There are those in Christianity who in their minds hold they are justified in saying Christians, at least Gentile Christians, are not compelled by scripture to obey the laws of Moses having to do with things like circumcision, food, sabbath, and feast days.
Such Christians hold such a mindset based on a number of biblical principles.
One principle is the fact that in Acts 15, the apostles and elders issue a decree that at least Gentiles are not required to be physically circumcised to obtain salvation (Acts 15:1). Moreover, there is some indication that the decree says the scope of the decision was not just about physical circumcision, but about the law of Moses in general (Acts 15:5). Indeed this observation is consistent with Romans 3:28 where it says:
Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
The emphasis of Acts 15 is salvation; the emphasis is not living a saved life through good works though such living is important. The apostles do in their council meeting speak about the people being able to learn about the law of Moses through attendance at the regular synagogue meetings (Acts 15:21). Therefore, the apostles certainly do not intend for us to conclude that keeping the law of Moses to some measure for some purposes is not important.
The question before us is although keeping the law of circumcision is not necessary for salvation, is it necessary for obedience in the sense of Jesus words in John 14:15 which he says If you love me, keep my commandments.
The case of the circumcision issue concerning Timothy (Acts 16:1-5) and Titus (Galatians 2:1-5) provides some insight.
The fact that Paul did not compel Titus to be circumcised shows that at least some of the law of Moses is not even necessary for obedience. That is, there are parts of the law of Moses that do not apply to at least Gentiles for any purpose, judgement or otherwise.
Now less there be a misunderstanding let me say that does not mean that none of the law applies for obedience. For example, in Ephesians 6:2 Paul clearly quotes from one of the Ten Commandments about honoring parents as given in Exodus 20:12. So that law clearly applies to all Christians even today as a matter of obedience in the sense of John 14:15.
Colossians 2:14-17 provides the basis for another principle. That principle is that not only is physical circumcision unnecessary for salvation and for obedience but so are the ordinances in the law of Moses concerning such things as food, sabbath, feasts, and new moons.
For Colossians 2:14-17 says:
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
So it tells us such things are not so important as for us to give our attention to judging one another as to whether we keep them or not keep them to include the when, how, and where of them.
Colossians 2:14 says such ordinances are nailed to the cross, meaning Jesus crucifixion makes them unnecessary. Now certainly that applies as to salvation and may even apply as to obedience. Since we are told not to judge and the scope of that judgment is not given it follows that we should not judge even as to obedience in the sense of John 14:15. In other words, if some folks believe they do not have to keep such laws for even obedience that is between them and God; others, should not say they are wrong. If some folks believe they do have to keep such laws for obedience, that is between them and God; others, should not say they are wrong.
Therefore, in the final analysis I observe the following:
It is not sin to get physically circumcised and it is not sin to not get physically circumcised.
It is not sin to not eat food identified as unclean food in the law of Moses and it is not sin to eat such food.
It is not sin to keep the Sabbath on Saturday and it is not sin to not keep the Sabbath on Saturday.
It is not sin to keep the feasts and it is not sin to not keep the feasts.
Now that does not mean there are not other laws for which it is sin not to obey and for which repentance is in order.
Moreover, I observe that whether or not a person is physically circumcised, keeps Saturday Sabbath, celebrates feast days, or new moons need not affect whether that person has a stable successful family and stays out of trouble in society and contributes to the community and society in a healthy manner.
As 2 Corinthians 3:6 says: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
And as Romans 7:6 says: But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
