During ancient times, the gospel was spread throughout the world by God’s disciples. However, during the period, some of the apostles had been against Christianity before being converted. For instance, Smith asserts that Saul was threatening the followers of Jesus and had gone to the High Priest requesting letters to all synagogues in Damascus, allowing him to bring believers to Jerusalem for punishment. Consequently, when Paul became a follower of the Lord, he was seen by many as a “law-free” person throughout the gospel. As such, in his encounter with God, he never saw the importance of the Torah among the Gentiles and the Jews. Conversely, in Galatians, the apostle encourages the practice by asserting that those who accept it are obliged to keep the law (Smith). This paper highlights the consistency of Paul’s teaching on the observance of the law.
According to the New Testament, especially the book of Acts, Paul is seen as a practitioner of the Torah. Moreover, by going through the readings, the narratives show the importance of ritual requirements for the Christians comprised of Gentiles and Jews. This is evident in the circumcision of Timothy by Paul and his participation in the purification rites in Jerusalem that was by the law of Judaism (Smith). Furthermore, he joined people in the church, preaching both in Damascus, Tarsus, and Syrian Antioch, where he advocated for the law of the land.
In addition, although many people see Paul’s identity in Christ as a new person after his conversion, he remains a true believer in the Torah hence teaching its importance among the people. Further, it is evident in Acts 15:1 and 16:3 where he is Torah observant, signifying his consistent teachings (Smith). Perhaps this can be explained through his continuous emphasis on the law as a bridge between his heritage or past and his present persona, who is born again in Christ.
In conclusion, through teachings, Paul often refers to himself as a Pharisee and a Judaist. Furthermore, his proclamation that Christians are not under the law shows that he did not advocate for the imposition of ritual restrictions on others. Lastly, he acknowledges his views on the importance of circumcision as it served Christ, showing his consistent teaching about law and its importance in spreading the gospel.
Work Cited
Smith, Gordon. “Maps of Paul’s Missionary Journeys.”Home – Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Web.