Christian
So, if Israelites were separated by the 10 Commandments from the Gentiles who have only 7 Laws, how should the two groups relate to each other, or even within their own differing cultures, especially for the new group called Christians. In Acts 15:22-29 we find that James proclaims a minimum of four considerations for both Jew and Gentile believers. These are known as the ‘4 Laws of Fellowship’, and are:
-
No Idolatry
-
No Perversions
-
No meats not properly slaughtered
-
No eating of blood
Please note that there are no laws here about alcohol, smoking, whistling, singing, dancing, chewing gum, or going out with girls that do! (Though, as Paul says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify”. – 1 Corinthians 10:23)
But what is the ‘new covenant’ that Jesus endorsed with His blood? Was it ‘conditional’, with appropriate laws and punishments: only counting if you ‘put your hand up’? Or ‘unconditional’ with the benefits for you-manity being generously bestowed by a loving Father?
