After finding faith in Yeshua, are the distinctions between Jewish followers of Jesus and Gentile followers of Jesus still relevant?
Yes. Rav Shaul (the Apostle Paul) writes of the Jewish people in his letter to the Romans, saying, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). The calling of the people of Israel includes “the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises” (Romans 9:4-5). The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 addresses the issue of Gentile observance of the Torah and frees the Gentiles from keeping the Torah with circumcision as the main example of this discussion (Acts 15:28-29). It would be inaccurate to apply the ruling for Gentile followers of Yeshua to Jewish followers of Yeshua. In fact, Shaul demonstrates his complete observance of the Torah in his desire to keep the Festivals (Acts 20:16) and in his willingness to perform the necessary sacrifices for keeping a vow (Acts 21:26). Though people of all tribes, tongues, and nations are equal in that salvation only comes upon confession of Yeshua as Lord and a belief in His resurrection from the dead (Romans 10:9), the Jewish people are called to be set apart as a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6) as followers of Yeshua – especially as followers of Yeshua (1 Peter 1:1, 2:9).
