Torah: The Law of Moses
78
 | Amazon Price: $33.28 List Price: $35.50 |
 | Amazon Price: $17.95 List Price: $19.95 |
This is a lengthy hub. While the Word says in Titus 3:9 "But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless”, I am writing once and for all to address the many Messianic Jews writing me to accuse me of bearing false testimony about the Old and New Covenants regarding the Law of Moses. Indeed, the Apostle Paul was accused of the same thing:
Acts 18:12-13 “The Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, ‘This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the Law.’
Messianic Jews insist that since all laws were "inspired by God" and given by God through Moses (Torah), all of them are good and should be followed, even under the New Covenant. Actually, Moses didn't give the Jews all the Laws they have today (Takanot). Those who "sit in the seat of Moses" (or Pharisees) have added to the Law of Moses and now have so many laws, some Jews simply cannot even keep the Sabbath in order to keep all the laws!
According to Karaite Jewish scholar and author Nehemia Gordon (who was raised to be a Pharisee), the book of Matthew must be interpreted correctly, based on the fact that it was not originally written in Greek, but in Hebrew. The Greek wording states in chapter 23:2-3 (KJV), "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
The correct Hebrew interpretation will give the Jewish Pharisees a new perspective: "The Pharisees and sages sit upon the seat of Moses. Therefore, all that he [Moses] says to you, diligently do, but according to their [Pharisees] reforms [takanot] and thier precedents [ma'asim] do not do, because they talk but they do not do."
If you want more education on this topic (wholely from a Jewish perspective ~ not Messianic Jew or Christian), here's the link to a 2-hour video by Nehemia Gordon (this specific issue is found at 1:15).
I recommend reading four other hubs written to address the issue of Law and Covenants as follows:
Remember the Sabbath Day: Saturday, Sunday or Everyday?
The Law of Moses is found in the first five books of the Old Testament, called the Torah. The Old Testament is called the Tanakh, in the Hebrew language. While the Law of Moses incorporated God’s Law of the 10 Commandments, it totals 613 commandments called the Mitzvot. Though we already know Jesus rebuked following the Takanot, this hub is to specifically type out the New Testament verses that refer to the Law of Moses, so all can READ them here, look them up and read the context in which they are given.
New Testament Regarding the Law of Moses
Matthew 5:20 "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Luke 2:22 “And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.”
Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.”
John 1:17 “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”
John 7:19 "Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why do you seek to kill Me?"
John 7:23 "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?”
John 8:5 "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?"
Acts 13:38-39 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”
Acts 15:5 “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.’"
Acts 18:12-13 “The Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, ‘This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the Law.’”
Acts 21:21 “and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.”
Acts 28:23 “When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.”
Romans 2:23 “As you brag about the Laws in Moses' Teachings, are you dishonoring God by ignoring Moses' Teachings?”
Romans 2:27 “The uncircumcised man who carries out what Moses' Teachings say will condemn you for not following them. He will condemn you in spite of the fact that you are circumcised and have Moses' Teachings in writing.”
Romans 2:29 “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
Romans 3:19-22 “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; not one person can have God's approval by following Moses' Teachings. Moses' Teachings show what sin is. But now, apart from the Law, God's righteousness is revealed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets-even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;”
Romans 3:28 “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”
Romans 3:31 “Are we abolishing Moses' Teachings by this faith? That's unthinkable! Rather, we are supporting Moses' Teachings.”
Romans 4:13-16 “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no Law, neither is there violation.”
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under Law, but under grace.”
Romans 7: 4-6 “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”
Romans 7:7 “What should we say, then? Are Moses' Laws sinful? That's unthinkable! In fact, I wouldn't have recognized sin if those laws hadn't shown it to me. For example, I wouldn't have known that some desires are sinful if Moses' Teachings hadn't said, "Never have wrong desires."
Romans 8:2-4 “For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the Law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 10:5 “For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on Law shall live by that righteousness.”
Romans 13:8-10 “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.”
Romans 14:1-2 "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only."
Romans 14:14 “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."
Romans 14:17 “For God's kingdom does not consist of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy produced by the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:20 "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."
Romans 14:23 “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
1 Corinthians 9:9 “For it is written in the Law of Moses, 'YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.' God is not concerned about oxen, is He?”
1 Corinthians 9:20 “I became Jewish for Jewish people. I became subject to Moses' Teachings for those who are subject to those laws. I did this to win them even though I'm not subject to Moses' Teachings.”
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 3:5b-6 “Our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
2 Corinthians 3:12-15 “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”
Galatians 2:16 “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.”
Galatians 2:19-21 “For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law then Christ died needlessly.”
Galatians 3:10-12 “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law to perform them.’ Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’ However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary;”
Galatians 3:18-19 “For if the inheritance is based on Law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. What, then, is the purpose of the Laws given to Moses? They were added to identify what wrongdoing is. Moses' Laws did this until the descendant to whom the promise was given came to Abraham. It was put into effect through angels, using a mediator.”
Galatians 3:25-28 “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”
Galatians 4:9 “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things [the Law], to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?”
Galatians 4:21 “Those who want to be controlled by Moses' Laws should tell me something. Are you really listening to what Moses' Teachings say?”
Galatians 5:1-3 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised must realize that he obligates himself to do everything Moses' Teachings demand.”
Galatians 5:14, 18, 22-23 “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement,‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no Law.”
Galatians 6:13 “For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:14-16 “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups [Jews and Gentiles] into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”
Colossians 2:14 "having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and He hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross;"
Colossians 2:16-17 “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”
Colossians 2:20-23 “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles [see Gal 4:9 the Law] of the world why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 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.”
Hebrews 8:6-7, 13 “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. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.” “When He said, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first [covenant through Law of Moses] obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.” [brackets mine]
Hebrews 9:22, 26b “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” “But now, at the end of the ages, he has appeared once for all to remove sin by his sacrifice.”
Hebrews 10:28 “If two or three witnesses accused someone of rejecting Moses' Teachings, that person was shown no mercy as he was executed. How much more severe a punishment do you think that person deserves who tramples on God's Son, treats as common the blood of the covenant by which it was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace?”
The Law of Moses Fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Regarding the argument Messianic Jews use found in Matthew 5:17-18 let's write these verses here, and understand that Jesus had not died on the cross yet when He spoke these words:
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill them. 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."
Hebrews 7:28 “Moses' Teachings designated mortals as chief priests even though they had weaknesses. But God's promise, which came after Moses' Teachings, designated the Son who forever accomplished everything that God required.”
Luke 24:44 “Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 11:25, 27 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uniformed of this mystery: And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins."
Galatians 3:19 "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator [Moses], until the seed [Jesus] would come to whom the promise had been made."
1 Timothy 3:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Compare
Matthew 5:20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
2 Corinthians 5:21 "He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus]."
Tradition of Messianic Jewish Worship
Matthew 15:3-9 shows how the Commandment of God (‘Honor your father and mother’), then the Law of Moses (‘He who speaks evil of their father or mother is to be put to death.') was altered to meet the Rabbinic law, which became a “tradition”:
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?’ But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,’ he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ‘You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"
The Covering of Heads
When I recently visited a Messianic Jewish congregation, I noticed the majority of women covered their heads with scarves, and all the men wore the traditional skull cap (called a Kippah). At the end of the service, both husband and wife covered their heads with a common cloth. While they consider this a sign of respect to God, the New Testament is clear that this is not to be done, and yet they hold to their Old Covenant traditions.
1 Corinthians 11:7 “For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.”
1 Corinthians 11:13-15 “Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.”
Conclusion
Romans 2:27 “The uncircumcised man who carries out what Moses' Teachings say will condemn you for not following them. He will condemn you in spite of the fact that you are circumcised and have Moses' Teachings in writing.”
Is this verse saying New Covenant believers are to follow the letter of the Law of Moses as part of our Spiritual walk with our Lord? No. Continue on to read verse 29: “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
How is our heart "circumcised" (made clean)? How is our heart made righteous? It is by submitting our hearts to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as our righteousness, for nothing else can or will make us righteous before God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
It is informative to read the Law of Moses, to know right from wrong in the eyes of the Lord (if you need a "tutor"); however, we will see that God is not limited by a set of written laws. His Law is greater, in that everything we do will fall under the category of loving God and loving man in the ways His Word teaches us, and as His Spirit leads us. His Spirit gives us a CONSCIENCE. So, to accept the Messiah, our Savior, does not bear fruit of lawlessness, but that of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no Law (Galatians 5:23).
Messianic Jews are still spending the majority of their time reading and adhering to the Torah, and even kiss the Torah in their worship services. They are not to turn their backs to it as the holder of the Torah walks around to each person. The Torah does not include the New Testament, though they will read a little of the New Testament in their services. The reason there are so many scriptures listed above in the New Testament is because this is the MESSAGE to THEM! Yet, even today, over 2,000 years later, they enslave themselves to the customs they’ve followed since the beginning of time.
When we are truly saved, we will not stand before God one day and say, “I kept all the Law and therefore, I am righteous to enter the kingdom of heaven.” The ONLY thing we will say is, “I am a sinner saved by the blood of the Lamb and I am made righteous because He is righteous and His blood covers me.” AMEN.
More on this subject by Judah's Daughter
- The END of the OLD Covenant
The Law of Moses is what is known as the Jewish Mitzvot contained in the first five books of the Bible (the Torah). The Old Covenant made through the Law was replaced by the New Covenant of grace through faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. - Remember the Sabbath Day: Saturday, Sunday or Everyd...
There is so much controversy out there about the fourth commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy [sanctified; set apart]. Some staunchly believe the seventh-day Sabbath was NEVER changed by... - The Ram for Abraham
God told Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the sand of the seashore. Abraham believed God. It was because of great faith, Isaac’s life was saved ~ by what? The RAM. How often do we focus on the ram? It’s time we do.
CommentsLoading...
"When we are truly saved, we will not stand before God one day and say, 'I kept all the Law and therefore, I am righteous to enter the kingdom of heaven.'" No, definitely not! We are justified by faith alone.
BUT, Jesus will say to many on that day "depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." There is a law, and we are to uphold it.
Crowder, yes ~ God's law is written in our hearts; it is to love Him and love each other, and all that this entails. It is to obey His direction in our lives and put His will before ours. Truly, He will know us by our fruit when the day of harvest comes. If we walk and live by the Spirit, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit. Amen. God bless you!
Richard Thornhill ~ I'm sorry I didn't comment back to you sooner! Very very good word. Thank you so much for commenting! God bless you!
Well well, what can a person say! I just got my first critical statement on my elephant story, but Judah Daughter you show me how to handle those who find fault and do not try to see what God is saying in a particular verse or portion of scripture to us. I agree with you totally and I understand the letter of the law killeth it is the Spirit that gives life. And can I say it is the Spirit that gives love. You go girl!
Hi sister Royal Diadem! I read your hub on Behemoth and your interpretation is sound. The one who had the dream, if she were humble, would listen to the ONE rather than the MANY ~ I would love to hear the details of her dream. As I said, prophets of God don't bring a flesh-edifying message, but a flesh humbling one ~ therefore, those not in the Lord will not receive it with gladness...but scorn.
Remember Jesus' words in Mat 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
And for you also, 1 Pet 5:9 "But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."
Much, much love ~ God is strenthening our faith through persecutions and trials, that we might be able to stand in the coming escalated times of rebellion against God and His people. Rejoice and be glad!! We stand united in faith, all over the world, awaiting with anticipation, our Lord's return. God bless you!!
Hi JD,
Here I am! I love those Messianic Jews. They have a better understanding of Hebrew than most Christians. Its nice to see that you quote from them also. Most teach a Trunity but I found one who tries to sneak in an "it" or "he" once in awhile during services. He must have some some Christian friends that are Dualist or Unitarians. Strange that he should do that since on his belief section of his Church it says plainly they teach about the Triune God.
The only things that has been done away are the animal sacrifices and the newer verbal torah which Hesedic Jews or present day Scribes and Pharisees still teach(Noahide) as if they are better than what God gave us in the Old Testament. Many of our Brethren from the House of Judah and the House of Israel will soon be redeemed when Christ Yahshua returns. Check out Romans 9,10,11. Most of our ancesters in the OT did not receive the Holy Spirit then but soon will, Romans 8:1-4. They are receiving God's Grace along with those of the House of Israel or Lost Tribes of Israel and non-Israelites or Gentiles. Its gets very exciting to see my Jewish brothers and sisters being called today because they too are the children of God the Father, 2 Corinthians 16-18. And even though animal sacrife has been done away it too will be restored for awhile during the Millenium, Isaiah 66:21, Zechariah 14:20-21. How about that? Even my Jewish brothers and sisters will rejoice in the Lord Yahshua, Jesus Christ, Zechariah 12:1-14 when Chjrist come to save the remnant left in Jerusalem.
Lionswhelp, I have to say, your comment is notably way off the mark. Is your first paragraph addressing Nehemia Gordon? He is a Karaite Jew and is not saved.
If you can read this very hub about the Torah, as well as the others “The End of the Old Covenant” and “Stone from the Throne” and still make the statement, “The only things that has been done away are the animal sacrifices and the newer verbal torah which Hesedic Jews or present day Scribes and Pharisees still teach (Noahide) as if they are better than what God gave us in the Old Testament” tells me you also have a veil remaining (2 Cor 3:14). I also suggest you read "The JOY in the New Covenant".
You then said, “Many of our Brethren from the House of Judah and the House of Israel will soon be redeemed when Christ Yahshua returns.” Sorry, Charlie ~ redemption happened at the cross and is obtained through faith since. It’s called the New Covenant in His blood. Heb 9:11-12 “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 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.” Rom 8:1-4 confirms this. When Christ returns to set up His millennial reign, that is not the time of salvation for the remnant of literal Israel. The “time of Jacob’s trouble” is their last chance, which is also known as the Great Tribulation (Jer 30:7).
Jesus said He was “sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Mat 15:24). He also said He has “other sheep that are not of this fold” (John 10:16). Just as literal Israel rejected the gospel making way for the salvation of the Gentiles, literal Jews can still be saved by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This makes up “the Israel of God” (Gal 6:16 – cross reference Rom 9:6; Gal 3:7, 29 and Phil 3:3). The statement then that “all Israel will be saved” is truth (Rom 11:26).
We will not be sacrificing animals ever again. 1 Pet 2:5 clarifies, “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.” Heb 9:24-26: ““For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. 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.”
Just because a person keeps the law does not mean he is a Karaite Jew.
Christ kept the law, taught the law and expounded the law. He said "it is written thou shall not kill, but I say unto you, he who is angry with his brother without cause, is in danger of the judgment." His sayings were even harder. It is easy to not kill, but to not be angry is hard.
Those who say the law is dead are those who just can't keep the law and deny it is important.
Matthew 5:22
"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."
Deborah, thank you for coming by. What you say about Karaite Jews is correct. Please read the rest of the story in my hubs "The END of the Old Covenant", "The JOY in the New Covenant" and "Stone From the Throne" (the links are in the body of this hub). Although you don't believe Paul, he confirms this new law of the heart in Rom 2:29 "But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God."
I also have a lengthy hub called "Will He know you?" All I can do is invite you to read, and if the Spirit of God has something to show you, may He do so. Even my hub "Water to Wine: More Than a Miracle" and "Religion versus Salvation"...so many things!! By His grace, JD
Thanks Judah.
Not only do I know God through Yahshua, I also have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues as a manifestation. I have several gifts of the Spirit. The gift of healing of Knowledge and of Prophecy. and I am an ordained Minister.
Deborah Sexton, I suppose I should be shocked, but I question whether you are one who qualifies for Hebrews 6:4-6, as I quote you in your own forum called “Suspicious Apostleship Of Paul-Something To Think About” (as of yesterday) saying, “Dear Judah. I woke up long ago. I used to follow the Christian doctrine until I was shown the truth. There is no need for you to try to convert me.”
http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/42551?page=2
If you’re not a Christian, what are you?
Just so you know JD, Deborah Sexton is a Kabbalist. She is into Taro Cards, Astrology, Candle Burning, and Kundalini. Everything that God is against.
Watch it or she may try and cast a spell on you.
Hi brother, SirDent!! So, it makes sense now that she's a "minister" of the synagogue of Satan. Isn't it funny that she accuses the Apostle Paul of "being all things to all men, that he might win them to Christ" (as though that was an act of deception), while she changes colours in the worst ways, evidenced even here? I have absolutely no fear of her, for your God and my God (our God) is already protecting us. We need not fight our spiritual battles, for the LORD fights them for us. Whatever she attempts to do to a child of God, she does unto Him. If she wants to mess with the LORD God, Jesus Christ, bring it on. Thanks for shedding more of the TRUE LIGHT here, brother. God bless you and I luv u!!
Yes JD, God is able to take care of all who attack Him.
I admit I had no idea what kundalini meant or was. I looked it up and found that the word kundalini actually means coiled. When I think of the word coiled,. I think of snakes, especially rattlesnakes which are quick to bite.
Here's Wikipedia information it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini The reason she came to read here is most likely because of her forum. The reason she calls the Apostle Paul false is because he preached the New Covenant and moved Christians away from following the Law of Moses ~ and what does the Law say about her practices?
I am continually shaking my head at the number of "shapes" the serpent of old takes in these last days. But God's children "see" and "hear"; we only know the voice of our Lord and no other. I've said a prayer for Deb. That's all I could do.
Judah
I am a child of God. I believe in Christ.
I do not follow the Christian doctrine. Paul taught opposite from Christ. The Christian follow the teachings of Paul and I follow the teachings of Christ.
You guys are so wrong, you have no idea. Mr. Dent is a slanderer who speaks evil of things he does not know. It is not me who sits in the seat of Lucifer. I do not cast spells lying Spirit. Your God is my God, because there is only one Almighty God.
The Kundalini represents the Holy Ghost not a snake. In Hebrew, it is Shekhinah.
Why don't you talk to me instead of about me.
Tale bearers are those who do not follow God's teachings.
You gguys are telling me to get saved (Judgers) and yet it is you two who need to find salvation. It is not in Pauls teachings.
The wise men were astrologers, that's why they were called wise. It is how they followed the star. A star didn't come down to earth and lead the wise men. If it was in the sky, it is still impossible to follow it to a destination. The closer you get, the further away it seems.
Wow, I see you you are scorners and scoffers Psalms 1:1....nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Proverbs 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
2 Peter 3:3
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Mr. Dent knows the thoughts of God? and what God is against?
Kabbalah is Ancient Mysticism. It is not wrong nor against God. Christians could use it.
Mysticism definition
belief that union with God or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
Deborah Sexton 2 hours ago
You guys are so wrong, you have no idea. Mr. Dent is a slanderer who speaks evil of things he does not know. It is not me who sits in the seat of Lucifer. I do not cast spells lying Spirit. Your God is my God, because there is only one Almighty God.
_________________________________________
My God is your God but I serve a false God? You also accused us of judging yet you judge? Then judge me more by calling me a lying spirit?
Seriously, what is wrong with you?
I tried talking with you. You refused and went on a rant.
Have I accused you falsely?
Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Lev 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deu 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deu 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
How many of those categories do you fall under? You may fool everyone else there is in the whole world, but you will not fool God.
I say this once more to you. The grace of God is much greater and better than the grace of men.
Mr. Dent. I do not go after familiar spirits and I am not a witch nor a wizard. So what are you talking about?
Find out before bearing false witness (slander) it is one of the ten commandments. Oh I forgot. Paul told you to do away with those useless laws of God, right? :)
Deborah, Do you believe Jesus is God in the flesh? Do you believe He came as the Savior to all who believe and died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead on the third day?
Might I clarify there is a difference between astrology and astronomy. Astrology is forbidden in the Bible. Indeed, the Magi (notice the root of the word magic) were astrologers, which is the Greek word "magos", meaning sorcerer. Just because they knew Jesus would be born, does not make them "wise" in a godly sense. At least they did obey God when they were told not to return to Herod.
Since we're using definitions, astrology is defined by Webster's as "the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects".
Diviniation is a form of witchcraft. Tarot cards are a form of divination, as is astrology.
Kabbalah is a form of New Age philosophy and is very esoteric (self-centered). Wikipedia defines it as a type of Jewish mysticism, including "it is a set of scriptures that exist outside the Scriptures".
What you are calling clean, the Bible calls unclean. Likewise, the Apostle Paul was baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues as you claim to do. You both can't be operating by the same Spirit or else there would be unity. To say Paul spoke falsely is to say he spoke by the father of lies' spirit. That is a form of blasphemy. Likewise, to claim that astrology and terot cards are acceptable to God is not true.
Isa 47:13-15 "You are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, Those who prophesy by the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you. Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no coal to warm by Nor a fire to sit before! So have those become to you with whom you have labored, Who have trafficked with you from your youth; Each has wandered in his own way; There is none to save you."
Deut 4:19 "And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them."
Dan 2:27 "Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king"
There's just a few scriptures on this topic, and know I am praying for you.
Well, I read the Hebrew scriptures and many things have been mistransliterated and mistranslated.
Yes God is against those who do not seek Him and do lying signs and wonders. That is not me. All the scripture you spoke of is about those who are fake prophets, seers and workers of signs and wonders. It is not speaking of the true ones.
Dear Judah, no amount of looking up to the sky (astronomy) can lead someone to a person. As I said, it is impossible to follow a star in the sky.
I don't care what Wikipedia says. It is wrong. I am a Christ Kabbalist and I should know what it means. We seek God constantly. Do you? How?
No, Yahsua is not God. He came to reveal God's name Yah. Yahshua is the son of God. Yes, I believe the rest that you asked. Yahshua wanted us to look up and see God. He never said he was God, not once.
Everything is affected by the stars, planets etc. The animals are, nature is, You and I are. The Universe is orderly not Chaotic.
To say that I worship all these things is a misunderstanding on your part. I worship no one except God the Father. There are tools to use but just because you use them does not ,mean you worship them.
God gave Moshe and Aaron rods that turned to snakes, but they didn't worship them.
I'm getting tired of you guys calling me a witch and all those slanderous things. I seek God and his righteousness.
Ponder upon your own soul, pray for yourselves and remove the mote from your eye. No one knows my relationship with God.
Please tell me of your miracles, healings, prophecies etc. If you know God, there should be plenty to tell.
Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Ecclesiastes 3
1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
14. know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
Exodus 4:17
And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.
Jeremiah 10:2
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
Mark 16:17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Acts 8:13
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Where are the signs following Judah and Mr Dent?
The Apostles chosen by God di signs and wonders. Where were the signs following Paul
Acts 2:43
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Casting Lots
Leviticus 16:8
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Joshua 18:6
Joshua 18:8
Acts 1:26
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
God has signs
Then there are fake signs
Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Deborah, I corrected my comment above that the Magi were astrologers (you may want to read my correction). You don't believe Yeshua is Yehoshua (YHWH Saves)? I have plenty of Bible passages to prove to you He is "I AM" in the flesh. I believe in One LORD, not the "trinity" doctrine that is misinterpreted as three in one, which you can read in my hub "Let Me Tell You Who God Is". For more on the identity of Christ Jesus, I have a hub called "Who Do You Say That I AM?"
As far as miracles, there are true and lying signs. Thus, you mentioned Moses and Aaron ~ yet, the two magicians of Pharaoh could do the same things. I do find some of your practices and beliefs concerning, but I am not your judge. I AM will be your Judge, and you innately know this.
Here is a testimony of signs and wonders in my walk with the Lord, if you'd like to read it: http://hubpages.com/_ui1xcnn62gpk/hub/Healed-of-Sp
I wish you peace.
Those who seek God don't manifest lying signs and wonders.
If you ask God for bread, He won't give you a stone.
I can show you many scriptures that state Christ was not God, but the son of God.
Who or what is in control of Taro cards?
Deborah, just as you are flesh and spirit, God was flesh (John 8:58; 14:7) and is spirit (1 John 4:2). He came to us in the flesh of His Son, who in Isaiah 9:6 is prophesied as follows: "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God [El Gibbor], Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." And so many more...These are not the words of Paul. If you care to learn more about the identity of Christ and REALLY KNOW GOD, I invite you to read the hubs I recommended. In His grace, JD
Deborah, thanks for the response (which I won't post), but it doesn't contradict what I said about God's flesh and spirit; you don't want to "hear". You also believe tarot cards and "lots" are the same thing, but they are not.
When Matthias was "chosen by lot" in Acts 1, we don't know the actual mechanism used, but the usual practice was to write the name or symbol of your chosen candidate onto a potsherd (piece of broken pottery) and put it into a basket or pot. Someone would either count the potsherds just like we count ballots today, or draw out a potsherd and read what was on it. Do you see the word "lot" in "bal-lot"?
Casting your vote is not the same as divination.
I'm sorry you are not teachable, but God is faithful to confirm His message to you in His time, if He so chooses. Blessings.
Casting means to throw down. Peter did not vote. They said they would not choose but prayed and asked God to choose. This does not mean vote. The Lot FELL on Matthias.
You might want to look through your English Bible but then try to get a Hebrew Bible written by Hebrews.
I speak English, Greek and Hebrew so I can actually read them in their language.
I'm not teachable? I have already believed what you have. You can't teach me what I have already been brought out of.
You can't put new wine in old bottles.
Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
2 Peter 2:22
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
It is you Judah who is not teachable. Never growing in the knowledge of God. With a tunnel vision and you think only your religion knows God. How sad.
I am sorry your religion is so afraid of everything. I am sorry that praying and witnessing are the only tools you have.
I will not come to this hub again and I won't answer you on the forum.
I will allow you to judge others.
Deborah, do we "throw down" our ballots? Yet, we "cast votes". Do you "throw down" your tarot cards? I don't think so. Since you exalt Peter, why not follow his example?
Praying and witnessing are the tools we have as Christians. God does not call us to consult the stars, the moon, the planets, astrology or other forms of divination ~ in fact, He condemns this clearly in His Word.
If you love Jesus, you will keep His commandments. Notice the words of Jesus throughout the gospels; He only quotes the 10 Commandments, which He said are His. He is the One who gave them (Mat 19:18; John 14:15) to Moses. For proof of this, read my hub "Stone from the Throne". If you think He did not give these commandments, which ones did He give? Oh yea, He made them "harder" as they are now contingent upon the heart. Would He dare usurp the authority of His Father? I don't think so...because He was the Father in the flesh. Amen.
1 Corinthians clearly teaches that women should cover their heads while praying or prophesying, and that men should not. I am unsure whether you are saying that women should cover or not cover.
I am not a Messianic Jew, nor do I agree with all that they teach. I cover my head (most women in the synagogue I have attended do not) and my husband does not cover his head (most men in the same synagogue do). I do not follow the teachings of the rabbis or sages, nor do I believe that they carry the same weight as Scripture.
I do keep the Biblical Sabbath and the Feasts, and I submit to the Law (the Torah). I do not believe that doing so will earn me salvation. Salvation comes through faith alone. I keep the Law of God because this is what Messiah did, and we are told to walk as Messiah walked (1 Peter 2:21-22, 1 John 2:6). I am not striving to be saved by works. I already have salvation. I keep the Law out of love for my Saviour, who also kept the Law.
Hi Heather Bennett, I went ahead and added verses 13 and 14 to 1 Cor 11 in the hub for you. A woman's hair is given to her for a covering. As a shadow of the Truth, the veil represents our covering, which is the blood of the Lamb (Mat 27:51).
So you're not a Jew by birth, but you elect to follow the Torah, the feasts, and Sabbaths? Paul said to the saved Gentile Colossians in 2:16-17 what he would say to you today: "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--things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."
If you don't do this for righteousness sake, are you doing this to please God? The Law is not of faith (Gal 3:12), and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). How many Jews were saved in Paul's day, then turned right back to the Law...or at least were being pulled back to the Old Covenant requirements (Gal 4:9)? The Jews also imposed the keeping of certain laws by the saved Gentiles in order to accept them. Even Peter was rebuked by Paul for teetering on both sides of the fence (Gal 2:11-16).
Remember, the apostles were Jews and were called into the New Covenant and to preach the New Covenant, setting the saved Jews free. Moses was the mediator used to set them free from the slavery of Egypt; Jesus is the Mediator setting them free from the slavery of the Law! You, as a saved Gentile (now a true Jew), should not be pulled that direction! Perhaps you are there to minister freedom to them? God knows His purpose for you.
God wants us to walk as Abraham did - there was no Torah then; it was added to God's Law (the 10 commandments) because of transgressions. Otherwise, it would never have been given. Moses was the Old Covenant 'mediator', but Christ is our Mediator between God and man. Gal 3:19 "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator [Moses], until the seed [Jesus] would come to whom the promise had been made."
Yes, Yeshua kept the Law, for that requirement of the Covenant was still in effect until He died. He was without sin. He had to keep them to fulfill them...to complete them. He was the ONLY ONE who could.
Only hearing the voice of God and obeying is better than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22). May the Seed of the Word root firmly in your heart of flesh and grow unto His glory. Blessings to you.
Heather Bennett, I didn't forget about you, nor did I ignore your comment. I simply needed time to digest your questions and adequately answer them, as I work 12-hour days and am a single parent. Thank you for being patient. I will probably get to your second comment sometime this weekend. Because your comment was hub-length, I have answered you again in a hub:
Hi Bella, I chose not to post your two comments, as I would encourage you to write hubs, my dear sister. I will keep them, and if you would like to post them in a hub, I will send them to you via email, okay?
I would like to clarify that the 10 Commandments or Words are the "Law of God" and if you read my hub "Stone From the Throne" (the link is in BLUE in this hub), you will see I am not saying anything about the Law of God. This hub is called "Torah: The Law of Moses". Regarding the Law of Moses, Rom 7:1-4 is pretty clear, as well as all the scriptures in this hub, my sweet sister.
As far as the keeping of the Sabbath, I would like to invite you to be enlightened as I was, in reading my hub "Remember the Sabbath Day: Saturday, Sunday or Everyday?": http://hubpages.com/_ui1xcnn62gpk/hub/Remember-the If you don't wish to read the hub, please read Heb 4:1-10 and I pray you understand that the Sabbath rest is not found in a literal 'day', but in the salvation of the LORD of the Sabbath, who gives us rest.
Keep growing in the Spirit. God bless you.
Hi again,
You said read Heb 4:1-10,but you left out 11 also in all your writings,Heb4:1-11,I will just put 11 Heb4:11 Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.Now will go back to Heb4:7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
The reference to "today" is because the lesson was being taught on Shabbat.Amen.
Hi Bella, can you prove to me and the readers that 'Today' means only 'Saturday'? So people can only get saved on Saturday? God only speaks on Saturday? Did Yeshua (Jesus) only minister to the crowds on Saturday? What does 'another day' mean to you in this passage? Verse 11 is absolutely fine ~ no intent to leave it out ~ the whole Bible is awesome. The disobedience spoken of is that the Jews kept the Saturday Shabbat, yet did not enter His rest. This tells you this is not about a 'literal day', but rather accepting the Messiah, the LORD of Shabbat, and entering into His completed works.
vs 6-11 "It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."
Again, I invite you to read the hub link regarding the Sabbath, as it makes no sense for me to go into everything here, even about what 'shadow' means...the seventh-day Shabbat was a shadow of the real Shabbat found in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in Mat 11:28, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
As far as your Saturday question is concerned Yahshua kept Torah, if he didn't then He would not have been the Messiah, the would have been a liar. The Shabbat is the only day that was not named after a pagan god. Sunday, is the day for the pagan sun god Tammuz. Yahshua rested on Shabbat, he rose on Sunday. So Yahshua kept Torah, it was not till 332 AD that Constantine signed an executive order that no worship should take place on Shabbat, and was forcefully moved to Sunday, to make the polytheists happy, and that is also why the name for Yahshua was changed to the transliterated form of the pagan sun god Tammuz, which is Jesus, and the stake he was raised on in the Hebrew Bible was changed to a cross, which was another one of Tammuz's symbols
I find it sad that you would not post Bella, nor my comments in here with the scripture to back it up....very sad :(
Sorry, Christopher, I did post Bella's comment, just not her hubs. I could take a few minutes and count the words...perhaps 2,000 or more? I will gladly send them to her to post them in a hub or two...I love Bella. And, I have also posted your comment. Do you not understand Rom 7:1-4 and Hebrews 4:1-11? Yeshua had to keep Torah to the 't' in order to fulfill it and forever accomplish all that God required (Mat 5:18; Heb 7:28). Do you simply ignore all the passages shown in this hub ~ or explain them away? Why is it the Torah-keepers hate Paul?
May I invite you and Bella to read another of my hubs on this same subject: "The END of Old Covenant": http://hubpages.com/_ui1xcnn62gpk/hub/The-END-of-t
You are incorrect about congregating on the first day of the week beginning in 332 AD (John 20:19, 26-29; Acts 10:17). Also, search the Bible for all that transpired throughout the New Testament on "the first day of the week". It's already done in my hub on the Sabbath. Yes, Catholicism officially declared Sunday the Christian 'Day' of worship, but that's just as legalistic as keeping Satur'day'. The fact is, it's not about the literal day any longer.
I've put links to both hubs at the base of this one, for all who want to do more in-depth study on these matters. I've done my homework and have peace in my heart, for I rest in my Lord Jesus Christ.
I'm sorry this saddens you. I would be interested to read your take on the Law and the Sabbath ~ this is HubPages, the perfect place to write all about it. Please let me know when you post! God bless you.
Dear Carrie,
I love you too!!!You are so sweet, and the way I see it is Yahweh knows us and we want (and trying)to learn about Him so much,and He sees this,there are a million of people who don't even care as much as all of us,to even search for Him..
Love you girly
May Yah Bless you and your family always...
Your sister and friend always in Yahshua
Bella
Ah, sister Bella ~ you see the heart, as God does. If you look at all the times Jesus quoted the laws we are to keep, they were of the 10 only (yet, not once did He mention Shabbat), and yet He took it from the outward to the heart. Even the works of faith are beyond the Torah, for all those listed in Hebrews 11 lived and obeyed the Spirit of God by faith. This is why Paul exhorted that the Law (in and of itself) is not of faith (Gal 3:12), but it's what is in the heart and the obedience to the Spirit that is of faith. This is what it means to be born of the Spirit and live and walk in the Spirit.
Yeshua said in John 3:8, "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
God bless you, sister!! Love you always, JD.
I have searched the Scriptures for references to the first day of the week. There are at least 10 times that it is shown in the NT that Messiah kept (and advocated keeping) Sabbath (Matthew 12:10, Matthew 24:20, Luke 13:10 are a few). There are, of course, no examples of Messiah keeping the first day of the week as holy. After His deat, there are 11 different occasions which show that Sabbath continued to be kept (Matthew 28:1, Luke 23:56, Acts 18:4), but only four mentions of the first day. I do not see how Pentecost counts as a first day reference. It is a Biblical Holy day which always happens on a Sunday, but is dated by counting Sabbaths. So, we have 21 examples of Sabbath in the NT, but only 4 examples of the first day. And most examples of the first day have nothing to do with gathering or worshipping.
As for Messiah repeating something in the NT - if Messiah is God, then all of the OT Scripture is from Messiah also. Also, when Messiah is temp[ted, he quotes Scripture which is not from the "Ten Commandments." In Matthew 4:4 he says that man lives on every word that comes from the mouth of God. This command comes from Deuteronomy 8:3, not from the Ten. Also, since Messiah didn't forbid beastiality, am I to assume that it isn;t a sin? It would be perfectly acceptable for me to marry a chimp and have marital relations with it? In fact, the two greatest commands, as given by Messiah, are not part of the Ten. Love the Lord with all your heart (Matthew 22:37) comes from Deuteronomy 6:5, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39) comes from Leviticus 19:18. And He did mention Sabbath, repeatedly. He told the Pharisees that it was lawful to do good on Sabbath (Matthew 12:12). He told believers to pray that they would not have to flee on Sabbath (Matthew 24:20) and why would He say that if Sabbath didn’t matter? There are many references to Messiah teaching in the synagogue on Sabbath, as well, including some which show that He waited until Sabbath to do so (Mark 1:21 and 6:2).
Heather Bennett
Heather, Jesus is our Sabbath rest (Heb 4:1-11). The seventh-day Sabbath was religiously kept by the Jews prior to and during Christ’s life on earth. Yes, they continued to keep the Sabbath, just as they do today. Jesus, keeping the Torah to a ‘t’ kept the Sabbath and taught on the Sabbath. Later, Paul would reason with the Jews on the Sabbath. What was he reasoning about? The gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
If you look at all the times Jesus quoted the 10 Commandments, he never mentioned the Sabbath Day. This is evidenced in my hub "Stone from the Throne".
There was no condemnation for keeping the Sabbath on Saturday or Sunday after the resurrection of Christ and for a Jew, even a saved Jew the seventh day is observed by most. For a saved Jew or Gentile they can have peace worshipping on any day of the week (Rom 14:5). Paul was speaking to saved Gentiles in Col 2:16-17 “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--things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”
Are you a 'believer who belongs to the party of the Pharisees', or have you been influenced by them to ‘judge others in regard to a Sabbath day”? You don’t think the Jews in the time of Pentecost, in their astonishment that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles, went after the newly saved to convince them to keep the Law? Acts 15 addresses this. 5 “Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” Verse 10-11 answers “Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they [Gentiles] are.”
If you wish to quote "the laws are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3), you must be talking about the wrong Law (in light of what we just read). Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mat 11:30). How many of the 613 laws do you keep? If you're going to trust in them, you'd better keep ALL of them without stumbling over even one (James 2:11).
Regarding the question about whether we’re to think it’s okay to marry a chimp, Gal 3:24 addresses this: “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” If a believer doesn’t know right from wrong, he is yet an infant. Spiritual maturity is knowing right from wrong (Heb 5:14). God’s laws are written on our hearts and minds (Heb 10:16).
The two commandments are based on the Ten: the first four (loving God) and the last six (loving man). May I also invite you to read my hub "Remember the Sabbath Day: Saturday, Sunday or Everyday?". if you want to follow the Law of Moses and keep the seventh-day Sabbath, do so, but do not enforce these requirements on those who are saved by grace through faith. The Law of Moses does not tell people the only way of salvation is Jesus Christ. If it did, maybe all the Jews that kept and keep the Law of Moses would be saved today. If the Law and the blood of goats and bulls could save us, Jesus wouldn't have had to come to die for our sin (Heb 9:12-13). The Law is not of faith (Gal 3:20) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
Judah's Daughter
What a blessing your site is for a weary soldier like me. I am having a running battle with Messianics. Here is an example of the spirit and teachings I am confronted with.
"You don't care about what we say & you do not care about what the very revealed word of God clearly says, not our interpretation, but what it clearly says, because you are a God hating abominable son of SATAN!
The word of God clearly says the Elders of the Church who were JEWISH themselves KEPT? THE LAW & that Paul was OBEDIENT TO THE LAW! You accuse of the Word of God of LYING! You are slandering Paul & the Elders, & accusing them of deliberately LYING to the Jews, to be accepted by them!"
I have two questions. 1. Theys confront me with the argument that Christ is not a new lawgiver but simply amplified the law which He gave to Moses in the first place. So, nothing changes in principle. What would you say? 2. Is it true, as they assert that, "The word of God clearly says the Elders of the Church who were JEWISH themselves KEPT THE LAW & that Paul was OBEDIENT TO THE LAW!"?
In His Grace
Brian
Judahs Daughter
Its me again. By the way I am a former Seventh-day Adventist and was under law in that system. I have a website in which I share my testimony Way Ministry My testimony is entitled One Man's Journey Out of Seventh-day Adventism. The reason I am sharing this with you is so you can know where I am coming from and, not least, that I was was unde law! But I rejoice now I am under grace and what an awesome God we have who not only justifies us freely through the gift of grace but works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure, apart from the law, and yet bringing into harmony with the righteous demands of the Law but His eternal law. I have so many questions but this is the big one at this time. The Messianics keep telling me of prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled regarding Israel. They tell me that certain feasts under the Law of Moses are not yet fulfilled and will continue when Messiah will reign from a literal Jersusalem of a literal nation Israel for a literal 1000 years. I understood that the literal house of Israel was superseded by a spiritual house of Israel and, therefore, a literal nation will never be restored as they allege. There are also many Christian churches that are teaching a literal millenium reign. What's your approach to this question? I must say this is one areas that leaves me totally confused. Thank you.
Hi Brian! Praise God! May we first lift up the NAME of THE LORD!! I will give you simple and direct answers to your questions, based on where I am in my Christian walk, as I know I yet have a lot to understand, by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
1. No, Christ is not a 'new law' giver. Let me explain. Christ GAVE THE LAW! Christ FULFILLED the very LAW He gave. This next statement is what the LORD revealed to me: The LAW of Moses was the condition/requirement of the OLD Covenant, a SHADOW of the fulfillment of that condition/requirement found only in the LIGHT. Who is THE LIGHT? Jesus Christ, our LORD. If they want to walk IN the SHADOW yet today, they have their BACKS to THE LIGHT. They must TURN AROUND (repent) and come to THE LIGHT. No one is made righteous by keeping the law, for they CAN'T KEEP IT PERFECTLY enough for God. Miss the mark in one, miss them all ~ that's absolutely biblical truth.
2. This is what Jesus said to the 'elders' of the 'church' (then called a synogogue ~ or SINogugue, whichever spelling you prefer): "YOU are of YOUR FATHER, the DEVIL..." (John 8:44) Pretty awesome Truth! They were so self-righteous and BLIND that they ACCUSED the very LORD of the Law of BREAKING the Law and CRUCIFIED Him for doing so! The letter kills, indeed (2 Cor 3:5). The Sabbath Day had/has become their 'god' rather than the LORD of the Sabbath. All they could do is accuse Jesus and His disciples of breaking the 'laws' of the Sabbath...and they're still missing the mark today! You may want to read my hub "Remember the Sabbath Day: Saturday, Sunday or Everyday?" I'll leave it at that and let the LORD continue the work. I will answer your next comment in the next response. Praise God!!
I brother Brian, let me say what the LORD's placed on my heart: The purpose of the Law was to prepare the way for the Savior! Adam was created FIRST (as the Jews were the FIRST to receive the Covenant). Adam was then without perfection (completion), so God CREATED the NEED in Adam FIRST BEFORE He brought Eve to him. The Law was given to SHOW THEM (and the rest of us) how SINFUL we are! We NEEDED a SAVIOR and God is our Savior through the blood of THE LAMB, Jesus Christ. He is the Bridegroom of THE CHURCH (and there is only ONE Bride). He consummated the ages (the Old and New) on that cross. All who are listed in Hebrews 11 were saved by FAITH in the coming Savior; all saved since are saved by FAITH in the Messiah who came! You will not see the word "LAW" anywhere in Hebrews 11. AMEN!!
I would love for you to share your link so I can come and read (and others who are also drawn to do so). God's eternal Law is LOVE God and mankind, a summary of the 10 Holy Commandments, the fourth of which is covered in my hub on the Sabbath truth.
The FEASTS were yet another SHADOW of the FULFILLMENT of those feasts! The three yet to be fulfilled will be fulfilled spiritually as the others. It's not the feasts themselves we should focus on, but the MEANING of the feasts! The feast of trumpets (Jesus born and Jesus will return); The feast of tabernacles (God with us, fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ); the feast of unleavened bread/first fruits (the death and resurrection of the LORD, Jesus Christ); etc. etc. etc.
Do I believe in a literal millennial reign on earth? At this point, YES. Revelation is just that ~ revelation. I believe what it says, and until the LORD gives me a more spiritual understanding, I stay with what my spirit 'knows'. Perhaps you could write about your insight to the millennial reign. I will come and read!
Judah's Daughter
I am grateful for you quick and kind response. It's like a foretaste of Heaven when one comes into contact with a soul who has the Spirit of God in their heart and I discern that in you. Praise God that He doing His gracious will in you.
Thanks for the answers you gave to my questions. They confirm that I am on the right track with the exception that Christ is not a new lawgiver. I suggested that because in Matthew 5:17 Christ said "you have heard...but I say unto you" and also because He said a new commandment I give unto you that you love one another as I have loved you.
I don't have an opinion on the 1000 year reign of Christ at this stage but would be grateful if anyone knows of a useful link. Talking about links I tried last time to give my URL but failed. To access my website quickly simply key in: Brian Hyde Way Ministry
In His Grace
Brian
Hi Brian ~ good point. My take on 'new' when it comes to John 13:34, etc. (Mat 5:17 is Jesus' statement about fulfilling the Law) is that this word 'new' is signifying the 'New' Covenant requirement, superceding the Old. In the case of commiting adultery, for instance, the OT Law-keeping was outward, while inwardly it was broken in the heart through lust. Jesus took what was external (Old Covenant) and made it internal (New Covenant), using the word 'new'. The Law of the Spirit is written in the hearts of true believers (Rom 2:29). Just a few thoughts on the matter. I will check out your website, Brian! Thank you!
![The Watchtower's Practice of Shunning [With Recorded Judicial Hearing Footage]](http://s3.hubimg.com/u/4905974_50.jpg "The Watchtower's Practice of Shunning [With Recorded Judicial Hearing Footage]")
Richard Thornhill 2 years ago
Good message. Even Moses was saved by grace as he lived his faith in obedience to Him who called him out of Egypt. To focus on Moses and the Law is to ignore the 2500 years of God redemptive covenant with men to be a kingdom of priests a holy nation to obey Him.
For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision (born in the flesh) on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy ... Romans 15:8,9