metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
The Law is the Law as it applies to Jews, and any division of the Law into different components is strictly a man-made division. For gentiles, there's no requirement for them to follow the Law but there is for Jews. Matter of fact, the Tanakh states that any "prophet" who teaches that the Law not need be observed in its entirety is a "false prophet".That was never denied. Ceremonial law refers to those commandments which deal with the means and conditions of worship which were given as part of the Old Covenant. Christianity claims that the Old Covenant (Judaism) is obsolete with the advent of Christ. Therefore Jewish worship is no longer valid, hence neither are the laws which regulate it. Circumcision is no longer a condition of ritual cleanliness, neither is kosher, nor is there a requirement for animal sacrifice (since Christ is the sacrifice). Most importantly, the ethnic nature of the Judaism was abolished as the New Covenant is intended to open access to God for all. (Indeed, Christ is the only means to God).
The laws which strictly deal with morality are still binding. In other words, adultery is still a sin even though the requirement to stone said adulterer is gone.
Of course there's no doubt that Jewish Christians did not completely abandon their previous practices immediately. But that means very little in regards to the necessity of those practices for the Christian. Those who insisted that Christians practice Judaism were contradicted even in the New Testament.
Secondly, the concept that only those who believe in Jesus in order to be "saved" is logically flawed, especially in light of what is actually found in the Torah. It's judgmentalism as its worse, and many churches have backed off on such a claim. Judgmentalism has caused tremendous amounts of harm historically.
Thirdly, why would you claim that adultery is still valid but not keeping kosher or observing the Sabbath? What criterion are you using to pick & choose which Laws are still valid and which aren't (please do not use the word "ceremonial" in response as no such division actually exists).
Finally, I am very aware of what the N.T. says, and a particular denomination's teachings is for them to decide, not mine, but I just wanted to point out some things. I really have no interest in debating these points, so...
Take care.