Introduction. The relationship between the Old Covenant (Law of Moses) and the New (Gospel of Jesus Christ) became controversial soon after Gentiles were invited into the kingdom of God (Acts 10). All Gentile nations had been excluded from the covenant given on Mount Sinai. Yet, some of Jesus’ disciples believed Gentile converts must become Jewish proselytes. “Some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed” said it is “necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” The Holy Spirit inspired Peter, Paul and Barnabas and James to reveal the truth. Under His direction a letter went out to the Gentile churches: “We gave no such commandment.” Their conclusion: Gentiles had no obligation to keep the Law. (Acts 15).
But this did not stop the problem. Paul encountered zealous Jews everywhere. After he preached the gospel, started a church and moved to the next opportunity, they would enter and seek to convince new converts among the Gentiles that they needed circumcision and to keep the Law to be saved. When they came to Galatia, they were successful in convincing many Gentiles as seen in Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
This gave the Holy Spirit the opportunity to reveal the truth. Those who chose to add the Law to the gospel only created a “different gospel, which is not another; but some there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Gal. 1:6-7) This strong language revealed the grave danger of adding anything from the Law to the gospel. Those preaching a gospel modified with the Law of Moses had not only perverted the gospel, but also became “accursed” of God. (Gal. 1:8-9).
But this did not stop the problem. Paul encountered zealous Jews everywhere. After he preached the gospel, started a church and moved to the next opportunity, they would enter and seek to convince new converts among the Gentiles that they needed circumcision and to keep the Law to be saved. When they came to Galatia, they were successful in convincing many Gentiles as seen in Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
This gave the Holy Spirit the opportunity to reveal the truth. Those who chose to add the Law to the gospel only created a “different gospel, which is not another; but some there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Gal. 1:6-7) This strong language revealed the grave danger of adding anything from the Law to the gospel. Those preaching a gospel modified with the Law of Moses had not only perverted the gospel, but also became “accursed” of God. (Gal. 1:8-9).