The Noahide Commands today

[Spirithound]

I understand that the Jews did not, and do not evangelize because they believe that anyone who follows the Noahide commandments can/will be saved. Why do Christians not hold to this belief?

 

[DavidFilmer]

I understand that the Jews did not, and do not evangelize because they believe that anyone who follows the Noahide commandments can/will be saved. Why do Christians not hold to this belief?

The Catholic Church teaches a similar (but more generalized) doctrine which is sometimes called “Invincible Ignorance” - people can achieve salvation apart from any deliberate earthly affiliation with Christ or his Church.

However, there is a big difference between Jews and Christians. Only those who were born Jews could be Jews. There was no path to full communion with Judaism for a gentile. A Gentile might fully accept the Jewish religion, and undergo circumcision, but he would never be a Jew, and would never be accounted among the twelve tribes of the “Chosen People” and never be heirs to the promises that God made to Israel. So, why evangelize? The Jews have nothing to offer their converts.

The Catholic Church (and most Christians) maintain that ANYONE can become Christian, and thus be full heirs to the promises of Jesus Christ (which is more than ‘just’ salvation for those who manage to live their lives according to the dictates of their conscience). Full communion in the Body of Christ is the right of every human being on the earth. So the Church is commanded by Our Lord to preach the Gospel to the whole of humanity and Baptize them in the Faith:

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit (Matt 28:19)

 

[Kaninchen]

However, there is a big difference between Jews and Christians. Only those who were born Jews could be Jews. There was no path to full communion with Judaism for a gentile. A Gentile might fully accept the Jewish religion, and undergo circumcision, but he would never be a Jew, and would never be accounted among the twelve tribes of the “Chosen People” and never be heirs to the promises that God made to Israel. So, why evangelize? The Jews have nothing to offer their converts.

Converts to Judaism are Jews. The point is that there is no ‘disadvantage’ in not being Jewish and you have lots less to do.

There’s been a shortfall of tribes for quite some time.