In Jerusalem, some of the sect of the Pharisees insisted that circumcision was necessary.

Acts 15:4-6

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“And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.” Acts 15:4

Those who came to Jerusalem were Paul, Barnabas, and the born-again Gentiles of Antioch at Syria. They were received by the body of Believers, the true Church [not people within a manmade church building]. With the body of Believers, were the Apostles of Jesus Christ, such as Peter and James. Also, there were the elders, those who were leaders of a group of people born-again through Jesus Christ. Paul and Barnabas reported to the Church and Church leaders all that God had done with them, referring to bringing the Gentiles to Salvation through Jesus Christ and seeing them receive the Holy Spirit.

“But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.” Acts 15:5-6

Some of the sect of the Pharisees, meaning they had a different view of God than Jesus Christ and they deviated from the mainstream body of Christianity. Today, the ministers within the manmade churches can be considered a sect because they have abandoned the message of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing on the resurrection, forgiveness of sin through Jesus, and eternal life, they have partnered with the earthly and atheistic agenda of today’s community culture.

The sect of the Pharisees said to the body of Believers regarding the Gentiles, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” To believe that circumcision was necessary to be right with God was to deny that Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham [to multiply his descendants like the stars of the sky]. As quoted, “And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly…and you will be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.” Genesis 17:2, 11 The coming of Jesus Christ fulfilled the covenant, so circumcision is no longer necessary, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29 To command that people carry on with the practice of circumcision is to deny that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

“…but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:29 “So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:26-27

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11