Terry wrote:
It seems to me, David, that Paul observed some of the Jewish traditions
because he wanted to be all things to all people in order to win the lost.
Not because the law any longer required this.
There is no doubt that Paul did not observe Torah in order to be righteous
before God, but I don't think his observances were entirely for political
correctness in order to fit in with the Jewish crowd. I think the primary
reason for his observance was simply tradition, the same way many families
here in the USA might observe Christmas, not to be right with God, but
because of family tradition.
Terry wrote:
I am a Gentile, adopted into the family, and was never under the law. I
have the freedom to worship on any day of the week or every day of the
week. I can eat any food forbidden by the law without affecting my
relationship to my Savior. Why then, would one adopted into the family
have more freedom than one who was born a Jew? What am I missing here?
I think Paul looked at freedom a little differently than you do. So did
James. James was well known for his strict observance of Torah. He made
the most observant Pharisees look slack in their observance of the law, yet
he spoke much about the liberty believers have.
Consider what Paul says in the following passage:
Romans 3:1-2
(1) What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of
circumcision?
(2) Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the
oracles of God.
Notice his statement of, "much every way" in answer to what advantage hath
the Jew, what profit is there of circumcision. I think from his
perspective, the freedom to keep Torah as a Jew was viewed as advantageous.
The area where it created problems was when Gentiles thought they were going
to be redeemed or perfected or made more righteous by keeping Torah. Notice
how Paul does not jump on Jews for keeping Torah. He always jumps on
Gentiles for keeping Torah. Think about that. :-) Also consider that he
himself circumcised Timothy. Why not let someone else do the deed? He
evidently agreed with doing it.
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
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"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you
ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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