Messianic Jews and the Law of Moses

“Messianic Jews and the Law of Moses” (66 pages, single spaced on-line edition) by Bill Nugent, an award winning Bible teacher and Christian Zionist, serves several very important purposes. First it liberates Jewish believers because it shows from the Bible that Jewish believers must keep the Law of Moses by the Spirit in New Testament fullness and not in a literal (type and shadow - Colossians 2:17) sense. We must serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter (Romans 7:6). Proper respect for Messianic Judaism and the Messianic Jewish movement is maintained throughout. Secondly, the book “Messianic Jews and the Law of Moses” clarifies for both Jew and Gentile the whole concept of grace versus law. Thirdly it gives deep insight into the doctrine of sanctification. Sanctification is the process by which the believer in Messiah matures in personal holiness to be conformed to the image of Messiah. Fourthly it clarifies important issues in Bible prophecy related to the millenial reign of Messiah.

There must be a proper respect for the Old Testament Law which throughout the book I call "the Law of Moses." Jesus referred to the Old Testament Law as the Law of Moses in John 7:23. The Old Testament itself calls it the Law of Moses in Ezra 3:2, Daniel 9:11 & 13 and many other places. It is, of course, the Law of God given through Moses. I call it the Law of Moses to avoid constantly using the phrase "Old Testament Law" which has more syllables or simply as "the Law" which might not be specific enough to engage the young Christian reader.

You can download this book from this website at no cost! Just click on th "Download" link. (If you prefer, you can order the paperback Lawful or Legalistic: How New Testament Believers Must Understand Old Testament Laws which is word for word similar to Messianic Jews and the Law of Moses only geared more to the Gentile reader by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page to take you to the xulonpress.com order page.)

You will enjoy reading this timely, insightful, practical and thought provoking book. What follows are short descriptions of each chapter:

Chapter 1:

THE TEACHINGS AND LIFE EXAMPLES OF THE APOSTLES REGARDING THE LAW

The whole concept of covenant and covenant law is defined. The New Testament apostolic teaching on the Abrahamic and Sinaitic covenants is explained as a foundation for the central premise of the book. The fact that we fulfill the Law by walking in the Spirit is shown. Voluntary keeping of the Law of Moses in its literal sense is permitted but not biblically required. The apostles’ teachings in the epistles are studied in the context of their godly lifestyles which are recorded in the book of Acts. It is important to understand the lifestyle and cultural context of the apostles' teachings. The emphasis in this chapter is why we must walk in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Chapter 2:

THE NEW WINESKIN INSTEAD OF THE OLD

Specific examples of literal Mosaic laws (Sabbath, Tithing, dietary laws etc.) are given in order to show how these laws find fulfillment in Christ. The emphasis in this chapter is on how to walk in the Spirit to keep the law in substance rather than shadow.

Chapter 3:

WILL ANIMAL SACRIFICES BE OFFERED IN A MILLENIAL TEMPLE?

The eschatological question as to whether or not animal sacrifices will be offered in a stone temple during the millennium is dealt with here. This chapter explains why a reinstitution of the animal sacrifice system is not at all intended by the prophetic passages often cited to make this claim. A correct understanding of the prophetic passages is given.

Chapter 4:

ARE GENTILES UNDER THE COMMANDS OF NOAH?

There are some teachers who put Jewish believers under the literal Law of Moses who also put Gentiles under a separate legal system based on the Noahide covenant of Genesis nine. This chapter explains that Gentiles are free from this obligation because the commands given to Noah also find their fulfillment in Christ. Each of the commands of Acts 15:29 (alleged to be derived from Noah) are analyzed in depth.

Chapter 5:

THE LAW OF MESSIAH
We are under grace and not under law yet the New Testament is full of commands. This chapter analyzes the commands Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount and the commands given through the apostles in the epistles and explains how we are to understand and obey them. Specific examples of how the apostles understood and obeyed these commands are given. Examples from modern day life are also given to shed light on how we must walk in the Spirit to obey New Testament commands.

To download Messianic Jews and the Law of Moses at no cost just click on the link to take you directly to the download page.

To order a copy of the award winning paperback Lawful or Legalistic: How New Testament Believers Must Understand Old Testament Laws just click on the link to go to the order page at xulonpress.com