There is a phrase used by the religious christians to imply that Paul believed in the commandments of the Old Testament by taking that phrase out of context within those verses of what Paul was really talking about which was Jesus Christ.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Paul was not talking about the commandments of the law that was written in the law and in the prophets that he was believing in.
Paul was talking about "the way" as Jesus is the way of which the condemning Jews were calling it heresey.
Paul would not be condemned by the religious Jews if Paul was talking about all the commandments written in the law & the prophets.
Paul was talking about what was considered heresey about the prophesies concerning Jesus being the way as Paul testified of having that hope toward God of what was written in the law & the prophets.
So just because the phrase "the law & the prophets" is being used, it does not always refer to the commandments in the Old Covenant. It is how it is used in the verses that one can discern with His help, that what was written in the law & the prophets was about prophesy.
More proofs as followed below:
This is how Jesus used the phrase "the law & the prophets" of what was prophesy of John the Baptist.
Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
So Jesus referred to the prophesy written in the law & the prophets regarding John the Baptist just as Paul was talking about the prophesies in the law & the prophets concerning the way, Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Here is one such prophesy of what Paul alluded to of Jesus being the way.
Isaiah 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me. 17 Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
May God cause the increase as we read His words with discernment and wisdom to guard against religious vain zealism of the day.
Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Salvation is a free gift.
It is the call of discipleship & the consequences for not following Him that religious christians fail to see that it is NOT the loss of salvation that will occur, but the loss of rewards like crowns and the loss of reward for having that place of honour in respect to the King and to attend the Marriage Supper.
So may every believer look to the author & finisher of our faith to help us lay aside every weight & sin to run that race for the high prize of our calling to remain by His grace & by His help, a vessel unto honour in His House to attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Working to save yourself is an iniquity to depart from with His help, otherwise, by doing that work, you are denying Him as the Saviour.
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Paul was not talking about the commandments of the law that was written in the law and in the prophets that he was believing in.
Paul was talking about "the way" as Jesus is the way of which the condemning Jews were calling it heresey.
Paul would not be condemned by the religious Jews if Paul was talking about all the commandments written in the law & the prophets.
Paul was talking about what was considered heresey about the prophesies concerning Jesus being the way as Paul testified of having that hope toward God of what was written in the law & the prophets.
So just because the phrase "the law & the prophets" is being used, it does not always refer to the commandments in the Old Covenant. It is how it is used in the verses that one can discern with His help, that what was written in the law & the prophets was about prophesy.
More proofs as followed below:
This is how Jesus used the phrase "the law & the prophets" of what was prophesy of John the Baptist.
Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
So Jesus referred to the prophesy written in the law & the prophets regarding John the Baptist just as Paul was talking about the prophesies in the law & the prophets concerning the way, Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Here is one such prophesy of what Paul alluded to of Jesus being the way.
Isaiah 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me. 17 Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
May God cause the increase as we read His words with discernment and wisdom to guard against religious vain zealism of the day.
Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Salvation is a free gift.
It is the call of discipleship & the consequences for not following Him that religious christians fail to see that it is NOT the loss of salvation that will occur, but the loss of rewards like crowns and the loss of reward for having that place of honour in respect to the King and to attend the Marriage Supper.
So may every believer look to the author & finisher of our faith to help us lay aside every weight & sin to run that race for the high prize of our calling to remain by His grace & by His help, a vessel unto honour in His House to attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Working to save yourself is an iniquity to depart from with His help, otherwise, by doing that work, you are denying Him as the Saviour.
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.