Paul's Letter to the Galatians and Jewish Law for Non-Jews Flashcards
What was Paul’s stance on non-Jews joining the early Christian movement?
Paul invited non-Jews to worship the God of Israel and join the Christian movement without requiring them to become Jewish through circumcision.
How did Paul view baptism for non-Jews in relation to their inclusion in God’s people?
Paul saw baptism as an act of adoption into the family of God, where non-Jews received the Holy Spirit and were considered part of God’s people.
What was the main issue Paul addressed in his letter to the Galatians?
Paul opposed the view that non-Jews needed to be circumcised and follow Jewish law to be included in God’s people, arguing that faith in Christ was sufficient.
According to Paul, what happens if non-Jews allow themselves to be circumcised?
Paul warned that if non-Jews were circumcised, they would be obligated to follow the entire law, effectively cutting themselves off from Christ and falling away from grace.
What biblical text did Paul’s opponents use to argue for circumcision?
They referenced Genesis 17, where God commands Abraham and his descendants to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant.
How did Paul’s view differ from that of other early evangelists regarding circumcision?
Paul believed that faith in Christ, not circumcision, was the basis for inclusion in God’s people, while others argued that circumcision was necessary.
What did Paul affirm about the laws that applied to non-Jews in Galatians 5:19-20?
Paul affirmed that non-Jews should worship only the God of Israel, but he did not require them to follow other Jewish laws like circumcision.
What is the key theme of Paul’s argument in Galatians regarding Jewish law for non-Jews?
The key theme is that faith in Christ is the essential requirement for inclusion in God’s people, not adherence to Jewish law, especially circumcision.
How did Paul describe the role of circumcision in Galatians 5:2-6?
Paul described circumcision as a rejection of Christ and argued that it would obligate one to follow the entire law, making faith in Christ ineffective.
What does Paul’s letter to the Galatians reveal about the legal debate among early Christians?
The letter reveals a debate over which Torah laws non-Jewish followers of Jesus needed to adopt, with Paul arguing that only faith in Christ was necessary, not circumcision.
