Under the Law?
Sha’ul (Paul) is unquestionably the most prolific writer of the B’rit Chadashah (“New Testament” or, more properly, “Renewed Convenant”). His letters have been used to justify the Christian doctrines of “faith not works” and “not under the law”. But are his words being interpreted honestly? In this article, I’ll examine the issue of being “under the law”.
Rabbi Sha’ul spent his entire life zealously following Torah, striving to remain sanctified and pleasing to G-d. Even after his eyes were opened on the road to Damascus, he contined walking in Torah while following Yeshua. Would such a man actually write letters telling people to do one thing while he himself did something else?
Take, for example, the decision of the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15:19-20:
“Therefore, my opinion is that we should not put obstacles in the way of the Goyim who are turning to God. Instead, we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from what is strangled and from blood.
At first glance it would appear that Sha’ul is saying that goyim (gentiles) need only do these four things. And, if there wasn’t any more to the passage, that interpretation (which is what is usually given in Christian churches) might be correct. Unfortunately for those who interpret that way, the Council had more to say on the matter:
For from the earliest times, Moshe has had in every city those who proclaim him, with his words being read in the synagogues every Shabbat.” – Acts 15:21
Why would this have been necessary to add if Torah was no longer authoritative and/or goyim were not to follow Torah? Moshe (Moses) certainly never told the goyim that they were not required to obey Torah. Nor did Moshe ever say that these were the only things goyim had to do. In fact, if you read through the Torah, you will find that the requirements of Torah fell to Israel and to the strangers/foreigners among Her.
So why was this added by Sha’ul? The answer seems fairly obvious: The goyim would learn the requirements of Torah when the Torah was read at synagogue.
It was not unusual for gentiles to be present in Jewish synagogues. These people were known as ger toshav (G-d-fearers) and were only required to keep the “Noahide Laws*”. But they were not part of Israel and did not have to keep the Covenant.
But there is another “catagory” (for lack of a better term) for gentiles who wanted a deeper relationship with G-d. Ger tzedek (righteous proselyte), on the other hand, was circumsized, kept the Torah, and was grafted in to Israel.
… and you – a wild olive – were grafted in among them and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree … – Romans 11:17
The Jews did not actively seek converts. They let their lives stand as a light for all people (Isaiah 49:6) to see G-d through them. Most people would see that light and cringe away from it (John 3:19). But others were drawn to it like a moth to a flame (Isaiah 60:3; Rev 21:24). Most of those moths liked to merely circle the flame and feel it’s warmth. But a very small percentage of those, a remnant one might say, would want to become part of the flame.
That remnant are ger tzedek. They became circumsized and lived by the requirements of Torah. They became bound to it just as much as Moshe and Aharon. Indeed, they were adopted (Ephesians 1:5) into the Family of G-d as Sons of G-d.
Today, most Christians say that they don’t live “under the law” and they certainly live that way. Many claim that they are the “new” Israel, as though the “old Israel” (i.e. – the Jews) were no longer G-d’s chosen people. At the same time they say that “the law” is only for the Jews. And yet the Bible says that the Torah is for Israel, not the Jews. So if Torah (aka – the law) is for Israel, and the Christians are the “new” Israel, why aren’t they following Torah?
Yeshua said, “If you love me, keep my mitzvot (commandments).” [John 14:15].
Do you love Yeshua? If so, perhaps you should examine yourself to see if you are doing as He asked.
Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim,
Jason
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* – The Noahide Laws or Seven Laws of Noah are:
1. Prohibition of Idolatry: You shall not have any idols before God.
2. Prohibition of Murder: You shall not murder.
3. Prohibition of Theft: You shall not steal.
4. Prohibition of Sexual Promiscuity: You shall not commit adultery.
5. Prohibition of Blasphemy: You shall not blaspheme God’s name.
6. Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals: Do not eat flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive.
7. Requirement to have just Laws: You shall set up an effective judiciary to fairly judge observance of the preceding six laws.
Tags: Bible Study, Christian, Jew, Law, Messianic, Paul, Sha'ul, Torah, Yeshua
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March 21, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Hi Jason, first of all I dont think that the church has replaced Israel nor do I believe that God is finished with the nation of Israel. I firmly believe that the Jewish people are still God’s chosen people.
But concerning the letter which the council wrote to be read to the Gentile believers, the reason that certain things were to be abstained from, was that the doing of them would be an offence to the Jews who lived in those places and they therefore would reject any attempts by Christians to share the Christian truths with them. In verse 24 it clearly says that the Christian leadership never gave instructions for new converts to keep the law and be circumcised.
By the way I also believe that we are as Christians expected to delight in God’s Law and we are not free to do as we please, because now we have living in us the Holy Spirit who would never lead us to contravene His own ways.
But there are many things in the law which have their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, such as the temple offerings, the Sabbath, the tabernacle, and for those who are in Christ and who live their lives each day in this certainty and in His power these things are being observed. Wishing you every blessing in Jesus our common Saviour, Vince.
March 23, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Vincent,
Your comment shows a lack of understanding and knowledge of both the historical situation as well as practices of the Jews (of whom Yeshua was one). Scripture simply does not back up your assertions. You are relying on the “testimony” of preachers and pastors who have come before you instead of on the Word of G-d.
To begin with, anyone who examines how goyim were treated and viewed in the synagogues will prove that the decision by the Jerusalem Council does not mean what Christians claim. To be present in the synagogue, goyim were required merely to keep the Noahide Laws. But there were not considered to be one of G-d’s Chosen People until and unless they embraced Torah.
Incidently, there is no such thing as a “convert”. The word is “proselyte” and is from the Greek. In Judaism (Messianic or otherwise), there is no such thing as a convert except for one who is currently in the process of undergoing conversion. After conversion is complete, the person is not a “convert” nor a “proselyte”; They are a Jew.
And as for things being “fulfilled” in Yeshua, your words not the words of Scripture. Fulfilling something is not the same as invalidating it or abolishing it, despite what Christian preachers have taught for centuries.
The word ‘Torah’ means “To hit the mark” and is exemplified by an archer hitting the bullseye of a target. To ‘walk in Torah’ means “striving to hit the mark” or, another way to put it is, “living as though you were trying to hit the bullseye”. What Yeshua did was live the law perfectly in every way. This is what to “fulfill the law” means. He did not end, invalidate, or abolish it. He even said that was not what He was here to do!
The reason there is no sacrifice today is because:
1) There is no Temple standing. Sacrifices were offerred in the Temple by Jews (of all flavors) until approximately 70AD when the Temple was destroyed.
2) There is no Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin is the government of G-d’s Chosen People.
3) There is no Cohen Gadol (High Priest) to offer the sacrifice to G-d.
How can the Shabbat be “fulfilled” in Yeshua? He is the Prince of the Shabbat! The Shabbat stands as an eternal mitzvot (commandment)!
I’m sorry, Vince. But you are not obeying Scripture. You are basing your beliefs not on Scripture but on what men teach. That is a dangerous thing for you to do. I only pray that you come to know the Truth before it is too late.
Shalom.