Our Lord and His disciples, belonging as they did to Israel, observed the requirements

of the law, while rejecting the superimposed traditions of the Elders.

It is true the outward observances had no power nor value in themselves; they were

an outward sign of internal realities. As long as Israel are a people before God, the law is

to be observed, and is therefore in evidence during the entire period covered by the

Acts of the Apostles. Of course, they who believed in Christ served in a new spirit

(Rom. 7: 6; II Cor. 3: 6), they delighted in the law of God after the inward man

(Rom. 7: 22) and, under grace, found that they were at liberty to obey the law

(Rom. 8: 4), which was not possible while the law represented a covenant of works.

All enlightened believers knew that the offerings of the law pointed to the one true

offering of Christ. This is not only true of the past, but of the future. Circumcision in the

flesh (Ezek. 44: 9) and offerings (Ezek. 40:-45:), together with many other typical

features, will remain until the new heaven and new earth (Matt. 5: 18, 19).

After Acts 28: there is a complete change. Israel as the people of God are set

aside, and with them the new covenant, the law, ceremonies, etc. Scripture gives no

warrant for a single outward observance now, not even for Israel.

The following diagram will help to visualize the distinction to be observed between

the old covenant and the law:--

The apostles and Christian Jews attended temple and synagogue (Acts 5: 20; 13: 14).

We read of their fastings (Acts 13: 2), and the circumcision of Timothy (Acts 16: 3).

Peter in Acts 10: 28 is still "a Jew" intent upon observing the law. Acts 15: reveals that

twenty years after Pentecost circumcision was still practiced by the church and apostles.

Thirty years after Pentecost Paul associates himself with the Nazarite vow and the temple

(Acts 21: 21-26) in order to give a public proof that the sayings of his enemies were not

true.  He denied the report that he had taught the Jews that they need no longer

circumcise or observe the law. In Acts 25: 8 Paul says:--

Mr. Van Mierlo offers in extension of this subject some helpful notes upon such

passages as Rom. 3: 21, 28, "without the law"; Rom. 6: 14, "ye are not under the

law"; Rom. 10: 4, "Christ is the end of the law", which passages to some might seem to

negative what had been said as to the observance of the law during the Acts. The

difficulties vanish when we realize that the law is in these passages considered as a

means of attaining righteousness, in other words, the old covenant. This is indeed done

away. As we believe our readers are clear on this important point, we pass on to