The Biblical Roots Podcast
This is a Bible-based, Christ-focused theology and apologetics podcast hosted by Professor R. L. Solberg. We're here to help defend true, biblical Christianity from false theologies on all sides, from the pseudo-spiritualism of Progressive Christianity to the suffocating legalism of Torah-observant Christianity.
On this podcast we talk theology and apologetics, test the claims of teachers of questionable theology, and offer a range of Bible teachings, including verse-by-verse Bible studies.
The mission of Defending the Biblical Roots of Christianity is to promote biblical literacy (Prov. 7:2), systematically break down teachings that challenge the sufficiency of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), and lift high the beautiful Gospel of Jesus. Our goal is to contribute to the intellectual and theological aspects of making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19–20) and promote freedom from spiritual bondage (Gal. 5:1) while emphasizing unity in the body of Christ (John 13:35).
The Biblical Roots Podcast
Acts 15 & the Law: An Apologetic Bible Study
Acts 15:1–29 records the Jerusalem Council (50 AD) which is where Paul, Peter, Barnabas, James, and other elders gathered in Jerusalem to discuss the pressing question: Are Gentile believers required to be circumcised and keep the old covenant law? In this episode we walk through this passage verse by verse and discover a whole lot about the relationship between Christians and the old covenant law.
Acts 15:1–29 has become a source of great contention among Torah-keepers (Hebrew Roots, Torah-observant Christians, Torahism). They often scramble to re-interpret this passage in a way that allows them to maintain their theology which says that Christians are required to keep the old covenant law with its dietary restrictions, feasts, seventh day Sabbath, circumcision, and so on. As part of our study, we look at an interpretation offered by the influential Hebrew Roots organization 119 Ministries and test their teaching against the text of the Bible to see how it stacks up.
Links mentioned in this episode
Acts 15 - Obedience or Legalism (119 Ministries)
Our Galatians Bible Study
Clean & Unclean Foods - Examining Monte Judah's teaching on the kosher food laws:
Part 1: Sabbath in the Old Testament
Part 2: Sabbath in the New Testament
Defending the Biblical Roots of Christianity
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Prof. Solberg's Blog
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:55 Preamble to the Debate
11:06 Testing 119 Ministries
25:31 The Debate Floor
36:33 The Four Prohibitions
46:02 The Council's Letter
51:16 Two Final Issues
52:24 Are the four restrictions still required today?
54:01 Are Jewish believers under the law?