...but you went on again about their background differences.
Let me be clearer. What doctrinal differences/contradictions are there between Romans and James?
Within that portion of my OP that I posted again contains their differences. But out of patience I will propose it with a different approach.
Let me ask a question: Does anyone here believe that God places different demands and expectations on different groups of people under the New Covenant?
While you are meditating on your answer, let me remind you that in Gal 3:28 and Col 3:11, Paul said their is neither Greek nor Jew... We are all one in Christ [paraphrasing]. Romans 12:4 and several other places in 1 Cor 10-12 says we are ONE body (not two). Eph 4:4-5 says there is one body, one faith one baptism.
So back to the question: Does God under the New Covenant place different demands and expectations on different people, or are we all on equal ground when it comes to what is needed for salvation?
Now, if your answer is no, he doesn't place different demands and expectations on different people, then I agree and we can move on to my next point. If you believe he does have different expectations, then I have nothing more to say to you on this topic: go in peace.
So if we are all the same in regards to what is expected, let us examine what James said:
Acts 21:20 KJV
And when they heard it , they glorified the Lord, and said unto him,
Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
These believing Jews who were following James were zealous of the law. They believed that even with the New Covenant they had to follow the law.
Acts 21:21 KJV
And they are informed of thee, that
thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
These Jews were upset that Paul was teaching Jews to forsake the law. It is very clear that there is a difference in doctrine here. The believing Jews led by James believed they were still under the law and Paul was teaching Jews (not only gentiles) to forsake the law.
Acts 21:24 KJV
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing;
but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
James was demanding that Paul undergo some ritual and he (being a Jew) had to keep the law himself. Yet this is contrary to his entire message that he was not under the law. He said, all things are lawful into me, but not all things are expedient.
Acts 21:25 KJV
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
So there is the point of my question. Believing Jews had one set of expectations while believing Gentiles had another set of expectations. This may be the first to Christian denominations!
Paul did not teach the same thing James was teaching, and if you disagree with that, then James disagrees with you! This is James calling out Paul for teaching something different.this very chapter shows there was a difference in their doctrine.
What's amazing to me is that Paul saw the difference and James saw the difference; so why can't so many Christians today see what the two men involved clearly see?
Let me put it one other way:. If they were teaching the same thing, then this conversation would have never happened.
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In James's eyes there were separate standards for the believing Jews and Gentiles. As such, when you read James's epistle, this must be kept in mind. Unlike Paul (and remember, James himself said it) he expected Jewish Christians to keep the Law.