Difference between revisions of "Noahide Law in the New Testament"

From Wikinoah English
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
The 15th Chapter of Acts is traditionally interpreted by Christians as referring to Noahide law. It bases itself on Amos 9:11-12 which says:
+
The 15th Chapter of Acts is traditionally interpreted by Christians as referring to Noahide law.<ref>[http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/chrnoach1.html ''Understanding Acts 15'' by Robert Clanton]</ref><ref>[http://www.haydid.org/spirit2.htm The Spirit of the Law]</ref> It bases itself on Amos 9:11-12 which says:
  
 
:9:11 In that day will I raise up the fallen tent of David, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old; 9:12 That they may conquer the remnant of Edom, and all the nations, upon whom My name is called, saith HaShem that doeth this.
 
:9:11 In that day will I raise up the fallen tent of David, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old; 9:12 That they may conquer the remnant of Edom, and all the nations, upon whom My name is called, saith HaShem that doeth this.

Revision as of 13:26, 25 February 2007

The 15th Chapter of Acts is traditionally interpreted by Christians as referring to Noahide law.[1][2] It bases itself on Amos 9:11-12 which says:

9:11 In that day will I raise up the fallen tent of David, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old; 9:12 That they may conquer the remnant of Edom, and all the nations, upon whom My name is called, saith HaShem that doeth this.

The New Testament quotes the Septuagint's version of Amos which is similar, yet with some differences:

15:16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 15:17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own,’ says the Lord, who makes these things 15:18 known from long ago.

Decree of the Council of Jerusalem

After concluding that circumcision is not required for non-Jews, James, the leader of the Council of Jerusalem says:

15:19 “Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 15:20 but that we should write them a letter telling them to

  1. abstain from things defiled by idols and
  2. from sexual immorality and
  3. from what has been strangled and
  4. from blood.
  5. 15:21 For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Possible Correspondence

One possible correspondence to the Seven Laws is as follows:

  1. idols — Prohibition of Idolatry
  2. (missing) — Prohibition of Blasphemy
  3. (missing) — Prohibition of Homicide
  4. sexual immorality — Prohibition of Sexual Immorality
  5. strangled — Prohibition of Theft
  6. from blood — Prohibition of Limb of a Living Creature
  7. For Moses — Imperative of Legal System

References

  1. Understanding Acts 15 by Robert Clanton
  2. The Spirit of the Law