Gentiles and the Law (again)

[B-A-C]

Gentiles and the Law in the Old Testament​

In the Old Testament, Gentiles—those not born into the tribes of Israel—were not excluded from God's covenant. In fact, when they chose to dwell among Israel or align themselves with the God of Israel, they were expected to follow His commandments. This was not based on tradition, but on direct instruction from God through Moses.

One Law for All

God made it clear that His Law was not just for ethnic Israelites, but for anyone who joined themselves to the covenant community.

Exodus 12:48–49 says:

“And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.”

This passage shows that Gentiles who wished to participate in Israel’s worship had to undergo circumcision and follow the same laws as native Israelites.

Leviticus 24:22 reinforces this:

“Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God.”

Numbers 15:14–16 adds:

“And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the Lord; as ye do, so he shall do. One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you...”

These verses confirm that Gentiles who lived among Israel and participated in worship were bound by the same ordinances.

Examples of Gentiles Who Followed the Law

Several Gentiles in the Old Testament chose to align themselves with Israel and, by implication, submitted to God's commandments.

Rahab, in Joshua 2 and 6, was a Canaanite woman in Jericho who feared the God of Israel and protected the spies. She was spared during the conquest and lived among Israel afterward. Though Scripture doesn’t detail her observance of the Law, her inclusion in Israel and later in the lineage of Messiah (Matthew 1:5) suggests she embraced the covenant.

Ruth the Moabitess is another example. In Ruth 1:16, she says:

“Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”

Ruth left her Moabite heritage and fully embraced Israel’s God and people. She married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David. Her story is a powerful example of a Gentile who joined Israel and was accepted into the covenant community.

The “mixed multitude” mentioned in Exodus 12:38 also left Egypt with the Hebrews:

“And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.”

These were non-Israelites who joined the Exodus. They were subject to the same laws as Israelites (Exodus 12:49), indicating that their inclusion required obedience to God’s commandments.

The Gibeonites in Joshua 9 are another example. Though they deceived Israel into making a covenant, they were not cast out. Instead, they were made servants in the Tabernacle:

“And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord...” (Joshua 9:27)

Their service at the altar implies they were brought under the religious life of Israel.

Ritual Washing in the Law

While later traditions added many washings, the Torah itself commands ritual washing in specific contexts. This is a little controversial, but many believe
this is where baptism originated.

Exodus 30:17–21 commands priests to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle:

“So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not.”

Leviticus 15 outlines various bodily discharges and requires those affected to wash with water and remain unclean until evening.

Numbers 19:11–12 says that anyone who touches a dead body must be purified with water on the third and seventh days.

These washings were not traditions—they were direct commandments from God, and they applied to anyone within the camp, including Gentiles who had joined Israel.

Conclusion

The Old Testament clearly teaches that Gentiles who joined themselves to Israel were expected to follow God's Law. This was not a matter of tradition, but of covenant obedience. Whether through circumcision, sacrificial participation, or ritual purity, Gentiles were held to the same standard as native Israelites. God's justice and holiness were not ethnically exclusive—they were covenantal and open to all who would submit to Him.

Now all of this is the Old testament.. but what about the New Testament?

 

[B-A-C]

The Bible says, "where there is no law, there is no transgression" (Romans 4:15), and "sin is not imputed when there is no law" (Romans 5:13). So how does that square with the New Testament era, where we're under grace and not under the Mosaic Law?

Let’s break this down a bit:

---

1. What Does “Without the Law There Is No Sin” Mean?​

Paul is referring to the idea that sin is defined by law—you can’t break a rule that doesn’t exist. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses spelled out what was sinful. But Paul also makes it clear that sin existed before the Law (Romans 5:12-14), because people still died, which is the consequence of sin.

So, even before the Law of Moses, there was a moral law written on the heart (Romans 2:14-15). This is often called the natural law—a God-given conscience that helps people discern right from wrong.

---

2. In the New Testament Era, Are We Without Law?​

Not exactly. While we are not under the Mosaic Law (Romans 6:14), we are under what Paul calls the “law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), which includes:

• Jesus’ teachings (e.g., Sermon on the Mount)
• The commands to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37–40)
• The guidance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1–4)

So, sin in the New Testament is still very real—it’s anything that violates the law of Christ, including:

• Willful disobedience to God’s commands
• Acting against conscience (Romans 14:23)
• Failing to love (James 2:8–10)

---

3. How Do People Know What Sin Is Today?​

Even without the Mosaic Law, people can know what sin is through:

• Scripture – The New Testament gives clear moral teachings.
• Conscience – God has written His law on human hearts.
• Holy Spirit – Convicts believers of sin and leads them into truth (John 16:8,13).
• The Church – Provides teaching, correction, and accountability.

---

Summary​

So, while we’re not under the Old Covenant law, we’re not lawless. Sin is still defined by God’s moral standards, now revealed through Christ and the Spirit. People can know what sin is through conscience, Scripture, and the Spirit’s conviction.

 

[B-A-C]

Warnings Against Continuing in Sin​

• Romans 8:13
  
  

  “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

• Galatians 5:19–21
  
  

  “...those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–10
  
  

  “Do not be deceived... the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

• Ephesians 5:5–6
  
  

  “No immoral or impure person... has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words...”

---

2. Warnings About Falling Away​

-**

“Take care... that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God... we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”

• Hebrews 6:4–6
  
  

  “It is impossible... if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance...”

• Hebrews 10:26–27
  
  

  “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left...”

---

3. Warnings About Unfruitfulness and Judgment​

• John 15:6
  

  “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers... such branches are picked up, ...

 

[B-A-C]

So while we are saved by faith and grace alone. I reject the idea that thos etwo things alone are enough.

Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:1-11 The Israelites were delivered from Egypt but failed to enter God's rest due to unbelief and disobedienceThis passage warns believers today to remain faithful and obedient so they do not fall short of entering God's rest.

Hebrews 6:4-6 This passage warns that those who have once been enlightened and then fall away cannot be restored to repentanceIt emphasizes the seriousness of apostasy and the need to persevere in faith.

Hebrews 10:26-27 Deliberate sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth leaves no sacrifice for sins, only judgmentThis underscores the danger of willful disobedience and the necessity of continued faithfulness.

Jude 5 God saved the Israelites from Egypt but later destroyed those who did not believeThis serves as a warning that initial salvation does not guarantee final security without continued belief.

2 Peter 2:20-22 Those who escape the corruption of the world through Christ and then return to it are worse off than beforeThis passage warns against turning back to sin after knowing the way of righteousness.

Matthew 25:31-46 In the parable of the sheep and goats, judgment is based on actions·how people treated othersIt teaches that faith must be accompanied by works of love and mercy to inherit the kingdom

Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Jas 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Matt 25:24 "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.
Matt 25:25 'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.'
Matt 25:26 "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.
Matt 25:27 'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.
Matt 25:28 'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.'
Matt 25:29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
Matt 25:30 "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matt 13:41 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,
Matt 13:42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matt 7:23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

 

[B-A-C]

I'm old and senile.. so maybe this is just a rambling...

In the Old testament, there was something called the Ark of the Covenant, it had Lots staff in it, but it also contained the stone tablets that God wrote the commandments on. Now no one knows exactly what happened to the Ark of the Covenant.. it got lost somewhere in history.

But the Bible says there is a temple of heaven... with a Holy of Holies, just like the earthly Temple. It also conatins an Ark of the Covenant.
It says the Earthly temple is a copy of the heavenly temple.

So then.. does the Ark of the Covenant in heaven also contain the commandments? Speculation? Maybe... the Bible
does say the Earthly was a "copy" of the heavenly. But either way... the Temple was a Holy Place.. known as "My Fathers House" according to Jesus. So then the commndments were in the Ark, which was in the Holy of Holies, which was in the center of the Temple.

The most Holy item, in the most sacred place?

It makes me wonder... how important are those commandments even to this day?

Almost like a vault in a bank.

 

[Garee]

I'm old and senile.. so maybe this is just a rambling...

In the Old testament, there was something called the Ark of the Covenant, it had Lots staff in it, but it also contained the stone tablets that God wrote the commandments on. Now no one knows exactly what happened to the Ark of the Covenant.. it got lost somewhere in history.

But the Bible says there is a temple of heaven... with a Holy of Holies, just like the earthly Temple. It also conatins an Ark of the Covenant.
It says the Earthly temple is a copy of the heavenly temple.

So then.. does the Ark of the Covenant in heaven also contain the commandments? Speculation? Maybe... the Bible
does say the Earthly was a "copy" of the heavenly. But either way... the Temple was a Holy Place.. known as "My Fathers House" according to Jesus. So then the commndments were in the Ark, which was in the Holy of Holies, which was in the center of the Temple.

The most Holy item, in the most sacred place?

It makes me wonder... how important are those commandments even to this day?

Almost like a vault in a bank.

I would offer the golden ark. Gold the only rudiment of this dying world during the 6 days he did work representing the unseen eternal things.

Called measure of faith or golden reed

Used in the ark defined to protect the integrity of Christ the one author of God sola scriptura..

God knowing just like coming down from mount Sinah as soon of Moses left, he was considered dead and the oral traditions of dying mankind made him destroy the first set written on both sides with no room for oral traditors of dying mankind The second set along with Manna to represent the sweetness of the gospel

Manna and rod of Aaron. Three is used to indicate an end to the matter .The book of law sola scriptura was placed on the side of the Ark making the ark to represent three hidden inside

Deuteronomy 31:26-28Take this book of the law, (sola scriptura) and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.;For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.;For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

God protecting sola scriptura.