To generally address your apparent application of Torah, I would suggest that you are basing it on a faulty assumption: that the Body of Messiah has replaced the nation of Israel. Perhaps you did not intend to purport this view, nevertheless, it must be the case for you, otherwise, you would not be able to imply that whatever was mandated by Torah for the nation is Israel is necessarily incumbent upon Gentile believers in Yeshua.

Be that as it may, if you are truly sojourning (as a modern “ger”) with a Messianic Jewish community–as you mentioned in your comment–then it seems as if you are taking up another’s (imagined) offense. As a sojourner, I encourage you to fully take upon yourself the yoke of Torah that is commensurate with those whom you are “in the midst of” (bearing in mind, of course, the fundamental inability to truly “keep” Torah in Diaspora, without a functioning sacrificial system, etc). However, if sojourning with Israel like Caleb, Rahab or Ruth is not your heart, and you feel that Torah-keeping is an obligation for all believers in Yeshua simply by virtue of being in Messiah, then I would take issue with that perspective.

I would also take issue with the idea that it is insufficient to be “only a child of God and a seed of Abraham and not a child of Israel,” because it was for the Gentile that Adonai called forth Abraham–and therefore Israel (and ultimately, sent Yeshua)–in the first place (Ge.12:1-3). Surely, the purpose of making and setting apart Israel was to restore the nations to Adonai — not to transform the nations into Israel and resettle every single believer onto a tiny plot of land in the middle east!

Gentile believers who are not sojourning with Messianic Jews certainly ought not to disparage the teachings of Torah. On the contrary, they should see the covenantal instructions of Torah not as something to ignore, but neither something to which they are required to obligate themselves. Rather, instead of seeing the covenant of Torah given to Israel as something to appropriate for themselves without regard for Israel as a people — or something to trample on as if it were not the Word of God — they should see Torah as a rich resource for all disciples of Messiah, “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting aright, for instruction that is in righteousness.” (2Ti.3:16) It is in this way that “when Gentiles who do not have the [written] Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the [written] Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them…” (Romans 2:14-15, NAS)

The Torah was not meant to be applied individualistically, but communally — and not not just communally, but for a specific people: Israel. The Body of Messiah in general has an incomplete faith without an understanding of Torah — it’s message and purpose — yet nowhere in Scripture does belief in Yeshua require adherence to the covenantal requirements placed upon the physical descendants of Israel. The Gentile believer — no matter how sincere — cannot keep a covenant that God never made with him. Rather, the covenants were made with Israel, and the Gentile believer partakes of the covenantal promises as a co-member — not of Israel — but of the household of God. (Ep. 2)

As a slave to Messiah, Debi, you are as “free” to violate the Torah that is written on all our hearts, as much as you are “free” to live your life focused on yourself, imagining that you are wholeheartedly following Yeshua. Just don’t confuse individualistic, diaspora, rabbinic “Torah-keeping” with being holy and pleasing to God.

Phil – you raise some good points; however, what did James mean when he stated that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath. Could it mean that a “minimum” standard was established, but the with expectation of each person growing in their relationship and convictions – through the reading, understanding and following of Torah as God led them?

Janice – I also have a difficulty with the construction of the the survey. But I am not sure I “know” that Messiah fulfilled the requirements of animal sacrifices. In Acts 21:23-26, Paul agrees to pay for the animal sacrifices of four men who apparently were completing the vows of a Nazarite.

Mark (and many others) – your words are like springs of encouragement – thank you.

I look forward to future discussions.

First of all, the context of Hebrews is about the earthly Levitical priesthood. It was a shadow of the heavenly and was therefore insufficient, since it was the duty of men, fallen men. Just like animal sacrifice for sin, it was a substitute until Moshiach reigns as High Priest in the Heavenly. Why do you think Elohim told Moshe to build everything and to do everything exactly as he was shown?

Second, Acts 15 was never about should gentiles keep Torah or not. If so, it contradicts Exo. 12:49 & Num. 15:16. There is no such thing (biblically) as the “Noachide laws”. They are an invention of those who twist scripture to match their theology. Folks, when Yeshua was talking about His sheep, he didn’t mean it literally. Stop being sheep, stop following the “theology” crowd and start thinking for yourselves with the Ruach (spirit) and Yeshua’s example as your guide.

I have another question I will post at another time concerning the millenial sacrifice.