The Jews were taught to keep the entire Law of Moses in order to please God and live better lives. If they kept the entire Law but stumbled in a single commandment, they would be excluded from the promises reserved for the faithful (James 2:10). Centuries later, we see Christians thinking it is still necessary to keep the Mosaic Law, even though Christ fulfilled it, suffering in our place on the cross and setting us free.

Today, we do not need to keep any Old Testament rites, with the exception of the principles that the apostles decided to maintain in response to the pressure placed by Jews upon Gentiles who were converting to Christ: For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things (Acts 15.28). Let's look at the list.

At that time, some Jews went to the new converts whom Paul and his companions were leading to Christ throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and nearby regions, insisting that Gentile Christians must also keep the Law of Moses. Paul and the group that followed him went to Jerusalem so that the apostles could resolve this issue that troubled them. There, they held a meeting in which the apostle Paul and those who opposed him were heard (Acts 15:1-6).

After the resolution, a letter was written and addressed to Paul and Barnabas, in which they said that both they and the Holy Spirit had decided not to impose on Gentile Christians any other burdens than those necessary: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell - (Acts 15.29). They pointed out only four things that should be observed from the Old Testament.

It is worth remembering that Jesus did not abolish the Law of Moses, but fulfilled it. Therefore, we no longer need to concern ourselves with observing its rituals; instead, our focus must be on what Scripture calls the perfect law of liberty, under the new Covenant, established by the blood of the Savior and sealing our communion with the Father forever. After all, if we are in Christ, we are new creatures, and what was old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17).

See what James wrote: But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1.25). The revelations written by the Lord's brother are clear about everything we should and should not do. Don't waste time with the Law of Moses. Pay attention to the Gospel!

Even if we were Jews, after accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, we would be called to observe only the law of liberty in Christ, who set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). At the judgment seat of Christ, those who are born again will give account for what they have done, whether good or evil, through the body, to receive their reward or suffer punishment (2 Corinthians 5:10). Live in Christ, and you will be free!

         In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares