The Salvation-Historical Continuity of Resident Foreigher and National Corresponding-Holiness Torah Abstentions

The question of which rituals in the Torah should continue to be practiced was disputed in the apostolic church. This research finds that the (1) Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:19–29) and (2) 1 Peter 1:14–17 indicate two categories of ritual abstentions Christians should continue to practice: (1) resident foreigner abstentions (Lev 17:8–13, 18, 20:1–5, 24:16; Exod 20:10; Deut 5:14) because the church is a community in which Gentiles reside with Jews (Acts 15:14–18) and (2) national corresponding-holiness abstentions (Leviticus 11, 19:1–3, and 20) because the church is sojourning holy nation (1 Pet 2:9–11). Both categories of overlap on three out of five dimensions of abstention each—from idolatry, working on the seventh day, and sexual immorality—and each category has a dietary abstention—from (1) blood and (2) unclean meat. The other abstentions are from (1) blasphemy and (2) spiritualism. All but blasphemy are meaningful on terms established by God at humanity’s origins for our relationship with him. The salvation historical continuity of these abstentions should prompt reflection on how they can be practiced in ways that are meaningful for Christians today, and Christians who practice them should not be regarded as compromising Christian or Jewish identity.