I feel some people are forgetting that Israel as a separate nation began to exist with circumcision in Genesis (Bereshit) chapter 17, if you want to learn those laws that were intended for the whole world, just take a look at the same book in the previous 16 chapters, where God is dealing with gentiles only.
During the period of time described there, many people still remembered the One true G-d. Yet, the Lord began to prepare the means to preserve the memory of Himself through a nation that stayed safeguarded by a fence made out of ordinances that were arranged specifically for them. Those laws, given to Israel in Mount Sinai guaranteed the safekeeping of G-d’s truth.
Gentiles were taught moral principles and some ceremonial ones too (specially how to give offerings) before Israel even existed, that took place through Noah and his children as exemplified by Melchizedek king of Salem who wasn’t an Israelite, however since the rest of the world didn’t have Torah as delivered through Moses, gentiles soon forgot or completely distorted their knowledge about G-d.
During ages to come, the one nation that kept worshiping the One true G-d, was Israel alone, until Jesus arrived. In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit came to indwell every single believer, therefore the ceremonial, Israeli nation oriented law, was not necessary to keep people mindful of G-d, instead of that Jesus said:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13
However, Israel was born through Moses Law and the covenant of circumcision given to Abraham. Given the fact that Israel’s purpose on earth, of witnessing to the nations is not finished yet, therefore Israel must keep abiding by the same law that gave birth to her existence. In other words, Jews must remain Jewish as they are until messiah comes back in order to receive the accomplishment of the promises made through the prophets.
“Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” 1 Corinthians 7:24
As for the Gentiles, they don’t need to become Israelites in order to be saved or to be faithful believers, yet they do need to remember that part of the law that was originally intended for them, I honestly believe that Genesis 1 - 16 and Leviticus 18-19, constitute two major references to identify those commands G-d planned for all mankind. I believe my argument is thoroughly supported by Paul (Rav Shaul) whe he explains how faith is actually older than Jewish Law, and how Jewish Law was given to become a sign (protector) of the faith already given to Abraham.
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:2-3
Of course, Paul refers to the period of time previous to Chapter 17, which signals the origin of our faith to a moment that predates Jewish Law. Besides, Jesus’ priesthood also predates Jewish priesthood.
“Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 6:20
Since Melchisedec’s priesthood wasn’t gained through Jewish Halacha customs, then Jesus priesthood wasn’t either. Since Melchisedec’s priesthood was intended for all mankind as Abraham gave his tithes to this priest while he was still a gentile, then Abraham represented both gentiles and Jews in his act of worship. This proves that back then Jewish law wasn’t necessary to be righteous. Yet, it became necessary for the Israelites once Israel was born as a nation.
Jewish law once it was given reflected both those commands that had already been known previously to all mankind and those new commands that were exclusively to be kept by the holy nation. That’s why Noahide laws exist within Judaism, and I can’t avoid the similarity between Acts 15 commands and Genesis 9 commands. I don’t know if James had noahide laws in mind back then, may be not, but it seems to me He was just reminding new believers in Jesus about those universal commands given during the period of time of Noah and his Children.
My final advice is for all Christians to be mindful of that era when everyone was a gentile in order to find out what commands are meant for gentiles and what commands are meant for Jews, because they are not the same.
Blessings to you all!
Dr. Antonio Cordero Jr.
During the period of time described there, many people still remembered the One true G-d. Yet, the Lord began to prepare the means to preserve the memory of Himself through a nation that stayed safeguarded by a fence made out of ordinances that were arranged specifically for them. Those laws, given to Israel in Mount Sinai guaranteed the safekeeping of G-d’s truth.
Gentiles were taught moral principles and some ceremonial ones too (specially how to give offerings) before Israel even existed, that took place through Noah and his children as exemplified by Melchizedek king of Salem who wasn’t an Israelite, however since the rest of the world didn’t have Torah as delivered through Moses, gentiles soon forgot or completely distorted their knowledge about G-d.
During ages to come, the one nation that kept worshiping the One true G-d, was Israel alone, until Jesus arrived. In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit came to indwell every single believer, therefore the ceremonial, Israeli nation oriented law, was not necessary to keep people mindful of G-d, instead of that Jesus said:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13
However, Israel was born through Moses Law and the covenant of circumcision given to Abraham. Given the fact that Israel’s purpose on earth, of witnessing to the nations is not finished yet, therefore Israel must keep abiding by the same law that gave birth to her existence. In other words, Jews must remain Jewish as they are until messiah comes back in order to receive the accomplishment of the promises made through the prophets.
“Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” 1 Corinthians 7:24
As for the Gentiles, they don’t need to become Israelites in order to be saved or to be faithful believers, yet they do need to remember that part of the law that was originally intended for them, I honestly believe that Genesis 1 - 16 and Leviticus 18-19, constitute two major references to identify those commands G-d planned for all mankind. I believe my argument is thoroughly supported by Paul (Rav Shaul) whe he explains how faith is actually older than Jewish Law, and how Jewish Law was given to become a sign (protector) of the faith already given to Abraham.
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:2-3
Of course, Paul refers to the period of time previous to Chapter 17, which signals the origin of our faith to a moment that predates Jewish Law. Besides, Jesus’ priesthood also predates Jewish priesthood.
“Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 6:20
Since Melchisedec’s priesthood wasn’t gained through Jewish Halacha customs, then Jesus priesthood wasn’t either. Since Melchisedec’s priesthood was intended for all mankind as Abraham gave his tithes to this priest while he was still a gentile, then Abraham represented both gentiles and Jews in his act of worship. This proves that back then Jewish law wasn’t necessary to be righteous. Yet, it became necessary for the Israelites once Israel was born as a nation.
Jewish law once it was given reflected both those commands that had already been known previously to all mankind and those new commands that were exclusively to be kept by the holy nation. That’s why Noahide laws exist within Judaism, and I can’t avoid the similarity between Acts 15 commands and Genesis 9 commands. I don’t know if James had noahide laws in mind back then, may be not, but it seems to me He was just reminding new believers in Jesus about those universal commands given during the period of time of Noah and his Children.
My final advice is for all Christians to be mindful of that era when everyone was a gentile in order to find out what commands are meant for gentiles and what commands are meant for Jews, because they are not the same.
Blessings to you all!
Dr. Antonio Cordero Jr.
