Here the 4 questions I asked The Very Reverend ChatGPT.
Would a literal reading of the Bible conclude that the Gentiles were under the law of Moses?
Would a literal reading of the Bible support the idea that Gentiles were given the 10 commandments?
Are the gentiles judged apart from the law?
Would Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, tolerate circumcision or the law for gentiles?
ChatGPT said:
A literal reading of the Bible provides clear answers to these questions, as we consider the text of the New Testament in its original context, especially the writings of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Let’s address each question systematically.
1. Were the Gentiles under the Law of Moses?
No, a literal reading of the Bible shows that the Gentiles were not placed under the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses was given specifically to Israel as part of the covenant at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20, Deuteronomy 5:1-3).
Paul consistently teaches that the Gentiles were not under the Law:
2. Were Gentiles given the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments were a central part of the Law of Moses, given explicitly to Israel:
3. Are Gentiles judged apart from the Law?
Yes, Gentiles are judged apart from the Law of Moses. Paul emphasizes this in Romans 2:
No, Paul strongly opposed imposing circumcision or the Law of Moses on Gentiles. This issue was central to his ministry and was addressed explicitly in his letters and at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).
Key points from Paul’s letters:
This council definitively ruled that Gentile believers were not required to keep the Law of Moses or be circumcised. The apostles, including Paul, concluded that salvation is through grace, not adherence to the Law:
Summary: A Literal Reading
Would a literal reading of the Bible conclude that the Gentiles were under the law of Moses?
Would a literal reading of the Bible support the idea that Gentiles were given the 10 commandments?
Are the gentiles judged apart from the law?
Would Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, tolerate circumcision or the law for gentiles?
ChatGPT said:
A literal reading of the Bible provides clear answers to these questions, as we consider the text of the New Testament in its original context, especially the writings of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Let’s address each question systematically.
1. Were the Gentiles under the Law of Moses?
No, a literal reading of the Bible shows that the Gentiles were not placed under the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses was given specifically to Israel as part of the covenant at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20, Deuteronomy 5:1-3).
Paul consistently teaches that the Gentiles were not under the Law:
- Romans 2:14-15: "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves."
- Ephesians 2:11-12: Paul reminds the Gentiles that they were once "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise."
2. Were Gentiles given the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments were a central part of the Law of Moses, given explicitly to Israel:
- Exodus 20:1-17 introduces the commandments with, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This context applies directly to Israel.
- Deuteronomy 5:2-3 reaffirms that this covenant was made with Israel at Sinai.
3. Are Gentiles judged apart from the Law?
Yes, Gentiles are judged apart from the Law of Moses. Paul emphasizes this in Romans 2:
- Romans 2:12: "For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law."
- Gentiles, who were "without the law," are judged based on their response to the moral law evident in creation and conscience (Romans 1:18-20, Romans 2:14-15).
- Jews are judged by the written Law of Moses.
- Gentiles are judged by the internal moral law and their response to the revelation of God in nature.
No, Paul strongly opposed imposing circumcision or the Law of Moses on Gentiles. This issue was central to his ministry and was addressed explicitly in his letters and at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).
Key points from Paul’s letters:
- Galatians 5:2-4: Paul warns Gentiles against circumcision: "Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing... You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law."
- 1 Corinthians 7:18-19: Paul states that "circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters," emphasizing faith and obedience rather than physical signs.
- Galatians 2:3-5: Paul refused to have Titus, a Gentile, circumcised, despite pressure from certain Jewish believers.
This council definitively ruled that Gentile believers were not required to keep the Law of Moses or be circumcised. The apostles, including Paul, concluded that salvation is through grace, not adherence to the Law:
- Acts 15:10-11: "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."
Summary: A Literal Reading
- Gentiles were not under the Law of Moses. The Law was given exclusively to Israel.
- Gentiles were not given the Ten Commandments as part of a covenant but were accountable to a moral law written on their hearts.
- Gentiles are judged apart from the Law of Moses, based on their conscience and response to God's general revelation.
- Paul rejected circumcision and the Law for Gentiles, emphasizing salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the Law.
You go to chatgpt but you won't read the linked article.
Wow!