Galatians and Judaism
Being non-Jewish followers of the Jewish Christ in the Roman Empire was difficult, and Galatian Gentile believers were seriously contemplating conversion to Judaism. Two perspectives of dedication to Israel’s God are found in the Bible: Ruth and Naaman. Ruth leaves everything she has ever known and goes to lIve with the people of Israel. Naaman, on the other hand returned to his country and his own people and continued to worship Israel’s God there (2 Kings 5). What should the Galatians choose?
No more Jews and Gentiles?
Jewish apostles in Acts 15 decided that the Gentile followers of Christ should follow the Naaman trajectory, because they believed that the latter days described by the prophets have arrived. However, this verse goes beyond the idea of cessation of difference between "Jew and Greek", since clearly the difference between “man and woman” continues. Instead, according to Apostle Paul, with Christ comes the end of discrimination. Everyone is now equal before God, there is no difference.
Jewish New Testament
Apostle Paul’s letters are part of a greater theme collection covered by the Jewish Background of the New Testament course. Once you understand how New Testament writers thought, you will be able to better grasp the meaning of many confusing parts of the New Testament Scriptures. Enroll today in my new course and discover the Jewishness of the New Testament.
