James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church, was a completely observant Jew, honored for his righteousness within Jerusalem. This is spoken of by Josephus. James was later martyred for his belief in Jesus, and then mourned by the whole of Jerusalem.
James held that the “royal law” was to “love your neighbor as yourself.” The blessings of the kingdom are promised to those who live according to this law. If anyone judges this law they are declared disobedient to God, and the judge of the law is the one who judges his brother for loving. James 2
Peter was also a completely observant Jew. Peter refused to disobey the law, even when commanded by God to do so in Acts 10. Peter was submissive to Jewish authorities, established by the Mosaic Law, but disobeyed them when they commanded contrary to Jesus. (Acts 4)
Peter was commanded by God to eat unclean food—disobedient to the Mosaic Law— in a vision. (Acts 10) The specifics of the Mosaic law is now optional, dependent on God’s will for that person.
Peter welcomed Gentiles as the faithful in Jesus apart from the Mosaic Law. The tradition of Peter’s people is to not enter or fellowship with Gentiles. However, when Peter had a vision to go to a Gentile’s home, he immediately obeyed God’s new command, although it differed from the old. Peter saw Gentiles receive of the Holy Spirit apart from the Mosaic Law. The Gentiles received tongues from the Holy Spirit, proving their place in God’s new kingdom, apart from any commitment to Moses’ law.
The Jerusalem Church recommended that Gentiles in Jesus not be joined to the Mosaic Law.
(Acts 15) In accord with the actions of the Spirit, the church held that Gentiles who had made no commitment to Moses’ law, but were committed to Jesus are full members of the Kingdom of God.
The Jerusalem Church recommended that Gentiles in Christ obey these universal laws:
a. Be pure from sexual immorality
b. Do not eat blood or things that are strangled
c. Be separated from things contaminated by idolatry
d. Give to the poor
The church did give the Gentiles some regulations to follow, but these are basic commands, apart from Moses’ law.
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