Peter & Paul
When Gentiles Turn To God
July 29, 2017 • Matt Rosenberg
"What do we do with all of the Gentiles turning to God?" was the question on the minds of the Jewish followers of Yeshua. They weren't sure what to do. As Gentiles (people from nations not Israel) were turning to God they asked questions like "should Gentiles become Jews and keep the Torah?" The irony is today most people as "Can you be Jewish and believe in Jesus?" So, the disciples had a council, of sorts, in Jerusalem and the headliners of this meeting were Peter, Paul and Jacob (the brother of Yeshua). They decided, unequivocally, Gentiles should not become Jews but are welcome into the family of God as Gentiles. The bottom line for our community is conversion takes away the the prophetic reality of Jews and gentiles turning to Yeshua as Jews and Gentiles. Jews are Jews, Gentiles are Gentiles and we are all apart of the same family and we are all called by God to bring restoration to the Jewish people and be a light to the nations in the name of Yeshua!
Showdown in Antioch
July 22, 2017 • Matt Rosenberg
In Galatians 2 Paul describes a confrontation with Peter. Sometime in the 1800’s a scholar decided that Peter and Paul didn't like each other and preached different Messages based on this chapter. What really happened is in the context of Peter and Paul throughout the book of Acts and the story is one brother correcting another. They did not preach two different messages, they told the same story to everyone they met: Yeshua came, died, rose and offers the forgiveness of sin to everyone, Jew or Gentile, who calls on the name of Yeshua. That's it, and it's the same story we are telling today because our Messiah is STILL ALIVE!
Light to the Nations
July 15, 2017 • Matt Rosenberg
Paul was uniquely gifted to preach the Gospel to everyone as a Jew born outside of Israel, who trained under famous rabbis and was a Roman citizen. As a Jewish Roman he connected with both Jewish people and greek speaking Gentiles. In the book of Acts Paul quotes Isaiah calling Israel to be a light to the nations. As a synagogue in Seattle we feel like Paul, preaching the Gospel to everyone, restoring the Jewish people and being a light to the Gentiles in the power of the name of Yeshua.
Gentiles & The Holy Spirit
July 8, 2017 • Matt Rosenberg
Peter, the apostle to the Jews, is the first person to lead a Gentile to Yeshua. For about ten years the Holy Spirit had only fallen on Jewish followers of Yeshua following his death and resurrection and the disciples are astonished when the Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles in Acts 10. God uses Peter to open the doors for everyone, now all people, Jew and Gentile, to join God’s family.
From Murder to Messiah
July 1, 2017 • Matt Rosenberg
Paul is a murderer of the disciples of Yeshua. The first time he’s mentioned in the New Testament is at the stoning of Stephen. He is actually on his way to persecute more Messianic Jews, with a letter of permission, from the high priest when he is knocked off his horse and hears Yeshua speak to him and call him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. He doesn't change his name from Saul to Paul, he doesn't convert from Judaism to Christianity but he does encounter Yeshua and turn his whole life to him and the preaching of the Gospel in the context of Judaism. Today, every Gentile who believes in Jesus believes because of Paul. He was the perfect combination of an educated Jew and Roman citizen whose zeal and passion for Yeshua, Judaism and the Torah brought thousands of people, Jews & Gentiles, to God!
Can't Stop, Won't Stop
June 24, 2017 • Matt Rosenberg
The Apostle Peter is a man of extremes. He says some the best things recorded in the New Testament but he also says some of the worst. In the book of Acts, through Peters preaching, thousands of Jewish people come to faith in Yeshua. When confronted to stop preaching in the name of Yeshua he becomes even more bold because was unashamed of Yeshua. You have the same power of the Holy Spirit that Peter walked in and that raised Yeshua from the dead when you believe that Yeshua is the Messiah! It’s time to be unashamed and bold with all that we have seen and heard. It’s time to let people know about the power of the name of Yeshua.
The Good News
June 17, 2017 • Matt Rosenberg
Peter & Paul are two of the most talked about people in history. They both played major roles in the days, weeks, and years that followed the death and resurrection of Yeshua and in the life and practice of the early followers of Yeshua. It is important, from their own writings, to understand the context of Peter and Paul, who they were as Jews and what they believed. Understanding Peter & Paul in context will help us interact with the scriptures in the time that we live with grace and knowledge and lead us towards a greater understanding of The Good News that they preached.