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Tag: epistle

The Connection of Christ’s Missions
a timeline of ACTS of the Apostles

Twenty-first century followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and believers less immersed in Scripture tend to oversimplify the journeys and any connection of apostles of the first century church.
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Our helpful, but partial view tends to look something like this:
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- A.D. 30 – Peter and the Twelve APOSTLES witness Jesus’ resurrection mostly in Jerusalem
  - In fact, the Twelve all traveled (Peter, certainly back and forth to his wife and family Capernaum) and even as far as Rome where more than 30 years later Peter would be executed by Nero.
ACTS on Mission
- A.D. 47-57 – Paul becomes Christ’s connection to the Gentiles and journeys throughout Europe on three time, taking some others with him.
  - Most 21st c. believers realize that Saul had personally met the risen Christ near Damascus while persecuting followers of the Way of Jesus Christ just 10 years earlier.
  - AND we don’t typically count a crucial connection of the Apostle’s final journey to Rome as a “fourth missionary journey” (~A.D. 60) where he too would be executed in about A.D. 66 or 67 just prior to Rome destroying Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
a Connection of Apostles

JESUS CHRIST is the One connection of Paul’s three missionary journeys we dare not overlook.

Notice that ALL of the apostles sent out on the three missionary journeys of Paul were also sent by the Holy Spirit AND the Church to the Jews, Greeks and Roman citizens.

Luke’s account of the history of the Church carefully and frequently notes their connection to each other and especially to the Holy Spirit — who IS One with the Father and our risen Lord JESUS the Son of man, as well as their resurrected friend and Savior.

From the very beginning of ‘Paul’s’ first mission to Cypress with Barnabas and John Mark we continually see more and more connections of individual apostles to new followers in these church plants.
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See a partial list of these connections to beloved believers of new churches and a more detailed 20 year timeline of Acts in this earlier post.
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Corinth – 1st Church Plant in ACHAIA

‘Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul..’

ACTS of more Apostles

Acts 18:

18 And Paul, having stayed-on considerable days longer, having said-good-bye to the brothers, was sailing-off to Syria— and Priscilla and Aquila with him— having sheared his head in Cenchrea, for he had a vow. And they came to Ephesus. And those ones he left-behind there. And he himself, having entered into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews.
Acts of the Apostles 18:18-19 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
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The Disciples’ Literal New Testament adds two more descriptive headings to our current journey with Paul from the Apostle's second missionary journey to begin his third mission.
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- In Ephesus, Paul Prepares Them For a Future Visit And Then Returns Home To Antioch
  - (Here we see the connections of place with Antioch the church which sent out the Apostles and Ephesus which is about to become a most influential church in Asia Minor both culturally and geographically closer to Rome.)
- Paul Embarks On a Third Journey. Priscilla And Aquila Update Apollos
  - (In these connections of apostles I include: Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos, introduced to us in Luke’s account as we continue on Paul’s THIRD mission into all the world with other apos t les).
And having done some time there, he went forth, going successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Acts of the Apostles 18:23 Disciples’ Literal New Testament

As Paul returns to churches planted in the central inland areas during two previous missionary journeys Luke’s account of other apostles to the gentiles now moves to the coastal city of Ephesus where Apollos – a new believer now proclaims the Gospel alongside Priscilla and Aquila.

Before Luke momentarily moves his account of the acts of apostles from Paul to Apollos, let’s look at one more personal connection of Paul and others to those the apostles of Jesus Christ meet throughout the world of the Roman Empire.

a Connection of Letters

Epistle of Paul to the Romans

Connections to Letters from James

James is leader of the Jerusalem Church in the traditional place where the Lord God has led and shepherded His elect.

Luke has already shown readers of ACTS some important meetings between Peter, Paul and others which included at least one (and probably more) letters from James, the half-brother of Jesus and Pastor of the Jerusalem church, with encouragement for other followers of the Way of Christ Jesus.

Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20

A.D. 49 – the COUNCIL of JERUSALEM (which includes Peter & Paul) sends letters to Churches clarifying application of Mosaic LAW to Greeks and Romans as well as these Messianic Jews.

A.D. 52 – By now as PAUL and other APOSTLES depart on this next missionary journey, these ‘fathers‘ of the Church have sent additional epistles (letters) to encourage the Church beyond their personal and present reach.

New Testament Epistles – Apostolic Letters to the Church
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VISIT our Talk of JESUS .com CATEGORY with posts from any of these NEW TESTEMENT LETTERS
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Contemporary Application of the Letters (Epistles)
Most New Testament writers take on specific issues confronting faithful followers of Jesus Christ. These same issues continue to confront believers until the Lord’s coming again in these last days.
Talk of JESUS .com – Church Letters- Is he writing to me?

Connections already made by letter:

James – Preaching to a Worldly Church – 4

A.D. 49 – from our A.D. 2019 series from the Epistle of James

HOT topics from Galatians – Perversion of the Gospel

A.D. 49 – from Paul, an apostle.. and all the brothers who are with me

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel
Epistle from Paul, an apostle.. To the churches of Galatia 1:6 NKJV
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Here we join Paul in A.D. 52 as the apostle NOW immediately heads to Galatia in person to confirm the Gospel of Christ JESUS to the faithful of these NEW churches.
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A.D. 50 – Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Not ME – the deception of SIN

‘.. you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. – 1 Thessalonians 1:7b

A.D. 51 – also from Paul, Silas and Timothy to the Thessalonians:

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 ESV

The close connection of all of these men sent out (apostles) continues to nurture these churches even as they head out on a third missionary journey with Paul.

AND later (A.D. 55) as they travel toward Ephesus these apostles will again touch the beloved brothers of the church in Corinth from where they have just departed.

ACTS of the apostles TO BE CONTINUED on Paul’s THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY…

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
August 26, 2023
New Testament Epistles – Apostolic Letters to the Church
Epistles of the Apostles

Epistles are a type of letter. Have you ever received a letter with GOOD NEWS?

And consequently didn’t these epistles or letters fill you with joy upon reading from the thoughtfulness of this sender of GOOD NEWS?

Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20

Previously we spoke of a precedent from a council in Jerusalem with Good News for Gentiles
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Just a reminder from our previous post about the HOT Topics of AD 50 clarified by James (NOT one of two among the Twelve, but an apostle of the GOSPEL of the RISEN JESUS, biological half-brother of the Lord):
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An EPISTLE may be a COMMAND or at the very least as in ACTS 15,

AUTHORITATIVE INSTRUCTION to all.

An epistle from any apostle sent out by Jesus Christ contained authoritative instructions from the Lord to first century disciples throughout the world – Good News with Christ’s encouragement from men sent out by Jesus with the Gospel.

WHO wrote to the 1st century Church?

Like most Christians YOU can likely name several apostles who communicated to various churches and church leaders by letter or epistle. These include (in no particular order):
- Peter
- John
- Paul
- James & Jude (the Lord’s biological half-brothers)
- and others (Silas, Timothy, etc.)
Letters in our spare time

My purpose today is to point to the HOT topics of A.D. 50 through the epistles written about the time of Paul’s second missionary journey in Acts of the Apostles.

And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Acts of the Apostles 18:11 – confirming Paul’s length of stay in Corinth

Corinth – 1st Church Plant in ACHAIA

Paul wrote his 1st epistle to the Corinthians five years after is current residence in the city.

Other Epistles & communication (~A.D. 50)
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Let's take a glance at these instructions for the Church ALREADY IN CIRCULATION in A.D. 50 - two decades after the Pentecost the HOLY SPIRIT filled the saints in Jerusalem - chronologically:
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JAMES

James can be reliably dated ca. A.D. 44–49, making it the earliest written book of the NT canon.
Commentary of John MacArthur

THEREFORE, James has already sent out various authoritative instructions to the church (perhaps even in consultation with some of the Twelve) in his epistle already familiar to most believers PRIOR to instructions from the Council of Jerusalem addressing Jews and Gentiles worshipping together in the Hellenist nations of Rome.

A.D. 49 –

GALATIANS

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 * and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:
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* These 'brothers who are with [Paul]' are listed in the Corinth – 1st Church Plant in ACHAIA post above introducing Acts 18.

Once again, John MacArthur helps us with commentary of the timing of Paul's epistle to the Galatians, churches we have already visited earlier in Acts.
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Paul founded churches in the southern Galatian cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (Acts 13:14–14:23). These cities, although within the Roman province of Galatia, were not in the ethnic Galatian region.

source: BlueLetterBible.org commentaries
WHY do we write letters?

OR emails in this 21st century of the Lord’s church?

OR TEXT someone OR MESSAGE someone in some convenient APP?

The Apostle Paul, previously sent out to the Gentiles by Jesus Christ with the Gospel, begins to write back to the members of these churches he and other apostles had planted. It’s not simply a one-time evangelism but BUILDING UP THE CHURCH for the long run.

Once again, and Epistle is a type of letter with an authoritative purpose.

I’ve hinted at our own evangelism of Christian Social Witness many times before.

What would Paul have done in ATHENS had the Apostle had a cell phone?

OR what evangelism for 18 months while in Corinth now would the Apostle Paul utilized had he owned a satellite-connected laptop computer or iPad?
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Of course this begs the question (now that we may so easily 'Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel'):

WHY DO YOU INVEST SO MANY MORTAL HOURS IN THIS SOCIAL TECHNOLOGY 
WITHOUT MENTION OF JESUS CHRIST & THE GOSPEL?
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WHEN do we communicate?

This morning I have already been interrupted in my daily ‘routine’ (if we could manage such a thing) by:
- phone calls,
- emails,
- texts,
- i-messages,
- multiple push notifications for the same HOT topic BREAKING NEWS interruption of the day
  - (similar content to each other and speculative news opinion of what it all means I’ve endured for the past several days)
I’m actually initiating some of my own emails related to other parts of my life having nothing to do with my job BUT by various measure important to my relationships with others in witness of the character of the Good News of the Cross in my eternal life.

WHO do we address in our messages?

Mostly, people we know.

YET often the opportunity to SHARE the Gospel will come at an unexpected time in an unlikely place.

YOU do not have to think of yourself as needing the tools of an anointed evangelist like Philip explaining the Gospel from Isaiah to an official of Ethiopian court,

OR Paul and other apostles sent to the Greeks

OR an annointed 20th century evangelist like Billy Graham preaching the Gospel to many in large stadiums throughout the world.
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Here's a HOT TOPIC for you: IS THERE A HELL?
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Did you realize the multitudes attending the crusades of Billy Graham were MOSTLY unconverted ‘christians’ in need of building up the faith of the Gospel already preached to them repeatedly as members of their own church?

Perhaps YOU are one of these in need of hearing the gospel or you want to TALK OF JESUS but just don’t know where to start.

Would some of YOUR christian brothers and sisters be encouraged by an epistle of GOOD NEWS shared by YOU?

WHY did the Apostles write Epistles?

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all.
Paul’s earliest Epistle [~A.D. 49] to the GALATIANS 1:6-7a NIV

ACTS of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas has already witnessed to us that proclaimers of the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ will be rejected by many AND even persecuted.

YET they continued to proclaim the gospel IN THESE OTHER CITIES OF GALATIA.

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region..

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit..

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there [Iconium], speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders..

[they fled to] cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,

where they continued to preach the gospel.
Acts of the Apostles 13:49,52; 14:6b-7 NIV

Paul’s HOT Topic of his first epistle:

REALLY, apostasy (a rather ‘churchy’-sounding word a professional evangelist might go on to explain).

As we already know from Paul’s first mission these to men of Galatia public opinion is greatly divided in EVERY town with some at the extremes taking extreme measures to ensure that their GOSPEL remains unheard.

(Sound familiar?)

The Apostles wrote epistles to build up the church in general and faithful church leaders specifically.

When we continue chronologically with the HOT topics of these epistles we will talk of JESUS proclaimed to the Galatians and the FALSE GOSPEL the apostle will address in his epistle to them.

WHY NOT COMMENT HERE what YOU think is important about Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
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Summer HOT Topics from the EPISTLES: To be continued...
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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
June 12, 2023
Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20
The Council of Jerusalem has come to a decision. They will write an epistle of instruction to the gentile churches.
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Let's focus for a moment on a HOT TOPIC of A.D. 50 on which future missions of the apostles hinged.

(HOW will JEWS worship with other CULTURES?)

Church leaders ANSWERED with an EPISTLE from their Council in Jerusalem. 
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ἐπιστολή – a written message: — epistle, letter

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:^G1992
Acts of the Apostles 15:30, King James Version

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN AS SOON AS WE MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION IMPACTING EVERYONE?

We send out an epistle or letter or message or broadcast.

AND like any council with authority this council of Church leaders in Jerusalem go back to their followers personally as well. These apostles of the gospel will also send their epistle or letter of instruction with other trusted messengers to churches they cannot encourage personally.
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We're getting a little ahead of today's work of the Jerusalem Council, but I thought it important to DEFINE our term and impact of today's meeting of the Apostles in Jerusalem.
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Lexicon :: Strong’s G1992 – epistolē

– From ἐπιστέλλω (G1989) epistellō –

Outline of Biblical Usage
- to send one a message, command
- to write a letter
- to enjoin by letter, to write instructions
Christians familiar with traditional readings of Scripture from the King James Version recognize an introduction like:

“A reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.”
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The cover letter pictured is an actual parchment of Romans 1:1-7
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Acts of the Apostles 15:30 [above] reads ‘epistle‘ in the KJV.

But most Bibles simply translate it ‘letter.’

You may have seen a similar epistle in Acts 9 where Luke records a previous ‘official letter’ also sent with Paul (aka at that time Saul of Tarsus) from Jerusalem.

Damascus Road: Witness into all the World

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
– Acts of the Apostles 9:1-2 ESV

Christians familiar with the epistles or letters of the New Testament (after Acts) see epistles addressed to an individual church, i.e. Corinth, Ephesus, where these letters were also circulated to churches throughout and beyond those regions.

However this important earlier letter from the Council at Jerusalem was sent to as many churches as possible. And the Apostles gathered in Jerusalem specifically address Gentiles as participants and members.

SO It could have, but was not, named:

The Epistle of the Council of Jerusalem,

TO the Church at Antioch Syria (where it is to be sent) OR due to apostles sent out into all the world:

‘TO the churches of the Gentile Nations.’

Leaders of the Christians in Antioch had requested clarification from the Apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Most Hellenist or Greek church members were Gentiles rather than Jews of the Diaspora.

Acts 15 – Conclusion of Pastor James

Truth for Gentiles who turn to God

Previously, from ACTS 15:6-19

Do not trouble those turning to God

.. we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
but should write to them
to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:19b-20 ESV

Don’t cause trouble. Do not annoy. Do not harass.
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You get the idea; this is what Saul of Tarsus had planned to do in Damascus with the authority of the Jewish Council to persecute the converted.
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ἐπιστρέφω – Lexicon :: Strong’s G1994 – epistrephō
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transitively, a. to turn to the worship of the true God, 
b. to cause to return, to bring back; figuratively, to the love and obedience of God ..
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Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God [theos] from among the Gentiles ἔθνος [ethnos].

YES, God chose the Jews

BUT why would we want to keep those Gentiles whom the Lord our God has drawn through Christ?

AND WHY add requirements which would hinder Gentiles from turning to God?

SO James adjudicates the matter also addressing the concerns of the Jews.

EXCEPT these practices of Jewish Law
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Here, James adds a requirement for the Gentiles but it is NOT circumcision.
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- abstain from
  - the things polluted by idols
  - sexual immorality
  - what has been strangled
  - [from] blood
21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

James .. To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.

A Map [above] shows first century Jewish cities of the Roman Empire to which James refers in an epistle he authored most likely during Paul’s first missionary journey just prior to the Council at Jerusalem.

As you can see, much more communication will be required to cover so many Hellenist cities with Jewish and Christian worshipers.
ἐπιστολή – a written message: — epistle, letter
Acts 15 – Conclusion of Pastor James
Do not trouble those turning to God
EXCEPT these practices of Jewish Law
Scriptural (Old Testament) Reasons for James’ exceptions
Pollutions of idols
Fornication – πορνεία – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4202 – porneia –
Things Strangled – πνικτός pniktós, pnik-tos’
and Blood – αἵματος – αἷμα Lexicon :: Strong’s G129 – haima of man or animals
The Sacrifice of Blood
Leviticus 17: ESV
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Acts 15:20 King James Version — But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
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Scriptural (Old Testament) Reasons for James’ exceptions

Pollutions of idols

– Gen 35:2; Exo 20:3-5,23; Exo 34:15,16; Num 25:2; Psa 106:37-39; Eze 20:30,31;

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I *be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not *be inquired of by you.
Ezra 20:30-31 KJV – *note: Lexicon :: Strong’s H1875 – dāraš

Fornication – πορνεία – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4202 – porneia –
- illicit sexual intercourse
  - adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
  - sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
  - sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11-12
- metaph. the worship of idols
  - of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of *whoredoms and children of *whoredoms: for the land hath committed great *whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Hosea 1:2 KJV note: *Lexicon :: Strong’s H2183 – zᵊnûnîm
from Lexicon :: Strong’s H2181 – zānâ – A primitive root [highly-fed and therefore wanton]

Things Strangled – πνικτός pniktós, pnik-tos’

from G4155; throttled, i.e. (neuter concretely) an animal choked to death (not bled):—strangled.

and Blood – αἵματος – αἷμα Lexicon :: Strong’s G129 – haima of man or animals
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 καὶ τοῦ αἵματος - "from what has been strangled, and from blood." - ESV is best understood in the context of Leviticus, Book of the Priests, which provides some detail about Sacrifices to God, which Christ became by His own Blood, the flesh of our Lord Jesus pierced for our transgressions.
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The Sacrifice of Blood

Leviticus 17: ESV

וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus) 17 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

10 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls,
for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Leviticus 17:11 ESV

12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth.

For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.
Leviticus 17:14 ESV

Letter from the Council

Acts 15:

²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas…

To Be Continued…
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.. with the text of their Epistle authorizing apostles for another mission to the Gentiles. 
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January 10, 2023