Noahide Law in the New Testament

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The 15th Chapter of Acts is traditionally interpreted by Christians as referring to Noahide law. Basing itself the Septuagint's version of Amos 9:11-12.

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

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