Publisher's Synopsis
In Paul's world religion was believed to be based on works. There were sacrifices to be offered, religious days to be observed and a host of other rituals which a person must obey if he were to be "clean" and fit to participate in them. The Scribes read and interpreted the Old Testament laws while the Pharisees dedicated themselves to observing them. The interpretation of the Old Testament laws was so strict that observance was virtually impossible. In fact, they were so strict that a non-Jew was required to "become a Jew" if he hoped to enter eternal life. Paul comes declaring a new doctrine. The Gentile did not have to be circumcised and observe Jewish rituals to be saved. He could be saved by simply believing in Jesus as the Son of God. Even those Jews who were bound by the restrictions of Jewish Law could lay their works aside and be saved by faith. Jesus described the Jewish interpretation of the Law as "burdens grevious to be borne," With the crucifixion, a new day had arrived. Both Jew and Gentile could forever lay aside the restraints of Jewish Law and be saved by simple faith in Jesus Christ.
