Paul also wrote to defend the gospel of grace against Jewish legalism that insisted Gentile believers needed to be circumcised, keep the rituals and celebrations of the Jewish calendar, and observe Jewish dietary laws. Paul insisted that these Old Testament observances were dim shadows intended to picture the coming Messiah. Now that the Messiah has come, the church should focus on him. Paul insisted that Jesus had provided full salvation, and nothing could be added to what Jesus had accomplished.