The first 15 Bishops of the Church at Jerusalem (true "Mother Church") were circumcised jews. James the Just, first Bishop, was also a high priest in the Temple. Every follower of Yeshuah in Jerusalem observed traditional jewish sacrifices, ritual cleansing, kosher diet, etc. If a non-jewish proselyte (male) desired to convert, he would also have to be circumcised and observe laws. Rome officially recognized the new group as a sect of Judaism.
Simeon ben Clopus (Simeon son of Cleopus), cousin of Yahshua ...
Like James the Just, Simeon evidently came also from a recognized priestly lineage and served as the oppositional high priest who entered the Holy Place
http://biblesearchers.com/hebrewchurch/primitive/primitive15.shtml
Cached
Acts 21:20
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;
Also, notice how St. Paul the Apostle explains that he is BOTH a Jew and a "Benjaminte" -- that is of the tribe of Benjamin.
Clearly, "Jew" is a loose term to refer to ANY Israelite.
Acts 21:39
But Paul said, " I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people."
Acts 22:3
" I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.
Galatians 2:15
"We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles;
Acts 26:4-7
4 "So then, all Jews know (A)my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;
5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
6 "And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers;
7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.
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