When you first repent of your sins and understand how displeasing your past actions were before your Father, your first desire should be as in Acts 2:38 "baptism" in the name of Yahwshua (יַהְוְשֻׁעַ) and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. (Contact us about baptism in the name of Yahwshua.) Then, this now brings you within the New Covenant. What next? You should now be seeing yourself as a part of Israel (Gal. 6:16; Jacob 1:1). This was similar to how the permanent "stranger" or "sojourner" (not visitor, Deut. 14:21) was portrayed in Scripture (Exod. 12:19), with one law for the land-owning native citizen and stranger. This is the same process we see in Acts 15 but the believers then faced a roadblock in the Way.

 

Covenant Blood: Circumcision and Sacrifice?

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In Acts 15 when Gentiles joined the Way a debate is found about whether circumcision (males) was also necessary. What is its significance? It is connected with the other Covenant made with Abram and those who would like to partake in the inheritance. In the Talmud converts entering the Covenant are said to require three things: circumcision, immersion and sacrifice. Some people in Jerusalem, false brothers who were formerly Pharisees, were also saying the first one. For believers in the risen Messiah neither circumcision nor sacrifice could apply. The blood of circumcision along with the sacrificial sphere including Passover are fleshly (bloody) remnants of the old covenant, but the Messiah's blood fulfills all sacrificial requirements (Gal. 5:2, Heb. 7:18, Heb. 9:10, Heb. 9:26). Ishay Rosen-Zvi cites Tannaitic (first two centuries) Midrashic material showing circumcision was paired with Passover as a means of "redemption." Paul writing to the Galatians primarily about circumcision explains "works of law" does not justify any flesh (Gal. 3:21), a point made even clearer by the author of Hebrews (if different) speaking about animal sacrifices not being able to fully atone for sins (Heb. 7:11, 25; Heb. 8:7; Heb. 9:9–10). Also worthy to note is the finding of the phrase "works of the law" in a Dead Sea Scroll manuscript 4QMMT (מעשה התורה) with a clear connection at least in some of the halakoth (rulings) to sacrifices made in the Jerusalem temple.

 

Now, with that roadblock removed, the process is you are brought into the New Covenant by faith in the blood of the Messiah, being justified (made righteous) from past sins, and receive His grace (pardon) for the punishment due (Rom. 3:21–26). Now, you are in a much stronger position than in the Old Covenant having the Holy Spirit written in your heart reminding you and the continual blood of Messiah for any further mistakes.

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Gentiles: "Biblical" Strangers Not Talmudic "Righteous Gentiles"

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The focus in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem council is seeing the Gentiles as the "ger" (stranger) from the Torah who joins to Israel and is connected to the Covenant (Exod. 12:48–49; Exod. 20:10). So, Jacob (ιακωβος) in deciding the matter gave four instructions (Acts 15:20) for the new Gentile believers. As you investigate the four from the Hebrew Scriptures you can see that they are four of the many commandments that specifically mention the word "stranger" or "sojourner" as equally responsible with the Israelite in keeping them—one Torah (law) for homeborn (land-owning native citizen) and stranger. (Contact us and request the study "Gerim in the Torah" emailed to you providing all the references in Torah and Jacob's four here.)

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From that context it is clear Jacob never had in mind a "Righteous Gentile" where they would keep only this smaller four laws into perpetuity. Please study this point and look at the stranger from the Torah and not from rabbinic halakoth, that defined two groups: 1) Ger toshav (Righteous Gentile—who keeps seven Noahide laws) and 2) ger she-nitgayyer (Ger who has converted) or also called ger tzedek.

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Jacob pointed Gentiles to the four laws specifically mentioning "strangers" for their "immediacy" of application in their walk (seen in our study "Gerim in the Torah"):​

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• pollution of idols (and connected practices) (Lev. 17:8; See also Deut. 12:1–3)

• fornication (Lev. 18:26)

• what dies of itself (unclean) (Lev. 17:15)

• blood (Lev. 17:10, 12–13)

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Jacob was not done, but added: learn Moses on the Sabbath (Acts 15:21). Why? Here is an indirect acknowledgement that they would be keeping Sabbath, again just as the biblical "stranger" (Exod. 20:10). So, the goal is to learn the Torah, especially applying the way Messiah taught its spiritual intent (Matt. 5–7). Hate in your heart against your brother is as bad as murder (Lev. 19:17)? Yes!​ Next, look at each of the Ten Commandments. You are already obeying most of these as well, right? The original intent of the Messiah and the NT message was to do better with the Law (Rom. 3:31). The learning process is not to be seen burdensome but as a joy. Never get anxious about what most around you are doing, but look to Scripture, pray, and fast in your journey in the New Covenant. Fear not, but have faith as the Spirit is with you in that journey.

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Now, with that aside, let's begin keeping the four now: