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ESV Global Study Bible :: new testament charts :: Spectrum of Early Beliefs about How Christians Should Relate to the Law of Moses
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ESV Global Study Bible :: Spectrum of Early Beliefs about How Christians Should Relate to the Law of Moses

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Spectrum of Early Beliefs about How Christians Should Relate to the Law of Moses

Identity
Beliefs
Examples
Identity
Beliefs
Gentile (professing) Christians
The law has absolutely no claim on their lives. (Presupposed in Rom. 6:1, 16.)
Identity
Beliefs
Examples
Jewish and Gentile Christians
Christians are not under the law covenant even though they are certainly not free from God's demands. Kosher food laws could be observed and circumcision practiced as pastoral wisdom dictated. (Compare 1 Cor. 9:19-23.)
Paul
Identity
Beliefs
Jewish Christians
They understood and accepted Paul's position, but their personal "comfort zone" was to be observant Jews, at least most of the time. Circumcision and kosher food laws are not necessary for salvation or maturity, and they shouldn't be imposed on Gentile believers.
Identity
Beliefs
Examples
Jewish Christians
Jewish Christians should observe the traditions of the Mosaic code, even if it was acceptable for Gentile believers not to see themselves as under its stipulations.
Certain men from James? (Gal. 2:12a)
Identity
Beliefs
Jewish Christians
Jewish Christians should observe the Mosaic code, and Gentile believers can come to Christ through faith alone. However, the really spiritual should want to obey the Mosaic law code (even if it wasn't strictly necessary for salvation).
Identity
Beliefs
Examples
Jewish (professing) Christians
The new covenant was a renewal of the old covenant; Jesus is the Messiah, but his life, death, and resurrection restored God's people to faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant. Therefore, if Gentiles want to come to the Messiah, they must first become Jews (and be circumcised, observe kosher and Sabbath laws, etc.). (Compare Acts 15:1-35; Titus 1:10.)
"Judaizers"
Identity
Beliefs
Examples
Devout, non-Christian Jews
Christians are mistaken about the identity of Jesus, and the Jewish boundaries should not be opened to the Gentiles. (Compare Acts 21:27-23:11.)
The circumcised (Rom. 4:12a)
ESV

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The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.