The relationship between Christians and Jews was bad from the start and deteriorating in subsequent years until the end of the first century when the Jews included a curse of Christians in their Eighteen Benedictions (The Amidah). Benediction #12 was added later at Yavneh, aiming at Christians.
The epistles of Peter were written before the gospel of Matthew. Here, we can see that Peter's epistles were still very Jewish while Matthew was more hostile towards the Jews.
The epistles of Peter were written before the gospel of Matthew. Here, we can see that Peter's epistles were still very Jewish while Matthew was more hostile towards the Jews.
In the First Epistle of Peter, the author still relied on the prophets of the Old Testament to prove that Jesus was the Messiah.
The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation;
they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:10-12).
Even angels long to look at the things about the good news the apostles preached. What were these things? They were the teachings and actions of Jesus. In order to lead a life compatible with their calling, Christians should be holy in their conduct.
but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct;
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)
The author was quoting Leviticus 11:44.
Holiness, according to the Old Testament standard, consists of keeping all the commandments of God. At the time of writing, Christians were still very Jewish.
The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation;
they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:10-12).
Even angels long to look at the things about the good news the apostles preached. What were these things? They were the teachings and actions of Jesus. In order to lead a life compatible with their calling, Christians should be holy in their conduct.
but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct;
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)
The author was quoting Leviticus 11:44.
Holiness, according to the Old Testament standard, consists of keeping all the commandments of God. At the time of writing, Christians were still very Jewish.
When Matthew wrote about the Beatitudes, he advocated a different standard of Christian life. Instead of leading a holy life, Christians should lead a perfect life.
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τέλειός ἐστιν(Matthew 5:48).
It is not enough to keep all the commandments to be holy. A Christian life demands more than that. It demands turning the other cheek, walking an extra mile, praying for those who persecute you and relying totally on God etc. It is indeed more challenging to be perfect.
Though Christianity began within Judaism, Matthew and latter writers of the New Testament were moving away from their Jewish roots. They were writing less and less from the Jewish perspective. Instead, they quoted more directly from Jesus until he became the sole authority. They have finally established their own identity.
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τέλειός ἐστιν(Matthew 5:48).
It is not enough to keep all the commandments to be holy. A Christian life demands more than that. It demands turning the other cheek, walking an extra mile, praying for those who persecute you and relying totally on God etc. It is indeed more challenging to be perfect.
Though Christianity began within Judaism, Matthew and latter writers of the New Testament were moving away from their Jewish roots. They were writing less and less from the Jewish perspective. Instead, they quoted more directly from Jesus until he became the sole authority. They have finally established their own identity.
Dear Lord, we thank our religious forefathers for their legacy. We pray that they will one day accept You as their Saviour as well. May we lead our life compatible with Your calling. Amen.
Appendix:
διότι γέγραπται [ὅτι] ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιός [εἰμι].
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16, RSV)
ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ ἁγιασθήσεσθε καὶ ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, (Leviticus 11:44a, LXX)
διότι γέγραπται [ὅτι] ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιός [εἰμι].
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16, RSV)
ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ ἁγιασθήσεσθε καὶ ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, (Leviticus 11:44a, LXX)
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