Why did some 1st century Jews accept Paul's teaching?

[Metamorphoo]

I have a question that I have mulled over for about seven years now. I would be interested in hearing other people’s thoughts on it.

Paul’s theology on the Mosaic Law–that it was no longer binding because of Christ’s work–was certainly radical to the 1st century Jews (whether they followed Christ or not). For a long time, I have asked myself this question: Why did the Jewish believers–the ones who received what Paul taught as truth–believe that Paul’s theology was truly from God?

I would think that any godly Jew would have been like a good Berean: they would have searched the Scriptures “to see whether these things were so.” Since the NT was still a work in progress, the “Scriptures” mentioned would need to have referred to the OT.

Ground rule: Scripture quotations can only be from the OT. It is fine to reference extra-biblical Jewish sources which offer interpretations of OT passages that support Paul’s teaching.

 

[Robbinson]

I have a question that I have mulled over for about seven years now. I would be interested in hearing other people’s thoughts on it.

Paul’s theology on the Mosaic Law–that it was no longer binding because of Christ’s work–was certainly radical to the 1st century Jews (whether they followed Christ or not). For a long time, I have asked myself this question: Why did the Jewish believers–the ones who received what Paul taught as truth–believe that Paul’s theology was truly from God?

I would think that any godly Jew would have been like a good Berean: they would have searched the Scriptures “to see whether these things were so.” Since the NT was still a work in progress, the “Scriptures” mentioned would need to have referred to the OT.

Ground rule: Scripture quotations can only be from the OT. It is fine to reference extra-biblical Jewish sources which offer interpretations of OT passages that support Paul’s teaching.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 - which speaks of the coming of a new covenant that would be different than the law of Moses.

Blessings,

Brian

 

[inJESUS]

For a long time, I have asked myself this question: Why did the Jewish believers–the ones who received what Paul taught as truth–believe that Paul’s theology was truly from God?

 

[Metamorphoo]

Jeremiah 31:31-34 - which speaks of the coming of a new covenant that would be different than the law of Moses.

Blessings,

Brian

Yes, Jeremiah does say that the new covenant would be different. But v. 33 says “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, "I will put My law [Hebrew, *torah] within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

What “torah” was being put in their heart? This scripture did not say “a new torah”–it says a “new covenant.” What is the difference?

(Not trying to pick an argument … just want to further the discussion! )

 

[Robbinson]

Yes, Jeremiah does say that the new covenant would be different. But v. 33 says “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, "I will put My law [Hebrew, *torah

] within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

What “torah” was being put in their heart? This scripture did not say “a new torah”–it says a “new covenant.” What is the difference?

(Not trying to pick an argument … just want to further the discussion! )

In fact, the NT says this - the law written in our hearts - its the spiritual law imbedded within the Mosaic law which were rules and regulations pointing to the ultimate coming of the Messiah.

Jesus proclaimed the golden rule (love god with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself) on which the law of the prophets hangs. This is very similar to Hillel’s teaching as well.

As to the difference between a “new covenant” and Torah - what covenant was it that the Jews broke as referred to in Jer 31? It was the Mosaic Law - the rules God established saying that if the Jews followed them (the 613 commandments) God would protect them, etc. With Christ, all of the Law was fulfilled and the moral law (10 commandments and, simpler expression of them, the golden rule) was written into our hearts,

Blessings,

Brian