This article is part of a series.

In the last article in this series, I discussed how religion was linked to the nation in Old Covenant Israel. The true religion was tied to Israel, and it was disadvantageous to be a Gentile. In the New Covenant, however, the true religion is decoupled from the state. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Paul is saying here that now the people of God no longer have a national identity; rather, they are distributed throughout the nations of the world. Their identity is in Christ instead of their country. “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:35)

This article is part of a series.

God gave Old Testament Israel the Law, His commands for them to follow. The Law basically seems to consist of two different parts, the national law for Israel as a nation, and the personal law for each follower of God in the nation (and also for those of other nations who would follow God with the Israelites).

During the Christmas season, the phrase “Peace on Earth” is sometimes displayed. It is probably taken from what the angels said to the shepherds when telling them about the birth of Christ.

To the Pharisees, ritual and ceremony were the most important parts of religion. To them, paying tithes, offering sacrifices, praying publicly, and other such things, which were done as a ceremony, as a demonstration, were the central focus of religious experience.