Old Covenant
In the Old Testament, a biblical Jew was defined by:
1. Physical descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (
Genesis 12:3; 15:5).
2. Physical Circumcision (
Genesis 17:10-14).
3. Adherence to the Mosaic covenant and law (
Exodus 19-24).
4. Membership in the Israelite community.
However, Scripture also emphasizes the importance of:
1. Circumcised heart (
Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6;
Jeremiah 4:4).
2. Faith and obedience (
Genesis 15:6;
Exodus 19:5).
Jeremiah 4:4 warns that external circumcision is insufficient without internal heart change.
New Covenant
In the New Testament, Paul redefines what it means to be a Jew:
Romans 2:28-29 ESV
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Here, Paul emphasizes:
1. Spiritual circumcision (
Colossians 2:11-12).
2. Faith in Jesus Christ (
Galatians 3:26-29).
3. New covenant membership (
Acts 2,
Hebrews 8:6-13).
Continuity and Change
Physical descent and external circumcision were important in the Old Covenant, the New Covenant emphasizes spiritual realities:
1. Faith and obedience (same emphasis as Old Testament).
2. Internal heart change (same emphasis as
Jeremiah 4:4).
3. Spiritual circumcision (
Acts 2,
Colossians 2:11-12).
The definition of a biblical Jew has shifted from external markers to internal, spiritual realities.
Did Biblical Jews Cease to Exist?
In one sense, yes. The Old Covenant, ethnic-based understanding of Jewish identity has given way to a New Covenant, spiritually-based understanding.
In another sense, no. Paul still identifies himself as a Jew (
Acts 21:39;
Romans 11:1)
However, the distinction between Jew and Gentile has been transcended in Christ (
Galatians 3:28;
Ephesians 2:14).
Relationship to Romans 2:28
Romans 2:28 redefines what it means to be a Jew, emphasizing spiritual circumcision and inward faith. This definition:
1. Builds upon Old Testament emphasis on circumcised heart.
2. Transcends external markers.
3. Applies to all
Acts 2 believers, regardless of ethnicity.