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

108 description of the law as "living oracles" (7:38) but which the nation had continually dis- obeyed (7:53). Peter does not by his statement degrade the Law nor does he address its continuing validity; rather, he simply points out its insufficiency as a means of salvation. 147 This understanding also explains the emphasis upon the close connection which Peter has made between Jews and Gentiles. He first states that God gave them the Holy Spirit "just as He also did to us" (15:8) and "He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith" (15:9). Finally he summarizes that Jews are saved by God's grace "in the same way as they also are" (15: 11). As Paul also says in Galatians 3:28 , 148 while distinctions may obtain elsewhere, when it comes to salvation, both Jew and Gentile are saved by grace apart from the Law. In summary, Peter argues that the Law of Moses is not salvific . Specifically he states that its absence did not prevent Cornelius from being saved (15:7-9) . Secondly , its ; presence did not bring salvation to the Jews (15 :10) and finally, Jew and Gentile alike receive salvation by grace through believing (15 :11) . 149 Thus Peter answers the first a pect relating to the Gentile's obligation to Moses: the Law plays no part in the salvation of Gentile . proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believe which you could not be freed through the Law of Mo e . " 147 Dic in on, "The Theology of the J ru alem 148 Th ugh oft n interpr ted mu h too reference to the irr l di tin tion in freed from all thing , fr m t I : I- ," 71. th l e th t in th in ul r m tt r f ju tifi ti n, th matt r II nd "A r h ' k t t 1 1 " 111 .