Countering Anti-Noahide Beliefs
Further Topics
Countering Anti-Noahide Beliefs
Answering Missionary General Proofs
Answering Missionary Torah Proofs (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Answering Missionary Prophets Proofs (Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Judges, Micah, I Samuel, II Samuel, Zechariah)
Answering Missionary Writings Proofs (Daniel, Psalms)
Answering Trinity Proofs
Countering Anti-Noahide Beliefs
Missionary Statement: There is no such thing as the Noahide Laws
Jewish Answer: In Genesis 9:8-9 Noah was given an eternal covenant for himself and his offspring. His offspring is all of humanity.
Law #1: Prohibition of idolatry and Law #2: Prohibition of blasphemy
Genesis 4:26 - This is a reference to the beginnings of idolatry, which in and of itself is a form of blasphemy. This verse is saying that calling out in prayer to anything but Hashem profanes Hashem's name (Blasphemy). These people call to idols - whether natural phenomena or actual wood and stone.
Laws Given Directly to Noah
Genesis 9:1,12 - Hashem blessed Noah and his seed and made a covenant with them. To say that anything comes from anyone other than Hashem or to pray to anyone other than Hashem is prohibited simply because of this blessing and covenant.
Law #3: Prohibition of theft
Genesis 3:6 - Hashem instructed Adam and Eve not to eat of the forbidden fruit...i.e. it was His property. When they did eat, they in effect stole the fruit and received their due punishment.
Genesis 6:11 -
Theft is a direct reason for the flood.
Law Given Directly to Noah
Genesis 9:3 -
Before the flood, eating meat was prohibited. Hashem has given Noah and his descendants the option to eat meat. Hashem has given His permission so that Noah and his descendants would know that the prohibition of eating meat is no longer in effect – meaning that it is not stealing from Hashem if one eats meat.
Law #4: Prohibition of murder
Genesis 4:8,12 -
This one is pretty simple. Cain kills Abel...Cain is punished.
Genesis 4:23-24 -
Lamech rues over the punishment he will receive for committing an accidental murder.
Law Given Directly to Noah
Genesis 9:6 -
This is a clear reference to murder being prohibited.
Law #5: Prohibition of sexual misconduct
Genesis 1:28 -
A primary reason for the relationship between Adam and Eve is to populate the earth. Eve is created as a 'helpmate' to Adam. Thus, sexual conduct within a husband/wife relationship is sanctified and all other types of sexual conduct are not sanctified.
There are several examples of the consequences of this: the serpent's attempted seduction of Eve...In Lamech's wives Ada and Tzillah (it is derived that at that time men would take two wives...one to bear them children and the other for fun. Tzillah was the one for fun as evidence by her giving birth to Tubal-Cain where Genesis 4:22 (English) (Hebrew) says And Tzillah too.
Genesis 6:2-3 -
As a result of the sons of rulers who took whatever women they chose, Hashem issues the decree that in 120 years, He will destroy mankind.
Genesis 6:12 -
This is yet another example that sexual misconduct is prohibited.
Law Given Directly to Noah
Genesis 9:1 -
Just as Adam and Eve were told to live in a husband/wife relationship, be fruitful and multiply, and avoid sexual misconduct, so were Noah and his family.
Law #6: Prohibition of eating live meat
Law Given Directly to Noah
Genesis 9:4 -
The law against eating live meat is clearly stated in this verse. This also speaks out against animal cruelty and properly butchering meat.
Law #7: Prohibition of failing to establish courts of justice
Genesis 1:28 -
This is a clear ruling to establish a system of justice.
Genesis 6:2 -
A hierarchy of people had been established. Although those rulers were evil, as the chapter delineates, the idea of the system is good in two ways...one it emulates Hashem's court and two, later on Moses (with Hashem's permission) sets up a justice system so that a single individual is not faced with all the legal questions (and also to help prevent a single person from becoming a tyrant).
Law Given Directly to Noah
Genesis 9:6 -
This is a clear reference to murder being prohibited. This also is a reference to the establishment of courts....if one commits murder, then it is up to the courts to convict and punish.
We also see throughout the Torah that Hashem acts as a court when He chooses to intervene.
Let’s look at the Christian Scriptures for an indication of the Noahide laws.
Law #1: Prohibition of idolatry and Law #2: Prohibition of blasphemy
Acts 15:29 - By abstaining from food offered to the idols, the Gentile believers would not commit idolatry nor would they commit blasphemy.
Law #3: Prohibition of theft
Acts 15:29 - By abstaining from food offered to idols, the Gentile believers would not steal food from Hashem by blessing an idol and acting as if the food is from the idol and not a gift from Hashem.
Law #4: Prohibition of murder
Acts 15:29 - By abstaining from blood, the Gentile believers would not be willing to commit murder.
Law #5: Prohibition of sexual misconduct
Acts 15:29 - It is clearly spelled out that the Gentile believers were to abstain from sexual misconduct.
Law #6: Prohibition of eating live meat
Acts 15:29 - Again, it is spelled out that the Gentile believers were to abstain from animal cruelty and improperly prepared meat.
Law #7: Prohibition of failing to establish courts of justice
Acts 15:29 - Obviously, if the Gentile believers were to abstain from these things, they would need a justice system to deal with the violations. In addition, James and the Council are also acting as a court system for the Gentile believers.
The Noahide laws are in the Torah and it is very plain that they do exist and are even stated in the Christian Scriptures.
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