ...primarily the laws pertaining to sacrifice and any and all functions related to the Levitical priesthood.

So the council at Jerusalem outlined the minimum requirements needed to preserve peace among the differing brethren...because after all they would learn the rest in the synagogue every sabbath.

Act 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Act 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

A further point about the holy days: I believe the holy days exist above and beyond any of the covenants. They are apart from any law, past or present. The proof of this is that they still exist in the future after Christ returns to earth:

Zec 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zec 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain