Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Jewish Converts Would Have all Christians Observe

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Law of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, is a comprehensive set of divine instructions given to the Israelites through Moses, as recorded in the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah. This body of law encompasses moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations that were intended to govern the life and worship of the Israelite community. The Law includes the Ten Commandments, as well as numerous other statutes and ordinances.

Historical Context

The Law was given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. It served as a covenant between God and His chosen people, establishing them as a holy nation set apart for His purposes. The Law was central to Jewish identity and religious practice, shaping their worship, social justice, and daily living.

Jewish Converts and the Early Church

In the early Christian church, a significant issue arose concerning the relationship between the Law of Moses and Gentile converts to Christianity. Many Jewish converts, who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, believed that adherence to the Mosaic Law was essential for salvation and sought to impose these requirements on Gentile believers. This perspective is evident in the early church's struggles, as recorded in the New Testament.

The Jerusalem Council

The Jerusalem Council, described in Acts 15, addressed this controversy. Some believers from the party of the Pharisees insisted, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). The apostles and elders gathered to consider this matter, leading to a pivotal decision in the history of the church.

After much debate, Peter stood up and reminded the assembly that God had already accepted the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He had done for the Jews. He argued that imposing the yoke of the Law on Gentile believers was unnecessary, stating, "Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?" (Acts 15:10).

James, the brother of Jesus, also spoke, affirming that the Gentiles should not be burdened with the full weight of the Mosaic Law. The council concluded that Gentile converts should abstain from certain practices, such as idolatry and sexual immorality, but were not required to observe the entire Law of Moses (Acts 15:19-20).

Paul's Teachings

The Apostle Paul further elaborated on the relationship between the Law and Christian faith in his epistles. In Galatians, he emphasized that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the Law. He wrote, "We know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ" (Galatians 2:16). Paul argued that the Law served as a tutor to lead people to Christ, but once faith had come, believers were no longer under its supervision (Galatians 3:24-25).

The Role of the Law for Christians

While the Law of Moses is not binding on Christians as a means of salvation, it remains significant for understanding God's character and moral standards. The moral principles embodied in the Law, such as those found in the Ten Commandments, continue to inform Christian ethics and behavior. The Law also provides a historical and theological foundation for the redemptive work of Christ, who fulfilled the Law on behalf of humanity.

In summary, the early church grappled with the question of whether Gentile converts should observe the Law of Moses. The consensus, as guided by the Holy Spirit, was that salvation is through faith in Christ alone, and the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Law were not obligatory for Gentile believers. This decision underscored the universality of the gospel and the new covenant established through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 15:1
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brothers, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Things Pertaining to the Kingdom.
... Was the Jewish Sabbath still binding on men's consciences? Was the Seventh Day to
be observed in accordance with the Law of Moses, or was the First Day of ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter v things pertaining to.htm

Letter Lxxv. (AD 404. )
... says, not to Gentiles, who had not been partakers in any former covenant, but to
the Jewish nation. He who has given them the law by Moses, promises in ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxv a d 404.htm

The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and ...
... The status of the Jewish Christians was no subject of ... in his address to the Council,
"Moses from generations ... expected to observe the ceremonial law, and that ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 34 the synod of.htm

Paul in Jerusalem.
... The Jewish converts, while they received the gospel, believed ... exempted the Gentiles
from the Jewish law, and subjected ... to circumcision and the ritual of Moses. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxv paul in jerusalem.htm

The Charter of Gentile Liberty
... Why should the reading of Moses every Sabbath ... the constant promulgation of the law
made respect ... feelings (even if mistaken) of Jewish Christians advisable, and ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/the charter of gentile liberty.htm

Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. )
... and the matter of observing in our day these Jewish ceremonies, although ... that "we
have received grace for grace for the law was given by Moses, but grace ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxii a d 405.htm

Easter Tuesday
... comparison to the thrust Paul dealt the Jewish leaders. ... to come and elevate them
with their Law and manner ... position, and to spread abroad their Moses and their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter tuesday 2.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians
... It came, as Jewish traditions said, from God and the angels to Moses, the mediator,
and from ... Thus the promises are greater and more gracious than the Law. ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xii the epistle of.htm

Acts XVI
... of Ishmael and Esau were during the period of the law of Moses. ... were everywhere needed,
in order to unite in harmonious fellowship the Jewish and Gentile ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvi.htm

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot ... whole multitude of believers
in the Jewish capital deliberated ... they were "all zealous of the law," [83:1 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm