Paul and the Observance of the Torah by Gentiles

Abstract

The implications of Paul's thinking regarding gentile identification with Abraham have not been fully realised. Paul believed that gentile believers needed ritual transformation through immersion and the faithful obedience ( pistis ) of Christ to the Law and his death and resurrection to forgive the characteristic sins of the gentiles: idolatry and sexual immorality. They were made sons of Abraham by receiving Christ's pneuma . Paul's views reflect first-century debates surrounding both the precise ritual requirements of joining Israel and the status of proselytes after conversion. This paper examines several occurrences where scholars postulate that Paul opposed certain aspects of the Torah's legal system but proposed alternative explanations of pagan practice that were the more likely subject of debate. Therefore, we see no reason why Paul would have opposed gentile believers who observed the Sabbath or laws of kashrut , even though there are no explicit instructions by him to do so.