Acts 15 proves that gentiles have never been under the law of Moses
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simply put: Num 15:15
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD.
Num 15:16
One lawland one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
if anyone wanted to join the children of Israel, (Gods chosen people)any could ,provided the were educated in and adhered to the laws, statutes. and judgments, contained in the 1st 5 books of the bible, when our Savior came to this earth He showed us the way to the new covenant (jer. 31:31-34) in order to become one of His chosen people one would be grafted in (see Rom. 11 starting in the 17th verse and onward) also see Romans 10:12 you see the way to life is ONLY through our Savior, and at the proper time (only God knows it) He draws us to the Savior, and He raises us up... (John 6:44) so any who choose to respond to the Drawing of the Holy Spirit can and will receive the life and have right to the tree of life in His kingdom.
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD.
Num 15:16
One lawland one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
if anyone wanted to join the children of Israel, (Gods chosen people)any could ,provided the were educated in and adhered to the laws, statutes. and judgments, contained in the 1st 5 books of the bible, when our Savior came to this earth He showed us the way to the new covenant (jer. 31:31-34) in order to become one of His chosen people one would be grafted in (see Rom. 11 starting in the 17th verse and onward) also see Romans 10:12 you see the way to life is ONLY through our Savior, and at the proper time (only God knows it) He draws us to the Savior, and He raises us up... (John 6:44) so any who choose to respond to the Drawing of the Holy Spirit can and will receive the life and have right to the tree of life in His kingdom.
This is how I see it in a nutshell. The Jews were called in promise to Abraham who was called to be the Father of many nations. The law was to show the goodness of God in wise living but also in mercy and protection. GOd worked wonderfully for them in order that Gentiles would come and join themselves to Israel which God made provision for. Those who did do this did indeed come under the letter of the law as you put it.
however many who obeyed the law as given to Moses were not under the letter but actually by faith had the law on their hearts. They had faith in the coming messiah and saw the allusions to it in the law. Thus while keeping the letter they were men and women of faith.
The law was given to the Jews but it was for the world.
however many who obeyed the law as given to Moses were not under the letter but actually by faith had the law on their hearts. They had faith in the coming messiah and saw the allusions to it in the law. Thus while keeping the letter they were men and women of faith.
The law was given to the Jews but it was for the world.
Circumcision was required even of the Gentile in the OT, before anything else. Circumcision was the rite of passage if you will into the law of Moses. That was the big issue around Acts 15, now that the Gentiles believed Christ they needed to be circumcised (code for being brought under thebteachings of the Law).
L
Wow, finally someone speaks the truth about the OT Gentiles.
Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.
Sometimes certain things get so debated when all it takes is a simple look into what the scriptures say about it.
And these were the ones that joined themselves to Israel. There are distinctions, I like the examples of the Philistines, who were not joined to Israel, as an example of that distinction.
Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.
Sometimes certain things get so debated when all it takes is a simple look into what the scriptures say about it.
And these were the ones that joined themselves to Israel. There are distinctions, I like the examples of the Philistines, who were not joined to Israel, as an example of that distinction.
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But now circumcision is no longer required...
Ephesians 2:11-16 KJV
[11] 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; [12] 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: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us ; [15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; [16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Ephesians 2:11-16 KJV
[11] 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; [12] 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: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us ; [15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; [16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
In fact circumcision should be of our heart:
Rom_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.
Deu_10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Deu_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.
Jer_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.
While they had to circumcise the flesh this was only a outward sign of the true circumcision of the heart by promise. As Abraham was given the sign but it was by Promise:
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Rom_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.
Deu_10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Deu_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.
Jer_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.
While they had to circumcise the flesh this was only a outward sign of the true circumcision of the heart by promise. As Abraham was given the sign but it was by Promise:
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
I doubt there were many gentiles who wanted to become part of Israel, except perhaps during its glory days. I think most would have been content to be half proselytes, as these gentlemen probably were.
Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up in order to worship at the feast. So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and began asking him saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man will be glorified. John 12:20-23
Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up in order to worship at the feast. So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and began asking him saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man will be glorified. John 12:20-23
L
God made this clear, and Paul reiterated it.
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Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
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.
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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.
Acts 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Acts 7:50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Notice how similar the words are the Stephen spoke in Acts 7, to the verse above in Deuteronomy?
That has always been the case.
God even told them that he gave them the land, NOT because of their goodness.
Deuteronomy 9:6 Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.
It has never been about people earning salvation through their own righteousness. It's always been about faith in God and seeking HIS ways which are always just, right and true.
There's so much more on this in the scriptures, as you know.
I had thought that might be the case, but the context seemed to indicate a wider outreach towards the gentiles. I can see, though, how that could also possibly apply to Hellenists. Wasn't the hellenist/judean conflict something that only the Judeans were concerned with? I can't imagine Jesus worrying about something like that.
So non-Jews weren't allowed in Jerusalem during festivals? Not familiar with that.
So non-Jews weren't allowed in Jerusalem during festivals? Not familiar with that.
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