We have a simplistic view of who Jesus was and what order of religion he was from. We have movies that portray Mary and Joseph as people without a clue as to what was taking place with Mary’s unplanned pregnancy. This is not true. Both Mary and Joseph knew the scriptures, and were deeply spiritual people. Jesus was not just a guy who showed up one day doing miracles as if all of a sudden he had the midas touch. He was the Messiah from his birth, and classically trained in the best religious schooling of the day. Jesus the Nazarene was from an order deeply despised by the Pharisees, and adherents to the Pharisees attempted to erase all their religious detractors. After Jesus’ crucifixion the Pharisaical order continued to erase and alter whatever history they could to imply that these people did not exist. The only problem was the Holy Spirit was sent to earth to teach and empower people. The Pharisees tried to fight the Elohim.
We looked at the believing Jews who came from Jerusalem, but were not sent from the Church at Jerusalem, who went to Antioch to annoy and disrupt the believers there. James wrote a letter to the Antioch Christians saying don’t let people annoy or disrupt you, or put obstacles in your way. Well that strongly worded letter did absolutely nothing to stop the circumcision people from annoying, disrupting, and putting obstacles in everyone’s way. Were these people really believing Jews or something else? We need to explore that question. Since they couldn’t stop the Christians who’s lineage was from the nations, the believing Jews decided to attack Paul’s teaching of the Jews who became Christians or in other words other believing Jews. Is it possible they were sent specifically not to mingle as believers but instigators?
None of those who tried to push the law on people would have had a problem if other Jews were not getting saved and Spirit filled. They also would not have had a problem if their own Jewish exorcists hadn’t been humiliated. They also would not have minded if this was only a heathen gentile party. And lastly they would not have minded if there were no miracles, no healings, and no one raised from the dead. The so called believing Jews continued to persecute Paul. As Jesus told the Pharisees, he was sending prophets, wise men, and desert scribes, but they would hunt them from city to city, beat and kill them in the synagogues, and we see this happening by Paul, and later to Paul.
Some of the things to notice here is that these believing Jews were using selective laws to persecute Paul, while they themselves were breaking other laws and precepts just to stop Paul. While this is hypocritical it also shows what emotionalism does to people, it keeps them stunted in their growth.
Acts 21:17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received and welcomed us gladly.
18 On the next day Paul went in with us to [see] James, and all the elders of the church were present [also].
This James, the church leader, is the son of Joseph, step father of Jesus the Messiah. He is not James son of Alphaeus. James son of Alphaeus was a disciple who was at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. There is another James, the brother of John, a son of Zebedee, who was also known as the son of thunder. James son of Zebedee was also a disciple and received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. This “Jerusalem Church James” is not a son of thunder. He is called James the less, or mikrōn, meaning he was either small physically or small in influence. This tells us that the two disciples named James were a higher rank of discipleship than this James son of Joseph. I don’t remember James the mikrōn, son of Joseph, going out on any discipleship journeys with Jesus and the others. He received this position because he grew up with Jesus. Joseph had several children when his first wife died. Joseph then married Mary, and we know the rest of the story. James therefore was not a blood relation, and was not a disciple, and was not really a believer until much later. In later years others called James the mikrōn, James the Just, however it may be that those who named James this were the Jews or believing Jews as they thought James took the right course of action against Paul. Some people claimed that James was righteous; we will explore what James did shortly. Now think this through. Jesus asks John (son of thunder) to care for Mary his mother, why not ask James the mikrōn, Joses, Simon, or Judas, Joseph’s sons? Wouldn’t it be natural for this blended family to take care of Mary in her old age? Instead Jesus wants John to take care of Mary. There must be a reason.
In Acts 1:13 we see that one of Joseph’s other sons, Judas, brother of James the mikrōn, is mentioned among those who returned to Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension, waiting in prayer for the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. James the mikrōn wasn’t there on Pentecost. Yet some of Jesus’ other brethren were in the upper room in prayer with Mary awaiting the Holy Spirit. Luke does a good job of making note that James the mikrōn was not there with the others. Because Joseph and Mary were Nazarenes/Essenes, James and the other sons of Joseph may have had the four year Essene desert schooling. This means they would have been aware of the coming Messiah and the requirements for a virgin birth. They would have grown up knowing this story and why the family moved to Egypt for a while. In Acts 12 we see James son of thunder killed by Herod. Then it seems James the mikrōn takes an administrative position over everybody. It is interesting to note that Peter is the one who seems to help James the mikrōn with these church meetings early on, as Peter is more knowledgeable than James in matters regarding the Holy Spirit. Yet when Paul comes back to Jerusalem, Peter is not around.
Acts 21:19 After saluting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And upon hearing it, they adored and exalted and praised and thanked God. And they said to [Paul], You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are enthusiastic upholders of the [Mosaic] Law.
Acts 21:20 G3588 And they G1161 G191 having heard, G1392 glorified G3588 the G2962 Lord. G2036 And they said G5037 G1473 to him, G2334 You view, G80 O brother, G4214 how many G3461 myriads G1510.2.6 [2there are G* 1of believing Jews], G3588 G4100 G2532 and G3956 all G2207 [2zealous G3588 3of the G3551 4law G5224 1being].
The zealous Jews were not actual believers. They are called “believing Jews” but their faith is not true faith. They believe Jesus is the Messiah, maybe. They do no believe there was a change in administration or procedure. They do not understand the mystery. They do not believe people are saved by grace not of works. They do not believe that Jesus the Messiah fulfilled the law and the prophets. They do not believe that the law is fulfilled by loving the Elohim and loving one’s neighbor. What they do not believe is that people are justified by their faith in Yahweh Jesus Messiah and not by their own works. They do not believe that the law makes sin to increase. Therefore to call these people “believing Jews” is quite a stretch. They really do not believe anything other than Jesus might have in fact been the Messiah, maybe. Notice what Paul teaches.
Romans 5:20 But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded,
The Amplified Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1987), Ro 5:20.
(ISV) Now the Law crept in so that the offense would increase. But where sin increased, grace increased even more,
(KJV) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
(Murdock) And the entrance given to the law, was that sin might increase: and where sin increased, there grace abounded.
ABP Romans 5: 20 G3551 But law G1161 G3922 entered privately, G2443 that G4121 [2should be superabundant G3588 G3900 1transgression]. G3739 But where G1161 G4121 [2was superabundant G3588 G266 1sin], G5248 [2superabounded G3588 G5484 1favor];
“But law come in secretly in order that increase the transgression but this increase the sin, super abound the favor.”
The biggest point is to understand that the law makes sin abound or increase. With the law transgressions increase and sin increases. Why are there two different words used here, sin and transgressions? A transgression is a misstep or a slip up but sin is intentional failure. In other words, a transgression is doing something wrong without understanding that it is wrong, whereas sin is intentionally doing something wrong, knowing it is wrong, and doing it anyway. The law of Moses creates slip ups which increase into intentional offences. The good news is that where there are slip ups and intentional offences, there is super abounding grace.
If we understand this very simple principal, then we understand that the “believing Jews” were in fact not believers at all. They call themselves believing Jews but what do they believe? They do no believe anything other than the tyranny of the law. They do not believe in anything Jesus accomplished as Messiah. So why then do they call themselves believing Jews? Is it so they can gaslight all the Jews back to the classic Judaism and temple financial support? Are they the people sent to destroy the church from the inside out? Why else would they go through all the trouble of traveling throughout Asia and arguing with everyone.
We see that James and the elders were happy about the miracles, but immediately, in the same breath, as recorded by Luke’s usage of the word “and”, they point to people who are truly “non-believing believing Jews” who are zealous for the law of Moses. The word “and” is the word τε meaning “both” or “both and”. So in one statement they both glorify the Elohim for the miracles and also point to Paul’s perceived failures. It would be like saying to a child playing baseball, “wow great job hitting that home run, but you missed four fly balls and lost us the game”, get it? In a way it is a backhanded reply. Why is it so important to force all the Jews to circumcise their children? It probably has more to do with keeping their heritage separate from the nations as opposed to the law of Moses. They want their numbers to look bigger than they might actually be. Remember, they live under Roman occupation and rulership. Their numbers are dwindling, as the zealots continue their uprising against the Jews who do not want to revolt against Rome. Whatever their reasons, they are not believing Jews they are non-believing believing Jews.
Acts 21:21 Now they have been informed about you that you continually teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn back from and forsake Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or pay any attention to the observance of the [Mosaic] customs.
Acts 21:21 G2727 And they instruct G1161 G4012 concerning G1473 you G3754 that G646 [7defection G1321 1you teach G575 8from G* 9Moses G3588 G2596 4among G3588 5the G1484 6nations G3956 2all G* 3 the Jews], G3004 saying G3361 not G4059 to circumcise G1473 their G3588 G5043 children, G3366 nor G3588 [2in the G1485 3customs G4043 1to walk].
646 LSJ Gloss:ἀποστασία defection
Dodson:ἀποστασία defection, apostasy defection, apostasy, revolt.
TBESG:ἀποστασία apostasy
G:N-F
άποστασία, -ας, ἡ
(< ἀφίστημι), [in LXX for מַעַל, etc. ;]
defection, apostasy, revolt; in late Gk. (MM, Exp., viii; Lft., Notes, 111; Cremer, 308) for cl. ἀπόστασις, freq. in sense of political revolt, in LXX and NT always of religious apostasy:
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a falling away, defection, apostasy
ἀποστασία
apostasia ap-os-tas-ee'-ah Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), (“apostasy”) KJV Usage: falling away, forsake.
Here is where their backhanded comment was leading to. They were all calling Paul an apostate. Who was calling Paul an apostate? The non-believing believing Jews, along with James and the elders. They were all saying that Paul was an apostate, that Paul had fallen away from the Mosaic Laws. Once again we have to think about this rationally. These people were breaking laws and precepts to attack Paul. They were emotionally riling up others to also break the laws and precepts to murder Paul. It would be one thing to simply not agree with Paul, but to stir up people by deceit so that they will murder Paul is sin, just as it was with getting the Romans to murder Jesus. Do you know who was living a holy life apart from these people in Jerusalem? The Essene/Nazarene/Therapeutae/Zadok/Zedek Priests/Prophets/Desert Scribes/Assideans/and the Damascus Community, because they believed Jesus when he said that the law was fulfilled in loving the Elohim and one’s neighbor. They understood the law causes transgressions and sins to abound. Instead of walking in love for the Elohim and for their neighbor, the non-believing believing Jews decided to not love the Elohim, the Holy Spirit, and to kill anyone who disagreed with them. It seems funny that people are still doing the same things today.
Paul is speaking with James and the elders who had already decided that they would throw Paul to the wolves. Paul knew what he was walking into at Jerusalem. Whether Paul was teaching Jews to forsake the laws or not, James the mikrōn and the elders didn’t even ask. They stated that the non-believing believing Jews said he was breaking laws and they believed the non-believing believing Jews because they did not even ask Paul about these things.
Rabbi’s have divided the laws of Moses into 613 precepts. Two hundred and forty eight are positive and three hundred and sixty five are negative. There is one negative precept for every day of the year. This is why the law makes more sin. We can split each hair fifty ways but in the end all we are left with is frizz. The law is fulfilled in love, divided into two precepts. One, loving the Elohim. The Elohim are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The “im” at the end of a word makes it plural in the Hebrew, meaning three or more, such as in Elohim, cherubim, seraphim, goyim, etc. Clearly they did not love Jesus the Messiah when he was on the earth, and they certainly did not love the Holy Spirit who brought miracles through the hands of common people into the world. The second precept is loving one’s neighbor. They do not love Paul, his ministry, and the people Paul teaches. These people, the non-believing believing Jews, James the mikrōn, and the elders, cannot even accomplish this one law with two precepts. How in the world are they going to attain to the Mosaic law with 613 precepts? This is why sin abounds and grace has to super abound.
How do James and the elders know a multitude will come together? Is someone going to inform the non-believing believing Jews of Paul’s arrival? What could be done to make Paul’s visit more public? How about parade Paul in the temple with a Nazarite vow?
Acts 21:22 What then [is best that] should be done? A multitude will come together, for they will surely hear that you have arrived.
23 Therefore do just what we tell you. With us are four men who have taken a vow upon themselves.
24 Take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses [for the temple offering], so that they may have their heads shaved. Thus everybody will know that there is no truth in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself walk in observance of the Law.
25 But with regard to the Gentiles who have believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ), we have sent them a letter with our decision that they should keep themselves free from anything that has been sacrificed to idols and from [tasting] blood and [eating the meat of animals] which have been strangled and from all impurity and sexual immorality.
James and the elders suggest a plan to make Paul look like an observant Jew. They put Paul on display for seven days. They have seven days to form a mob. They have seven days to make up stories that will emotionally charge the simple minded Jews. They have seven days to hatch a plan to kill Paul. Why would James, who grew up with Jesus, do this to Paul? Was James walking with the Holy Spirit? Probably not. Where was Peter? Was Peter conveniently off on a mission trip to Babylon, visiting the churches he planted there? Where were the other apostles and disciples? Why didn’t any of the people who traveled with Paul spit in the face of James the mikrōn and the elders? It might be that James and the elders had too much power siding with the non-believing believing Jews and all the other disciples were staying away from Jerusalem by this time.
Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the [four] men with him and the following day [he went through the rites of] purifying himself along with them. And they entered the temple to give notice when the days of purification (the ending of each vow) would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented on behalf of each of them.
James and the elders tell Paul to pay for these four men so they could make a Nazarite vow as well. How much does it cost to shave one’s head bald then throw the hair in the fire? If we read Numbers 6 regarding the Nazarite vow, we have to ask, was Paul expected to buy 10 lambs for this offering, plus five picnic baskets filled with food and drinks? It almost seems as if they were trying to personally bankrupt Paul before he even started this vow. Why would they do this? Paul wasn’t wealthy, he worked and taught the gospel. He wasn’t taking money for teaching and whatever offerings he did receive he brought to Jerusalem. Paul points this out later in Acts 24:17. These expenses were coming out of Paul’s own personal funds. Isn’t it interesting that with one open hand James the mikron receives money from the churches in Asia and the other open hand slaps Paul across the face?
Acts 21:27 When the seven days were drawing to a close, some of the Jews from [the province of] Asia, who had caught sight of Paul in the temple, incited all the rabble and laid hands on him,
28 Shouting, Men of Israel, help! [Help!] This is the man who is teaching everybody everywhere against the people and the Law and this place! Moreover, he has also [actually] brought Greeks into the temple; he has desecrated and polluted this holy place!
This was the holy day of Pentecost and devout Jews traveled from many places to celebrate the holy day in Jerusalem. Jews from Asia happened to be there. These were non-believing Jews, as well as non-believing believing Jews. These were the men who did not accept Jesus as Lord. James and the elders put Paul on display and the non-believing Jews along with the non-believing believing Jews made up a lie to kill Paul. Where were James and the elders? Why weren’t they quieting the crowd and telling people this was not true. Trophimus did not enter the temple.
Acts 21:29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and they supposed that he had brought the man into the temple [into the inner court forbidden to Gentiles].
30 Then the whole city was aroused and thrown into confusion, and the people rushed together; they laid hands on Paul and dragged him outside the temple, and immediately the gates were closed.
31 Now while they were trying to kill him, word came to the commandant of the regular Roman garrison that the whole of Jerusalem was in a state of ferment.
Why would the whole city be thrown into confusion? Why would mindless people believe the non-believing Jews and the non-believing believing Jews? Who knows, but James is nowhere in sight.
Acts 21:32 So immediately he took soldiers and centurions and hurried down among them; and when the people saw the commandant and the troops, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the commandant approached and arrested Paul and ordered that he be secured with two chains. He then inquired who he was and what he had done.
34 Some in the crowd kept shouting back one thing and others something else, and since he could not ascertain the facts because of the furor, he ordered that Paul be removed to the barracks.
35 And when [Paul] came to mount the steps, he was actually being carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob;
36 For the mass of the people kept following them, shouting, Away with him! [Kill him!]
We see how this emotional tribalism appears the same, attempting to kill Paul as it did with Jesus. The non-believing Jews and the non-believing believing Jews both seem to have broken a few laws and precepts with both Paul and Jesus. Is it any wonder why the Romans had no tolerance for the Jews when it came to their civil war in 70 AD? In this case it seems like it was acceptable behavior to break laws and commands in order to achieve one’s purpose which was to extinguish Paul and the miracles in the churches. There are other religions that preach that it is acceptable to “break the rules” so to speak when it comes to people outside of their religion. Is this the root of that thought process? Is it ever acceptable to lie, bear false witness, blaspheme the Holy Spirit, or murder someone? Again, where are James the mikrōn and the elders?
The Jews and their non-believing believing Jews tried for many years to kill Paul. Paul is sent to Felix in Caesarea to make his case there. The commandant cannot find any reason to kill Paul, but Ananias the High Priest, the temple elders, and an orator or solicitor Tertullus, all came to Felix to present evidence that Paul was worthy of death. Tertullus speaks a lot of flowery words to Felix then finally gets to the heart of their contention in verse 5.
Acts 24:1FIVE DAYS later, the high priest Ananias came down [from Jerusalem to Caesarea] with some elders and a certain forensic advocate Tertullus [acting as spokesman and counsel]. They presented to the governor their evidence against Paul.
2 And when he was called, Tertullus began the complaint [against him] by saying: Since through you we obtain and enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight and provision wonderful reforms (amendments and improvements) are introduced and effected on behalf of this nation,
3 In every way and in every place, most excellent Felix, we accept and acknowledge this with deep appreciation and with all gratitude.
4 But not to hinder or detain you too long, I beg you in your clemency and courtesy and kindness to grant us a brief and concise hearing.
5 For we have found this man a perfect pest (a real plague), an agitator and source of disturbance to all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the [heretical, division-producing] sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He also [even] tried to desecrate and defile the temple, but we laid hands on him and would have sentenced him by our Law,
7 But the commandant Lysias came and took him from us with violence and force,
8 And ordered his accusers to present themselves to you. By examining and cross-questioning him yourself, you will be able to ascertain the truth from him about all these things with which we charge him.
9 The Jews also agreed and joined in the accusation, declaring that all these things were exactly so.
The Amplified Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1987), Ac 24:1–9.
The first thing we must note is that at this point in time Nazareth was not the name of a town. It was a region of Galilee in the northern kingdom with a Roman garrison, later called Nazareth. So when we hear of Jesus of Nazareth, it is actually a misrepresentation. It should be Jesus the Nazarene or Jesus of the Nazarenes. The Latin translators did not realize that at this time there was no one town with that name, it was a large region from the ocean to the sea of Galilee. Therefore everywhere we read this phrase we have to remember it is not a village but a holy religious order. The region included Mt Carmel through to Galilee and is larger than Judea. This is the region that the Mount Carmel prophets stem from, meaning the Nazarenes were not just ordinary people but were prophets of the order of Melchizedek, Elijah, and Elisha. Nazarenes could be men or women who make a vow to the Elohim. In Jesus’ time there was a synagogue in the region. This is where Jesus was from but it was not necessarily filled with holy people, just like any region there was a mix of adherent Jews, Essenes, priests, prophets, and Roman soldiers and their families. Culturally the people of the south found ways to disparage the people of the north, portraying them as uneducated.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/jesus-essene-therapeutaes-joseph-zedek.html
Notice how Paul describes what Jesus said to him.
Acts 22:8 And I replied, Who are You, Lord? And He said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, Whom you are persecuting.
The Amplified Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1987), Ac 22:8.
The ABP
John 19:19 G1125 [3wrote G1161 1And G2532 4also G5102 5a title G3588 G* 2Pilate], G2532 and G5087 put it G1909 upon G3588 the G4716 cross. G1510.7.3 And was G1161 G1125 written, G* Jesus G3588 the G* Nazarene G3588 the G935 King G3588 of the G* Jews
Even demons testify. We see this correction in 17 verses, noting Jesus as a Nazarene in the ABP.
Mark 1:24 G3004 saying, G1436 Alas, G5100 what G1473 is it to us G2532 and G1473 to you, G* Jesus G* O Nazarene? G2064 Are you come G622 to destroy G1473 us? G1492 I know G1473 you, G5100 who G1510.2.2 you are, G3588 the G39 holy one G3588 G2316 of God
This is why Jesus was immediately hated. He was a Nazarene, from out of the order of Melchizedek and the prophets of Carmel. When Jesus started his ministry, miracles abounded. John says that there isn’t a book big enough to tell all the things that took place. Why is being a Nazarene a bad thing? Doesn’t the answer go back to the Maccabean era when the Assideans were tricked into battle and murder, then the holy men split up, left the southern region, and started the Damascus Community? Jesus was a reminder of the civil war of 175 BC, and the order of Melchizedek, which the Pharisees were not part of. This is the time period when we see the holy men leave the temple because of the defilement of the High Priesthood with Jonathan Apphus. The prophets left, the wise men left, and the scribes left Jerusalem. But the adherents of The Way as they were being called were in every community all over Israel and beyond. They were Essenes (desert, near the Dead Sea), Nazarenes (Mt Carmel, from the ocean to Tiberius), Therapeutaes (Alexandria Egypt), Zadok/Zedek Priests (City of David), Damascus Community (Syria), Assideans (scattered), prophets (scattered), wise men (scattered) and desert scribes (Qumran). The Pharisees and their sect hated them all. This is who Paul went to persecute in Damascus. It is the sect of Jesus the Nazarene that the Pharisees hated which show the illegitimacy of the Pharisaical order. The Pharisees excelled in religious tyranny, not miracles. They had no prophets.
Paul is of the sect of the Nazarenes. He is? I thought he was from Tarsus, a Greek Provence and a Roman citizen? It is not the location that Tertullus is communicating, it is the religious organization. Wait, didn’t James tell Paul to take a Nazarite vow? Didn’t James tell Paul to pay for the expenses of four other people taking that vow? And we are to believe that James had no ill intent towards Paul with that advice? Didn’t James grow up as a Nazarene with his entire family? James may have been from the region but James was not an adherent to the order.
The first charge is that Paul is a pest. Well being a pest usually isn’t worthy of death. Paul is accused of agitation. What kind of agitation? The kind that casts demons out of desperate people? That heals the sick and the lame, and raises the dead? Is that the agitation we are speaking of? Paul is disturbing all the Jews all around the world. How would Tertullus or Ananias the High Priest know that? Did they poll every Jew around the world? What about the Jews that followed Paul, certainly they were not upset by Paul’s teachings. The big tell is Tertullus claiming that Paul is a ringleader of of the sect of the Nazarenes. We know that Paul is not a ringleader of the Nazarenes, the Essenes, the Therapeutaes, the Zadok/Zedek Priests, the Damascus Community, the Assideans or the Prophets. Paul went to learn from them, that does not make him a ringleader. No more so than the believing Pharisees who went to Essene school along with Paul. They didn’t even accuse Jesus of being a Nazarene ringleader. What then is the problem with The Way?
It is always amusing to notice that the Jews were claiming Paul was defiling the temple because he walked around town with a man from Ephesus, when in fact they had the booths of the male and female prophets for over four hundred years in the temple. At the time of Jesus, Jesus himself pointed out to the Pharisees that he knew they had all been sleeping with the women, the temple prostitute, who was supposedly taken in adultery in the temple compound. We know that they weren’t concerned with the cleanliness of the temple. This is a convenient argument with no basis.
If the old ways of their religious order were so grand then why were there no prophets among the Pharisees? Why were there no healings or miracles? Why were the people oppressed by the religious leaders? Why are there religious leaders forcing people to pay higher and higher offerings to the temple? Their system of top down tyrannical authority was not the Elohim’s way. Were they afraid of change or embarrassed by their lack of spiritual power? No, they had established themselves as the spiritual leaders of the region and they were not about to give that up.
However the Holy Spirit had a different idea as to what should take place on the earth. Paul and the other apostles and disciples formed churches on the power of the Holy Spirit. People were attracted to the churches as opposed to the temple. In 70 AD the temple was destroyed and the Jews were run out of Jerusalem. The Pharisees moved south and eventually east calling themselves rabbis and hundreds of years later they rewrote the Septuagint, using all their personal biases. Meanwhile the churches grew and people learned about Jesus the Nazarene who is the Messiah. The early churches welcomed the Holy Spirit, but many churches do not welcome the Holy Spirit today.
In this portion of history we see an infiltration of the new Christians by people who claim to be believing Jews, who were not believers, but tyrannical oppressors using Mosaic laws that were sent by the Jews to destroy “that Way”. We see that James the mikrōn and the elders did not stand up for Paul but in fact sold him out to the hostile Jews looking to kill him. The hostile Jews follow Paul around, accusing him of being the ringleader of the Nazarenes, but James was the one who told Paul to take the Nazarite vow. Paul shares his testimony several times during the process of his arrest. The root of the issue for the Jews was the Nazarene way and the miracles and power of the Holy Spirit that was moving across Asia. Asian Christianity grew and spread. The temple was destroyed and the Jews scattered. The Holy Spirit has a new way of doing things and it includes miracles and healings for any who follow.
