Acts 15 proves that gentiles have never been under the law of Moses

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

This will be a study demonstrating that Acts 15 proves gentiles have never been under the law of Moses. Please feel free to comment.


Acts 15:1-2
​

And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after there was no little strife and debate by Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. Acts 15:1-2​

We read in Galatians that some men troubled the church in Galatia with the same teaching, which Paul called another gospel.

​I am astonished that you are turning away so quickly from the one who called you by the grace of Christ to a different gospel, not that there is a different gospel, except there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7

They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they want to exclude you, in order that you may seek them zealously. Galatians 4:17

Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing! And again I testify to every man who becomes circumcised, that he is under obligation to keep the whole law. You are cut off from Christ, you who are attempting to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:2-4

As many as are wanting to make a good showing in the flesh, these are attempting to compel you to be circumcised, only so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised observe the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised in order that they may boast in your flesh. Galatians 6:12-13​

Notice a few things:

1. The troublemakers came from Judea. They were probably Pharisees from Jerusalem as will be seen later.
2. Their other gospel created much strife and debate. This implies unity existed in Galatia before these men came with their teaching. Paul and Barnabas strongly opposed their doctrine to the point of traveling to Jerusalem for resolution.
3. Those proclaiming this other gospel did not do it for believer's sake, but to exclude them from grace so that they would seek after the teachers of this doctrine.
4. Becoming circumcised meant having to observe the whole law of Moses. Since Paul warned so strongly against this, that clearly indicates that the Galatian church did not observe the law of Moses.

To be continued...

 

[dcontroversal]

ROMANS concludes that All are under the condemnation of the law and the GUILT OF THE WHOLE WORLD!

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

ROMANS concludes that All are under the condemnation of the law and the GUILT OF THE WHOLE WORLD!

Good point.

Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law, in order that every mouth may be closed and the whole world may become accountable to God. For by the works of the law no person will be declared righteous before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20​

My question is, when were the gentiles put under the law of Moses?

We know Israel became subject to the law when they agreed to observe it as the condition of the blood covenant that GOD made with them in Sinai.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Exodus 19:5-8​

The gentiles before Christ were never in covenant with GOD.

 

[dcontroversal]

Good point.

Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law, in order that every mouth may be closed and the whole world may become accountable to God. For by the works of the law no person will be declared righteous before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20​

My question is, when were the gentiles put under the law of Moses?

We know Israel became subject to the law when they agreed to observe it as the condition of the blood covenant that GOD made with them in Sinai.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Exodus 19:5-8​

The gentiles before Christ were never in covenant with GOD.

Study the word "strangers" in the O.T. as the condemnation of the Law was leveled at all men starting with Adam......He broke God's law (singular) and paid the price...death....spirtual and physical eventually....I understand the point you are making as the Gentiles never collectively entered into a covenant relationship with God dia the Law...

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Study the word "strangers" in the O.T. as the condemnation of the Law was leveled at all men starting with Adam......He broke God's law (singular) and paid the price...death....spirtual and physical eventually....I understand the point you are making as the Gentiles never collectively entered into a covenant relationship with God dia the Law...

Well since you raised that prior point I think better understanding is needed (at least by me) on what Paul meant. Why did Paul say gentiles were under the law of Moses when they obviously were never commanded to observe it? The law was part of the covenant.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ephesians 2:11-12​

Where no law is, sin is not imputed. That seems to contradict what Paul said in Romans 3:19.

 

[NotmebutHim]

Romans 2 illustrates this point also.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Romans 2 illustrates this point also.

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified).

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 2:12-16​

So maybe what Paul was saying in Romans 3:19 was that the law speaks to those who are under the law, and they will be judged by that law. But those without (written) law, will perish without (written) law because the law of GOD was written in their hearts "in order that every mouth may be closed and the whole world may become accountable to God."

Yah that makes sense.

So it does appear that Paul did not say in Romans 3:19 that the gentiles were under the written law of Moses (i.e., the letter), but they will be held accountable to GOD because the law of GOD (faith/love) was written in their hearts.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Acts 15:3-4

So they were sent on their way by the church, and passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. And when they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them. Acts 15:3-4​

The fact that Paul and company traveled 500-600 miles from Galatia (part of modern Turkey) to Jerusalem (a journey of several weeks) solely to resolve the problem mentioned in verses 1 and 2, indicates that it was considered to be a very crucial doctrinal issue.

 

[DP]

I don't understand the point the OP is making.

Are those in Christ Jesus (whether as a Jewish or Gentile believer) thinking all of God's laws don't exist anymore for this world???

In 1 Timothy 1, Apostle Paul was actually teaching about sins of the flesh which come directly from his understanding of God's laws, and Paul did this as part of New Testament doctrine...

1 Tim 1:5-11
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;


9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;


11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
KJV

Who doesn't know those sins of murder, manslayer, whoremongers, defilers of themselves with mankind (i.e., homosexuality), menstealers (an enslaver), liars, perjury, etc., are still against God's laws??? This is New Testament doctrine folks by Apostle Paul.

Don't be deceived, for doing those things are still not acceptable as Christian Doctrine. The blind in this world may accept those things as not sins, but we are not to and think to remain in Christ Jesus!

Apostle Paul again outlays this matter in Galatians also, a foundational Book of Christian Doctrine:

Gal 5:13-21
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulful the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.


19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God
KJV



Who doesn't know those "works of the flesh" are still... against God's laws??

Now Apostle Paul spoke that to the Church of Galatians, which definitely included Gentile believers. Did he say anywhere there that all of God's laws are now done away with for those who do those works of the flesh? No.

But IF we walk by The Spirit instead, we will not be doing any of those works of the flesh, which is what Paul did... say there. Paul even said to Timothy that the law is good, IF used lawfully.

Does that sound like Apostle Paul saying all of God's laws are no more, as if they no longer exist? No, he did not. What Paul taught there is that we can put ourselves back under the law IF we do those "works of the flesh" instead of walking by The Spirit. Walk by The Spirit and we will not... be doing those "works of the flesh".

What happens if the Christian slips up by mistake, and does one of those "works of the flesh"? Hopefully it won't be a sin unto death (i.e., death penalty), and the believer will be able to repent to Jesus asking forgiveness, and be cleansed from the sin as per 1 John 1, and then get on with walking by The Spirit instead not doing the sin anymore.


So who are these preachers today that want Christian brothers and sisters to believe things like God's laws are no longer in effect upon wickedness and lawlessness??? Who are those rascals that serve the devil, because those do not... belong to Christ Jesus.

The devil loves it when we think we don't have to be concerned if we do those "works of the flesh" because with all of God's laws gone, then that would mean there is nothing that can judge us. "Ah, don't worry about continued sinning, just believe on Jesus and you'll be saved!", they would say. The devil loves that kind of attitude.

So when a believer messes up doing one of those "works of the flesh", i.e., like murder, and winds up in jail for it, will they then better consider what Apostle Paul said in those Scriptures???

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Acts 15:3-4

So they were sent on their way by the church, and passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. And when they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them. Acts 15:3-4​

The fact that Paul and company traveled 500-600 miles from Galatia (part of modern Turkey) to Jerusalem (a journey of several weeks) solely to resolve the problem mentioned in verses 1 and 2, indicates that it was considered to be a very crucial doctrinal issue.

This may not be right. I assumed that Paul was in Galatia, but I don't think that was the case. So my previous comment needs to be ignored.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

I don't understand the point the OP is making.

The point is fairly straightforward. Acts 15 shows that gentiles were never under the law of Moses. Paul even said as much in Romans 2.

I'm proceeding incrementally, verse by verse.

 

[Least]

This will be a study demonstrating that Acts 15 proves gentiles have never been under the law of Moses. Please feel free to comment.


Acts 15:1-2
​

And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after there was no little strife and debate by Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. Acts 15:1-2​

We read in Galatians that some men troubled the church in Galatia with the same teaching, which Paul called another gospel.

​I am astonished that you are turning away so quickly from the one who called you by the grace of Christ to a different gospel, not that there is a different gospel, except there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7

They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they want to exclude you, in order that you may seek them zealously. Galatians 4:17

Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing! And again I testify to every man who becomes circumcised, that he is under obligation to keep the whole law. You are cut off from Christ, you who are attempting to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:2-4

As many as are wanting to make a good showing in the flesh, these are attempting to compel you to be circumcised, only so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised observe the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised in order that they may boast in your flesh. Galatians 6:12-13​

Nobody has debated that Paul said these things and nobody has disagreed with Paul at all. Nobody has called out for people to go and be physically circumcised. I have actually never seen anyone on these forums make such a statement. I've never seen anyone on these forums tell anyone else that they could be saved by natural means. You can tell a person to jump up and down on one foot while singing Yankee Doodle Dandie to gain salvation, and no matter how long the person jumps, and no matter how loudly the person sings, it's not going to save them. There's only one way into the KINGDOM of Heaven, and JESUS is the way.

See, Paul didn't only speak those words to the Galatians. In Galatians Paul was speaking against natural means for gaining Salvation, but He NEVER EVER spoke against any of God's word because God's word is absolutely true from beginning to end.

On the other side of the coin...(NOT a different doctrine, as you can see.)

Paul also spoke of Spiritual circumcision, and that is exactly what I've seen others speak about who see the comparison with natural aspects of the law.

Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

That is what I've seen others speaking about.

God also called for this in the OT...

And Paul reiterated this.

Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

That's all I've ever seen people speak about who have been accused of trying to put others under the natural law.

This same thing keeps coming up over and over again...

It's gotten to the point that even if the OT is brought up people automatically begin accusing others of trying to bring in some sort of natural law.

When did the saving Grace of Christ ever teach denial of any word that God ever spoke or preserved for that matter.

EVERY single person who has been accused of such things will tell you that they not only agree with the scriptures that you shared, but also with these.

Romans 6:7-22

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; *death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For *sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

This is what I've seen people call for, examining the whole picture, not just parts.


Galatians 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

Interesting that you added that verse, seeing that some have been excluded based on the very accusations being spoken of.





​

 

[DP]

The point is fairly straightforward. Acts 15 shows that gentiles were never under the law of Moses. Paul even said as much in Romans 2.

I'm proceeding incrementally, verse by verse.

But the point I'm making per the Scriptures, is that God's laws have always been in effect, even upon Gentiles, and that because of the "works of the flesh".

Acts 15:19-21
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
KJV

Verse 21 obviously refers to the lands of Israel where the law of Moses was preached each sabbath. Gentiles also attended those services we also know per the Book of Acts.

Those things in verse 20 were commandments to the Gentiles by the Apostles. and they come directly from God's laws back in the OT.


Here again is something Apostle Paul said to the Church:

Rom 2:11-15
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
KJV

Whether the unbelieving Gentile sins without the law, they still will perish without law. It's not pointing to things like the ceremonial and ritual laws given only to Israel which our Lord Jesus nailed to His cross (i.e., ordinances). It's about God's laws He setup in nature for this present world; no one can escape them, regardless of nationality or birth. This is why even non-Israelite nations like ancient Babylon also had laws against murder, etc. It's why even prior to Moses, God told the Hebrews prior to not eat the blood.

And when Gentiles do by nature the things contained in the law, while not having the law, they become a law unto themselves; because by doing them, even unconsciously, they show the work of the law written within their hearts, their conscious even bearing witness. This is how many of the Gentile peoples are very hospitable to strangers that arrive among them, caring for strangers when they are sick, sharing their food, etc. It's showing God's laws written in their hearts and in their conscience.

This is one of the very things The Holy Spirit shows those in Christ Jesus, God's laws are to be written in our hearts and our minds, which gives us the propensity to do them, even while not being aware they were written long ago.

Heb 8:9-13
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord": for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
KJV



So once again, this is not about God's ceremonial and ritual laws of the old covenant that Jesus nailed to His cross. It's about His laws that will continue to exist forever. That above Heb.8 quote from the OT was specifically written to the house of Israel. But that new covenant applies equally to believing Gentiles in Christ Jesus. So this matter is a lot bigger than arguments about following Jewish traditions.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

But the point I'm making per the Scriptures, is that God's laws have always been in effect, even upon Gentiles, and that because of the "works of the flesh".

Acts 15:19-21
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
KJV

Verse 21 obviously refers to the lands of Israel where the law of Moses was preached each sabbath. Gentiles also attended those services we also know per the Book of Acts.

Those things in verse 20 were commandments to the Gentiles by the Apostles. and they come directly from God's laws back in the OT.

I plan on getting to verses 20-21 in due course. You interpretation of them is completely wrong, but I will get to that. It's premature to talk about them now unless you're just trying to derail this thread.

I'd prefer if folks would address the points as they come up, and not jump ahead.

 

[prove-all]

[ Except ye be circumcised] after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

the question was about being physicaly circumcised, the answer was no,
but it is now circumiission of the heart, where his law is written.

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols,
and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

-why else even mention this next verse about being taught every sabbath.

21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him,
being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

 

[prove-all]

Act 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia,
and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Act 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue,
the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

-here was A perfect chance to tell gentials not to follow the commandments,
but here he was teaching new gentials on the sabbath, who never before keep it.

Act 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews
and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them,
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Act 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together
to hear the word of God.

-why not preach the next day, why wait a whole nother week before speaking.

Act 16:12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of
Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

Act 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side,
where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto
the women which resorted thither.

-

Act 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them,
and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

-

Act 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
Act 18:2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy,
with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome
and came unto them.
Act 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them,
and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Act 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath,
and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.


In each case Paul was preaching to Gentiles in Gentile cities on the Sabbath.
it is recorded over 80 times Paul preached to gentials on the sabbath day.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Acts 15:5

But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to observe the law of Moses." Acts 15:5​

This verse makes it obvious that the issue wasn't just circumcision mentioned in verse 1, but also observing the law of Moses. In fact, circumcision and the law were inextricably intertwined. Circumcision was commanded in the law of Moses, but it was also the sole commandment of the Abrahamic covenant.

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. ... and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. Genesis 17:10-11, 14
​

Circumcision was later incorporated into the law of Moses

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Leviticus 12:3​

Circumcision is the only commandment common to both the Abrahamic covenant and the Mosaic covenant (the old covenant). It was a foundational commandment because circumcision was the seal of the covenant of promises to Abraham, and without it a man was cut off from Israel and GOD. It set Israel apart from the rest of the world as GOD's covenant people who agreed to obey his voice at Mt Sinai where they received the law. That is why Paul said that becoming circumcised to partake of the covenant of promises to Abraham obligated one to observe the whole law of Moses.

Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing! And again I testify to every man who becomes circumcised, that he is under obligation to keep the whole law. You are cut off from Christ, you who are attempting to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:2-4​

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Acts 15:6

Both the apostles and the elders assembled to deliberate concerning this matter. Acts 15:6​

 

[Brother_Don]

Acts 15:19-21, Acts 15:28-29, i don't see proof, i just see scripture taken out of context. The whole Word is proof that the gentiles did have rules and regulations given to them. Read my Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

.
Acts 15:7-11

And after there was much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Men and brothers, you know that in the early days God chose among you that the Gentiles through my mouth should hear the message of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. And he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

"So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke [of the law of Moses] that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way those also are.” Acts 15:7-11​

Several things to notice:

• Peter said that teaching to observe the law of Moses was putting GOD to the test, which was sin against the law of Moses.
  
  
  You shall not test the LORD your God, as ye tested him in Massah. Deuteronomy 6:16​

• Peter said the law of Moses was a yoke that neither they nor their fathers were able to bear.

• The yoke of the law of Moses is not the yoke of Christ, because Christ's yoke is easy to bear. The law is harsh and unforgiving, whereas Christ's lordship is gentle and forgiving.
  
  
  Come to me, all of you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to carry and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30​