Timothy assisted in delivering the guidelines given from the Christian leaders in Jerusalem.

Acts 16:4-5

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“And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.” Acts 16:4-5

While Paul had Timothy circumcised [Acts 16:3], he also put Timothy to work in passing out pamphlets saying that circumcision wasn’t necessary. Timothy was a youngster that Paul was protecting from the heartless Jewish leaders who opposed anyone who were serving God without circumcision. Timothy was well-taught by Paul that Salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ not from the letter of the law. The Jewish leaders also angrily realized that the external act of circumcision really meant nothing compared to Who was living within the heart and mind of the people.

The decrees to keep are described in the post on Acts 15:19-21 The four guidelines established that circumcision was not necessary, nor was living under the laws of Moses [laws of Judaism]. These guidelines were established for the non-Jewish Gentiles, you and me. Salvation came by living for God in the Spirit, through Jesus Christ, not through the letter of the law. “And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Anyone who has ever tried to read through the book of Leviticus knows how tedious it would have been for the Israelites to keep the letter of the law. The message of Jesus Christ is so liberating as He taught that only two commands really need to be obeyed, as quoted, “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

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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