Apostolic Succession

 The Catholic Church claims claim their traditions came directly from the apostles and therefore they are correct. In doing this they elevate the traditions of men as the authority of what is right and righteous over the counter argument of Scripture being the ultimate authority. Now while Catholics would like to contextualize the conversation about the cannon of scripture as an appeal to their authority in tradition over the text, for the sake of this post, we're going to focus on testing the intellectual integrity of "Apostolic succession" as a concept. 
Paul was a direct founder to the church in Corinth. This is a 1:1 connection lets take a look at some points that he makes to the church that seems to have immediately lost sight of the instructions that he founded. 

1 Corinthians 3:4- 11
For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men? 5¶What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.10¶According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The first thing that we see is that Paul uses language to take us away from the esteeming of certain veneration of Apostles and he places the focus on the relationship that one has with Christ. Paul appears to do the opposite of veneration when he states in verse 7 that the apostles aren't actually anything- but God is the one who caused the growth. In fact, he continues on to say such

1 Corinthians 3:20-21
20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you

 I'd like to highlight this verse for many who look at a specific church denomination as being equal in authority to the established revelation of God in scripture. That the wisdom of men is USELESS, and that the individual is empowered to understanding God as each of us have a personal relationship with the Savior and Holy Spirit.  Do we have an example of men establishing their own traditions by committee rather than the Word of God? We do. 

Galatians 1:6-17
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

 Men were being led away from the Gospel, God's Word,  by men who were teaching traditions and even going so far as insisting that their authority was equal or greater than the scriptures. Paul states that EVEN IF THE APOSTLES THEMSELVES teach something contrary than the authoritative Word of God they they are to be accursed. Paul keeps pointing people the the Word of God and God's revelation instead of the man made authority, going so far to cited that in Galatians 3:8 in reference to Abraham having the Word of God preach to him prior. Continuing on in Galatians 1

11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

Paul is stating that authority comes from God and His revelation. He was not instructed by an established church in what constitutes the Gospel. He didn't submit to any form of Catechisms  when he had a direct encounter with the Spirit of God. Paul didn't not receive his commission from apostolic succession. He didn't consult with church authority immediately either, to those who were established before him. This is a point that gets lost in the argument of insistence of an appeal to authority to claim man's traditions as authoritative doctrine. In fact, There is a warning that there would be men in the congregation that were seeking to institute things that were not in line with following Christ, in order to deceive the disciples into following their ways and traditions. 

Acts 20:28-30
28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

The Holy Spirit appointed men, and the contrast is that men would arise FROM THEM in order to draw away the disciples.  The claim that Catholics make along with Orthodox and other churches that even disagree among themselves, is that their doctrines are correct because they can be traced always back to some apostles or the 1st century church.

Titus 1:10-14
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

Part of the issue Paul is dealing with directly here is traditions, commandments, and myths that were infiltrating the church by people that were NOT holding to right and sound doctrine. Lets look at another example of one such man in the first century that sought to purchase the things of God with money, Simon Magus- Simon the Sorcerer. 

Acts 8:9-24

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

Simon sought to influence the matters of God by monetary means. This tradition, though NOT from the apostles and absolutely rebuked- is found in the very essence of the Catholic Church within the selling of indulgences to buy influence with God to remove people from purgatory. 

 "During medieval times, however, they were abused and corrupted into a moneymaking enterprise. Throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, the Christian belief in purgatory – the place in between heaven and hell where souls are purified through punishment – grew and intensified. Believers wanted to avoid ending up there at any cost.The Church started granting two kinds of indulgence: ‘plenary’ (or full), which remitted all need for the punishment of sin, or ‘partial’ to deal with a part of one’s debt of sin. This was both a relief to Christians hoping to avoid purgatory, and also a way for them to be encouraged to fight in the Crusades."- History Extra

Paul even wrote a warning to Timothy about the dangers of men and their traditions being pollutant in the church 

 2 Timothy 4:3-4

3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths

While tradition is not inherently bad in of itself on a personal level, when we see it as wielded as an authoritative means passed down in a form of succession where it contradicts scripture- it becomes something we can see directly rebuked by Christ as He affirms scriptural authority. 

Mark 7:9
7 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) 5 The Pharisees and the scribes *asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” 6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 

It is not in the pattern of Christ to say "The church has decreed this, therefore it as authoritative as scripture" but rather it is the very nature of the Pharisees. Their entire argument is that the matters have been an established tradition from what they esteem as the true Church. They make a claim to establish churched authority and an appeal to their church fathers as "The tradition of the elders". Christ rebukes this. Christ rebukes this because this is placing men in the position of God like Eve in the garden seeking to establish for herself what is good and evil, and ignoring the commands of God. He states that this established church traditions  passed down from their fathers/elders is vain worship. He elaborates more on this concept in Matthew 23:3-12 which mirrors Paul as cited previously. 

Matthew 23:3-12
 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 4 They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. 8 But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

Here Christ is again telling people that these traditions and customs are burdensome and done to be noticed by men. Christ makes the note that hierarchy is not any sort of papacy- but we each are one equal footing with each other as brothers with Christ being the head. We get our example from Christ. We get our instruction from what God has defined as worship. We do not elevate men into the place of Christ as some form of supreme one. This tradition may have been existed in the 1st century, but it is Christ speaking against it and directing that the pattern and order be on God. 
As we continue to discuss traditions that came from Apostolic Succession, Let us look at the case of Nicolas. 

Acts 6:5
The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

Nicolas is a 1st century man that is listed among the  selected by the apostles to perform ministry. He however did not remain as such. In 1 John we see this warning about such "apostles" that went out from among them

1 John 2:18-20
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 

This means that the traditions of men who were ONCE with them, were being taught to others in the church AS authoritative. We can see the Nicolaitans who followed the Apostolic Succession of Nicolas being rebuked by none other than the Savior Himself. Note again that in this passage John affirms that the person who has a relationship with God has anointing.     

Revelation 2:1-6 
‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Christ calls out the Nicolaitans ALONG WITH the church at Ephesus and Pergamum. These established churches and people who claim their deeds and their order stem from men reaching back to the time of Christ- often tend to ignore the fact that Christ rebuked their deeds. 

Revelation 2: 14-16
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. 15 So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

This apostolic succession is one Christ is commanding repentance from. Turn from the teachings of the Nicolaitans.  Justin Martyr  mentions this about those who were confessing their Christianity while walking contrary to Christ

"Many of those who say that they confess Jesus, and are called Christians, eat meats offered to idols, and declare that they are by no means injured in consequence. Confessing themselves to be Christians, and admitting the crucified Jesus to be both Lord and Christ, yet not teaching His doctrines, but those of the spirits of error. ...[They are those who] teach to blaspheme the Maker of all things, and Christ, who was foretold by Him as coming, and the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, with whom we have nothing in common, since we know them to be atheists, impious, unrighteous, and sinful, and confessors of Jesus in name only, instead of worshipers of Him. Yet they style themselves Christians, just as certain among the Gentiles inscribe the name of God upon the works of their own hands, and partake in nefarious and impious rites. Some are called Marcians, and some Valentinians, and some Basilidians, and some Saturnilians, and others by other names; each called after the originator of the individual opinion...the name of the father of the particular doctrine"- Justin Martyr Dialogue with Trypho (Chapters 31-47)

Justin Martyr shows that the same practices of the Nicolaitans were done by the Saturnalians, and that each group was calling themselves Christians in name but their actions were that which were contrary to scripture. They stated that they are Christians, but they are atheists, impious, unrighteous, and sinful. As we see in the Epistles of Paul in churches that he planted, and the writings of Peter as well, even from these apostles where the teachings they heard WERE in fact fully accurate and Spirit lead- those in the church were often not holding to them. Hence, the emphasis is not on studying sinful men prone to sin and whom false doctrines spring forth- but on the revelation of Christ. We can see that as far back as 195 A.D. in Ephesus that the customs and traditions of men were seeking to change the scriptural prescription and order as Christ commanded in the Word of God, and alter it according to men. 

The Catholic writer Eusebius recorded that Polycrates of Ephesus, around 195 A.D. wrote the following to the Roman Bishop Victor who, as the writing showed, wanted all who professed Christ to change Passover from the 14th of Nisan to Sunday:

We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord’s coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. He fell asleep at Ephesus. And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead? All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ’ We ought to obey God rather than man’-(Eusebius. Church History, Book V, Chapter 24. Translated by Arthur Cushman McGiffert. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series Two, Volume 1. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1890. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Notice that Polycrates said that he and the other early church leaders (like the Apostles Philip and John, and their successors like Polycarp, Thraseas, Eumenia, Sagaris, Papirius, Melito) would not deviate from the Bible, and that they knew the Bible taught them to keep the Passover on the correct date, and not on a Sunday. Also notice that they always observed the day when the people put away the leaven.
Wanting to alter and change the day of the Passover in 195 is NOT the tradition that they learned from the Apostles. This is HISTORICAL documentation that Roman Catholic church deviated from Apostolic Succession in the changing of Passover. His conclusion is that we are to obey GOD rather than men who by numbers and church order were seeking to move away from what Scripture commands. Let us look at another set of examples. The Church of Rome made the following declarations in the city of Laodicea: Council of Laodicea in 363 A.D....

Canon 29: Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honoring the Lord's Day [Sunday]; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found judaizers, let them be anathema (detestable) from Christ.
Canon 37-39: It is not lawful to receive portions sent from the feasts of Jews or heretics, nor to feast together with them. (God’s Holy Days) It is not lawful to receive unleavened bread from the Jews, nor to be partakers of their impiety.Thou shalt not keep feasts with Hebrews or heretics, nor receive festival offerings from them. Light hath no communion with darkness. Therefore no Christian should celebrate a feast with heretics or Jews, neither should he receive anything connected with these feasts such unleavened bread and the like."

This is clear deviation from what we see in scripture about the Apostles ALL keeping the Sabbath on the 7th day at the time God ordained it. The "Apostolic Succession" that occurs in the Catholic church is in line with the Pharisaic Order that invalidates and alters the commands of God rather than teaching their obedience from faith in Christ. When the tradition of the church decreed in 363 the rejection of the Passover, they were abandoning the teachings of the Bible and invalidating it by their traditions. They were turning from what was being taught and held to by Polycrates of Ephesus who states that the 1st Century church held Passovers and feasts. These men who were seating in the places of authority contrary to what Christ warned against were teaching people that they were not of God or the church if they obeyed commands where even Paul writes us telling us to keep the Passover. 

1 Corinthians 5:8
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.

 

It was Paul's example to keep these feasts just as Polycrates in 195 was still doing according to the Word of God rather than men. 

Acts 20:6
6 We sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days.

Acts 20:16
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

We would be foolish to believe that everything that was done in these churches were right. Paul never taught the Corinthians to be immoral, but the men by their lusts and deeds and faultiness and traditions- did so. 

1 Corinthians 5:1-2

 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.

To make the claim as catholics do, that their worship is pure and doctrines infallible for the reason of having been passed down all the way from the 1st century - is to make the claim that men in the manner of the Pharisees who claimed to be the church are more authoritative than the written word of God. As it is written 

Romans 3:4

4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, 

“That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.”

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Heart Problems.

In Colossians 2 we see that Paul gives us this warning about men and their traditions

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Traditions that are contrary to Christ, and are based on the world, and are empty deception. He continues to state these traditions and decrees  of empty deception based on the world INSTEAD of Christ 

Colossians 2:16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Paul is making it clear that the thing that he is speaking against is the traditions of men, not Christ, not God's commandments but commandments of men in self-made religion, not actual authentic obedience to God's word. Where do we see these descriptors that Paul is stating about being judged in what IS food contrary to what Christ states in scripture?  

Mark 7:1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) 5 The Pharisees and the scribes *asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” 6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 

Christ is rebuking Pharisees and scribes who were passing judgement on people for not obeying their man made religion and traditions- and Christ rebukes them for NOT obeying the commands of God. Paul is writing about these types of people.  The Pharisees were saying the things that GOD has already states are food, were not pure or clean because people did not perform the Pharisaic rituals and traditions. There is a contrast here between obedience to God in actual sincere worship, and the veneration of this man made religious tradition from elders. Paul in his letter to Titus, mentions these people who say that food that God says is clean and pure is made impure by their traditions. 

 Titus 1:15-16 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

This is exactly what Christ is saying to them in Mark 7. Christ continues to emphasize that the heart is what defiles a person in rejection of God's commands, not man made religious made up doctrine. 

Mark 7:14 After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16 [If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18 And He *said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) 20 And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

As Christ rebuked these unbelieving people for casting judgments on that which God has already defined as food for ignoring the commands of God, He emphasizes that the rejection of God's word comes out of the heart and lists violations of God's commands. HE makes mention of the same concept in Luke 

Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Obedience to God is a choice made in the heart. Disobedience is a choice made in the heart. He keeps making this point over and over again. 

Matthew 5:28 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.

Chist didn't dismiss the prohibition against adultery, He emphasized that we're defiled by the choices that we choose in our hearts to disobey God. Paul is not advocating that Christ altered our Unchanging God's commandments and definitions regarding us eating animals that He says are abominations for us to eat which provoke him. What Paul is doing is reaffirming that these men that were Pharisees and unbelieving, which Christ rebuked for NOT obeying God's commandments- were making their OWN man made religion. We see these Pharisees try to rebuke Christ and His disciples over not adhering to THEIR traditional fasting days. 

Luke 5:33 And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”

Do you see how this fasting and eating and not eating are tied to these Pharisees who were also trying to judge people who were obeying the commands of God without adhering to their manmade traditions and religious order? Paul in Colossians Two mentioned do not be judged in regard to food or drink. Paul is also speaking on the matter that these man made religious Pharisees brought up when Paul writes in Romans 14

Romans 14: 1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

Paul is making a clear distinction right at the start of Romans 14 that the matter in which he is addressing is OPINIONS, not the Commands of God. he then speaks on eating and not eating, which is literally what fasting is. He speaks on the types of fasts, such as the "Daniel fast " where you only eat vegetables. Some have personal opinions about eating meat or being vegetarians. These matters are matters of opinions when it comes to the word of God, and are by no means Commands of God which the Pharisees were rebuked by Christ for NOT obeying. 

 Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Paul is addressing still that food- as GOD defines it is not unclean. This doesn't mean that dog poop is food, or human flesh, or swine, or aquarium gravel because God defines what is and isn't food. Whatever God has defined as food, is not unclean based one what others say in their man-made religion that ISNT of faith and NOT based on the word of God according to scripture.  Christ, in the same parallel of Mark 7 found in Matthew 15 gives us this essential context into Pauls Romans 14 and Colossians 2 context as it relates to the Pharisees judgements. 

Matthew 15:18 But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

Unclean People/Priests

In scripture, God called the mixed multitude out of Egypt to minister to Him and obey His voice and walk in His Commandments. 

Exodus 19:6
6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

Peter re-emphasizes in regards to gentiles who were once not a people but have now become a people. 

1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians 2 speaks about the fact that gentiles who were once excluded and regarded as "unclean" are now part of the people of God 

Ephesians 2:1-22
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 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. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

It was Nehemiah who stated that because people couldn't chart their ancestral origins, they were regarded as unclean- not God. 

Nehemiah 7:64-65
64 These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood. 65 The governor said to them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim

Ezra 2:62-63
62 These searched among their ancestral registration, but they could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood. 63 The governor said to them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim.

Both passages are excluding gentiles from Temple service and barring them from eating at the table of God. In Isaiah, it is prophesied that God would draw these gentiles back to Him, would gather them to Israel, and tells these Gentiles that are referred to as wild beasts- to come eat at His table in the house of God. 

Isaiah 56:3-9
3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from His people.” Nor let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says the Lord, “To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, 5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off. 6 “Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant; 7 Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” 8 The Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares, “Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered.”9 All you beasts of the field, All you beasts in the forest, Come to eat.

All of this is exactly what is going on in Peters vision regarding not doing like Nehemiah, but rather, God has not called Gentiles unclean. 

Acts 10:17-36
17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.  29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, 31 and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” 34 Opening his mouth, Peter said:“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)

Peters vision is entirely about the inclusion of Gentiles as wild beasts, not referring to them as unclean when God doesn't call them unclean. Christ states that He Himself was gathering the gentiles to Him. 

John 10:14-16
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. 

 These sheep are both Jews and Gentiles, that are to be gathered together into one flock: Israel 

Matthew 15:24
24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Peter was corrected for doing what Nehemiah had done, in contrast to what Christ was doing. Man made Pharisaic traditions that regarded men as unclean would be contrary to the charge for Peter to Feed the sheep. 

Galatians 2:11-14
But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned  12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

Peter sees that this is what the vision was referring to as he stated in Acts 15

Acts 15:7-8,13-18
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.

After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon (Peter) 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, 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.

Paul affirms this as well. 

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved

Romans 11:13-18 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you

Galatians 3:28-29 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. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Consider this passage about the End Times

Isaiah 66:20-24
20 Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a grain offering to the Lord, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. 21 I will also take some of them for priests and for Levites,” says the Lord. 22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth Which I make will endure before Me,” declares the Lord, “So your offspring and your name will endure. 23 “And it shall be from new moon to new moon And from sabbath to sabbath, All mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the Lord. 24 “Then they will go forth and look On the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be quenched; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.”

Isaiah 66 in speaking of the end times mentions the same elements of Zechariah 14, with the horses, the same gathering as Isaiah 56 as gathering to His holy mountain. Christ takes people to be levites and priests. He made them to be a kingdom of priests but they rebelled and were faulty and chose sin

Isaiah 61:4-11
Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. 5 Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. 6 But you will be called the priests of the Lord; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs. 8 For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; And I will faithfully give them their recompense And make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Then their offspring will be known among the nations, And their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them Because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed. 10 I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.

So, Peters vision is not about unclean animals becoming "clean". Its entirely about gentiles becoming part of the people of God, and that was the conclusion of the matter. Hebrews 8 is about faulty people and priests. 

Hebrews 8:1-13

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, He says, “Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, When I will effect a new covenant With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 9 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers On the day when I took them by the hand To lead them out of the land of Egypt; For they did not continue in My covenant, And I did not care for them, says the Lord. 10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, And I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, And they shall be My people. 11 “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, And everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ For all will know Me, From the least to the greatest of them. 12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their sins no more.” 13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

1. The subject is a Priesthood and a better High Priest
2. He is a minister in a better sanctuary 
3. If He was on earth He would not be a priest because on earth there are faulty Levites who struggle with sin.  This is not a statement that Christ has done away with the Law, its a statement that the Law still exists. 
4. Covenant is not in verse 7 so finding fault with them would be the priests who are sinful. 
5. the new covenant is different because  we don't break the new one like they did in egypt. 
6. God finds fault with these Priests because they didn't continue in His covenant. 
7. He didn't care for them because they didn't observe His laws and instead went astray. 
8. God writes His law on the hearts and minds of those in the New Covenant when we don't have sin anymore, and He takes us in a resurrection for priests and levites. He didn't discard or abolish the commands, He's making it so that we can keep them. He's not dismissing the jot or tittles or smalles strokes, He's finding fault with those that rebel against them. 
9. We wont have to say "know the Lord" in that time when we no longer struggle against sin because everyone will already. 
10. God won't hold our previous iniquities or our past sins against us. 
11. in verse 13, the word covenant isn't there and what is passing away is the priesthood that was faulty with priests that have sin. 

This context is what is said in

Revelation 21:5-7

5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

God is making it so we're not going to struggle with sin, so that we can be priests and levites, overcoming and be children of God. 

Revelation 1:5-6 

 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— 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

He's made us to be priests. 

1 Peter 3:3-9

3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. As Living Stones 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

We're made to be priests. 


Also here's a big chart about how unclean animals still aren't food...kinda related. 

To whom my departure may concern:

 As many of you know, I had been a part of the Anatomy of Hope discord server and shared in the Biblical study and offering insights on the scriptures as we read them in real time. There has been absolutely no issue with my doing so for the many months where I have offered insight and perspective on scriptural matters. In fact, I was offered the roll of "Apologist" in recognition of my study and knowledge and years in the scriptures and desire to equip the saints with the truth of God's word in proper context. For reasons in which I will outline here in some detail pertaining to the factual matters of my departure- I am stating these so that it will be clear why I am choosing to leave.
When I first joined the server, I had heard a matter taught that did not have Factual or Biblical truth to it regarding men having one less rib than women. When I reached out to someone who had taught this and politely requested that they provide resources for this, They said they would and then never did. 
When I corrected them they ignored that matter. 
Recently something was said in one of teachings that is unbiblical. I again privately reached out to this person to express concern that in this matter of sin against our unchanging God and scriptures that do not contradict, we should not teach that this matter is permissible. I shared 8 different passages that show the matter in need of correction. 
Their response was to ignore the scriptures and accuse me of ignorance, and instead of look at the scriptures, to link to a "got questions" page which has many faulty doctrines. When I assured them that I am not operating from a place of ignorance in my correcting and shared more scriptures, those scriptures too were ignored. As I pointed out that the scriptures were contrary, this person attempted to dismiss teaching something contrary to scripture as a matter of opinion, and shift the focus away from the Word of God, to personal attacks against me, my character and my understanding.  As I continued to point to the Word of God, This man appealed to everything else. Due to his nature in never learning my position on matters, and making assumptions, He then appealed to "Boice or John Stott" to try and make this about reformed theology rather than the scriptures (as at this point, he just blindly assumed I was reformed). 
I again reminded him that God be true and every man a liar, and that we are to hold to the word of God and test the doctrines and teaching of men - and the errors that come up- to the scriptures. After He assumed that Peter and Paul are contrary to my position without ever looking at the scriptures, context, or hearing the matter in which he was being corrected in humility, he made more personal attacks. 
When I stated " it is my opinion that the fruit in which you are presenting is that you are answering a matter before having even looked at it" in a reference to Proverbs 18:13

He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

His disheartening response was " But i don't have too ur way doesn't harmonize with Peter and Paul I have heard similar arguments b4".  Again the arrogant assumption that because he's heard different people say different things, that means that I am saying the same things as them, while refusing to listen, or evaluate the scriptures that I was bringing in context, is in fact wrong and error. 
In matters of opinion there is disagreement. in matters of God, and what God commands, there can be only truth or distortion of the truth as it is outlined in scripture by God's word which does not contradict.  When I kept pointing back to the truth of God's word as authoritative, he again without hearing the scriptures or the matter in context, deflected and made assumptions asking " By ur logic we should still offer sacrifices". This was a distraction from the subject in which we were discussing as he was still trying to move the conversation away from the correction that he was given and what the word of God says- but in response I asked him for what reason after coming to Christ and working in ministry did Paul do sacrifices in Acts 21. He seemed unfamiliar with the passage so i cited it for him. He refused to answer that question and instead resorted to pithy responses. 
I asked another question in regards to Matthew 5:17-19 , as to what are we supposed to do and teach according to this text? 

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 Law 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.

He ignored this question also and and reverted to misapplying passages of Paul. When I again pleaded with him that to judge a matter without hearing it is wrong, he stated this unfounded accusation "When u have a method to dealing with romans and peter I will do so, but u can't" after I had already sent him sever points of context of which he ignored without looking at them. I then attempted again to reason with him and provided the context a second time. 
I encouraged him in staying "if you had looked at the matters that I have presented before rejecting it based on your opinions, and if you had humbled yourself to look at the verses and everything that I have already given you- I think that you would see that I have done this very thing" and I reminded him that we are to crucify the flesh- sharing a passage that we had read several times before in the study Romans 8

 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

He then made attempts to again, shift from the scriptures and the rebuke, to make it about denominational differences. "Ur really big on the OT and I am starting to think I may know why, but i am uncertain.". This is a tactic that I am familiar with when people would rather be defined by a denomination instead of the word of God, and seek to argue against the denomination rather than reason and conform to the truth of God's word. When I responded "Biblical.  My denomination is to live like Christ . My denomination is : All scripture is for rebuke reproof and teaching. My denomination is to to walk by Grace through faith in Christ who calls us to repent from sin,as sin is transgression of His law." he stated that my answer was "cute". He again tried to shift it to being about a personality conflict rather than the correction that I was giving to him and asked "Why is it not possible for u to disagree with someone without it becoming " disagreeable " again, trying to reduce the errant teaching and the correction to be a matter of opinion instead of what the word of God says in context to avoid accountability. I responded that "It's not hard to take when people disagree.  It's hard when people refuse context or to account for the full rendering of scripture as they advocate certain sins as pleasing to God"
He made what I presume to be an attempt to guess that I might be a 7th day adventist (which im not) in bringing up the trinity when he said "Its more a matter of u can't harmonize ur views with the whole of scripture This isn't the 1st time I have heard such arguments Same thinking gets people in trouble with believing in the trinity." I fully affirm at defend the Triune nature of God. This man was staunchly searching for a denominational banner in which he could tilt towards INSTEAD of listening to what was actually being said, and the scriptures in context.  
For clarity, I have used this example as it pertains to matters of opinions vs matters of scripture in regards to commands of God. 

The Bible clearly says that drinking is NOT a sin- but to some drinking is a problem and God tells them to not sin- that is a matter of opinions and personal convictions. However, Murder is wrong, and is always wrong. If someone says "I know you think murder is wrong but I don't have that conviction" does that mean that murder stopped being wrong or that sin is defined by feelings instead of God's word?  Thats the element at play here. This man saying "oh that's a matter of opinion and we disagree"like in the drinking context, where I am correcting him from the fullness of scripture that he needs correction and to reevaluate the full word of God as he's preaching contradictions in doctrines ... like the "murder" context.  

I assured him that my hermeneutics are consistent from genesis to revelation contrary to his baseless assumptions due to all the arguments of other people who believe things that are different than I do.  
At this point, someone else in a position of leadership on that server had asked me a few questions and I had responded without mentioning names, just like i am doing here in not mentioning names- that I had to correct someone (fact) and they are refusing correction (fact) and that they are making baseless assumptions (fact) will not look at the scriptures (fact). None of that is slander in any way shape or form. Yet, he responded with this "Anyways sir, if u would not try to bash me with people we both love . I would appreciate that". I have done no such bashing or gossip, even though that is a narrative that he was/is trying to craft - in order to make the conversation about everything EXCEPT THE SCRIPTURE and what the AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD says. 
This is where he inadvertently admits to listening to gossip and lies regarding me. He stated "U get stuck in wanting to prove urself ur running over other people's feelings Jay. Chances of u being right and so many others being wrong, my freind the math is not on ur side." In this he was attempting to make the case that the majority is always right, which is contrary to what scripture shows over and over and over again. In response I brought up the "straight and narrow" in at attempt to get him to think critically about what he was saying- referings the scriptures ( i know that's a theme here) . That passage is Matthew 7 

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

When I asked him " Many will come to him on that day and say "Didn't we prophesy and cast out demons in your name" and how does He respond?" He chose to ignore the question, the scriptures, and go to bed. When He returned he asked me for the context of Romans 14 concerning matters of opinion.
I gave him a detailed response. 

"First off,  its regarding matters of opinion and NOT the commands of God.  It's about when to fast as it is regarding the days one eats and doesn't eat- which is fasting.  It is regarding eating only veggies vs not which is the Daniel fast. Its in response to matthew 9 which is where the Pharisees who have specific times of fasting and specific days of fasting ... its literally what eating and not eating is.  The pharisees in mark 7 were saying that by their traditions that THEY could decided what is or isn't food or is or isn't clean in regards to handwashing and what does Christ do? He rebukes them for not obeying the commands of God several times.  In romans 14, this is addressed that matters of OPINION i.e.  pharisaic custom regarding handwashing - does not make what GOD defines as food clean or unclean. What it is NOT doin is redefining what GOD has already defined by His unchanging word, and character the definition of what food is to now include unclean animals.  In fact, if we take your misapplication of romans 14, then the prohibition on eating things sacrificed to idols goes out the window, eating blood goes out the window, and revelation 18:2 that mentions unclean birds still goes out the window. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Paul states 4 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.

Don't touch what is unclean still applies"

His response was to state that my scriptural reply was cute "Cute but I am not sure that's actually " fasting " the bible uses the term fasting a few times this is not one of them.". While im not sure what he thinks eating and not eating is called, I did ask him to "please stop the condescending "cute" in haughty display." He then accused me of mental gymnastics "No amount of intellect or biblical mental gymstatics will make theconflict disappear" using rhetoric and jabs to try and dismiss the scripture and the correction of how he was applying verses out of context. 
I asked him about  Matthew 13:41 -42

41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"Whose being gathered? Out of where? To where? The stumbling blocks and those that do lawlessness, are gathered OUT of the Kingdom of God , and thrown into the fire."

He again stated romans 14 out of context and told me to read Peter. I then asked about the gentiles in Isaiah 56:6-8

“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant;Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares,“Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered.”

"Which Covenant are they to hold to? If we say the Sinai Covenant, it is to admit that was for Gentiles.If we say the New Covenant, it is to admit that Sabbaths and the Commands of God are for the Gentiles. I am telling you that you are misinterpreting paul's writings and teaching people that sin is acceptable. You are quite literally ignoring Peters warning 2 Peter 3

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness

2 Peter 3:17- Wicked = Greek: athesmos: one who breaks through the restraint of law and gratifies his lusts Peter Himself said the vision is about gentiles in Acts 11. Please stop taking it out of context"

When he responded in an attempt to regard teachers instead of the scriptures as authoritative he said this "And I am telling u not only are u doing what ur accusing  me of Quality teachers for centuries agree with me and not u" To which I again corrected him "the pharisees held this same mentality. the bereans however LOOKED AT THE SCRIPTURES" and cited Mark 7 where Christ rebuked the "majority of agreeing teachers" 

6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.

His response to these scriptures? "Teachers from reformed , souther baptist , evangelical , every majo denom agrees with me ...but ur right and everyone else is wrong ?" he tried to make it about me, and a personal attack rather than if the matter is true or not and letting the Word of God define the Word of God.  As I showed that Peters vision about the inclusion of the gentiles is in fact, about the inclusion of the gentiles, and provided context for the matters of opinions in romans 14 showing that it is in regarding to opinions and NOT God's commands as he was using out of context, he chose to say this 
"U can't deal with romans 14, U can't deal with peter's vision". I admit freely, in response to the fleshly petulance and blatant ignoring of context and the rest of scripture, I said this " You can't deal with james, or 1,2,3rd john, or matthew, or the rest of scripture, or revelation, or Isaiah" 
After ignoring all my questions, my scriptures, and context, of which I already answered many of his questions, He asked "Show me in exact words where they say eating pork is wrong" I directed him to Isaiah 66 which is an end times passage and asked if that has happened yet as well as these two passages in the New Testament 

Romans 16:17-18 ¶Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Philippians 3:18-19For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

I again tried to explain to him that what he is teaching people who do not know better, is not living like Christ. "you have an inconsistent hermeneutic and you are preaching to people something that is anti-christ" in reference to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.  This man then responded with rumors and things that are false. "I was never banned from a sever over what I preach J and I have been around U were why is that everyone is wrong but ur right". I haven't been banned from any server. Thats false gossip. I asked him "what false gossip are you speaking? I've never been banned from any server?".  He said "U were banned from koin bro".  I've never been banned from Koin. I'm still in Koin. I never left Koin. If this man actually thought that I was banned from that server, over what I was preaching why did he offer me the apologist role? When I told him I was still in Koin his response was "I was told by multiple sources" which not only is inaccurate, but he believed a false report against me, never bothered confirming it with me or or anyone else as to its accuracy- and is a testament to how just because many people say something it can still be a lie which is his whole defense in why he refused to look at the scriptures in which I was correcting him in the first place. That's part of the reason that I am making this statement, that what is now a pattern of deception is occuring. 
After I sent him a screenshot of a message in real time in the Koin server proving the lies of others to be false, his response was that he would go see what they say. It didn't matter that I literally showed him proof of the lie, he still wouldn't believe me. 
He then sent a voice text demanding that we have a pastoral showdown and said he'd go get his pastor and demanded that I get my pastor and see if they agree, and made accusations of me not being a part of a church or fellowship anywhere- even though I have consistently told people that I cannot attend the online studies because I was at church. That too is verifiable in the comments section of the devotions thread. Now the attempt was to move it away from the scriptures and what they say, to his pastor and his pastors agreeing with him. I stated as such "I have answered you multiple times over and over and over as you refuse to answer any of my questions and keep trying to make this about everything but the scriptures in a shameful display" and advised that he go re-read Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.

He accused me of not being under a pastor and not having a stable home church, of which none of this changes the scripture or what it says even if it were accurate- which it isn't. I addressed his accusations and asked if he was going to apologize for THAT lie. "you just assumed i'm not under a pastor because you assumed because I don't answer all your demands the second you ask them. Flesh" he did say he's look into it and do so if needed ...even though I provided proof that he was in fact, incorrect. 
He sent another voice text telling me that im not intelligent and that pastors don't agree with me and that I am not that smart- all of which reminded me of Acts 4

6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 

His whole tyrade is at its core that the high priest, and caiphas and alexander and the whole Sanhedrin were right because Peter and John were in the minority, and didn't have the degree from the Sanhedrin, except he's applied it to me, and made idols out of the Sanhedrin instead acknowledging that they too are men prone to error. After I decided to not communicate with him any longer as he was insulting and verbally hostile in regards to my intelligence still trying to make it entirely about me instead of what the scriptures state, I shared with him an entire list of questions for him to go over with his pastor and I informed him that due to the hostility I would wait until his pastor is available to discuss the matter with him. I then blocked him until such a time as I can speak with his pastor regarding all of this behavior, and the refusal to look at the scriptures in context while teaching various things that are not accurate.

After this, while I was out, I was told to join in a Vc, with no prompting or regard for the matters I was attending to at the time. I told them I was unavailable and if they would like to schedule a Vc, then I'll see when I was available. Since this, I posted in the "ask a Christian" thead a question regarding the scriptures. I asked have the events in Isaiah 66 happened yet

15 See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the Lord. 17 “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,” declares the Lord. 18 “And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels. 21 And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the Lord. 22 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. 23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. 24 “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

This question was censored by deletion. There was nothing inappropriate or out of bounds by the scripture or the question. It was deleted because they did not like the implication of the answer. I asked the woman "why was my question about the new heaven and new earth deleted from ask a Christian?"
Her response was "Because it goes against what we believe Biblically as a server. And we don’t allow that".  There was nothing in the question that was a statement of faith, an accusation, or anything improper AT ALL. In this server they have allowed unsaved people to address questions about false gods, atheism, cults, and the like- of which I hope they don't agree with and I don't think that they do- but, this question regarding a verse, was censored and deleted. I asked "What specifically about the question about if the passage has happened yet,violates the briefs as a server?" She stated that "Well, since I know where you would be going with the question, I think that would qualify" I then requested that she think critically "I'd like you to think for a moment about this critically.  I asked a question regarding a scripture event that has or hasn't happened and it was deleted and censored because you didn't like it's implications of where the scriptures lead? That the scripture and what it says is against the server?"
She declined to answer the questions. Today I had posted a different question about Isaiah 56 and God calling gentiles wild beasts. After I had posted it, I received this response. "Since your apologist role has been removed, please don’t post in Ask a Christian as if you are still one. That’s disrespectful of the server. You seem to have an agenda here and I would appreciate it if you didn’t pursue it further. At least not until you have a meeting"
That was the first time that I was informed that they had decided to rescind the apologist role, which in my opinion was 100% retaliatory and punitive and personal. Again, there was nothing improper about the question. Nor was it a statement of belief. They were hostile to scripture and my asking about it. 
When I asked " Why has the role been removed? On what grounds? What sin, what error?" she directed me back to the man that I had corrected and was refusing correction. She stated "Your comment was deleted yesterday so that should have let you know that you shouldn’t post it again. And since you did, I assume that you wish to continue with your agenda, which means we can’t trust you for the apologist role anymore" My last response was this  "I didn't post it again.  The one yesterday was about the new heavens and new earth in Isaiah 66. Today I posted about Gentiles being called beasts in Isaiah 56. They're different questions with different scriptures. This is 💯 the behavior of cultist censorship. There was nothing improper about either of those questions.  On this server you have people who are not believers who ask questions regarding paganism,witchcraft and demonic elements - of which you allowed without issue as I sure hope you disagree with those things as a server.  Yet, when I asked 2 different questions citing 2 different scriptures,you have censored me, deleted my my comments,  revoked my recognition as one who has studied the scriptures in depth and is readily available to give an account in the word. This is bias, unbiblical,  and of the flesh."

I've taken the time to outline facts. I'd remind everyone on the matters that we are to judge those inside the church regarding error. 

Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,  And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

leviticus 19:15  ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

Ezekiel 22:2  “And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations.

John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” 

Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

Matthew 7:15-20 15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

For these reasons, I am following  Matthew 10:11-14 and shaking the dust from my feet. 

11 And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12 As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13 If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14 Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.