All Law & Prophets – Which Law Applies to Jewish vs Gentile believers

Firstly, a common question:

If others are wrong, how come God blesses them?

Reply:

God loves His enemies and is kind to the ungrateful and evil too even in giving His ‘Blessing’ —–> as implied by the phrase “for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” —-> in verses below, can you SEE it?

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:35, KJV)

“so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:45, NASB)

A natural question follows next:

If so, why should I obey?

Reply:

To be more blessed and gain Greater Rewards in His Kingdom of the Heavens (as Matthew 5:19, verse in image implies too in His Unchanging Principle).

Regarding obedience, please consider:

Acts 21:24 —-> Jewish believers may keep the Law.

Acts 21:25 —> Gentile believers certain parts of the Law (Acts 15:29) only —> together with other “Written” Commands “only” as found in New Testament verses toward Gentile believers (1 Corinthians 14:37) which covers all the 10 Commandments except Sabbath which is allowed either way (Colossians 2:16, Romans 14, optional things from the Law of Moses which are allowed ‘either way’, e. g. Romans 14:5).

Please consider the write ups below (and links therein proving these points and mentioning other points with ‘verses’ for ‘each claim made’) for further edification & thank you for taking time to read it!

Matthew 5:19 applies in Principle here since it refers to “all Law and Prophets” (Matthew 5:17, Luke 16:16) where Christ Alone Fulfills all of it without fail (Matthew 5:18) but we are commanded to keep our part according to whether we are born as Jewish believers (Acts 21:24) or Gentile believers (Acts 21:25, 1 Corinthians 14:37) respectively according to this New Covenant Age as our Blessed Saviour Commanded us “to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20, NASB) in the Great Commission itself. The phrase “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20, NASB) in the Great Commission itself proves the observance is according to New Testament verses as how the Lord Wills through the Commands of His Apostles only (e.g. 1 Corinthians 14:37 toward all Gentle believers via the apostle of the Gentiles, Paul himself in WRITING).

We are not Saved (i.e. including the reference to ‘entering into His Kingdom’, Matthew 5:20) by our righteousness (Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:20) but by the Righteousness of God Alone by the Faith of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22) which is Given to us Freely as a Gift (Romans 3:24) by His Mercy (Titus 3:5) but the observance of His Commands according to the New Testament verses (Matthew 28:20) which pertain to us with respect to being born as a Jewish (e.g. Acts 21:24) vs Gentile believer (Acts 21:25) pertains to being ‘least or greatest’ in the ‘kingdom of the Heavens’ (Matthew 5:19).

1) Commandments – Legalism or Love? is Hate Loving Less?

www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/commandments-legalism-or-love-is-hate-loving-less/

2) Sabbath and Pork Dilemma for Gentile Believers

www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/sabbath-and-pork-dilemma-for-gentile-believers/

Peace to you

P/S:

Regarding Acts 15, comments:

The context or question was which part of the Law of Moses was to be observed by the Gentiles not including the 10 commandments

“But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5, NASB)

Since the 10 commandments are not mentioned in Acts 15, that was not in question here.

“Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1, NASB)

Context to whom it is written: “any Gentile believer” (Acts 15:19) = “Gentile believers” (e. g. Acts 15:29, Acts 15:20, Acts 21:25) , not Messianic Jews only or other groups.

Regarding Sabbaths,

We cannot be judged for Sabbath observance for Gentile believers (Colossians 2:16) means it can be kept or not by personal choice as Romans 14:5 implies in all generality for things or topics mentioned in these verses or chapter only (Context).

Hebrews was written to Jewish audience (Hebrews 1:1) and similarly the Book of James (James 1:1) who may keep the Law (Acts 21:24) proving context here.

Romans 14:5 speaks generally about any sacred day which includes the Sabbaths which can be observed either way as implied in this verse in all generality as Colossians 2:16 means too as that’s the meaning of “let no one judge you”.

For if apostle Paul wanted to command Sabbath observance, he would have written to observe it which he did not.

Please note that the one judging others regarding Sabbath observance are those who keep it and hence the phase “no one judge you” points stronger to ‘not observing it’ for Gentile believers.

How about foreigners?

The foreigners mentioned in Isaiah 56:6 refers to proselytes from among foreigners who live among the Jewish people in the Nation of Israel ONLY and not New Testament Gentile believers living in other nations , wrong context .

These foreigners in Isaiah 56:6 are those living in the nation (physical location of Israel ONLY) as Ezekiel 47:22 implies as well. Please also note the word “Covenant” in Isaiah 56:6 which refers to the existing Old Covenant at that time and NOT The New Covenant. Those proselytes from among the foreigners mentioned in Isaiah 56:6 are given the blessings mentioned in that chapter for their faithfulness.

Please also the phrase “For My salvation is about to come” (Isaiah 56:1, Context) which speaks about time for OBSERVING Isaiah 56:6 as a “Gentile proselyte” during the time of the Old Covenant ONLY —-> that is, referring to the time before His Salvation was Revealed where such Gentile proselytes observing the Sabbath & His Old Covenant are commended (Isaiah 56:6) —-> as His Salvation has come (Luke 2:30) for which the waiting is over (Genesis 49:18) —-> as His Salvation is Lord Jesus Christ ONLY, which is the meaning of the phrase “For my eyes have seen Your Salvation” in Luke 2:30, NASB.

For the rest of Gentile believers, Colossians 2:16 with Romans 14:5 stands for the New Covenant.

Summary

1) Jew & Proselyte distinction

Proslyete (or converts to Judaism, e. g. Esther 8:17, Isaiah 56:6) from among the foreigners (Leviticus 19:34, Ezekiel 47:22) or Gentiles (Matthew 23:15) are NOT Jews.

In Acts 2:10 – 11, we find the word “proselyte” (which means ‘Gentile converts to Judaism’) together with the word “Jews” in this same verse proving distinction clearly.

In fact, other ‘races’ are also mentioned in Acts 2:10 – 11 proving further that the term “Jew” when it is used in the New Testament verses means any blood descendants of Jacob only, being Israelites (e. g. Romans 3:29).

Thus the term Jew NEVER refers to any Gentile convert in the New Testament. The Classical Talmudic Jewish definition does NOT apply in the New Testament usage as the ‘generality’ in Acts 2:10 – 11 disproves this.

2) Gentile vs Gentile believer

In the New Covenant, Gentiles refer to the non-Jew races and the term ‘Gentile believers’ refer to those ‘who believe in Lord Jesus Christ’ from among them.

3) Converting from Gentile to become Jewish

Initially, some Jewish believers (Acts 15:1, Acts 15:5) made the ‘same doctrinal mistake’ as some messianic Jews are doing today which is namely, “converting” Gentile believers into Jewish believers.

Not one New Testament verse says that Gentiles may convert into becoming Jews as the practice in Esther 8:17 has ceased with the Old Covenant and does NOT apply in the New Covenant Age now as we shall see the ‘same verses & decision’ made by looking closely at the verses in Acts 15 discussing this (proving context irrefutably).

4) Torah

The decision made for ‘any Gentile believer’ (Acts 15:19) —> is to obey the four things from the Torah or Law only (Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29).

There is NO extra burden/yoke (e. g. Tithes observance, circumcision etc.) for Gentile believers as Acts 15:10 implies.

The 10 commandments is NOT mentioned anywhere in this passage (Acts 15) & hence it’s not on discussion here. Please see points in quoted write ups later.

The “tithes” verses such as Matthew 23:23 speaks to a Jewish context under the Old Covenant when it was still in force & Christ did NOT use it to teach tithing toward Gentile believers and neither should we.

The Gospel to the Gentiles was given much later only and the initial Gospel context is Israel only (Matthew 15:24). To understand how the Gospel is to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7), God appointed apostle Paul as apostle of the Gentiles thus we are commanded to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 3:17) the decisions in his WRITTEN letters as Commands of the Lord (please note the word WRITE in 1 Corinthians 14:37 to realize this).

5) Extra Obedience

No extra obedience to the Torah can be preached as doctrine toward Gentile believers —-> unless it is WRITTEN in other New Testament verses as the Context of 1 Corinthians 14:37 or 2 Thessalonians 2:15 allows —–> and preaching such ‘extra obedience’ based on what apostle Paul did NOT WRITE (implied) is NOT commended by God but rather the contrary is implied, in that those doing so are putting “God to the test” (Acts 15:10) which sounds pretty ‘serious’ to me. Can you see it?

Please also note the phrase “no greater burden” (Acts 15:28, NASB) for the decision made in Acts 15:29 which implies this ‘same’ meaning. Where is the verse which says that extra obedience can be preached to the Gentile believers?

Please also note that the “Holy Spirit” of God has endorsed this “no greater burden” to be added from the Torah beyond these four essentials (Acts 15:29) as it is WRITTEN in Acts 15:28 itself. Let us be careful lest we preach against a decision which is “Good” to the Holy Spirit of God Himself. To respect is to obey. Indeed, obedience To His Word (including His Decisions) is better than any ‘extra sacrifices’ (1 Samuel 15:22).

6) Saved

We are Saved by His Grace only for both Jewish and Gentile believers (Acts 15:11, Ephesians 2:8) —-> and it has nothing to do with keeping the Torah or the Law under the New Covenant (Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:20) —-> via His Mercy only (Titus 3:5) —> through the Righteousness of God imputed upon us by the Faith of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22) which is with NO contribution from the Torah/Law (Romans 3:21) —-> “freely” too as a Perfect Gift of God (unmerited, undeserved and unearned, Romans 3:24, Romans 11:29, James 1:17) —-> where our Law observance and obedience to the New Testament verses (His WRITTEN Commands too, 1 Corinthians 14:37) toward Gentile believers or Jewish believers would determine our reward level in His Kingdom of the Heavens (Matthew 5:19).

7) Changes

Jewish believers must not forsake the Law/Torah (Acts 21:20, Acts 21:24) even when they live among the Gentiles (Acts 21:21).

Similarly Gentile believers must obey the Law (Acts 15:29) and THE WRITTEN New Testament commands (1 Corinthians 14:37) which applies to them accordingly too (Acts 21:25, Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29) even if they live among Jews or Gentiles (Acts 15:19, Acts 21:19, Acts 15:21).

For example, are we able to clearly see that these verses (Acts 21:25, Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29) all speak the “same” meaning (1 Corinthians 1:10)?

Remember, only the ‘antichrist or antichrist spirit’ will seduce one to try “change God’s Law” as it is so clearly implied & WRITTEN in Daniel 7:25. Can we see it?

Can we understand it or do we reject all these verses?

There are NO changes allowed to the New Testament verses and commands as decided by the apostles and elders (e. g. Acts 15:6, Acts 15:22) and these decisions are ‘Good’ to His Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28), right?

Yes. This is True since God NEVER Changes from the Fact that His Word (Decisions, Principles) which are to be “obeyed” by the specific audience (e. g. Jew vs Gentile believers or male vs female) according to the “Covenant” (e. g. The New Covenant which is in Force now) —-> till the end of this age as the Great Commission itself mentions in the phrase “to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20, NASB) means the way apostle Paul was mandated as apostle of the Gentiles to demonstrate what commands to obey as a Gentile believer (1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Corinthians 11:1) —-> and we are only to follow those leaders who teach this exact same things as apostle Paul (Philippians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 1:10) —-> simply because obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) —–> where Lawlessness is to be rejected (Matthew 7:23) —-> to avoid “confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33) —-> to not be rebellious, being “contentious” against the commands found in these verses as to respect authority is to obey (1 Corinthians 11:16) —-> for “Rebellion” is like “witchcraft” & “insubordination/stubbornness” is like “idolatry” when it refers to REJECTING the WORD OF THE LORD (e. g. New Testament verses) as 1 Samuel 15:23 certainly implies!

Can we REALLY see it (Matthew 7:20 – 23)?

Indeed, God does NOT change His Word for a Covenant which is to last till the end of the age (Matthew 28:20) as it is WRITTEN in verse below too:

“My covenant I will not violate, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.” – God (Psalm 89:34, NASB)

Another brief example of ‘simply quoting Old Testament verses’, please consider:

“For the LORD will execute judgment by fire

And by His sword on all flesh,

And those slain by the LORD will be many.

“Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens,

Following one in the center,

Who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice,

Will come to an end altogether,” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:16 – 17, NASB)

Please note the phrase “Who eat swine’s flesh” (Isaiah 66:17, NASB) who are included to be “slain by the LORD” (Isaiah 66:16) in “judgment by fire” (Isaiah 66:16, NASB) till they “come to an end altogether,” (Isaiah 66:17, NASB) .

So, do you & your pastor eat swine’s flesh?

The same way of misquoting the above verses is what is done say toward Isaiah 56:6 with regards to the Sabbath too as these verses point to Jews and proselytes who were supposed to hold fast to the Old Covenant during that age (past).

“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day–,” (Colossians 2:16, NASB)

or

“Let no one, then, judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a feast, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths,” (Colossians 2:16, YLT)

I am not quoting it ‘out of context’ since Colossians 2:16 mentions both “meat” (which includes pork) as well as the word “Sabbaths”. Thus the phrase “let no one judge you” in Colossians 2:16 must mean the SAME as it means to “eating” (YLT) or “food” (NASB) or “meat” (KJV) —> (e.g. pork eating) as when it refers to “Sabbaths”. Can you SEE it?

In other words, if “let no one judge you” in Colossians 2:16 when it applies to “Sabbaths” means that ‘must observe Sabbath according to the Torah’ (example: Isaiah 56:6) —> then certainly the phrase “let no one judge you” in Colossians 2:16 when it refers to “food” (or meat or eating) must mean likewise in analogy to –> ‘must observe food/meat/eating according to the Torah’ (example Isaiah 66:16 -17) —-> which clearly prohibits ‘swine’s flesh’ (pork, Deuteronomy 14:8). Can you REALLY SEE it?

Truth is, these things ‘only’ are allowed either way as Colossians 2:16 & Romans 14 mentions under the current New Covenant as discussed in details in the posts aforementioned.

In other words, under the New Covenant time for this age (now), only New Testament verses apply as Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the One Who Declared “all meats/foods clean” (Mark 7:19) and thus He commands apostle Paul likewise (1 Corinthians 14:37) in WRITTEN New Testament verses regarding Sabbaths (Colossians 2:16 with Romans 14:5) too as discussed.

‘One Verse is enough to end any false teaching’ – Anonymous