The Law

(who & what to keep?)

Regarding the Law,

This is how I understand it currently:

Scripture speaks this (a clear distinction is made between “Jewish” & “Gentile” believers)

In the opening lines if Acts 15:1, we see this confusion as The Jewish believers thought that the Gentiles must keep all the custom of Moses too:

“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)

Probably because The “Jews” have a special role is keeping it being chosen first.

(i) To the “Jews” —> keep the Law.

Proof verse?

“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; 21and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22“What, then, is to be done?They will certainly hear that you have come. 23“Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. ” (Acts 21:20 – 24)

(ii) To the “Gentile Believer” (like me) —-> keep the

(1) “Commandments” (10 Commandments” as Christ the Lord only quoted the 10 Commandments in Scripture when answering “keep the Commandments if you wish to enter into life (age-during life) to the rich man.

(2) Customs of Moses part of the Law, the” Gentile” believer is only needed to keep these things in addition to the above which applies to both Jews & Gentiles because Scripture doesn’t mention any distinction in keeping it like it does with regards to the Law of Moses (as quoted below, different observances requires for Jews & Gentiles, not same for this part):

““But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.” (Acts 21:25)

What are the “full” details of what a “Gentile Believer” should “keep” based on that letter? (only the things quoted below in addition to the 10 Commandments):

Peter makes it clear that the debate is between what to keep in the law of Moses between Jewish versus Gentile Believer:

“After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8“And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ” (Acts 15: 7 – 9)

No additional Yoke is required :

““Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?11“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” (Acts 15:10 – 11)

The the observances for “Gentile believers” as listed as follows by the “approval of the Holy Spirit”:

”
“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:
29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.” (Acts 15:28 – 29)

*An often missed point is that Scripture does make a distinction between Jewish believers vs Gentile believers with respect to “observing whicg parts of the law of Moses” as the verses above prove.

I know it’s a lot of writing but it’s good for you to know how I understand it.

Peace ✌ to you