|
Thanks for trusting us with an answer and here is our response:
First, please read our article on Acts 15 to get the gist of the context. Also, it might be a wise idea to read our rebuttal to a Christian pastor's misconceptions about the Book of Galatians.
Next, we can assure you Acts 15:1 does not mean uncircumcised men can't be saved; it means if you get circumcised and don't really love YHWH or live your life according to Him and doing your best to obey Him, your circumcision means nothing.
The yoke people were unable to bear were the "fences" the rabbis put around the Torah. For instance, they started telling people that EVERYTHING was considered "work" on Shabbat, even getting out of bed was "work," and they therefore caused the Shabbat to be a burden instead of a delight.
The "yoke" was also having to do all those animal sacrifices to atone for our sins. YHWH made it easy on us by sending His Son - who martyred Himself on our behalf and made it easy for us to be forgiven WITHOUT taking an animal to the priests to be slaughtered. Yeshua, as you know, was our Final SIN Sacrifice.
Furthermore, people were starting to perform all the rituals because they HAD to, but there was no real love for YHWH. Many didn't have the Holy Spirit and were just going through the motions instead of WANTING to do it for Him. YHWH doesn't want to force anyone to love Him or do ANYTHING for Him if they really don't want to. He gave mankind a choice; they can either truly be His, or not. If not, they can live their lives here on earth doing whatever they want - but then they risk losing eternal life. It's their choice.
Today, most are living however they please without ever giving God a second thought. He allows that. On Judgment Day, however, they will realize what a huge mistake they made...and by then it will be too late!
|