Because I am sick this week, here is a guest post.
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The Holy Spirit has laid this question on my heart and I thought it would be a
simple answer . As I prayed for the Father to tell me why He came He revealed to
me that He came for many reasons, not just to save us so we can eat drink and be
merry and sit and wait for the Rapture bus as the so called church teaches.
Forgive me for my poor writing skills but as you will notice, I let YHVH's word do
most of the talking.
1. He came to save the lost.
Luke 19
10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 9
56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
John 12
47 "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I
did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
The question that we must ask ourselves is "who are these lost?" according to
scripture.
Matthew 15
24 But Jesus answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel."
Who did Jesus send his disciples for?
Matthew 10
5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the
Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel.
Lets now relate these passages to a few of Jesus parables.
Luke 15
3 So He told them this parable, saying, 4 " What man among you, if he has a
hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open
pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 "When he has found it,
he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together
his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found
my sheep which was lost!'
Don't forget that only a few more verses past this parable Jesus tells us another
parable "The Prodigal Son" here is the final verse of this parable.
Luke 15
32 'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has
begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"
John 10
10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have
life, and have it abundantly. 11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays
down His life for the sheep. 12 "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who
is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees,
and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 "He flees because he is a hired
hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd, and I
know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I
know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 "I have other sheep,
which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and
they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 "For this reason the Father
loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.
Can the Prophets give us any insight on who these lost are? Can you relate
with the same terms such as sheep, shepherd, scattered, and lost.
Jeremiah 50:6
"My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray. They
have made them turn aside on the mountains; They have gone along from mountain
to hill And have forgotten their resting place.
Isaiah 53
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
Ezekiel 34
11 For thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and
seek them out. 12 " As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among
his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the
places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13 "I will bring
them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to
their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and
in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 "I will feed them in a good pasture, and
their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie
down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
15 "I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord GOD.
16 "I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and
strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with
judgment.
Did YHVH predict that his Sheep would be scattered for there disobedience
and regathered?
Deuteronomy 30
1 "So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the
curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where
the LORD your God has banished you, 2 and you return to the LORD your God
and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you
today, you and your sons, 3 then the LORD your God will restore you from
captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the
peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you. 4 "If your outcasts are at the
ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there
He will bring you back. 5 "The LORD your God will bring you into the land
which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and
multiply you more than your fathers.
6 "Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of
your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
your soul, so that you may live.
HMMMMM!!!! In verse 6 it sounds like He’s talking about the renewed
covenant doesn’t it?
Who was the renewed covenant for?
Jeremiah 31
31 "The time is coming," declares the LORD , "when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the
covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them
out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,
" declares the LORD . 33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time," declares the LORD . "I will put my law in their minds and write it
on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will
a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD ,' because
they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD .
"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
According to scripture it is very obvious who He came for and who we are as
his lost sheep who hear his voice. We are Israelite sheep who have been
scattered for our disobedience and are now being regathered by the Good
Shepherd.
2. He came to give full meaning to the Law(Torah).
Matthew 5
17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to
abolish but to fulfill. 18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Torah until all is accomplished.
19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches
others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever
keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Fulfill in Greek is Pleroo and means to fill to the top or to give full meaning to. It
does not mean stop or cease as in a point in time when something stops, in fact
Yeshua said "Do not think that I have come to end the Law". Law in Hebrew is
Torah or the first five books of the Bible. Torah means YHVH's loving instructions
and comes from the root word Orah meaning light. As you read the New
Testament substitute Law with Torah knowing that it means loving instructions. Do
the scriptures read a little differently now? Why would anyone want to do away
with YHVH’s loving instructions?
What does Jesus say he is and what we are supposed to be?
John 8:12
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who
follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
Matthew 5
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor
does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it
gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light shine before men in such
a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in
heaven
.
See here in verse 16 Jesus relates light with our good works or doing the
Torah.
3. He came to destroy the wall of hostility between the two brothers Jew and
Gentile or you could say Judah and Ephraim(who are scattered among the
nations) and making the two into one.
You see Judah had put up walls around the Torah and the Temple to keep
anyone who was not one of them i.e. gentiles separate, in other words they
made it impossible for anyone to join their club and as a result there became
great hostility between the two. Although Torah does not teach that you are
not to allow anyone else in, in fact it says that anyone who will be circumcised,
observe Passover, and Sojourn are as a “native born Israelites”
Ephesians 2
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near
by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups
into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in
His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances,
so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing
peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross,
by it having put to death the enmity.
1 Corinthians 12
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,
whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Galatians 3
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
4. He came to cause division.
Luke 12
51 "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather
division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided,
three against two and two against three. 53 "They will be divided, father against
son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Remember in John it says that Yeshua is the Word and here in Hebrews and
Matthew we find that the Word is a two edged sword and divides.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword,
and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and
able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 10
34 " Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring
peace, but a sword. 35 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER,
AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE
THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.
5. He came as our final sacrifice.
Hebrews 7:27
who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His
own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when
He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 9
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He
entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will
appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly
await Him.
Hebrews 9:26
Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world;
but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away
sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
1 Corinthians 5
7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact
unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us
celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and
wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
So how should we respond to what he has done for us? How do we show him
that we love Him?
John 14:15
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
1 John 5:
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and
observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
Now that scripture has told us very clearly "If you love him, you will keep His
commandments”. What commandments is he talking about? His!!!!!!!!! Not the
Catholic's or Baptist's or even your wonderful Pastor's, but rather The Father's
commandments. Well, seeing that the New Testament books weren't canonized
until after John wrote these words, the commandments he is talking about is the Old
Testament commandments, only this time He will write them upon our hearts.
Jeremiah 31:33
"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those
days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will
write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
6. He came to be our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7
22 By so much has Jesus become the collateral of a better covenant. 23 Many,
indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by
death. 24 But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25
Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God
through him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.
26 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated
from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 who doesn’t need, like those
high priests, to daily offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins
of the people. For this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.
Hebrew 8
1 Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a
high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens, 2 a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and
sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to
offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are
priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of
the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make
the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern
that was shown to you on the mountain.” 6 But now he has obtained a more
excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant,
which has been enacted on better promises.
Hebrew 8
11 But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through
the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not
of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his
own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal
redemption
7. He came because He loves us.
Maybe the most important reason for His coming is simply because he loves us and
wants to have a relationship with us, even after all our disobedience and idolatry.
You see, none of us deserve His love, but only because He loved us so much that
He gave His own life so that we may live for Eternity with Him.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Romans 5
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to
be the propitiation for our sins.
Revelation 1
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler
of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by
His blood blister.......
2 Thessalonians 2
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us
and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
And in closing Isaiah tells us just how much He really loves us.
Isaiah 43
1 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,And He who formed you,
O Israel,"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are
Mine!
2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers,
they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be
scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
3 "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have
given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.
4 "Since you are precious in My sight Since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your
life.
5 "Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east,
And gather you from the west.
6 "I will say to the north, 'Give them up! And to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth,
7 Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." Amen
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Lock Jaw
My brother and I have a relationship different than most brothers in the sense that we grew up in different places, yet still grew up together. However, one thing we have like most brothers is a sense of rambunction and fight. My brother has always had the strength and I, I always had the mouth. I spent the first few years I could talk, air born, due to quips and cutting tongue. As I got older there wasn't as much of a challenge for my brother to beat me up as brothers do, so he started bringing over his friends to beat me up.
It didn't matter if they were twice as tall or twice my weight ( which wasn't much back then) He would pit me up against all these people twice my age and the crazy thing was, I was winning. There I was six or seven years old beating up twelve and thirteen year olds who came up against me, and I WAS FEARLESS! There was one kid that held me by the hands and sat on my legs as he did that thing where you spit a little bit and slurp it back up ( you know, that really gross thing kids do ) I tried with all my might to break free but this enemy was just too much. I sat there for a good ten minutes until, as my brother describes the story " a light clicked on inside my head and the biggest grin ever spread across my face". As sook as this kid retracted the spit up into his mouth, I lunged forward with all the might my tiny body could muster and I cracked my foreheat into the bridge of this kids nose. He staggered back bleding all over moms rug yelling about how he thought I broke his nose, and my brother just looked at this kid and said "I told you man, my brother is a fighter, he's tough"
A year later I lost my father. All the confidence within me and the drive left too. I lost my fight. It took a long time for me to get the strength to get out of bed, let alone stand up to those who would be resolute in my opposition. I just wanted to shy away from the world and in a sense, Just die.
As a kid, I was lost without that covering of my father. I lost the greatest form of strenght that gave me the heart to fight.
Some years later, my brother introduced me to my Heavenly Father. The Creator. God. He told me of sin and redemption and spoke of a God who would never leave me or forsake me. As I accepted this premise, a God bigger than the defeat that I have known, bigger than death itself, my confidence slowly began to return to me. I began to stand again. The fight slowly started to return to me.
I admit that it took me some time to transition froma physical fight into a spiritual one. There was one thanksgiving when I was about fifteen. My brother was in town and we were in the livingroom and began wrestling. The house shook like the thunder at the sound of him and I clashing in a battle. My brother was able to menuver around me and get me into a sleeper hold. "Tap out" he demanded as I struggled to breath. "Never" I choked out as he tightened his grip. " You're not getting out of this, Tap out" he said " NO!" I exclaimed as the corners of my vision began to fade to black at the loss of oxegen. "KANE STOP KILLING YOUR BROTHER AND BOTH OF YOU COME EAT!!!" Mom yelled from the dining room. from thta point on, my brother had a respect for something in me. He called a sense of lock jaw, like a pit bull when it bites. It clamsp down and it doesn't let go. I would have let him knock me unconcieous than surrender.
Fighting in a spiritual sense is funny because the only way to really do it, is to surrender. When walking in my own confidence, I still had a desire to be there spiritually on my strength and my wisdom for other people. I relate to Peter who is this divout follow of Jesus who has the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, then in the next breath exclaims that he himself woudl never let Jesus be crucified. That odd mixutre of well intended confidence in the flesh, that is opposed to the Spirit of God that often defies conventional understanding. I walked that line. I stood and read the scriputres and quoated them well in places that made me feel spiritual and like I knew what I was doing. In my flesh I felt like righteous man, like I was something important. To a degree that is truth, but in the way I was doing it, it wasn't real humility. So God started breaking things out of my life and stripping me of everything I had until I was left there alone just me and Him and he asked me a question that took me three days to answer. Everything had left and had been stripped away,my heart broken and my fight gone.
When I had nothing, but the choice between Him, and death... He asked me what I will choose.
Suddenly in a sense of both surrender and acceptence, my fight returned, but not in the self confidence, I'm all that and a tough guy sense... No. This was something different. The way I fight back at the waves of crap in the world, and the ways of destruction and evil... it isn't with my strength.
It's in dying to myself. It's in submission to HIM and HIS WAYS. Peter got torn up by the grief that he had denied the Messiah. That the things he swore to upold and do by the power of his hands in his flesh, were not enough. Peter had a few days of mourning and grief where everything that he had was stripped away. Then, one of the most precious points in scriputre occurs.... The Messiah restores Peter, and Peter submits to the power and the change of the Savior. Peter has an amazing second half. Peter gets his fight back, by dying to that sense of self. In that moment where I had to choose life or death, and the world had its hands on my throat choking out my air... I REFUSED to let go of my God, by His grace and His spirit.
Sometimes the way you win a fight is by not fighting at all. Having faith in the one that is True strength.
It didn't matter if they were twice as tall or twice my weight ( which wasn't much back then) He would pit me up against all these people twice my age and the crazy thing was, I was winning. There I was six or seven years old beating up twelve and thirteen year olds who came up against me, and I WAS FEARLESS! There was one kid that held me by the hands and sat on my legs as he did that thing where you spit a little bit and slurp it back up ( you know, that really gross thing kids do ) I tried with all my might to break free but this enemy was just too much. I sat there for a good ten minutes until, as my brother describes the story " a light clicked on inside my head and the biggest grin ever spread across my face". As sook as this kid retracted the spit up into his mouth, I lunged forward with all the might my tiny body could muster and I cracked my foreheat into the bridge of this kids nose. He staggered back bleding all over moms rug yelling about how he thought I broke his nose, and my brother just looked at this kid and said "I told you man, my brother is a fighter, he's tough"
A year later I lost my father. All the confidence within me and the drive left too. I lost my fight. It took a long time for me to get the strength to get out of bed, let alone stand up to those who would be resolute in my opposition. I just wanted to shy away from the world and in a sense, Just die.
As a kid, I was lost without that covering of my father. I lost the greatest form of strenght that gave me the heart to fight.
Some years later, my brother introduced me to my Heavenly Father. The Creator. God. He told me of sin and redemption and spoke of a God who would never leave me or forsake me. As I accepted this premise, a God bigger than the defeat that I have known, bigger than death itself, my confidence slowly began to return to me. I began to stand again. The fight slowly started to return to me.
I admit that it took me some time to transition froma physical fight into a spiritual one. There was one thanksgiving when I was about fifteen. My brother was in town and we were in the livingroom and began wrestling. The house shook like the thunder at the sound of him and I clashing in a battle. My brother was able to menuver around me and get me into a sleeper hold. "Tap out" he demanded as I struggled to breath. "Never" I choked out as he tightened his grip. " You're not getting out of this, Tap out" he said " NO!" I exclaimed as the corners of my vision began to fade to black at the loss of oxegen. "KANE STOP KILLING YOUR BROTHER AND BOTH OF YOU COME EAT!!!" Mom yelled from the dining room. from thta point on, my brother had a respect for something in me. He called a sense of lock jaw, like a pit bull when it bites. It clamsp down and it doesn't let go. I would have let him knock me unconcieous than surrender.
Fighting in a spiritual sense is funny because the only way to really do it, is to surrender. When walking in my own confidence, I still had a desire to be there spiritually on my strength and my wisdom for other people. I relate to Peter who is this divout follow of Jesus who has the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, then in the next breath exclaims that he himself woudl never let Jesus be crucified. That odd mixutre of well intended confidence in the flesh, that is opposed to the Spirit of God that often defies conventional understanding. I walked that line. I stood and read the scriputres and quoated them well in places that made me feel spiritual and like I knew what I was doing. In my flesh I felt like righteous man, like I was something important. To a degree that is truth, but in the way I was doing it, it wasn't real humility. So God started breaking things out of my life and stripping me of everything I had until I was left there alone just me and Him and he asked me a question that took me three days to answer. Everything had left and had been stripped away,my heart broken and my fight gone.
When I had nothing, but the choice between Him, and death... He asked me what I will choose.
Suddenly in a sense of both surrender and acceptence, my fight returned, but not in the self confidence, I'm all that and a tough guy sense... No. This was something different. The way I fight back at the waves of crap in the world, and the ways of destruction and evil... it isn't with my strength.
It's in dying to myself. It's in submission to HIM and HIS WAYS. Peter got torn up by the grief that he had denied the Messiah. That the things he swore to upold and do by the power of his hands in his flesh, were not enough. Peter had a few days of mourning and grief where everything that he had was stripped away. Then, one of the most precious points in scriputre occurs.... The Messiah restores Peter, and Peter submits to the power and the change of the Savior. Peter has an amazing second half. Peter gets his fight back, by dying to that sense of self. In that moment where I had to choose life or death, and the world had its hands on my throat choking out my air... I REFUSED to let go of my God, by His grace and His spirit.
Sometimes the way you win a fight is by not fighting at all. Having faith in the one that is True strength.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
L2S2 Personal Evangelism- Serve
Love
Listen
> Serve
Speak
What sets any of us apart from the rest of the world?
What makes any of us distinct and different than the majority? Sometimes I take a step back within myself and look at the world we live in. It appears to be something very backwards from that which God has intended for man to live. We're bombarded with advertising that is appealing to us, our way, our desire, our selves as individuals. Its an idea that has permeated our language. How many people make jokes putting another person down so that the other knows their place while the first claims their status as "the Man" "Top Dog""The Queen B".
Yet, there is something that happens when God gets a hold of us. He starts to transform our hearts and He shows us a better way. The opposite of the world. The way that is the crucifixion of the flesh and a demonstration of humility. A living example of the power of God!
Ask anyone in this world and they can tell you about how someone hurt them, used them, broke them, stole from them, let them down and so on..." But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant." Luke 22:26
In serving others we demonstrate our freedom from the flesh that demands that we hold ourselves above one another. We demonstrate that we are free to not be embarrassed show love for each other. Just like it says in gal 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Listen
> Serve
Speak
What sets any of us apart from the rest of the world?
What makes any of us distinct and different than the majority? Sometimes I take a step back within myself and look at the world we live in. It appears to be something very backwards from that which God has intended for man to live. We're bombarded with advertising that is appealing to us, our way, our desire, our selves as individuals. Its an idea that has permeated our language. How many people make jokes putting another person down so that the other knows their place while the first claims their status as "the Man" "Top Dog""The Queen B".
Yet, there is something that happens when God gets a hold of us. He starts to transform our hearts and He shows us a better way. The opposite of the world. The way that is the crucifixion of the flesh and a demonstration of humility. A living example of the power of God!
Ask anyone in this world and they can tell you about how someone hurt them, used them, broke them, stole from them, let them down and so on..." But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant." Luke 22:26
In serving others we demonstrate our freedom from the flesh that demands that we hold ourselves above one another. We demonstrate that we are free to not be embarrassed show love for each other. Just like it says in gal 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Spirit of the Law of God.
Do you follow the Spirit?
Do you follow God's Law?
Many here would be quick to quote that we are to follow the Spirit because it brings life instead of the letter that brings Death...
But is that really the case?
In Romans 7:13, Paul states that the Law did not become death to him. So, Is he saying that following the Law is death and following the Spirit is life?
Let us take a look at the functions & characteristics of each.
Romans 7:14-
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
Romans-7:12-
So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Hosea 4:6- Law is Knowledge:
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Romans-2:20- Law is knowledge and Truth:
a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
What is the purpose of the holy Spirit?
1Cr 2:12 - 1Cr 2:14 To Discern:
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual {thoughts} with spiritual {words.}
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
Ezekiel-36:27
"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
Mic 3:8: To declare sin:
But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin
Jhn 16:7-8: To declare sin:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Jhn 16:13
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
So the Law is Truth... And The Spirit Guides us in Truth.
The Law is Holy, Righteous and good, and the Spirit instructs us on what is holy and Righteous
The Spirit Writes the Law on Our Hearts.
The Law is Spiritual
The Spirit reveals the Words of God, The Law is the words of God.
The Spirit reveals Sin to Israel, We are grafted into Israel by Christ... and Sin is the transgression of the Law.
So long story short... you should follow both of them. They Both Came from God and are relevant in the life of the believer for today.
Daniel-7:25- Antichrist seeks to change the Laws and appointed times of God.
The Spirit cannot be both of God and Against him.
Do you follow God's Law?
Many here would be quick to quote that we are to follow the Spirit because it brings life instead of the letter that brings Death...
But is that really the case?
In Romans 7:13, Paul states that the Law did not become death to him. So, Is he saying that following the Law is death and following the Spirit is life?
Let us take a look at the functions & characteristics of each.
Romans 7:14-
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
Romans-7:12-
So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Hosea 4:6- Law is Knowledge:
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Romans-2:20- Law is knowledge and Truth:
a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
What is the purpose of the holy Spirit?
1Cr 2:12 - 1Cr 2:14 To Discern:
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual {thoughts} with spiritual {words.}
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
Ezekiel-36:27
"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
Mic 3:8: To declare sin:
But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin
Jhn 16:7-8: To declare sin:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Jhn 16:13
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
So the Law is Truth... And The Spirit Guides us in Truth.
The Law is Holy, Righteous and good, and the Spirit instructs us on what is holy and Righteous
The Spirit Writes the Law on Our Hearts.
The Law is Spiritual
The Spirit reveals the Words of God, The Law is the words of God.
The Spirit reveals Sin to Israel, We are grafted into Israel by Christ... and Sin is the transgression of the Law.
So long story short... you should follow both of them. They Both Came from God and are relevant in the life of the believer for today.
Daniel-7:25- Antichrist seeks to change the Laws and appointed times of God.
The Spirit cannot be both of God and Against him.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
L2S2 Personal Evangelism. Listen.
Love
---> Listen
Serve
Speak
I've heard a good share of cliche sayings in my day and one of the ones that stands out as being a genuine pearl of wisdom has been "Seek first to understand, then to be understood" The more and more I think about that motto the more I realize that not only is that a pretty strong biblical precept, but I think that is a great evangelistic technique.
How can we gauge where a person is at, without listening to their heart. IF there is someone dealing with say, an issue of depression, then a response detailing the specifications of the wardrobe of the levitical priesthood may not be the best and most uplifting scripture to share with them. I know personally in my past I have started to try and explain the deep part of an issue that I have struggled with, only to have someone who is supposed to be listening, talking about points that aren't the subject that I am trying to address. Its like it says in the book of proverbs verse 18:13 He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame. Truthfully, when they jumped the gun and didn't show the patience in trying to get to the heart of what I was dealing with, I began to see myself as someone taking up their time, a burden, and just someone that needed to be dealt with instead of someone who needed love and understanding.
How can we really hear what is going on in a persons life, or if they are in a place to hear the word of God, unless we listen. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, giving us an insight in the the pain, trials, or whatever. Don't get angry if it takes ten minutes or two hours to get a word in, because in listening we give of the patience and character of Christ who bears our burdens. It isn't about us, its about meeting them where they are at.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry - James 1:19
---> Listen
Serve
Speak
I've heard a good share of cliche sayings in my day and one of the ones that stands out as being a genuine pearl of wisdom has been "Seek first to understand, then to be understood" The more and more I think about that motto the more I realize that not only is that a pretty strong biblical precept, but I think that is a great evangelistic technique.
How can we gauge where a person is at, without listening to their heart. IF there is someone dealing with say, an issue of depression, then a response detailing the specifications of the wardrobe of the levitical priesthood may not be the best and most uplifting scripture to share with them. I know personally in my past I have started to try and explain the deep part of an issue that I have struggled with, only to have someone who is supposed to be listening, talking about points that aren't the subject that I am trying to address. Its like it says in the book of proverbs verse 18:13 He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame. Truthfully, when they jumped the gun and didn't show the patience in trying to get to the heart of what I was dealing with, I began to see myself as someone taking up their time, a burden, and just someone that needed to be dealt with instead of someone who needed love and understanding.
How can we really hear what is going on in a persons life, or if they are in a place to hear the word of God, unless we listen. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, giving us an insight in the the pain, trials, or whatever. Don't get angry if it takes ten minutes or two hours to get a word in, because in listening we give of the patience and character of Christ who bears our burdens. It isn't about us, its about meeting them where they are at.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry - James 1:19
Thursday, May 24, 2012
L2S2 Personal Evangelism. Love.
- Love
- Listen
- Serve
- Speak
These four action words have been impressed on my heart, specifically regarding personal evangelism.
You know those people who you know need Jesus, and who you want to share Jesus with? You want to share Jesus with them but you either aren't sure how, or you think that God wouldn't want them because they are jerks, or you don't know if they could even see the Jesus you follow because of how loud your life is preaching a different message?
I learned something from a pastor I know (imagine that!) who was telling a story about how he used to be when he first got saved. He used to pull up in front of the bar and rev his motorcycle really loud, then scream, "Devils church! Devils church! Turn or burn! Turn or burn!" then peel out and drive away. He told the story with much regret and sadness because in the years God brought him to a deeper understanding of what it means to evangelize. I think he really began to understand the scripture that states: "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Cor 13:1 NASB).
How many times have people been unable to hear the Word of God that we want so desperately to speak to them because WE aren't right? They can hear the fact that we would sometimes rather not be with them. They can hear when we occasionally look at them for "being lesser people," or for not "having our understanding." How many times has our message been lost because our heart wasn't right in the way we presented it? How many times have we forsaken the message of God, because our motives were rooted not in the things of God, but in pride? Do we love the person we are talking to? Do we love them and want to see them in a relationship with the Creator of heaven and earth? If our motive is anything other than love, then we are falsely representing God to men. I may have the gift of prophecy, I may fathom all mysteries, know all things, have all faith — enough to move mountains; but if I lack love, I am nothing.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:16-17). God died for the person you are reaching out to. That person who is made in the image of God is no more or less lost than you were when He found you.
Remember that.
We aren't greater or less than. We are the same as our brothers and sisters.... all in need of the Savior. As we love the Savior, we should strive to love like the Savior. As Jesus loved us, we should love others.
Monday, May 21, 2012
That isn't actually in the Bible.
In the discourse of my biblical understanding there have been a few words that have come up that I have had to differentiate between. Two common ones are "Legalism" and the other is "judaizer"
I laugh a little bit even as I write that because my spell check say that Judaizer is a spelling mistake.
Neither of these terms are found in the bible, so getting a Biblical context on them is tricky.
The first one I want to discuss is the term legalism.
I've been hearing that a lot in the church and it has come up recently in a conversation with a friend of mine.
How exactly do we define that?
Many would define it as strict adherence to something set in the bible.
Some would suggest that it is a strict adherence to the commands of God.
Others would say that it is rigid rules set that are above and beyond what is found in the text, like forbidding hand holding.
I want to ask, where exactly does Legalsim set in?
is it about motive? how does it differ in the spectrum of conviction? Is it when our hearts come out of a place of obedience because we love, and start to enter a different place?
Let me give some examples...
Is this Legalism:
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Jesus in Matthew 5
Is Jesus being legalistic when he states that who ever annuls the commands of God, and TEACHES others to do so ( no distinction between Jew or Gentile , No qualifiers)
Is that legalistic or is the teaching adherence and obedience to God.
You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
- Jesus in Matthew 5
Is that legalism?
Do we classify legalism as the parts of the bible that God said to follow, but we really just don't want to?
What about Judaizers?
I've been called a judaiser, yet there is no biblical definition of that.
When it comes to the Law of God you can slice it any way you want to but it still comes back to the same place.
As Followers of Christ, we are to turn from sin... sin is the transgression of the law of God.
As followers of Christ, we are to live like him, and he followed the Law of God.
If we believe that we are part of the New Covenant, then the law is written on our hearts and we will follow it.
If we believe that we are supposed to walk in Spirit and in Truth, then the bible defines the truth as the word of God and in many places out right says its his commands.
We are called to be Holy as He is holy, and God tells us in detail what is holy and what is not in his commands.
So, does saying that the commands of God are relevant to those who are saved... does that make someone a Judaizer?
What about Stephen, a man full of the grace of God whom false accusers said was teaching against keeping the Law of God
You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”
- Acts 7
Is Stephen, a man full of the grace of God, in pointing out how the stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart, who are resisting the Holy Spirit, neglect to keep the Law?
Is he a judaizer?
What about Paul in Acts 16:3
Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Is this it?
What about Paul performing sacrifices after the Resurrection of Jesus to show that there isn't any truth to the claims that he is teaching against the Law of God?
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”
26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them - Acts 21
A vow as outlined in Numbers 6.
Scripture states that Paul not only did this Vow to show he is Keeping to the Law of God, But he paid the way for the people that were doing it.
“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
-Acts 24
Is this being a Judaizer?
We should be careful to not edit out large portions of the word of God because We don't like it.
Just because we do, or do not want to do something doesn't change what scripture says.
Do we hold to the word that states In 2 tim 3
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All scripture. Not just the parts we like. Not just the parts that are convenient.
We should be careful not to categorize, minimize and readily dismiss the word of God in our lives.
I laugh a little bit even as I write that because my spell check say that Judaizer is a spelling mistake.
Neither of these terms are found in the bible, so getting a Biblical context on them is tricky.
The first one I want to discuss is the term legalism.
I've been hearing that a lot in the church and it has come up recently in a conversation with a friend of mine.
How exactly do we define that?
Many would define it as strict adherence to something set in the bible.
Some would suggest that it is a strict adherence to the commands of God.
Others would say that it is rigid rules set that are above and beyond what is found in the text, like forbidding hand holding.
I want to ask, where exactly does Legalsim set in?
is it about motive? how does it differ in the spectrum of conviction? Is it when our hearts come out of a place of obedience because we love, and start to enter a different place?
Let me give some examples...
Is this Legalism:
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Jesus in Matthew 5
Is Jesus being legalistic when he states that who ever annuls the commands of God, and TEACHES others to do so ( no distinction between Jew or Gentile , No qualifiers)
Is that legalistic or is the teaching adherence and obedience to God.
You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
- Jesus in Matthew 5
Is that legalism?
Do we classify legalism as the parts of the bible that God said to follow, but we really just don't want to?
What about Judaizers?
I've been called a judaiser, yet there is no biblical definition of that.
When it comes to the Law of God you can slice it any way you want to but it still comes back to the same place.
As Followers of Christ, we are to turn from sin... sin is the transgression of the law of God.
As followers of Christ, we are to live like him, and he followed the Law of God.
If we believe that we are part of the New Covenant, then the law is written on our hearts and we will follow it.
If we believe that we are supposed to walk in Spirit and in Truth, then the bible defines the truth as the word of God and in many places out right says its his commands.
We are called to be Holy as He is holy, and God tells us in detail what is holy and what is not in his commands.
So, does saying that the commands of God are relevant to those who are saved... does that make someone a Judaizer?
What about Stephen, a man full of the grace of God whom false accusers said was teaching against keeping the Law of God
You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”
- Acts 7
Is Stephen, a man full of the grace of God, in pointing out how the stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart, who are resisting the Holy Spirit, neglect to keep the Law?
Is he a judaizer?
What about Paul in Acts 16:3
Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Is this it?
What about Paul performing sacrifices after the Resurrection of Jesus to show that there isn't any truth to the claims that he is teaching against the Law of God?
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”
26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them - Acts 21
A vow as outlined in Numbers 6.
Scripture states that Paul not only did this Vow to show he is Keeping to the Law of God, But he paid the way for the people that were doing it.
“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
-Acts 24
Is this being a Judaizer?
We should be careful to not edit out large portions of the word of God because We don't like it.
Just because we do, or do not want to do something doesn't change what scripture says.
Do we hold to the word that states In 2 tim 3
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All scripture. Not just the parts we like. Not just the parts that are convenient.
We should be careful not to categorize, minimize and readily dismiss the word of God in our lives.
Holy Handgrenades. Part 1 I guess.
Like trying to open a can of worms with a hand grenade, is taking a stance on biblical precepts.
I knew that when I shared what, and why I believe what I believe, that it would be met with skepticism, opposition, contention, conviction, an impending sense of doom, curiosity and a wide range of things prompting further discussion.
I know that this subject is going to have to outline further definition such as:
What is the Law?
What is it for?
What exactly does it mean to be under the law.?
Which will not be in this post, but I will get to it.
In fielding questions from people with a deep rooted preconception, I appreciate the patience and understanding that comes with pouring over this text, and searching out what I come to believe to be the truth. Though we may disagree, it is my sincerest hope that we be resolute that we are all brothers and sisters in the Savior who gave us the gift of life. All parts of the body.
Now more to the point. In the comments on facebook a person asked about the Disciples making a case for the observance to the commands of God. They have requested an exposition of the text found in Acts 15 .
Lets see the text in question:
12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,
So what we see here is that there is a new division that arises, and states that in order to be saved, you have to be circumcised and follow all of the law of Moses ( often a hebrew idiom for the commands of God)
The sin here isn't the act of circumcision...it is the idea that something we have done has brought us into the covenant of God. This is something that isn't biblical. Circumcision was NEVER EVER for salvation, but rather, it was a symbol OF that salvation. I'm not saved because some sensitive areas were encountered by some sharp stuff. I am not saved because of an action of mine, or my parents. I am not saved by my adherence to the commands... I don't save myself.
Peter starts talking about this point when he stands before everyone and proclaimed "Why should we make the gentiles bear a yoke we didn't have to bear, nor did our ancestors bear? " Pointing back to the fact that it isn't the commands that save you. The command to be circumcised doesn't save you. God does. That is the way it has always been.
I want you to think about when you were saved. Take a minute and think about it. Did someone come to you and give you a list of every transgression you have ever done against God and his ways and order that you give up all of them now, then you will be clean enough or holy enough to be saved?
No? that would be insane!!! who among us could stand to that? NOT any of us. No, people were patient with you as you were turning your life over to God. They probably waited with you and listened to you swearing, knowing that eventually God was going to take root in even that part of your life. They didn't want to make it burdensome to turn to God... small steps. Maybe they gave you a few steps to get you started like, Hey, you need to stop drinking. Stop fighting people. Listen.... as you do these things, you won't get kicked out of church and you can hear the word of God taught, and take it to heart.
That is exactly what is going on here.
They decide on a few rules that will keep the gentiles from being kicked out of the synagog on the sabbath ( there is a little plug for gentile sabbath keeping btw) so that they can hear the commands of God preached and take them to heart. Patience.
What about the commands you might ask?
abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood
Are we to believe that these are the Only commands for gentile believers? It would make sense that they were preliminary ordinances as someone is turning to the faith, but these are not the full embodiment of the faith itself.
If these were the only commands for gentile beleivers, then why does Paul, the apostles to the gentiles say this?
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
He is speaking to Gentiles, and adds a command to not be bound together with unbelievers? Is this an addendum to the previous outlined commands only for gentiles? And what is this part about Gentiles shouldn't touch things that are unclean?
Well... where do we get the definition of what is unclean? The commands of God, or as it is commonly being taught every sabbath, the Law of Moses.
Is that part of the commands of the council? To hear the commands preached every sabbath? One could make that case... but I wont...not today.
I believe that Paul was expounding on what they were learning as they were coming in to the full knowledge of God.
There is grace reflected in Deut. 31:10-31 for the "non-jewish" Israel.
Then Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place which He will choose, you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. Their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
Follow God, keep His feasts, and you learn His words as you go.
So yeah... pray about all this. I'll be back with more posts when I am back with more posts.
I knew that when I shared what, and why I believe what I believe, that it would be met with skepticism, opposition, contention, conviction, an impending sense of doom, curiosity and a wide range of things prompting further discussion.
I know that this subject is going to have to outline further definition such as:
What is the Law?
What is it for?
What exactly does it mean to be under the law.?
Which will not be in this post, but I will get to it.
In fielding questions from people with a deep rooted preconception, I appreciate the patience and understanding that comes with pouring over this text, and searching out what I come to believe to be the truth. Though we may disagree, it is my sincerest hope that we be resolute that we are all brothers and sisters in the Savior who gave us the gift of life. All parts of the body.
Now more to the point. In the comments on facebook a person asked about the Disciples making a case for the observance to the commands of God. They have requested an exposition of the text found in Acts 15 .
Lets see the text in question:
15 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
16 ‘ After these things I will return,
And I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’
18 Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago.
And I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’
18 Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago.
19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
So what we see here is that there is a new division that arises, and states that in order to be saved, you have to be circumcised and follow all of the law of Moses ( often a hebrew idiom for the commands of God)
The sin here isn't the act of circumcision...it is the idea that something we have done has brought us into the covenant of God. This is something that isn't biblical. Circumcision was NEVER EVER for salvation, but rather, it was a symbol OF that salvation. I'm not saved because some sensitive areas were encountered by some sharp stuff. I am not saved because of an action of mine, or my parents. I am not saved by my adherence to the commands... I don't save myself.
Peter starts talking about this point when he stands before everyone and proclaimed "Why should we make the gentiles bear a yoke we didn't have to bear, nor did our ancestors bear? " Pointing back to the fact that it isn't the commands that save you. The command to be circumcised doesn't save you. God does. That is the way it has always been.
I want you to think about when you were saved. Take a minute and think about it. Did someone come to you and give you a list of every transgression you have ever done against God and his ways and order that you give up all of them now, then you will be clean enough or holy enough to be saved?
No? that would be insane!!! who among us could stand to that? NOT any of us. No, people were patient with you as you were turning your life over to God. They probably waited with you and listened to you swearing, knowing that eventually God was going to take root in even that part of your life. They didn't want to make it burdensome to turn to God... small steps. Maybe they gave you a few steps to get you started like, Hey, you need to stop drinking. Stop fighting people. Listen.... as you do these things, you won't get kicked out of church and you can hear the word of God taught, and take it to heart.
That is exactly what is going on here.
They decide on a few rules that will keep the gentiles from being kicked out of the synagog on the sabbath ( there is a little plug for gentile sabbath keeping btw) so that they can hear the commands of God preached and take them to heart. Patience.
What about the commands you might ask?
abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood
Are we to believe that these are the Only commands for gentile believers? It would make sense that they were preliminary ordinances as someone is turning to the faith, but these are not the full embodiment of the faith itself.
If these were the only commands for gentile beleivers, then why does Paul, the apostles to the gentiles say this?
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“ I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “ Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 “ And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
- 2 corinthians 6And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “ Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 “ And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
He is speaking to Gentiles, and adds a command to not be bound together with unbelievers? Is this an addendum to the previous outlined commands only for gentiles? And what is this part about Gentiles shouldn't touch things that are unclean?
Well... where do we get the definition of what is unclean? The commands of God, or as it is commonly being taught every sabbath, the Law of Moses.
Is that part of the commands of the council? To hear the commands preached every sabbath? One could make that case... but I wont...not today.
I believe that Paul was expounding on what they were learning as they were coming in to the full knowledge of God.
There is grace reflected in Deut. 31:10-31 for the "non-jewish" Israel.
Then Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place which He will choose, you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. Their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
Follow God, keep His feasts, and you learn His words as you go.
So yeah... pray about all this. I'll be back with more posts when I am back with more posts.
Paul the Apostle on the Law of God
As I am working on my responses to many of the questions outlined in the comments section of my last post, I figured that I would go ahead and give some food for thought to wet the appetite of those waiting for a response. I appreciate those who have submitted questions in the pursuit of a better understanding of our God and living according to his word. Thank you for your patience as I get to your questions.
These are scriptures from the Apostle to the Gentiles.
However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.
(Acts 24:14)
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.
(Romans 2:13)
If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
(Romans 2:19-21)
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
(Romans 3:20)
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
(Romans 3:31)
What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet
(Romans 7:7)
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
(Romans 7:12)
For in my inner being I delight in God's law
(Romans 7:22)
Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
(Romans 7:25)[note the contrast of sin and Gods law]
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
(Romans 8:7)
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
(1 Corinthians 9:21)
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
(2 Thessalonians 2:3 )
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming
(2 Thessalonians 2:8)
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders
(2 Thessalonians 2:9)
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly
(1 Timothy 1:8)
As for the context of Galatians, I will touch on that in the future posts God willing.This is just from Paul mind you. There is a greater case in the fullness of the scriptures.
These are scriptures from the Apostle to the Gentiles.
However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.
(Acts 24:14)
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.
(Romans 2:13)
If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
(Romans 2:19-21)
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
(Romans 3:20)
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
(Romans 3:31)
What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet
(Romans 7:7)
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
(Romans 7:12)
For in my inner being I delight in God's law
(Romans 7:22)
Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
(Romans 7:25)[note the contrast of sin and Gods law]
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
(Romans 8:7)
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
(1 Corinthians 9:21)
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
(2 Thessalonians 2:3 )
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming
(2 Thessalonians 2:8)
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders
(2 Thessalonians 2:9)
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly
(1 Timothy 1:8)
As for the context of Galatians, I will touch on that in the future posts God willing.This is just from Paul mind you. There is a greater case in the fullness of the scriptures.
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Apologeticist
This is something that I put together when I was really looking to understand why I believe what I believe. The short version of what I believe is that God doesn't change, scripture doesn't conflict, and that Jesus only says and does what the Father says and does. Also, that All scripture is relevant for the life of the believer, teaching what is holy and what isn't. So that being said, read at your discretion.
Here are the three basic rules that I, along with most Believers follow, which will be essential in showing how my search for truth was conducted.
Rule number 1)
God does not change. He does not change his mind. He does not go against his own word
Rule number 2)
Jesus only said and did the things that God has told him to say and do.
Rule number 3)
Scriptures do not contradict.
95% of Believers would agree to these three points.
From these three points I ask one question with several sub questions that lead to the original inquiry. It is from these three points that I sought to compare denominational doctrine against scripture.
Is the Bible inconsistent?
If yes, then it is fallible and merely another book and not inspired by God.
If not, ( which I believe) Then one must rectify specific questions.
Why don't we as Christians keep the Dietary instructions as God prescribed them?
A)If we were to say God said that it was okay to eat such things and pork and shellfish and owl, then this is a violation of Rules 1 & 3 as God has said that Pork and shellfish and owl are not food for man(Leviticus 11 ) .
B)If we are to say Peter had a vision (Acts 10 ) where a sheet was lowered with all kinds of animals and God said to "rise peter kill and eat" if God was telling peter that it was now alright to eat unclean animals, then this would be a violations of rules 1 & 3. Furthermore, the passage states that Peter was confused about the Vision (Acts 10:28 ). Peter starts to get a clue that this had nothing to do with food, and everything to do with the gentile inclusions in the kingdom.(Acts 10:28 ) In verse 34 it seems to come together for him. We see that Peter is now giving a detailed account of his vision to show that it was not about food, but about not showing partiality.(Acts 11 )
C) If we are to say That Christ made all foods clean per Mark 7. This would violate rules 1, 2, and 3 if we are to think that all food is now including unclean animals. It would mean that either Jesus was teaching something that God said was not to be done, Or God had changed his mind about unclean animals being food for us... which then results in the conflict of scripture. As per Mark 7 passage, verse 3 states that the subject in question was a tradition making something that God had already said was food unclean. This is restated in verse 5. In verses 8,9, and 13 Jesus rebukes them for setting aside the commands of God, which would be folly if he himself were teaching something against the commands of God I.E. dietary laws.
D) If we are to say That through Christ's death and resurrection all things can now be eaten because they are now clean. This would violate all three rules as the actions of Jesus would now conflict with the words of God. Also in There is a passage that talks about an outpouring of wrath on those who eat things which God has stated are an abomination. This event has yet to happen therefore one must deduce that this is an event to come ( Isaiah 66:16-18) Christ would not execute such wrath if he had deemed these things acceptable.
Why don't people keep the Sabbath the way that God said to keep it?
(A) If we are to say that it has now changed to Sunday, this violates 1 and 3 as The scripture states that the Sabbath is the 7th day, and not the first. Furthermore, Paul tells people to collect money and conduct business on the first day, which would mean that if in fact the Sabbath was changed to the first day- Paul is telling people to violate it by conducting business. There is also no scripture that suggests that the Sabbath was transferred to the first day. Also, the Catholic church makes it very clear that there is no scriptural support for the change of the Sabbath from the 7th day to the 1st, and they take full responsibility for that change.
(B)If we are to say that the Sabbath was part of the Law and the Law is not to be followed anymore, this violates all 3 rules as God states that the commands are to be a perpetual ordinance for Jew and gentile alike throughout their generations( Exodus 12:49, Exodus-31:16, Galatians 3:29,Ephesians-2:19 ). Jesus kept the Sabbath, if we are to follow his perfect example, we would keep the Sabbath as well. To say that it is a perpetual sign for believers, but has been revoked is inconsistent. Plus there is support from the books of Hebrews that the Sabbath is still in place ( Hebrews-4:9-11) . In further support, Isaiah 56 shows that the Sabbath is still in place after the Messiah brings salvation. It is also stated that the Sabbath is in place in heaven ( Isaiah 66:22-23 ) as it endures from the new heaven and new earth which have not yet been made as pointed out in other passages ( 2 Peter- 3:10,2 Peter 3:14 Revelation 21:1 )
(C) If we are to say that we do keep the Sabbath on Sunday, then this doesn't exactly violate any of the 3 rules, but is a blatant ignoring of the scriptures on the Subject of Sabbath keeping. The Sabbath is a day where man is to cease form his efforts and his control. This cannot be done while still choosing what day one wants the Sabbath to be. Also God states that it is his Sabbath, therefore we do not have control over it. (Isaiah-58:13 ) The Sabbath is also defined as an appointed time of God, in which the Anti-christ seeks to change the times of. (Daniel 7:25-26)
(D) If we are to say that Jesus broke the Sabbath then this is a violation of Rule number 2 and 3. Jesus kept the Sabbath as was his custom,(Luke-4:16 ) . and if He broke the Sabbath then He did not do as He has seen the father do (John 5:19, John 7:16,John 8:28 ,John 12:49) and would not be the sinless Messiah, but rather be acting like the anti-messiah.
Why don't people follow the law of God?
(A)If we are to say that we are now under Grace, this would imply that there was a time that we were not under grace, and thus would be a violation of rule number 1. There are several points in the old testament where Grace is prevalent, as grace is loving kindness or unmerited favor (Psalms 103:4, Psalms 103:11,Psalms 103:17,Psalms 130:4,Psalms 130:7, )
(B) If we are to say the law was for salvation, then this violates rules 2 and 3 as scripture states that by the law no man was saved, and in Hebrews it states that the sacrifices could never take away sins.( Hebrews 11) Plus, king David stated that he looked to the Messiah for salvation as he followed God's law. (Psalms-119:166 , Psalm 119:81) Also there was an issue in Acts where a new Idea was introduced that SOME people were saying that one had to be circumcised and ordered to keep all the commandments in Acts 15. This is refuted in the same passage, as it is pointed out that the law was never for salvation (Acts 15:10) but obedience is the result of salvation.
(C) If we are to say that the Law has been done away with or Fulfilled [ by interpretation of fulfilled meaning rendered into a manner of non-observance], then this is a violation of rule 1 and 3. Jesus stated that he didn't come to abolish the law ( Matthew- 5:17-19) but to fulfill it. If the word fulfill meant to render into a manner of non-observance, then that would have the same effect as abolishment. he also states that anyone who teaches others not to follow the commands will be least in the kingdom ( Matthew-5:19 ) Plus, how Could Jesus have rebuked the Pharisees for setting aside the commands of God, if he was going to set aside the commands of God, and therefore break the three rules.
(D) If we are to say that the Law is Bondage, this is a violation of rule 3 since it is stated that the law is liberty (James 1:25,James 2:12,Psalms 119:44-45 ) and that the law is perfect (James 1:25,Psalm 19:7 ) Also, If Jesus lived this perfectly and we are called to follow in his footsteps (1 John- 2:6,John-14:21,John-14:15,John 14:12 ) how would living a life like Christ be bondage?
(E) If we are to say that it is too difficult to follow, then this is a violation of all three rules because God stated that it wasn't, as scripture points out (Deuteronomy-30:1,Deuteronomy-30:14 ). This would also mean that walking the way Jesus walked is too difficult, which is not what the Messiah says (Mathew 11:30, )
(F) If we are to say that Paul and the disciples taught against following the law then this is a violation of rule 3. Paul only taught against following the law for salvation, not as a result of salvation. Paul himself followed God's law, delighting in it and teaching it... Going so far as to perform a vow and sacrifice to show that there is no truth to this teaching (Acts-24:14-15, Acts 21:17-26,Acts-24:18,Acts 26:4-5,Acts-28:23,Romans-7:22,Romans 7:25,1 Corinthians 9:21,1 Corinthians 14:37 ) It was know the enemies of the disciples were the ones saying that they were teaching against the law of God (Acts 6:10-15 ) If you note that in verse 14 of acts 6, these liars state that Jesus was altering the Law, but according to Jesus' words, he doesn't ( John-5:46-47)
(G) If we are to say that we now live by the spirit instead of the Law, this would somewhat be in conflict with rule 1, for the spirit of God would never tell you to do something contrary to the word of God. Plus the law is spiritual (Romans 7:14)
(H) we are called to be without sin, this is impossible without following the Law as sin is defined as the violation of God's law (1 John-3:4) God's grace is defined as redeeming us from every lawless deed ( Titus-2:11-14)
How does a dispensation approach to scripture work?
(A) The Idea of having 7 dispensations would imply that God changes, which would violate rule 1, as God changes his mind.
(B) We then have to account for Noah knowing the difference between clean and unclean animals before the dispensations of the law, where God states what animals are clean and what ones are not clean ( Genesis-7:2, Deuteronomy 14,Leviticus 11 )
(C) Then we would need to account for the fact that Grace is prevalent before the dispensations of Grace (Psalms 103:4,Psalms 103:11,Psalms 103:17,Psalms 130:4,Psalms 130:7,Proverbs 3:34)
(D) and also how to account for the law being returned in the Millennial Reign of Christ if it is a burden now(Hebrews- 10:16,Colossians 2:17,Hebrews- 10:1,Jeremiah 32:40,Isaiah-2:2-3, Zechariah-14:16-21 )
(E) It is also stated that the Holy Spirit was very evident in the life of believers before the dispensation of Grace ( Mark 12:36, Exodus 31:3, Numbers 11:16-17)
Do the Writings of Paul tell us a different story?
(A)If one were to say that Romans 14 states that we can eat whatever animal we want, this would violate rule 1 & 3. If we were to look at the terminology as per what defines one who is weak in the faith and cross reference that with other passages of Paul's we could see that the issue is not about eating unclean animals, but about eating meat that was sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 8:9-13 ) In verse 15 of Romans 14 Paul points out that the we are not to cause offense over food, if he was saying unclean animals were food then he would be violating rule 3.
(B) If one were to say that the book of Galatians is telling us not to follow the law of God, then this would violate rules 1, 2, and 3 as God states that the law was to be followed by Jew and Gentile alike forever(Numbers 15:15-16,Numbers 15:29 ) Jesus states that we are to follow everything that the teachers of the law teach [but not to be hypocrites] (Matthew-23:2-3 ) If God said to follow the law, then who is Paul to say something different? We can see in Galatians 2:4 that Paul is writing this letter to refute the teaching that arose in Acts 15, this is restated in Galatians 5:4 since the issue in acts was men seeking to be justified by the law. In acts 15 the act of seeking to be justified by the law was a new heretical doctrine that was introduced, as Peter pointed out that it was a burden that no one in history was asked to bear. (Acts 15:9-11 )
(C) If one were to say that by getting circumcised it invalidates Christ, This would violate rules 1 and 3. Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised if such an action would be dooming him? ( Acts 16:3) But as it were, the issue at hand was relying on the law when one should have been relying on Christ as they follow the law. Paul also states that Circumcision and Uncircumcision are nothing, but what matters are keeping the commands of God (1 Corinthians 7:19 ) which include circumcision.
(D) If someone were to imply that we are now circumcised by the heart as an implication of something changed, this would break rule 3, if it were not already something that was in place. ( Deuteronomy 10:16,Leviticus 26:41,Jeremiah 4:4)
(E) If Paul were teaching that we should not follow the Law of God then he would have been guilty of taking away from the commands of God,(Deuteronomy -4:2,Deuteronomy 5:29-33,Deuteronomy-12:32 ) and therefore breaking rule 3. We see that Paul states that he agrees with everything written in the law and he follows it (Acts-24:14-15,Acts 26:4-5 )
(F) If someone were to suggest that Paul teaches that we do not hold believers accountable in regards to what they eat or regarding the Sabbath, this would be in violation of rule 3. We find a notion of this in Colossians 2:16. However, if this is an admonishment of keeping the Sabbath or any of God's law, then Paul could not refer to it as hollow and deceptive philosophy (Colossians 2:8 ). This would also conflict with his own words, as he writes to Timothy that all scripture is for rebuke encouragement reproof, breaking rule 3. (2 Timothy-3:14-17 ) This would include the dietary restrictions as at the time of him penning those words, the only scriptures that existed were the "Old Testament" in its entirety. Furthermore, it is God's law and not that of any man and it has always been God's Sabbath.
(G) We also have it under Peter's testimony that Paul does not teach against God's law (2 Peter- 3:14-17 )
(H) How can we adhere to Paul when he says follow me as I follow Christ, if we are to interpret his teachings to say that after we are saved, we shouldn't follow the law of God, as Christ who we are saved by, followed the Law of God? It is also said in Daniel 7:24-26 that the Anti-christ seeks to change the Law and appointed times of God.
What about Revelation?
(A) If the commandments of God are burdensome, and it is one of the roles of the adversary to create burden and strife, why does he hate those who keep the commands of God? (Revelation 12:17 ) If the commands of God were said to a burden then this would violate rules 1 and 3 as God and 1 John say that they are not (1 John 5:3,Deuteronomy-30:11 )
(B) If the commands are not to be followed, then why is the perseverance of the saints [us] outlined as those who hold to the commands of God in conjunction with faith in Christ (Revelation-14:12 )
- (C) If Christ made all animals clean, then why does Revelation 18:2 still list unclean birds? Why does Revelation 21:27 state that those that commit abominations and nothing unclean can draw near, if eating unclean things had somehow been all made clean? If God had changed his mind about eating unclean things being an abomination, why is this same thing paralleled in Isaiah 66 as an end times event?
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