[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by afazio

What is it that the Gentiles must "refrain from MEAT SACRIFICED TO IDOLS"

I understand "meat sacrificed to Idols" to be something similar to a Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey, or a bumper sticker supporting the Boston Celtics. You are promoting an idol and that could have a number of negative impacts on others. Even if you yourself are not "an idol worshipper".

Originally Posted by afazio

and "from things strangled"?

I understand this as the "ethical treatment of animals". Yes, you can raise animals for food and kill them, but do it in a humane way and don't support those who are cruel and unethical.

Originally Posted by afazio

What is it that "some came from James" to the churches in Galatia to confuse things so much that Paul had to confront Peter to his face to NOT go along with those who "came from James" (the head elder of the Jerusalem church----and, of course, Jesus' brother),

I believe James has fully and completely addressed this in his epistle and has thoroughly repented for any negative impact that had.

Originally Posted by afazio

and that Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians, had to take such incredible pains to distance himself from those supposed "pillars" in the Jerusalem church ("whatsoever they were makes no difference to me; God is the respecter of no man's person"),

I think his point was not that Peter and John and James were not pillars, but that our faith is not rooted or based in man.

Originally Posted by afazio

and also take pains to delineate how little time he had spent with those brothers OR in the church in Jerusalem.

Further emphasis on how our faith is not based on man. Remember WL talked about how different members were more sanctified than others and that being in their presence would affect your growth. I heard this kind of talk often in Houston, particularly from Ray Graver and MC.

Originally Posted by afazio

And then, what about James' greeting to Paul, where the saints in Jerusalem eagerly boasted to Paul that: "
And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law" (Acts 21:20-21).

I think this falls under the "if in anything you are otherwise minded the Spirit will reveal this to you".