Cultural norms are the expectations among those who are members of a group or society. These norms come in the form of ideas, customs, values, behaviors, dress, language, and similar matters short of laws or commandments or involving option or flexibility in laws or commandments.
A law is a formal rule that applies to every citizen of a group or society or nation with legal penalties or consequences for violation.
A custom is an informal rule that people normally comply with but for which there is no legal penalty or consequence for non-compliance. For example, Luke 4:16 says Jesus custom was to attend the synagogue every Sabbath. But there is no law that says Jesus had to attend the synagogue every Sabbath.
This means an individual and group of individuals are free to follow different or cultural norms as a matter of human preference. Thus, Israelites are free to continue to follow Jewish practices/customs based on familiar laws under Moses such as circumcision, vows, and purification laws. It means Gentiles are free not to follow such customs based on those laws.
But as shall be shown there are still laws under the New Covenant of Christ that God’s people are still to follow not for salvation but for obedience of which we will be judged per 2 Corinthians 5:10. It is all about one’s attitude toward grace and law. Therefore, no disciple of Christ should believe or say that all of the law is done away with. Yet, it is right to say that some of the law is done away with in the sense of no longer being binding on Jew or Gentile such as shall be shown concerning the law of circumcision.
Under the New Covenant of Christ some laws have degenerated into customs. Example laws that have become customs are dietary laws per Acts 10:1-8, 28, circumcision laws per Acts 15:1, 7-11; and purification laws per Matthew 15:10-20; 1 Peter 1:22, Titus 2:14.
Herein let us look at circumcision in particular and the law in general which includes purification laws.
Under the Old Covenant law of Moses, there was some but very little differences in cultural norms between Israelites and Gentiles. There was one law for the stranger who joins himself permanently to Israel in contrast to being a guest or visitor for a temporary stay. A person who joins permanently could participate in Passover if they became circumcised. This is set forth in Exodus 12:49; Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:15-16, 29. Related scriptures includes Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 17:15; 19:34; Deuteronomy 14:21.
When we look at Leviticus 17:15 and Deuteronomy 14:21 we see there is a difference in the law and cultural norms with respect to the person who is only in the land of Israel temporarily or an Israelite has business contact with. Notice the same Hebrew word is used for stranger (ger, H1616) in Leviticus 17:15 and Deuteronomy 14:21. The difference is the phrase “in the gates” is present in Deuteronomy 14:21 indicating a temporary presence whereas Leviticus 17:15 is about a permanent presence.
God has a different standard under the New Covenant of Christ. The apostles and elders in Acts 15 and Acts 21 seeming good to the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28) recognize this difference and submit to it. These scriptures indicate that God authorizes differences in cultural norms with respect to Israelites and Gentiles under Christ.
The question before the apostles and elders was whether Gentiles (non-Israelites) needed to be circumcised to be saved. They declare that the circumcision works of the law is not necessary for salvation and therefore is not a requirement to be a full fledge member of the church. Yet, neither say it is ungodly to be circumcised if one chooses.
In Acts 21 which must be some years after Acts 15, the decision of Acts 15 is still upheld regarding Gentiles and such ceremonial acts as circumcision, vow, and purification rituals. For in Acts 21:25 the decision of Acts 15 is affirmed for Gentiles. Also, keeping the customs of Israelites is affirmed in Acts 21:23-24, 26.
They did deal with the question of whether Israelites need to be circumcised to be saved into the church that Jesus is building. Under the one law rule, the answer seems to be that neither Israelite or Gentile needed to be circumcised to be a full fledge member of the church. The apostles and elders wisely did not address the question of circumcision of the Jews to avoid unnecessary conflict as Jews customarily circumcised their sons on the eighth day. So the issue was not problematic for them. Paul uses the same wisdom regarding compelling Timothy to be circumcised in Acts 16:1-3.
The apostles were courageously faithful so as to answer the question straightforwardly. Yet, their mentioning of the law of Moses being read every Sabbath in the synagogue does require careful consideration. For on the one hand they said circumcision is not required. Yet, on the other hand they mention the reading of the law which certainly including telling folks they needed to circumcise their sons on the eighth day.
In Acts 15:21 James says: “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” When we consider Acts 21:25 occurring years after Acts 15 it is spiritually and intellectually unreasonable and illogically inconsistent with Acts 21:25 to assert that Acts 15:21 includes the expectation that Gentiles would go to the synagogues and be told to do what Moses says to do in the law. Rather, it is reasonable to assert that Acts 15:21 is about saying that those Gentiles who desire to go to the synagogue and hear what Moses says and in so hearing they are free to choose to do what Moses says or not to what Moses says.
For the apostles attitude in Acts 15 was clearly that whatever Gentiles need to do under Christ just as in the case of Jews/Israelites Paul and the other apostles would preach that to them as the Holy Spirit led them just as the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28) led them in dealing with the issue of circumcision. For that is exactly what they did even after Acts 15 as recorded in their epistles and the rest of the book of Acts. Whatever, those under Christ need to take from the law of Moses the apostles set forth in their preaching and teaching to include aspects of Moses that applies and does not apply plus other aspects of the law of God that Jew and Gentile are to adhere.
So specifically how do we resolve this seeming contradiction between saying the Gentiles do not have to get circumcised and saying they can hear the law of Moses read each sabbath? Well, all we have to do is consider the fact that circumcision on the 8th day is still an option even for the Gentiles as there is nothing wrong with getting circumcised. Therefore, if a Gentile parent wanted to follow the custom of the Israelites, he or she was free to do so. However, they did not have to do so to be considered a full fledge member of the church with the same rights as Israelites. For under Christ the commandment law to get circumcised is one of those laws that has vanished and the decayed to the point of being done away with as in the case of the vail (Hebrews 8:13; 2 Corinthians 3:6-18; Hebrews 10:20). Now of course, not all laws have reached that point of vanishment and decay or done away with. For example, the law illustrated by Ephesians 6:2-3 concerning honoring parents which is a direct quote from one of the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:12, is not done away with.
Now then what about the rest of the law as given under the Old Covenant, specifically the rest of the law of Moses? Acts 15:24 says: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
Notice the phrase “and keep the law” can be looked at in two ways. It could refer to keeping the law of circumcision or it could refer to keeping all of the law. When we consider Acts 21:23-26 we see those verses say Gentiles do not have to keep the vow laws or purification laws. Therefore, Acts 15:24 must be saying they are not telling Gentiles they must keep any of the law to be saved. Indeed, this conclusion is consistent with Romans 3:28 where it says: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. This is consistent with Ephesians 2:15-16 which says: “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” So then the law of commandments is abolished for salvation purposes. Now this does not mean we will not be judged as to our obedience to law yet in effect. For 2 Corinthians 5:10 speaks of even Christians appearing before the judgement seat of Christ for judgement. And 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says our work will be judged and if found unworthy the word shall be burned but the person shall be saved. Yet 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 seems to give an even sterner warning that it is possible for a man to defile his spiritual temple which is his body to a point where God will destroy him.
So they let the people know that the circumcision law has degenerated into a custom. They also let the people know that keeping none of the works of the law was/is required for salvation. But they did not stop there. They went on to let the Gentiles know there are laws which they are required to obey not for salvation but for good works to be a light in the world; this is the light Christ speaks of in Matthew 5:16. These instructions are outlined in Acts 15:29 which says: That ye abstain from meats offered to idols , and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. These laws are given in Genesis 9:4; Deuteronomy 12:16; 32:37-38; and Leviticus 17:7,10-12, 14 regarding all but fornication which has reference to such scriptures as Exodus 22:16-17.
Now then Acts 15:21 considering the reading of the law of Moses in the synagogue every sabbath makes even more sense. For though neither Jew or Gentile is saved through the works of the law, all of the law of Moses is still good to do per Romans 7:12. As to what part is commanded under the New Covenant and not commanded under the New Covenant, that is specified elsewhere by the apostles. For indeed, much of the New Testament written by the apostles speak to the behavior of the true disciple of Christ. For example, whereas in Acts 15 the apostles doctrine leaves out the law of circumcision, the apostles doctrine explicitly brings forward nine of the Ten Commandments to be obeyed. The Sabbath and other feast commandment are brought forward in a more flexible form as Colossians 2:14-17 talks about.
Customs besides circumcision once but no longer prescribed law include dietary laws (meets/drinks), feasts, sabbaths, new moons, purification laws among others which Jews/Israelites may or may not choose to have but which Gentiles may or may not choose to have. Indeed, Colossians 2:14-17 indicate such ceremonial ordinances are “nailed to the cross” in the sense of having been fulfilled by Jesus one way or another. The law is holy and good. Therefore, it is okay to choose to do such things if one so chooses but God does not prescribe us to so choose as he did under the Old Covenant for both Jews/Israelites and Gentiles who joined Jews/Israelites in the nation of Israel.
One law for both Jew/Israelite and Gentile under both the Old and New Covenant. Due to the rigidness of the Old Covenant there was probably no liberty in customs. However, under the New Covenant there is greater liberty and flexibility in customs for both Jew/Israelite and Gentiles.
I end with the entirety of Galatians chapter 5 to emphasize the God given right to exercising righteous human preference while still obeying the law of God as defined under the New Covenant of Christ. This means that various individuals and groups of individuals may choose to have different righteous customs to include the biblical differentiation between Jew/Israelite customs and Gentile customs without violating the law of God as defined under the New Covenant of Christ. This means that we as individuals and we as groups should not attempt to impose our particular custom preferences onto ours. For example, the Baptist churches I mostly affiliate with most often have musical instruments in worship service. However, Church of Christ traditionally preach and teach no musical instruments should be used in worship services. Those are matters of human preference. For God does not command musical instruments be used in worship service. This is so even though the Psalms write about them being used for worship and Jesus in Luke 24:44 indicate that the Psalms along with the law of Moses and the prophets as being the Word of God. For Galatians 5:1-26 says:
(1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
(3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
(5) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
(6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
(7) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
(8) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
(9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
(10) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
(11) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
(12) I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
(13) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
(14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
(16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
(17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
(18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
(19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
(20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
(21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(24) And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
(26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
