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We no longer serve the letter of the law. We have been crucified with Christ and are dead. We have become a new man in the image of Christ. We now serve by faith and spirit.
Sin is still sin, however, and sin is lawlessness. The Law was our shoolmaster that taught us what sin is. Grace is not a license to sin.
We simply no longer sin, but when we do sin (a sin that does not lead to death aka a mortal sin) then the spirit convicts us and we repent. For he is faithful and just to forgive us.
If we intentionally sin a mortal sin, (a sin that leads to death, a sin deserving of death in the old covenant) then we are in trouble, the spirit leaves us. For we abide in Christ by “obeying his commandments”, us in him and he in us, just as he obeyed his Father's commands. We best be getting back on track, if we continue in mortal sin then we can longer be brought to repentance for we crucify Christ all over again and trample under foot the son of God and the blood of the covenant.
Read John 15, we need to stay fruitful in the true vine or we are pruned and tossed in to the fire and out of the kingdom.
We no longer serve the Law in the old way. We serve by faith and by spirit. We serve Jesus's fulfilled version of the Law. Read the sermon on the mount. The Old way says that we are holy if we do not murder, the new way says we should not even hate. The old way is not true godliness when only the letter of the Law is followed. That kind of righteouness is as filthy rags.
Jesus actually narrowed the Law, far from abolishing it. We actually have to die to self, crucify the flesh to follow Jesus version. But that is why the yoke is light and the burden easy. Because it is no longer us, but Christ in us that lives.
We have the counselor and the comforter, the Holy Spirit, who gives us the fruits of the spirit, these fruits aid us. The Holy spirit convicts us of sin and sets us back on track, if we abide in Christ the spirit gives us more grace and we have the peace that passes understanding.
We truly have to be more righteous than the scribes and pharisees if we are to see the kingdom of God.
The letter of the law has been fulfilled for us, but we are expected to keep the spirit of the law.
Matthew 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.So the Law will be there until the next age, so it is relevant today.
2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,But it is by God's grace that we are saved. The Law is the mark which we should live in order to live a righteous life. But we humans have all sinned and fallen short of that mark. So the Messiah came to us under the Law to become a sacrifice for our sins under that law, in order to fulfill the laws required punishment for us, namely death. He set us free from the curse of the law. The Law is made for the sinner, not the righteous and we have been made righteous in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1: 9
We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,Romans 5:21
so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.So righteousness is given to us through Jesus Christ and the Law is not made for us while we are in Jesus. But that doesn't make the law irrelevant. While there is sin, the Law is relevant. But Christ is the end of the Law for us, because he has dealt with our sin. The next scripture sums this up nicely.
Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith:Now listen to the words of Christ to the Keepers of the Law in Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices, mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law, justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.Here we can see that Christ condemned the Pharisees not because they didn't obey the letter of the law, because they did. No, he condemned them for not obeying the spirit of the law, which is justice and mercy.
This is why Christ said in Matthew 23:2-3 to do as they say, but not as they do.
2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.If we love God with all our heart, soul and mind and we love our fellow man as we love ourselves, then we fulfill the law in spirit.
Romans 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.Galatians 5:14
The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.Romans 13:8-10
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.Therefore we are to keep the spirit of the Law lest we become like the Pharisees who only kept the letter of the law. Jesus fulfilled the letter of the law for us and if we are to keep the spirit of the law, we must love and show mercy. In doing such things we fulfill the law and the lack of love and mercy will incur the judgement of God.
I will conclude with Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Hi,
The law was given to the Jews.
Ever since Jesus came men have been trying to apply it to the gentiles.
It is not their law and failure to obey all in the law is impossible so it can only now offer death.Quote (Nick Hassan @ Oct. 18 2009,07:45) Hi,
The law was given to the Jews.
Ever since Jesus came men have been trying to apply it to the gentiles.
It is not their law and failure to obey all in the law is impossible so it can only now offer death.
So gentiles are allowed to live without obedience to God?Hi BD,
Gentiles do already live in disobedience to God if they reject His Son[jn3]and after death judgement awaits.Those who are not under the law will perish without regard to the law.[rom2.12]
Only eternal life found in the Son of God can rescue both Jew and gentile from the wrath of God.. except for God's mercy.
Quote (Nick Hassan @ Oct. 18 2009,15:42) Hi BD,
Gentiles do already live in disobedience to God if they reject His Son[jn3]and after death judgement awaits.Those who are not under the law will perish without regard to the law.[rom2.12]
Only eternal life found in the Son of God can rescue both Jew and gentile from the wrath of God.. except for God's mercy.
So gentiles who accept Christ can continue whatever their habits were? Paul told them not to let anyone judge them for their traditions so even homosexuality or other illicit sex acts would be okay?Many people think that I uphold the law because they think that because I do uphold the law I find Salvation. They are totally and desperatly wrong, it's because I have found salvation through the Lord that I can uphold the Law because the curse was nailed to a tree, and because that curse was taken away, I can openly take my repentant plea straight to my Lord himself.
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law within my heart. Psalm 40:8
But this the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: Ezekiel 11:19
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do. Ezekiel 36: 25-27
For this 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: Hebrews 8:10
This the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Hebrews 10:16
Appears to be a transference and not an abolishment.
From an earthly priesthood to an heavenly priesthood.
Quote (Constitutionalist @ Oct. 19 2009,11:46) I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law within my heart. Psalm 40:8 But this the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: Ezekiel 11:19
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do. Ezekiel 36: 25-27
For this 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: Hebrews 8:10
This the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Hebrews 10:16
Appears to be a transference and not an abolishment.
From an earthly priesthood to an heavenly priesthood.
What a great Post! God bless you!In the Halloween thread I said something that after reflection I realize was false. Instead of trying to find that post, I'll put my detraction here since this is the subject matter.
The Mosaic law WAS done away with at the cross. Those married to the law died to that spouse (Rom. 7:1-3) so they could be married to a new spouse: Christ.
I was trying to emphasize that the law was “fulfilled”. But I think I wrote “not abolished.” While the spirit of the law was not abolished. The letter was.
Please accept my detraction here.
Sorry for the confusion.
Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 19 2009,18:17) In the Halloween thread I said something that after reflection I realize was false. Instead of trying to find that post, I'll put my detraction here since this is the subject matter. The Mosaic law WAS done away with at the cross. Those married to the law died to that spouse (Rom. 7:1-3) so they could be married to a new spouse: Christ.
I was trying to emphasize that the law was “fulfilled”. But I think I wrote “not abolished.” While the spirit of the law was not abolished. The letter was.
Please accept my detraction here.
Sorry for the confusion.
So the letter of the law was abolished meaning that Murder is no longer Murder?Quote (bodhitharta @ Oct. 20 2009,05:06) Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 19 2009,18:17) In the Halloween thread I said something that after reflection I realize was false. Instead of trying to find that post, I'll put my detraction here since this is the subject matter. The Mosaic law WAS done away with at the cross. Those married to the law died to that spouse (Rom. 7:1-3) so they could be married to a new spouse: Christ.
I was trying to emphasize that the law was “fulfilled”. But I think I wrote “not abolished.” While the spirit of the law was not abolished. The letter was.
Please accept my detraction here.
Sorry for the confusion.
So the letter of the law was abolished meaning that Murder is no longer Murder?
Murder is still murder…the spirit of the law is still in force.Cutting the sides of your hair or not cutting off your foreskin…not a direct moral issue without commandment.
Murder is still a moral issue even without commandment.
Hi CON,
We are not speaking of the Spirit led behaviours but those of men attempting to make themselves righteous.
Do you think this is what God wants?Catholic Apologist”
Quote The Mosaic law WAS done away with at the cross. Those married to the law died to that spouse (Rom. 7:1-3) so they could be married to a new spouse: Christ.
I am going to say you are taking Paul literally as Jesus states that the Law would not disappear until heaven and earth did.
Judges 2:1(NIV) reads:
Quote The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you,
I am going to say that Paul was just stating the Law of Mosses was fulfilled by Jesus' death on the cross. A point I believe he was making to counter those foolish ones who were teaching you had to become a Jew in order to enter God's kingdom. Even according to the law of Mosses that teaching was nonsense.
When Paul went to Jerusalem James asked him to go through ritual cleansing to prove to his fellow Jews that he was still a Jew. The same was not requested of the Gentiles who were with them though James and the Council acknowledged they were part of the Kingdom of God.
I am fairly sure that if we went though the Law we would find that what was decided in the council of Jerusalem about Gentiles is already mentioned in the Law of Mosses.
Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 24 2009,01:59) Catholic Apologist” Quote The Mosaic law WAS done away with at the cross. Those married to the law died to that spouse (Rom. 7:1-3) so they could be married to a new spouse: Christ.
I am going to say you are taking Paul literally as Jesus states that the Law would not disappear until heaven and earth did.
Judges 2:1(NIV) reads:
Quote The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you,
I am going to say that Paul was just stating the Law of Mosses was fulfilled by Jesus' death on the cross. A point I believe he was making to counter those foolish ones who were teaching you had to become a Jew in order to enter God's kingdom. Even according to the law of Mosses that teaching was nonsense.
When Paul went to Jerusalem James asked him to go through ritual cleansing to prove to his fellow Jews that he was still a Jew. The same was not requested of the Gentiles who were with them though James and the Council acknowledged they were part of the Kingdom of God.
I am fairly sure that if we went though the Law we would find that what was decided in the council of Jerusalem about Gentiles is already mentioned in the Law of Mosses.
The Jewish Council expected the Gentiles who except their ways who wish not to become a Jew would atleast keep the Laws of Noah.The Seven Noahide Laws
The following are the seven commandments, comprising six negative precepts and one positive. There is much more that remains as explanation and commentary, but this article will limit itself to a few insights after presenting the list itself.
Idolatry is forbidden. Man is commanded to believe in the One G-d alone and worship only Him.
Incestuous and adulterous relations are forbidden. Human beings are not sexual objects, nor is pleasure the ultimate goal of life.
Murder is forbidden. The life of a human being, formed in G-d's image, is sacred.
Cursing the name of G-d is forbidden. Besides honoring and respecting G-d, we learn from this precept that our speech must be sanctified, as that is the distinctive sign which separated man from the animals.
Theft is forbidden. The world is not ours to do with as we please.
Eating the flesh of a living animal is forbidden. This teaches us to be sensitive to cruelty to animals. (This was commanded to Noah for the first time along with the permission of eating meat. The rest were already given to Adam in the Garden of Eden.)
Mankind is commanded to establish courts of justice and a just social order to enforce the first six laws and enact any other useful laws or customs.
“These seven laws are implicit in God's commandment to Adam and Eve in Gen. 2:16-17, “And the Lord God commanded the man saying 'From all the trees of the garden you may freely eat'.”
In the Talmud, Rabbi Yochanan explains:
The word “commanded” (VaYetzav) is a reference to laws of justice for it says in Gen. 18:19, “For I have known him so he will COMMAND (Yitzaveh) his children after him to keep the way of the Lord and righteousness and justice.”
“And the Lord” (HaShem) implies the prohibition of blasphemy. As it says in Lev. 24:16, “He who blasphemes the name of THE LORD (Hashem) shall die.”
“God” (Elokim) is a reference to idolatry for it says in Ex. 20:3 “You shall have no other Elokim before me”.
“The Man” (Ha Adam) is the prohibition of murder. God explicitly commands Noah (Gen. 9:6), “If one sheds the blood of THE MAN (Ha Adam), by man shall his own blood be shed.”
“Saying” (Laymor) refers to sexual misconduct or adultery, as the prophet Jeremiah (3:1) says, “Saying (laymor), if a man divorces his wife…”“From all the trees of the Garden” is an implicit prohibition of theft. It shows that permission is needed to take something that is not explicitly yours.
Likewise, “you may eat” implies that there are things which may not be eaten (the limbs of a live animal).
THE SEVEN LAWS OF NOAH
THEFT
against stealing
against committing robbery
against shifting a landmark
against cheating
against repudiating a claim of money owed
against overcharging
against coveting
against desiring
a laborer shall be allowed to eat of the fruits among which he works (under certain conditions)
against a laborer eating of such fruit (when certain conditions are not met)
against a laborer taking of such fruit home
against kidnapping
against the use of false weights and measures
against the possession of false weights and measures
that one shall be exact in the use of weights and measures
that the robber shall return (or pay for) the stolen objectJUSTICE
to appoint judges and officers in each and every community
to treat the litigants equally before the law
to inquire diligently into the testimony of a witness
against the wanton miscarriage of justice by the court
against the judge accepting a bribe or gift from a litigant
against the judge showing marks of honor to but one litigant
against the judge acting in fear of a litigant's threats
against the judge, out of compassion, favoring a poor litigant
against the judge discriminating against the litigant because he is a sinner
against the judge, out of softness, putting aside the penalty of a mauler or killer
against the judge discriminating against a stranger or an orphan
against the judge hearing one litigant in the absence of the other
against appointing a judge who lacks knowledge of the Law
against the court killing an innocent man
against incrimination by circumstantial evidence
against punishing for a crime committed under duress
that the court is to administer the death penalty by the sword
against anyone taking the law into his own hands to kill the perpetrator of a capital crime
to testify in court
against testifying falsely
* This point is disagreed upon by different writers: “The Noahites are not restricted in this way but may judge singly and at once.”HOMICIDE
against anyone murdering anyoneILLICIT INTERCOURSE
against (a man) having union with his mother
against (a man) having union with his sister
against (a man) having union with the wife of his father
against (a man) having union with another man's wife
against (a man) copulating with a beast
against a woman copulating with a beast
against (a man) lying carnally with a male
against (a man) lying carnally with his father
against (a man) lying carnally with his father's brother
against engaging in erotic conduct that may lead to a prohibited unionLIMB OF A LIVING CREATURE
against eating a limb severed from a living animal, beast, or fowl
against eating the flesh of any animal which was torn by a wild beast … which, in part, prohibits the eating of such flesh as was torn off an animal while it was still aliveIDOLATRY
against entertaining the thought that there exists a deity except the Lord
against making any graven image (and against having anyone else make one for us)
against making idols for use by others
against making any forbidden statues (even when they are for ornamental purposes)
against bowing to any idol (and not to sacrifice nor to pour libation nor to burn incense before any idol, even where it is not the customary manner of worship to the particular idol)
against worshipping idols in any of their customary manners of worship
against causing our children to pass (through the fire) in the worship of Molech.
against practicing Ov
against the practice of Yiddoni
against turning to idolatry (in word, in thought, in deed, or by any observance that may draw us to its worship)BLASPHEMY
to acknowledge the presence of God
to fear God
to pray to Him
to sanctify God's name (in face of death, where appropriate)
against desecrating God's name (even in face of death, when appropriate)
to study the Torah
to honor the scholars, and to revere one's teacher
against blasphemingPromoting Harmony is the Key:
When a person becomes a Christian, what becomes of his or her religious past?
Must all previous pious practice be left behind?
Or may some be made fit patterns for the new life in Christ?
A patient thinking through of Luke's teaching on the Christian, the Old Testament law and religious tradition, as modeled in Paul's conduct, will give us guidelines by which we can make judgments about our own religious past.
Joy over the Successful Gentile Mission (21:17-20)
At the home of Mnason, Paul receives a “warm welcome” from fellow Christians.
Since Luke does not specify that only like minded Hellenistic Jewish Christians so greet Paul and his party, we should probably think of a delegation representative of the whole Jerusalem church.
From them news of his coming would filter back to all segments of the church (v. 22).
The next day there is a respectful reunion, an official reception by the chief elder, James, half-brother of Jesus, and the church's ruling elder board.
Then Paul offers a praiseworthy report.
As at the Jerusalem Council, he reported in detail (idiomatically, “one item after another”) what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry (Acts 15:12, 14; also see 14:27; 20:24).
Luke's phrasing reminds us that anything accomplished through a ministry from the Lord, for the Lord and in his name is, in the final analysis, accomplished by the Lord alone.
This is a necessary reminder, for often we are so busy doing our demographics, planning our outreach strategies, preparing our people and materials for our next big advance for God that we forget that he must do the work.
True ministry for him will always be ministry by him.
When the elders heard this, they praised God (edoxazon, “were glorifying”).
Not unlike Jesus' “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem (Lk 19:37-38), Paul's arrival is surrounded by praise.
Interestingly, after reporting the glorifying of God at Jesus' birth, for his teaching and especially his healing ministry, and at the way he died, Luke makes the salvation of the Gentiles his crowning reason for praise (Acts 11:18; 13:48).
Indeed, if we bear the mark of grace we will respond in praise when we hear of saving grace coming to others.
That grace will be especially evident when they are persons against whom we were formerly prejudiced because of race, class or culture.
Praise for their salvation is the only proper starting point for building a framework of harmony within which all can deal properly with their religious past.
False Reports About Paul's Teaching (21:20-22)
In full spiritual unity, the elders point out to Paul that massive numbers of Jews, . . . all of them . . . zealous for the law, have become believers.
These may be the converted Pharisees of Acts 15:5.
Literally “zealots for the law,” they lived out their loyalty to God by combining ardent nationalism with strict observance of the whole Mosaic code.
Phinehas, Elijah and the Maccabees were their worthy predecessors (Num 25:10-13; 1 Kings 19:10, 14; Josephus Jewish Antiquities 12.271).
These converts have been particularly troubled by reports that Paul has been teaching Diaspora Jews to turn away from Moses.
This phrase translates apostasia, which refers to either political or spiritual rebellion (2 Chron 29:19; 1 Macc 2:15; Acts 5:31, 39; 2 Thess 2:3).
Specifically, Paul is alleged to have instructed these Jewish believers to stop having their children circumcised and “to stop walking according to the customs” (so the prohibitions should be understood).
While it is easy to see how such implications might be drawn from Paul's teaching of a law free gospel, there is no evidence that Paul ever instructed Jewish Christians this way (Rom 2:25-30; Gal 5:6; 6:15).
In fact, Paul was most scrupulous not to offend the conscience of the “weaker brother,” the Jewish Christian who maintained ancestral customs, and even went so far as to have Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3; Rom 14:1–15:13).
Our religious past can make distortions of the truth attractive to us, especially those that reinforce our pride in loyalty to our traditions.
What can be done to overcome such falsehood, which always threatens to bring disunity to the church?
Conciliatory Respect of Ritual Observance (21:23-26)
The church leaders counsel Paul to combat words with action.
Four pious but indigent men in the congregation have taken on themselves a Nazirite vow of limited duration (Num 6).
By abstaining from products of the vine, not cutting their hair and avoiding ritual impurity, they have been showing thankfulness for past blessings, earnestness in petition or strong devotion to God.
The multianimal sacrifice and cleansing ceremony at the end of the vow period, when the hair is cut and offered to God, is financially prohibitive (6:13-20).
Paul is asked to bear the expenses of the four.
This was a commonly recognized act of piety (Josephus Jewish Antiquities 19.294).
To do so he must go through a seven-day ritual cleansing himself, because he has recently returned from Gentile lands (m. Oholot 2:3; 17:5; 18:6; Num 19:12).
The intended result is that the rumors about Paul will be shown to be baseless and he will be seen living in obedience to the law.
Lest Paul's action be misunderstood in another direction, as making Jewish custom normative for Gentile Christians, the elders hasten to add that the Jerusalem Council decree is still in place (Acts 15:20, 29).
The next day Paul begins his own ritual purification and declares to temple authorities the date that the Nazirite vow, here called the days of purification (Num 6:5 LXX), would be completed through a sacrificial ceremony (m. Nazir 6:7).
What does the elders' counsel to Paul say about Luke's view of Christians and their religious past?
Before we can draw general principles, we must deal with unique and theologically significant factors concerning the Jewish law.
At its core was divine revelation in three aspects: moral, civil and ceremonial.
Surrounding that were oral tradition and rabbinic exposition.
Luke's use of terminology often prevents us from easily distinguishing which aspects of the law he is referring to.
Still, Luke's use of the term customs does seem to show he is aware of the difference between divine revelation and human tradition (15:1; 21:21; 26:3; 28:17).
And there may be a distinction in Luke's thinking between the moral, ceremonial and civil aspects which will enable us to make decisions about normativeness based on content (Lk 10:25-28).
If we focus on the divine revelation component of a Jewish Christian's religious past, the Old Testament law, we can see Luke says it has no relevance for salvation (Acts 13:38-39; 15:10-11).
While the moral aspect is universally normative (Lk 10:25-28; 18:18-23), Luke also sees a positive use for the ceremonial laws, to aid Jewish Christians in the expression of their piety.
He does not make these laws binding on Gentiles, however. Only when Gentiles are in the company of Jewish Christians with scruples should they keep ceremonial ritual purity, and then not beyond what God mandated in the Old Testament for aliens living in Israel.
What guidelines does this incident yield for today?
There is a large measure of freedom, but that freedom is to be used to promote (1) the advance of the gospel and (2) the unity of an ethnically diverse church.
So long as our conscience is not bound by non-Christian traditions and practices and the Christian gospel is not syncretized with the thought behind non-Christian practice, our pre-Christian religious past, properly cleansed, may move into a transformed spiritual future.
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