Are there two gospels

A deep analysis into whether or not there truly are two different gospels, according to James and Peter in Acts 15 & 21; one to the Jews and a more liberal one to the Gentiles.

Or, was there an altogether third, new gospel, according to Paul's epistles, that contradicted those of Acts 15 & 21 and, even more so, disregarded all the words of Yehoshua; whereas Acts 15 only contradicted more than half of Yehoshua's teaching?

Does the mere title of this article cause problems in your mind? Well, if so that's because it should. This article that I will indepthly lay out before you will show you that at one point in the early church there was only one gospel, to both the Jew and the Gentile. Obviously, this gospel was first preached to fellow Jews.

This gospel that was presented to the people, the Jews, showed that the

promised one - that the prophets spoke about - had in fact come; but the scribes,

priests, and the Jewish court (the Sanhedrin), condemned him and gave him over

to Gentiles that had rule over them; in order for them to put this special one to

death. And so, that is exactly what these Gentiles did. Yet, Yehowah resurrected

him from the dead, as the prophets have also foretold, and then He brought him

to heaven to let him sit at His right hand, once again. In heaven, the God of Israel,

Yehowah, bestowed on him glory, honor, and a name above all names; yet,

Yehoshua/Jesus remains below his God, of course. This man, Yehoshua/Jesus

is the one that the prophets said to believe in and put your trust in for the

forgiveness of sins. After repenting, one must walk and continue to walk as he

did in order to free oneself from sin and thus, become righteous. Keep in mind that though one may no longer sin, that does not mean they are forgiven of their sins. Similarly, though one might ask for forgiveness in a "blanket statement," such as to ask for forgiveness of all of their sins, one cannot escape from being a sinner, and become righteous if the person never learns the torah in order to keep it. For the torah teaches one how to finally become righteous and, therefore, cease being a sinner. The person who never learns, nor practices the torah will be condemned for practicing lawlessness/iniquity/anomia. Yehoshua's ways were the same ways of his righteous ancestors (such as King David, Samuel, Moses, Elijah and many others), which was Judaism; that is being faithful and obedient to the holy laws of his and his righteous ancestors God and Father.

This "gospel" was the sole gospel for a period of time; from the time of Yehoshua's/Jesus' ascension until sometime after a Pharisee named Saul converted and disagreed sharply with other converted Pharisees over the manner of how the Gentiles must walk.

With this article I will give scriptural proofs, or at least 'apparent' proofs, that the Gentiles had to follow this original gospel all the way up to this "disagreement."

It is only after this disagreement that the Gentiles were no longer taught by the apostles [vs. the believing Pharisees] that they had to follow the ways and practices of Yehoshua and that of the prophets before Yehoshua, which is Judaism. After this disagreement, all that they where taught was that they just had to obey four simple commandments.

Now, here is what I am talking about, but before I continue, one must realize that before S/Paul came on the scene of church history, the witnesses were only preaching one gospel all this time and Yehoshua never commanded them otherwise. I will give some examples of what I am talking about after I quote these two particular passages:

To go along with this study I deliberately highlighted the word "Antioch" everywhere it is mentioned.

I do this in order to show a discrepancy between the narrative from this book of Acts to that of Paul's account of events that lead up to the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas; and moreover, the very reason why they parted company, from Paul's account is far different. Likewise, in what I am about to show you in Paul's account, it shows that Peter was there in Antioch at some point, whether before or after this "discussion" in Acts 15 I do not really know; regardless however, we see that Peter is in fact teaching the Gentiles to follow the Torah. Let me talk about the word "Antioch" for a moment. According to Paul's account, he went to Syria and Cilicia first with Barnabas, then came to Antioch, but in Acts 15 it says that he went without Barnabas to Syria and Cilicia after going to Antioch. Here are the passages:

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ACTS 14:20-15:41

14:

20 ....The next day he (Paul) and Barnabas left for Derbe.

21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large

number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and

Antioch,

22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true

to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the

kingdom of God," they said.

23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church

and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in

whom they had put their trust.

24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,

25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down

to Attalia.

26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been

committed to the grace of God for the work they had now

completed.

27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported

all that God had done through them and how He had opened the

door of faith to the Gentiles.

28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

15:

1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching

the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the

custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."

2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate

with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with

some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles

and elders about this question.

3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through

Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been

converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.

4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the

church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported

everything God had done through them.

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the

Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised

and required to obey the law of Moses."

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.

7 After much mutual questioning/disputation/discussion, Peter got

up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago

God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from

my lips the message of the gospel and believe.

8 God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by

giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.

9 He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their

hearts by faith.

10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of

the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been

able to bear?

11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we

are saved, just as they are."

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas

and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God

had done among the Gentiles through them.

13 When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me.

14 Simon (Peter) has described to us how God at first showed His

concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for Himself.

15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is

written:

16 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will

rebuild, and I will restore it,

17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles

who bear My name, says the Lord, who does these things'

18 that have been known for ages.

19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult

for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

20 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.

21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest

times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."

22 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, two men who were leaders among the brothers.

23 With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders,

your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and

Cilicia: Greetings.

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our

authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what

they said.

25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you

with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—

26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ.

27 Therefore, we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of

mouth what we are writing.

28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you

with anything beyond the following requirements:

29 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.

30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they

gathered the church together and delivered the letter.

31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.

32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to

encourage and strengthen the brothers.

33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the

brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had

sent them.

35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and

many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit

the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the

Lord and see how they are doing."

37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,

38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had

deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in

the work.

39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.

Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the

grace of the Lord.

41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

I am highlighting "Antioch" for a reason, because later I will show a problem in Paul's epistles.

Now, let's look at this problem right here. If there is only one teaching from Yehoshua, (in which there is only one), which the apostles should know by now after following Yehoshua for three years; why in the world is there all this fussing and discussing going on? There should not be any discussion, just truth. Secondly, let's look at the story really closely. Do you notice that when after Paul and Barnabas speak of "everything..." that different Pharisees altogether got aroused and rebuke Paul and Barnabas and said that the Gentiles needed to be circumcised?

Now look at the third problem with this event. For an apparently long time these converted Pharisees have been in the presence of the apostles; yet, it is only now that the apostles say something against their teaching??!! If the apostles are so against what they say why are they still allowed to be in their company?

Now, let us move on to these awful words in verse 28. These words in Greek are "dokeo", it means:

1. to be of opinion,

2. to think,

3. to suppose

4. to seem

I am not sorry to say that when Yehoshua speaks, he does not wonder if what he says is right or not. He knows what he is saying is always right. Because of what was said, all of these people are led astray at this point, except these Pharisees.

Remember, who is greater, an apostle or Yehoshua whom they are trying to serve? All this contradicts Yehoshua in the Gospels. For even in Matthew 28 Yehoshua says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... ...to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Which includes Matthew 23 where Yehoshua said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and

do."

Gal 1

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how

intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age

and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by

his grace, was pleased

16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the

Gentiles, I did not consult any man,

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles

before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later

returned to Damascus.

18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get

acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days.

19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's

brother.

20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

21 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia.

22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in

Christ.

23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted

us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy."

24 And they praised God because of me.

Gal 2

1 Fourteen years later, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with

Barnabas. I took Titus along also.

2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel

that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those

who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run

my race in vain.

3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be

circumcised, even though he was a Greek.

4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our

ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to

make us slaves.

5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the

gospel might remain with you.

6 As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were

makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external

appearance—those men added nothing to my message.

7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task

of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.

8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle

to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to

the Gentiles.

9 James, Peter, and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and

Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the

grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the

Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the

poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face,

because he was clearly in the wrong.

12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the

Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and

separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of

those who belonged to the circumcision group.

13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their

hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the

gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet

you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that

you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

v.18 I highlight this little section, because later in the book of Acts, which I will point out later, we see Paul pretending to be Torah-observant before James; yet, if he is really "Torah Observant" one cannot celebrate the three annual festivals if they are gone for three long years, thus, by his own admission he testifies he is a hypocrite.

When Peter came to Antioch, this was apparently after the Acts 15 situation.

V.13, it is here that we see Barnabas possibly leaving for different reason than what Acts 15 claims.

V.14 The other thing I want to point out is that Paul claims, in this verse, Peter is telling Gentiles to live according the the Torah. For this is why Paul calls him a hypocrite.

In Verse 21 we see that Paul claims he went to Syria and Cilicia long before ever going to Antioch. Likewise, Paul and Barnabas are still together at this time; whereas, Acts 15 claims that they parted ways before Paul went to Syria and Cilicia.

V21: Many ignorant people that claim to be "messianic" defend Paul by saying he kept the Torah. Again, I say this, "If that is the case, why does it take him 14 years to go to Jerusalem when he is commanded to observe 3 annual feasts unto Yehowah, the God of Israel?" to be Torah-observant.

v. 7-11 "Peter got up and addressed them..."

What exactly is Peter talking about here, you might ask? He is talking about the man named Cornelius in chapter 10. Apparently, the only thing Peter remembers about Cornelius is that he is NOT of the stock of Abraham; thus, a Gentile. However, the more important thing he forgets here, or does not realize is that Cornelius is Torah-observant already, and this is why the angel came to him in the first place!!! Not because he was some common Gentile that was picked out randomly by the Lord Yehoshua, even to the point he sent his holy angel to him!!!

To read about this man and his story click HERE

Are there really two gospels, as the Book of Acts teaches? Or, Are there 3? What did Yoshua really teach, since he is our rabbi?

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is the good news that the only son the God of Israel has, of whom the ancient prophets spoke of, has now come. This is the glorious one that sits at the right hand of our God Yehowah, the Mighty One. Since he is His son, he is the Prince of Peace.

BY Maregaal Ben Yaakov

1.Did Jesus keep the Torah? Yes, but only the biblical torah and what the prophets said, not anything that was from "oral" tradition.

2. Did the aposles keep the Torah? Yes - click here to see the proof.

3. Did Yeshua keep the law? Yes, but only the biblical torah and what the prophets said, not anything that was from "oral" tradition.

4. Did the disciples keep the law? Yes, click here to see the proof

5. did jesus disciples follow the torah? Yes, click here to see the proof

6. Are there two gospels? Yes, according to "Acts," but no according to Yehoshua/Jesus

7. Did Paul invent Christianity? Yes, because Jesus never taught what Pal taught

8. What did Jesus teach? Click here to find out

9. Was Jesus Torah observant? Yes, but not Paul, click here to see the proof.

Thank You,

Maregaal Ben Yaakov