Do the Noahide Laws--the seven laws of Noah--apply to Christians?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Laws_of_Noah

Hebrew: שבע מצוות בני נח, Sheva mitzvot B'nei Noach), often referred to as the Noahide Laws, are a set of seven moral imperatives which, according to the Talmud, were given by God to Noah as a binding set of laws for all mankind. According to Judaism any non-Jew who lives according to these laws is regarded as a Righteous Gentile and is assured of a place in the world to come (Olam Haba), the Jewish concept of heaven.

Cheir, what do you think Jesus meant when he said that all the laws "hang" on the two summary commandments? That we don't have to obey them?

Answer 1

My initial, gut response was "of course not", but let's take them one at a time.

1 Prohibition against idolatry
Certainly, this is prohibited by New Testament Christianity (NTC)

2 Prohibition against blasphemy
This is *not* *generally* prohibited by NTC. However, the whole "love your God" thing certainly seems to exclude this. Note: I am considering here only true blasphemy, not "bad language".

3 Prohibition against murder
Considering "love your neighbor as yourself", it seems clear that this is prohibited by NTC.

4 Prohibition against theft
This is specifically prohibited by Paul ("shall not inherit the kingdom of God")

5 Prohibition against sexual immorality
Ditto

6 Prohibition against eating the limb of a living animal
Acts 15, plus other references, prohibits this or the eating of blood in general.

7 Establish courts of justice
Not mentioned per se in the NT, but Noah and his family were alone in the world and had to establish courts. Courts already existed by the time of the NT, and Paul gave injunctions to be obedient. We see from Acts that disobedience is permitted in cases where a court prohibits someone from obeying the will of God. Also we see the *use* of courts (after 2 or 3 have accompanied you to attempt to resolve a civil dispute with a brother), and also the creation of a judicial-like body in the "council of 12" in Jerusalem. Therefore, though *not* mentioned specifically, we can infer from the NT the necessity for courts (i.e. judges empowered to rule in disagreements).

Conclusion: though not obvious at 1st glance, it appears that obedience to the "Noahide Laws" are supported by NTC. The only one even slightly questionable is the last - and it seems clear, from reading the NT, that courts must exist for the use of Christians at least in some instances.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 2

An excellent response to this question is published in the book JESUS THE PHARISEE, by Rabbi Harvey Falk, published by Paulist Press, NY, 1985. The book focuses on a letter written by Rabbi Jacob Emden in 1757 C.E. Rabbi Emden's letter can also be found via Google. These Rabbis affirmed that the founders of Christianity, in particular, Paul, taught the Gentiles the 7 laws of Noah. Each law can be found in the New Testament, not necessarily grouped together, though some are in Acts 15. Colossians 3:8 mentions blasphemy (KJV), 3:5 mentions "fornication, impurity, passion and evil desire." 1 Peter 4:15 states, "Let none of you suffer as a murder, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker..." So we have covered the 6 "negative" laws (the do nots) on idolatry, blasphemy, murder, theft, sexual sins, and blood (Genesis 9 and Acts 15) from a living creature. The 7th of the Noahide commandment is a requirement to establish courts of Justice, which Paul discusses briefly in 1 Timothy 3 in the appointment of bishops and deacons. The "caring for the church" would more likely involve looking over the spirituality of the congregation, rather than the housekeepers and the janitors. Paul mentions qualities which would be desirable for judges In 1 Timothy 5:19, he goes on to talk about charges against an elder and evidence of two or three witnesses. So it has the structure of a court system. That adequately covers the 7 laws, with the one stipulation that it is "the Jews who are entrusted with the oracles of God." And at this point in Christianity, the Gentiles would learn from the elders of Christianity, in particular the Jerusalem Council headed by James, the brother of Jesus, and by Paul whom James appointed as the apostle to the Gentiles. This kept them united in the Torah, as it should be, and as it will be in the messianic era to come.

Answer 3

Even though there was no historical person as jesus, the nt still teaches against sexual immorality. Both in the gospels and in Paul's writings. Eating the limbs off of living animals does happen in other cultures, and practiced by xtians in those cultures. You believe having a corrupt justice system is a good thing ? Non - Jews are given these 7 Universal laws to be seen as righteous before G*D, and have an equal share in the world to come. xtians do commit blasphemy and idolatry, by believing in and idol called jesus and blaspheme by calling G*D a liar, saying He has a son other than Israel, came as a man, that G*D is 3, that jesus sits next to the father. Scripture says the Creator has no son but the Nation of Israel. Shemot-Exodus 4:22 And you shall say to Pharaoh, 'So said the Lord, "My firstborn son is Israel." ' Scripture says the Creator will not come as a man Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, there is a sharp contrast made between God on one hand, and human beings on the other. First of all, there is always a reprimand against any human being who claims to be God, or Divine, as we read in Ezekiel 28:2 "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre: So said the Lord God: Because your heart is proud, and you said, 'I am a god, I have sat in a seat of God, in the heart of the seas,' but you are a man and not a god, yet you have made your heart like the heart of God. ב. a seat of God: he made for himself in the air, over the sea, with a mechanism that was a replica of seven heavens, and he sat down on the highest one. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not a man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. [Hosea 11:9] And then there is another verse, in Numbers 23:19, where God specifically tells us that if God were a human being, then he would be a liar, as all human beings do lie on occasion. Furthermore, this verse tell us that if God were a human being, he would be in need of repentance because all human beings sin at some point in their lives. Finally, this verse also tells us that if God were a human being, then he would make promises, but not keep them: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the Son of Man, that he should relent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? [Numbers 23:19] God is the same, God does not lie, and God is God and Human Beings are Human Beings, and God does not become a Human Being, and Human Beings do not become gods. This means that basic to the faith of the Jewish People, is the distinction between God and man, a distinction which is not found in Christianity. This confusion, the mixing of Man with gods, was common in the ancient pagan world. Scripture says the Creator is 1 Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God; the Lord is one. Yeshayahu- Isaiah - Chapter 45:7. Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil; I am the Lord, Who makes all these. The Creator alone is the only savior Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior. The Creator alone is the only Redeemer Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Scripture says the Creator said none share his glory Yeshayahu- Isaiah - Chapter 42:8. I am the Lord, that is My Name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to the graven images. Scripture says the Creator said none sit beside him Yeshayahu- Isaiah - Chapter 45: 5. I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God: I will strengthen you although you have not known Me. 6. In order that they know from the shining of the sun and from the west that there is no one besides Me; I am the Lord and there is no other. Jews, get 613 laws to live by to be seen as righteous before G*D. Which would you rather do 7 or 613 ? If you say 613 see a Rabbi regarding converting to Judaism.

Answer 4

Okay let's see the list~
Idolatry (the prohibition)
Cursing G-d's Name (the prohibition)
Murder (the prohibition)
Forbidden sexual relations (the prohibition)
Theft (the prohibition)
Consuming Meat of a Living Animal (the prohibition)
Courts of Law (the obligation to establish them)

As a pagan I have been known to recognize my deity inhabiting trees and rocks and creature of nature.
I don't worship Noah's god so I rarely even think of cursing his god's name...his followers sometimes but his name is safe.
Murder's out of the question, I've rarely got that mad at another person.
I'm a gay man so I suppose I practice forbidden sexual relations.
Theft, rarely a temptation.
I hate blood pudding so animals are safe.
I serve on juries when called so I guess I support establishing Courts of Law.

So I'm an idolatrous queer. Guess breaking two is enough to get me cut off. Once more The God of the Bible has rejected me. I'm glad I don't follow him, rejection hurts.

Answer 5

Everyone is supposed to follow the 7 Noahide Laws - Jews and Gentiles - everyone.

Answer 6

Matthew 22:37-40; ' ... Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. and the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Answer 7

So... there's a door for us infidels!

Isn't that a merciful god?

But... what about the other 10.

Did he made up his mighty mind?

Answer 8

"Do the Noahide Laws--the seven laws of Noah--apply to Christians?"

And more important, do I care?



Nope!
.