Should Christians Observe the Torah?By Jeremy Kapp

(All quotes are from the WEB Bible)

This study will examine whether or not God’s Law, the Torah, still has relevance on Christianitytoday. Many Christians have wrongly been taught that we no longer need to uphold God’s originalcommands. However, many commands were for all generations of mankind forever, and theMessiah only reinforced this teaching. In this study, I will often use the Hebrew word ‘Messiah’rather than the Greek word ‘Christ.’ Additionally, I will follow each quote with a comment in bluetext.

Part One: The importance of the Law (Torah)

The word “Torah” is a Hebrew word that refers to the first five books of Moses in the OldTestament; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. “Torah” is traditionallytranslated “Law,” and literally means “Teaching of Righteousness.” All of God’s commands aregiven in the Torah, and to obey the Torah is to obey all of God’s commands, not just the TenCommandments or the two greatest commands, as we will see.

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; buthe who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’twe prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’23 Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

*You must do the Father’s commands to enter the Kingdom! The last word “iniquity” literally means,“Thayer's Greek Lexicon: Grk. word #458, anomia, 1: to practice the condition of without law 1a)”If you practice a condition without Law, the Messiah will not know you. You will not be in him!

1 John 2:3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, “Iknow him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But whoever keepshis word, God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

*You can only be “in Christ” if you uphold the Father’s commandments! This is how we know if a personis a true Christian. Walking as he walked in this context clearly means to follow Torah.

1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he wasrevealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. 6 Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sinshasn’t seen him, neither knows him.

*Sin is failure to uphold Torah here. The only way to remain in him is to do your best to keep theLaw/Torah. If you don’t, he will not know you. Again, the word for lawlessness is, “Thayer's Greek

Lexicon: Grk. word #458, anomia, 1: to practice the condition of without law 1a)” If you practice alifestyle that does not uphold the Torah, you are not truly a Christian!

Matthew 22: 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all yoursoul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 A second likewise is this,‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these twocommandments.”

*This does not say to only follow two commands! It says all of the Torah and Prophets HANG on thesetwo commands. All of God’s commands fall under the categories of loving God or loving your neighbor,this is what this says. Nothing here abolishes the rest of Torah. If you break any small part of it, you havefailed to love God or your neighbor.

Matthew 5:17 “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but tofulfill. 18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter orone tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.19 Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall becalled least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in theKingdom of Heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes andPharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

*Messiah did not come to abolish Torah, it will last as long as heaven and Earth remain! And not all hasbeen fulfilled as of yet. Whoever breaks Torah and teaches that any of it is abolished will be least in theKingdom, but whoever keeps Torah and teaches to uphold it will be great in the Kingdom. Yourrighteousness, AKA correct understanding of Torah, MUST exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

Revelation 3:15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 So,because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.

*Do Torah or don’t. Anything in between is lukewarm. You will no longer be “in Christ.”

Revelation 12:17 The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest ofher seed, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony.

*In the end times Satan’s enemies are Christians who keep Torah. The text implies that the good guys, theseed of the woman (Gen 3:15) are those who keep God’s Commandments, so true Christians will upholdTorah.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and thefaith of Jesus.”

*The Saints are Torah-Observant Christians! To the right, Jews deny the messiah; to the left, Christiansdeny Torah. The narrow path in the middle holds to both of God’s gifts.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t be carried away by variousand strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by food, through whichthose who were so occupied were not benefited.

*Messiah only taught to uphold the Torah. His will has never changed, and neither does the will of hisFather. Don’t listen to pastors that teach the Torah is gone!

Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of ourfathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

*Paul is a part of a sect that follows Torah!

James 2:8 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighboras yourself,” you do well. 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law astransgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty ofall. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do notcommit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak, and so do, as menwho are to be judged by a law of freedom. 13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown nomercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

*You will be judged by the Law! This means we must uphold it in all points! Preachers say it isimpossible, but have they ever told you which commands cannot be kept?

Matthew 19:16 Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I mayhave eternal life?”

17 He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want toenter into life, keep the commandments.”18 He said to him, “Which ones?”Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall notoffer false testimony.’ 19 ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor asyourself.’”20 The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you willhave treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard the saying, he wentaway sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

*Keep the Father’s commandments if you want eternal life. Many people suggest Jesus deceived this manby telling him to keep Torah, but this should not be taken this way. There is only one deceiver. Even theLord’s prayer adds ‘may your will be done.’

Romans 3:31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.

*The Greek word behind “establish” literally means “to make stand.” We MUST ‘keep God’scommandments and hold Jesus’ testimony,’ Just as it says in Revelation 12:17. Faith WITH works is alive.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith savehim? 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you tells them, “Go inpeace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it?17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. 18 Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I haveworks.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

*We are not saved by our works, but our keeping of Torah make us a believer, and give us the Messiah.

Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will besaved.

*You must endure until the end to be saved. You must keep the commandments and hold to the teachingof the Son. Salvation, saving you from your past sin is only from the Son. Works of the Law do not saveyou, they keep you from sinning.

John 8:11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”

*The Messiah never said your future intentional sins are forgiven, you are to go and sin no more. Sin isthe violation of Torah, so to stop sinning we must uphold Torah. The term ‘Repent of your sins’ means toturn from your sins, and sin is the violation of the Law.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 May it never be!We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?

*We must sin no more! Only past and accidental sins have a sacrifice. vs 6 says our old nature died withhim on the cross. Sin is the transgression of Torah, don’t live breaking the Law!

Romans 7:1 Or don’t you know, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hasdominion over a man for as long as he lives? 2 For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to thehusband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband. 3 So thenif, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if thehusband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you wouldbe joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might produce fruit to God. 5 Forwhen we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members tobring out fruit to death. 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which wewere held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

*Your belief in the Messiah frees you from your sins/transgressions against Torah. This new freedomdoes NOT allow us to deliberately sin after believing in Messiah. All sins mentioned are past-tense,deliberate sins in the future are not permitted. The Law did not die, WE died to our past sins!

Matthew 19:8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorceyour wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. 9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, exceptfor sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she isdivorced commits adultery.”

10 His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”11 But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given. 12 For there areeunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were madeeunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’ssake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

*Some people have a situation that exempts them from a part of the Law, but anyone who can apply itmust do so. Some people have died to a certain part of the Law.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remainsno more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire whichwill devour the adversaries. 28 A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word oftwo or three witnesses.

*Again, intentional sin loses your sacrifice. And a man disregarding Torah dies with no compassion.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,and may enter in by the gates into the city.

*If you want the right to eternal life, you must keep the Torah.

Revelation 2:3 You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary.4 But I have this against you, that you left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you havefallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.

*Christians must repent and return to doing the commands of the first covenant or they will lose theirlamp stand. The term “Repent of your sins” means to turn from sin; sin being the violation of the Law.

Ezekiel 36:25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, andfrom all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spiritwithin you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 Iwill put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances,and do them.

*This verse definitely foreshadows the New Covenant, and yes, we are supposed to keep thecommandments.

James 4: 11 Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges hisbrother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law,but a judge. 12 Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judgeanother?

*Don’t judge the Torah, do the Torah! Not being a doer of the Law is a negative thing here.

Matthew 28:19 Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of theSon and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I amwith you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

*You are to teach all things he commanded. He commanded to keep the commands of his Father and tobelieve in him or you will in no way enter the Kingdom of God!

Romans 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without the law. As many as havesinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it isn’t the hearers of the law who are righteousbefore God, but the doers of the law will be justified 14 (for when Gentiles who don’t have the law do bynature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show thework of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among

themselves accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men,according to my Good News, by Jesus Christ.

*Only the doers of Torah will be justified. And Torah is only written on your heart if you uphold it well!(as in Hebrews 8:10) If someone does well with no scriptural knowledge, God will judge him secretly bythe Law in his heart, but he still must do these things.

Colossians 2:16 Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day ora new moon or a Sabbath day, 17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body of Christ.

*The Old Testament IS a shadow of things to come, not WAS a shadow. And no one is to judge yourTorah Observance, except the body of Christ, the believers that also hold Torah as taught by Messiah!

Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered intohis rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore give diligence toenter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

*The Sabbath, a commandment, still exists in the future. Give diligence to keep it.

Part Two: Is the Law abolished?

Although The Messiah said the Torah would last as long as Heaven and Earth remain, many peoplehave twisted the words of Paul into suggesting the Law has been abolished. The Torah is ourteacher, and many prophecies have not yet been fulfilled, but let’s try now to see why many peopledeclare it to be gone.

Acts 21: 20 They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, “You see, brother, how manythousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.21 They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsakeMoses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. 22 What then? Theassembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you.We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay theirexpenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the thingsthat they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law.

*Paul was accused of teaching against the Torah, but those claims were false, and he proved he upheld it.Many Christians have made the same error from Paul’s writings, claiming he taught against the Torah.

2 Peter 3:15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also,according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you; 16 as also in all of his letters, speaking in them ofthese things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettledtwist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowingthese things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from yourown steadfastness.

*This is a warning that Paul’s letters can and have been misunderstood as saying the Law is gone. Makesure you don’t make the same error or you will fall from your steadfastness/obedience. Notice it is theignorant untaught man who twists it.

Colossians 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it outof the way, nailing it to the cross; 15 having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show ofthem openly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon ora Sabbath day,

*Many Bibles say nailing the LAW to the cross. However the Greek texts use the word ‘Dogma,’ whichmeans manmade doctrines or ordinances as shown in this translation. The Greek word ‘nomos’ is the onlyword meaning Torah, which is not used here. Only traditions of man that make the Law void areabolished!

Mark 7:8 “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—thewashing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” 9 He said to them, “Full well do youreject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your fatherand your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say,‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, thatis to say, given to God”;’ 12 then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother,13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many thingslike this.”

*These traditions of men were nailed to the cross. We are to abolish traditions that prevent us fromupholding the Law.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 ForMoses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.”

*The famous King James Version and the NIV say Christ is the end of the Law. This poorly translatedGreek word has misled many into believing the Torah is abolished. The Greek should be rendered as goalor fulfillment. Paul said you must live by them. Why would God’s righteous instruction be abolished?

Mark 7:17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about theparable. 18 He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Don’t you perceive that whatevergoes into the man from outside can’t defile him, 19 because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into hisstomach, then into the latrine, thus purifying all foods?”

*This discussion is about washing hands. Any dirt on the hands goes through the body and exits,purifying the body of all that was eaten. This has been used as evidence pork is now clean, but this neversays anything of the sort. If the Messiah meant every animal was now clean, he would have said that inplain language, right?

1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, payingattention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies,branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; 3 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstainfrom foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. 5 Forit is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

*God certainly DID create creatures to be eaten with thanksgiving; but other are forbidden. Every ediblecreature should be received with thanksgiving, but this does not suggest unclean animals may now beeaten. Pork is defined as NOT FOOD, therefore it is not even to be considered as such. (Lev 11:7)

Acts 11:4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying,and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down fromheaven by four corners. It came as far as me. 6 When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw thefour-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voicesaying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has everentered into my mouth.’ 9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God hascleansed, don’t you call unclean.’ 10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea tome. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompaniedme, and we entered into the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house,and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak to you words bywhich you will be saved, you and all your house.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them,even as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptizedin water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us,when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has alsogranted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”

*This vision of Peter’s was about saving gentiles, NOT teaching to eat unclean foods! The animalsrepresent gentiles and Peter already said God told him in a vision that he is not to consider theGENTILES common or unclean! This proves the vision is not about food. (See next quote)

Acts 10:28 He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew tojoin himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholyor unclean.

*This verse proves that the vision Peter spoke of was about gentiles, not food.

Ephesians 2:15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained inordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; 16 and might reconcilethem both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. 17 He came andpreached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have ouraccess in one Spirit to the Father.

*Notice again that the Torah is not abolished, but the dogmas, or ‘traditions of men’ that the Messiah saidmade the Torah void. Again, only doctrines AGAINST the Torah are abolished! The Greek word behindordinances again is Dogma, not anomia “the Law.”

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have knownsin, except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting, unless the law had said, “You shall notcovet.” 8 But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. Forapart from the law, sin is dead. 9 I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came,sin revived, and I died. 10 The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death; 11 for sin,

finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 12 Therefore the lawindeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

13 Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to besin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin mightbecome exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

*The Torah teaches what sin is. The Torah is holy and good! You must understand what sin is so you canavoid it. Keeping the Law causes you to avoid sin.

Acts 18:21 but taking his leave of them, and saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast inJerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.

*Paul kept the Torah well. Keeping this feast is a commandment of God.

Matthew 4:17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven isat hand.”

*This word Repent literally means turn away from sin. Sin is the breaking of the Law, so we are told toreturn to obeying the Torah.

For many of you this is the first time you’ve heard this. I hope this study has opened your eyes tosome truly helpful verses. My goal is to inspire you to study these things further and seek furtherencouragement from the many available sources on Christian Torah Observance. The Messiah hastold you many times now how critical it is to uphold the Father’s instructions; and it’s not difficult.

Part Three: A study on Galatians

The formerly Pagan Galatia was located in northeastern Asia Minor; Galatia was home to a sect ofChristianity who had their own version of the Gospel, this is contrary to what many believe whoteach they were merely Jews. Many people use this book as their ONLY evidence that the Law hasbeen abolished, therefore, a proper understanding of this book is crucial. Another more completestudy on Galatians teaching to keep the Law and the testimony of the Messiah can be read athttp://www.eliyah.com/galatianskjv.html

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to adifferent “good news”; 7 and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, andwant to pervert the Good News of Christ.

*Here Paul refers to the “Gospel of the Circumcision,” which claims you must first be circumcised anduphold the entire Law before you are saved. Paul proved this “gospel” wrong when the Holy Spirit cameto many gentiles, including Timothy, before Paul circumcised him (see parallel in Acts 10:45). Manyteach that these men were Jews, but this is not true because these men taught a gospel of the Messiah.

Galatians 2:4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out ourliberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5 to whom we gave no place

in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 6 Butfrom those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; Goddoesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 7 but to thecontrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even asPeter with the Good News for the circumcision 8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of thecircumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);

*False Apostles came to Galatia, which was in Asia Minor. They came teaching the “Gospel of theCircumcision,” which was taking faith out of Christ and into the works of men. Paul tells us that He wassent to the uncircumcised and Peter to the circumcised, leaving them as having no authority.

Revelation 2:2 “I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men,and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.

*This speech was directed to the churches in Asia; Galatia was located in Northeast Asia Minor. Thisreference is likely referring to this event in Galatia.

2 Timothy 1:15 This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelusand Hermogenes.

*Paul had quite a hard time with these people. He was beaten and hurt by Alexander the coppersmith andsuffered the loss of several friends.

Galatians 2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew backand separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined himin his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that theydidn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you,being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, how can you compel the Gentiles to live asthe Jews do?

*”Those of the circumcision” and the Jews. These men were the subject of Galatians. The new Christianswere to uphold the Law; how could they uphold it if Peter lived as a gentile? The teaching of immediatelyupholding Torah obviously did not seem too bad to Jews who were already upholding the Law, but Paulknew it was no way for a gentile to begin in the faith. No one will become a believer if you’re holding acircumcision knife at them.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law,that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. 20 Becauseby the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledgeof sin. 21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the lawand the prophets;

*The Law makes everyone’s mouth shut. Everyone under the Law is condemned by it, but the Messiahcame apart from the Law to take us out from under it by believing in him. This does not say the Law isgone, only that justification from our inability to uphold it is only possible with the Messiah.

Galatians 3:24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified byfaith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

*Many ministers declare this verse to prove we are no longer under the Law. Paul teaches the Lawteaches us what sin is, and we are in no way to keep sinning and let grace abound. What good is any tutorif you finish your teaching and don’t follow what you’ve learned?

Galatians 4:6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,“Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God throughChrist. 8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are notgods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn backagain to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all overagain? 10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wastedmy labor for you.

*Paul accused the Galatians of previously following Lords that were not gods. And by following the falseteachings of “Those of the Circumcision,” they were returning to their former state of following falsemen.

Galatians 3:5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do itby the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted tohim for righteousness.”

*Paul firmly rejected the teaching of “Those of the Circumcision.” In this section Paul explains thatAbraham BELIEVED and was found righteous BEFORE his circumcision. Showing works should comelater, after faith in the Son.

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard theword. 45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because thegift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in otherlanguages and magnifying God.

*This section of Acts coincides with Galatians. Paul, who taught you do not need to be circumcised first,but MUST believe in the Messiah first was proven correct here. Those of the circumcision were provedwrong here when the Holy Spirit came to those who were not yet circumcised. Paul did NOT teachagainst circumcision, he only taught we are not saved by these works, but need to believe in the Son first.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed iseveryone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 Nowthat no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12 Thelaw is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.”13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed iseveryone who hangs on a tree,”

*Contrary to what many Christians are told, the curse in only on those who do NOT uphold the Law.Since no one has kept the Law their whole life and still accidentally sin, the Messiah died to free us fromthis curse. Don’t let ministers tell you Torah-Observers are under a curse! Those who teach the Law is nolonger valid are worse off than Lawbreakers. (Matthew 5:19)

Deuteronomy 27:15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination toYahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’

All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’17 ‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’18 ‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’20 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’22 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’23 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’24 ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’25 ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’26 ‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

*The curse of the Law mentioned by Paul (Gal 3:10-13) is proven here as being over those who break theLaw.

Part Four: Grace

2 Timothy 1:9 God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, butaccording to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

*Grace is undeserved mercy. By God’s grace he gave us his Son so we can be cleansed from all past sin.

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the lawcomes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed,being testified by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christto all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned, and fall short of theglory of God; 24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

*Keeping the Torah is how God knows you’ve repented. The word “Repent” means to turn from sin. Sinis the violation of his Law. Then, the Son takes care of your accidental sins.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 May it never be!We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?

*We must sin no more! Under Grace does not allow us to break the Torah!

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us,through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly,through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according tothe hope of eternal life.

*What was grace? God gave his son to undeserving sinners, to make us heirs of the promise.

Part Five: How to get it right

This section will end with a list of Torah commands we are still obligated to uphold. The standardJewish count of 613 commands is not correct as it includes hundreds of commands that werefulfilled centuries ago. Many other commands are only for priests and Levites to uphold. Only ahandful are asked of us to uphold throughout all generations of mankind to eternity.

Acts 21:25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should keepthemselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.”

*Here are the list of four commandments for a new believer to follow. A beginner need only hold thesefour at first, then slowly move into the others, of which the clean food law is said to be the most difficult.Paul also tells them to learn the Torah of Moses, which could be heard in the synagogues.

Acts 15:19 “Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn toGod, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality,from what is strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those whopreach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

*Again, the beginner at Torah observance should begin with these four simple commands, then listen toTorah in the synagogues every Sabbath to continue learning it. This shows we must learn Torah anduphold it, starting with just four. Hearing the Torah in a synagogue is no longer the only way to learn theLaw; anyone can easily obtain a copy of the Old Testament for themselves these days.

Romans 11:11 I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fallsalvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.

*Paul goes on talking about gentiles provoking Jews to jealousy. This is much more possible if we obeyTorah and hold to the teaching of the Father better than they, and stop insisting that Jesus nailed theirTorah to his cross! Only the dogmatic doctrines of the Jewish leaders was nailed to the cross! (also seeRom 10:19)

Luke 4:43 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other citiesalso. For this reason I have been sent.” 44 He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

*Messiah preached of how to enter God’s kingdom, and Torah was a requirement. (also Acts 28:23)

So, what is our required portion of Torah to uphold today?

1. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28 and Deuteronomy 10:4)

"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am Yahweh your God…ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above,or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'THREE: 'You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain.'FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.' (Saturday, not Sunday)FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'SIX: 'You shall not murder.'SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his maleservant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'

2. The Biblical Feasts1. Passover/Pesach - March/April2. Unleavened Bread - March/April3. Firstfruits/Grain Harvest - March/April4. Weeks/Shavuot - May/June5. Yom Teruah (Trumpets)/Rosh Hashana - September/October6. Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur - September/October7. Tabernacles/Sukkot - September/October

*Leviticus 23 commands all seven of these feasts to be observed throughout all generations of mankind.The more recent feasts, Purim, which derives from the book of Ruth, and Hanukkah from the book ofMaccabees, are not commanded by God.

3. Keeping Kosher*This is easier than most would think. Avoiding pork tends to be the most difficult as it is soldeverywhere as a breakfast meat, but most places have an alternative (Lev 11:7-8). Turkey bacon, turkeysausage, even turkey pepperoni help to make this one easier. The other one that can be difficult isshellfish, and fish without scales (Catfish.)

4. Wearing Tzitzit tassels (a forever command)

Numbers 15:37 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 38 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them thatthey should make themselves tassels in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, andthat they put on the tassel of each border a cord of blue: 39 and it shall be to you for a tassel that you maylook on it, and remember all the commandments of Yahweh, and do them; and that you not follow afteryour own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to play the prostitute;

Deuteronomy 22:12 You shall make yourselves tassels on the four corners of your cloak with which youcover yourself.

*This is a fun and easy command to keep. Place the tassel on your clothes or belt-loop; it is intended sowhen you look down and see it, you will remember God and keep his commandments.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are notgrievous. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome theworld: your faith.

*Becoming Torah Observant is not difficult, and it shows we have repented of our sin. If we truly havefaith, it should be evident by our obedience to the Law. The Messiah saves us if we have him; Obedienceto Torah gives us the Son. (Faith without works is dead)

That’s all there is to it. Let’s recap quickly on the things we’ve learned.1. Believe in the Messiah and all your past sins are forgiven.2. Begin Torah by upholding only four easy commands.3. Learn the Old Covenant the best way you can until you’ve learned the others.4. Your unintentional sins will be forgiven.5. Your intentional sins are NOT forgiven. (Heb 10:26)6. Stay in Christ, enduring to the end and no one can pluck you from his hand. (John 10:28)

Christians are to practice living by the Torah, upholding the Father's commandments. Only theSon can save you from your sins, and to have the Son we MUST keep the Father's Torah. Don't letany servant of Satan twist the scriptures and preach to you that we need not or can not keep theLaw. Reserve your eternal right to eat of the tree of life by keeping the commandments of God, andthe faith of his Son. Walk as he walked abolishing the dogmas of Men, and if anyone accuses you ofbeing a Legalist, you tell them what happens to those who are ILLEGAL.

Part Six: A Brief Study on Ministers

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itchingears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from thetruth, and turn aside to fables. 5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of anevangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

*Many preachers are only selected to satisfy lustful people with itching ears.

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’sapostles. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is no great thingtherefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according totheir works.

*Many preachers will teach that Torah is abolished. Just like a wolf among sheep or Satan as an angel oflight. Notice the false preachers are servants of Satan! Of course Satan wants you to believe God’s Law isabolished, this keeps you “out of Christ.” They will quote the Torah to ask you to tithe however.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this isthe law and the prophets.

13 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, andmany are those who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life!Few are those who find it.15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 Even so,every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.

*After mentioning the Law and Prophets, he says the way is narrow. Then he mentions to beware ofwolves in sheep’s clothes, yet many churches have pastors dressed as sheep teaching Torah is no more!These warnings have been avoided by pastors for a reason, quoting these verses would make theirfollowers aware of them.

Matthew 23:8 But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you arebrothers. 9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 10 Neither becalled masters, for one is your master, the Christ.

*The word “Rabbi” literally means “Great One,” just as “Reverend” literally means “Revered One.”Don’t call your minister Great One, or any such comment; he is no greater than you, and possibly lesserby committing such direct disobedience.

John 10:16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear myvoice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.

*The word “Pastor” literally means “Shepherd” in the Greek language. Any man claiming to be the leaderin the assembly building is holding an unbiblical position. Originally, the assembling of Christians wasdone in the home of a random believer; no one was the leader, all would add to the study. The wordtranslated “Church” means a body of believers, not a building; it is impossible to “go to church” if you arethe church, right?

Zechariah 13:4 It will happen in that day, that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision, when heprophesies; neither will they wear a hairy mantle to deceive: 5 but he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am atiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondservant from my youth.’ 6 One will say to him, ‘What arethese wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the houseof my friends.’

7 “Awake, sword, against my shepherd,and against the man who is close to me,” says Yahweh of Armies.“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;and I will turn my hand against the little ones.8 It shall happen that in all the land,” says Yahweh,“two parts in it will be cut off and die;but the third will be left in it.9 I will bring the third part into the fire,and will refine them as silver is refined,and will test them like gold is tested.They will call on my name, and I will hear them.

I will say, ‘It is my people;’and they will say, ‘Yahweh is my God.’”

*False preachers will someday admit they’re wrong. The word ‘pastor’ and ‘shepherd’ mean the same.‘Pastor’ being Greek for shepherd. Therefore, these false prophets are the pastors of the present day,teaching against Torah and as described here, not using the name Yahweh. How many preachers have youheard even mention the name Yahweh?

Part Seven: Additional Old Covenant quotes

Exodus 31:12 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Mostcertainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations;that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it isholy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein,that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day isa Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be putto death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughouttheir generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; forin six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’”

*Always remember the seventh day (Saturday) as a day of rest, dedicated to God. This applies to gentilesand foreigners and everyone who calls on God’s name.

Isaiah 56:6 Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, to minister to him, and to loveYahweh’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast mycovenant; 7 even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer:their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called ahouse of prayer for all peoples.”

*Non-Jews were always welcome to Yahweh.

Leviticus 17:8 “You shall say to them, ‘Any man there is of the house of Israel, or of the strangers wholive as foreigners among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9 and doesn’t bring it to the doorof the Tent of Meeting, to sacrifice it to Yahweh; that man shall be cut off from his people.

*Gentiles were always accepted!

Numbers 9:14 “‘If a foreigner lives among you, and desires to keep the Passover to Yahweh; accordingto the statute of the Passover, and according to its ordinance, so shall he do. You shall have one statute,both for the foreigner, and for him who is born in the land.’”

*Foreigners were always accepted!

Isaiah 58:13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day;and call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy of Yahweh honorable; and shall honor it, not doing your ownways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words: 14 then you shall delight yourself in

Yahweh; and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth; and I will feed you with the heritageof Jacob your father:” for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.

*You must keep the Sabbath.

Ezekiel 20:11 I gave them my statutes, and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he shalllive in them.

*Life by Torah.

Isaiah 66:15 For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; torender his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire will Yahweh executejudgment, and by his sword, on all flesh; and the slain of Yahweh shall be many.

17 “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, behind one in the midst,eating pig’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says Yahweh.

*This prophecy has not happened yet, and does not bode well for pork eater.

Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put mywords in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 It shall happen, thatwhoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

*The Messiah said to obey the Commandments.

Psalm 40: 6 Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire.

*God desired obedience, not sacrifice.

Proverbs 4:2 for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.

*Don’t abolish God’s Teaching of Righteousness.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seekmy face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, andwill heal their land.

*Turn from disobedience to be forgiven.

Zechariah 8:23 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: “In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all thelanguages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, ‘We will go withyou, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

*Jews will be sought out in the future. Messianic Jews today are Torah Observant. You don’t have to beJewish, only Torah Observant.