"Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."
Today's quote relates Paul's first meeting with Timotheus, a man whom Paul would come to love as his own son, as well his brother in Christ.
Timotheus, or "Timothy", his mother a Jew and his father Greek, was considered in all essence to be a Greek, therefore was not circumcised. As is stated in today's quote, Paul, under pressure from the local Jews, caused Timothy to be circumcised. Not because it was required within the doctrine of Christ, but because of the pressure placed one him by the powerful Jews.
This is very important example is proof that there was sufficient heavy outside influence upon the early Churches so as to actually cause heretical changes to their policy as well as in the doctrine they taught. I suppose they considered those things okay so long as they were helping get the message of God's saving grace through Jesus Christ spread among the people.
This is important to us today because as we study the bible and learn of the things that transpired within the early Churches, we should acknowledge that those outside influences no longer exist and the restrictions that lie outside the commandments of Jesus Christ, and that are still being practiced today, should be stricken from the way we teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
The following is a list of those things that were forced upon the early Churches that are not included in, or required by, the doctrine that was taught by Jesus Christ: Circumcision, water baptism, some of the foods we eat, dress codes for clergy, and many of the rites that have been injected into modern "Christian" doctrine.
There will be more coverage of this subject as these lessons continue.~
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