The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

102 involves the relationship of all believers to the Law. 130 While the semantic range of µa811Tfl<; would certainly allow for a reference to Jews and Gentiles, it is more likely that Peter's choice of words is intended as an endorsement of the group under discussion rather than a description of the makeup of that group. That is, he is giving his opinion that these people are already full members of the church apart from their keeping of the Law, rather than discuss– ing the parameters of the group. 131 Actually, the membership of the group under discussion is made clear throughout the chapter. It is the relationship of the Law to Gentiles which is being discussed. First, the very fact that circumcision is being urged on these people defines the group as Gentile (15: 1, 5)! Second, Peter's speech refers back to the precedent set by the Holy Spirit in the salvation of Cornelius (15:7-11). Third, the testimony of Paul (15: 12) and the speech of James (15: 13- 18) clearly concern Gentiles rather than Jews. Fourth, the wording of the decree as it is first ' formulated by James (15: 19) and the letter as it is formally written (15:23) are only addressed to Gentiles. Finally, Luke clarifies the aim of the letter when he repeats it for the reader through the mouth of James (21: 21-25). As James asks Paul to demonstrate his fideIity toward the Law for the benefit of zealous Jewi h believers in Jerusalem, he doe so with the di claimer, "But concerning the Gentiles who have believed , we wrote that they hould ab tain .. . " (15:25), repeating the es ence of the decree of chapter fifteen . Th r for , th 130 "In di cu ing the que tion Pet r r ferred not nl t G ntil but I b h u d r coming und r th Law . Th t rm di ipl ' wa u d f b th J 131 H ta1 t m unt t 3. ther d n t t t , but imp I impl , th t th r f r n . Bru 11. n rt 7 )," H t all nt il i t J " , n .