If the Jews had to believe and do works to be saved then why would the Lord Jesus tell them that it only took believing to be saved?:
"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life" (Jn.5:24).
And why would He say that it is His words that bring life if His words alone were not enough to bring life?:
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (Jn.6:63).
Will you answer that?
Prove that you can answer my questions in an "intelligent" manner.
Don't confuse the Spirit with the flesh. The House of Israel were
under the Law. Even if they placed their faith in Christ, their flesh
was still under the Law. And, they still had to abide by their works.
We're only talking about "The House of Israel" (The Chosen people
of God) here. Christ sometimes makes generalized statements that
include ALL of mankind. (including Gentiles in the near and far away
future.) So, even though members of the House of Israel would
place their faith in Him (previous to His death and resurrection and
after His resurrection) They were still expected to provide works as
well as faith.
Paul preaches The Grace Message to the Gentiles. They were never
under the Law and never had to provide any works. Why? Because
they were not God's "Chosen." Henceforth, at that time, The House
of Israel had to place their faith in Christ and provide works as well.
Today, only "Paul's Gospel" exists for both, The House of Israel and
the Gentiles. Both are included in this "Grace Message."
The Law was created for the flesh, to bring the body into obedience to
the one true God of Israel. We as Gentiles who believe in Christ as our
Savior; the Holy Spirit within us teaches us what the will of God is.
The written Law is already established in the Chosen people of Israel.
The Gentiles however, were never given the Law. Christ fulfilled the Law
for both the House of Israel and the Gentiles. The revelation of the Law
is revealed by the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles.