The Gospels say to follow every commandment (Mat. 5:17-19). The Epistles say repeatedly that we should imitate Yeshua (1Co. 11:1, 1Jn 2:6)--who I think we agree followed every commandment of the Torah perfectly.
So that doesn't really help--especially since the principle issue before the Acts council was one of coerced circumcision, with the observance of "the Law" being only a secondary issue. Moreover, the issue of the Law was brought up by the Pharisees, who did not have only the Torah in mind, but their particular interpretation of it, so not only the Torah was in view.
The point is that you can't use Acts 15 in the blanket way that Christians commonly do. You yourself admit that that you have obligations above and beyond the four injunctions of the Acts 15 council--no matter what part of the Bible you try to isolate as the source of those injunctions.
How then can you discern the obligations that you as a Gentile follower of Yeshua have? Well, to start with, you really need to study the Torah, the only systematic giving of the commandments in the Bible. In doing so you'll find, for example, that kosher is probably not binding on Gentiles, since Noah was given permission to eat any living creature and Israelites were allowed to sell non-kosher meat to Gentiles. (Which pretty much nixes ZC's point.)
You'll also find that there are many commandments you are not obligated to keep because they are only for those within the Land ("When you come into the Land which the LORD your God will give you . . .").
On the other hand, you'll find that Sabbath was incumbant on the foreigner staying within the gates of a Jew. You'll also find that Isa. 56 is a invitation to the Gentiles to keep the Sabbath--one which flows naturally from Isa. 54, which Paul quoted in Galatians.
You know that I'm not one who thinks the Church got everything wrong, xzins. I just don't think that it's yet gotten everything right, either. That's why I still think there is value in striving among the brethren--so long as they remain brethren.
Shalom.
That said, the scriptures clearly say that the entire law can be found within the "love God....neighbor as yourself."
The following also clearly shows that the law was directed at Jews and was not directed at Gentiles. (We're not talking about whether it would be beneficial for Gentiles, simply whether it was directed at them.)
Romans 2: 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Regarding Love and the Law
- Romans 13:8 [Love, for the Day Is Near] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
- Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
- Galatians 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
- James 2:8 NIV If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.