I took it as a challenge that you need to see specifically from Luke’s writings that even gentiles are called to be
observant. I think the answer is often overlooked in Yeshua’s final command to His disciples:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(Luk 24:47 KJV)
He did not define sin or give it a new context in the book of Luke. Yet, He clearly stated that the "remission of sins should be preached among all nations." This is, without question, an account of the same event Matthew describes in Matthew 28. We, as believers, are quick to teach all things that Yeshua did; however that is not the command that He left us with. He said to "teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you." Even in the book of Luke, Yeshua stood as solidly preaching observance to
.
And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
(Luk 8:20-21 KJV)
But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
(Luk 11:42 KJV)
Any argument Yeshua was not
observant (that he kept
) and also taught according to
immediately condemns Yeshua as a sinner. Galatians 4:4 tells us plainly that Yeshua was born under the authority of the Law. During His life, before His death, He must have lived in perfect obedience to
or have been condemned as rebellious against God. If He failed in His teaching or conduct at any level, there should be no doubt, the scribes and Pharisees would have pounced upon it to accuse Him (Luke 11:54).
And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
(Luk 23:13-15 KJV)
The absence of specific commands to keep
, I think, is terribly misunderstood by Christians today. This is because we have come to see Christianity and Judaism as two completely distinct religious entities. In John 5:39, Yeshua said, "Search the Scriptures (Jewish Scriptures)… they are they which testify of Me." Paul never once identifies himself as a Christian; but on three occasions declares himself to be a Jew.
My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come.
(Act 26:4-7 KJV)
Since the early Christians considered themselves to be Jews (and new believers Jewish proselytes), it was naturally understood that they would begin to learn and to walk in
.
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
(Act 15:19-21 KJV)
In Luke’s letters to Theophilus, the absence of specific
instruction can’t be assumed as negating the value of
since the purpose of his writers were to be descriptive of historical events as evidence to support things that Theophilus has already been taught.
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
(Luk 1:3-4 KJV)
We have confirmed that Yeshua was, Himself,
observant. If we may include Matthew 5:19 in this discourse, we must believe that also taught men to be obedient to
. If we confess that Yeshua taught obedience to
to His disciples and His disciples, by His command, went on to teach all things that He had commanded them to every nation, then we must conclude that obedience to
is for all nations. I would suggest to you that this is exactly what the disciples did.
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
(Act 15:35-36 KJV)
And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
(Act 18:11 KJV)
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
(Act 28:30-31 KJV)
Yeshua taught us to obey the commands of Scripture. Sure, He taught Jews and Jews wouldn’t listen to Him if He didn’t speak within the boundaries of
. But, He didn’t command His disciples to teach His salvation alone. He didn’t command the disciples to teach only the things that might apply to other nationalities. He didn’t suggest that they fit the gospel message into the unique cultures that they might find themselves in. He said to preach everything that He had commanded them to every nation: that though heaven and earth shall pass away, His words will endure for eternity.
Shalom, my brother,
Mark
to him. (He is a retired Assembly of God pastor in his second career as a photo-copier technician.) He's said to me on numerous occassions, "I know you're right, but..." 
