Dear Editor,
Frankly and earnestly, I hear a different story from every preacher. It seems that they can’t agree on anything.
Brothers and sisters, “Elohim is not Elohim of disorder (confusion) but of peace, (notice the comma) as in all the assemblies of the set-apart ones (His true believers).” I offer this for your consideration.
Torah does NOT mean “legalism.” Being true believers who are Torah-observant does NOT mean they put themselves back under (penalty and condemnation of) the law, as many want you to believe. Torah observance does NOT make them “legalists” or “Judaizers.” All that amounts to is nothing more than name calling. If it were true, then Yahushua, Hebrew born, Torah-observant, perfect and unblemished is all of the above, and our “once-and-for-all” atonement.
Is Sha’ul/Paul a hypocrite: saying one thing and doing another? Or, is what he says in his letters a lie? Or, was he truly showing his obedience to the Torah — affirming that many do, as Kepha/Peter observed in 2 Kepha 3:15-17, twisting his writings, as they do the rest of Scripture? Or, was there an apparent conflict between Yahushua and Sha’ul? Is Sha’ul in direct conflict with Messiah? Is Sha’ul really saying a believer is no longer to live according to the Torah and Yahushua saying they are? “I did not come to destroy but to complete.” “If you love Me, guard My commands (Torah).” Is Sha’ul saying that the law is ended and Yahushua saying it won’t end until heaven and earth pass away?
Who is the liar? Is it Messiah? Is it Sha’ul? “The one who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not guard His commands (Torah), is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
I ask you, who is the liar?
Selah
P.S. - Please keep us in your prayers especially my wife. She is not doing well. She is under hospice care and oxygen 24/7. Her heart is hardening and she has had so many stints that there is now nothing they can attach to for a by-pass. She has had radium placed in her stints to destroy blockages as an experimental procedure at Duke. This was a one time procedure and cannot be repeated. Please pray for her. Not our will but His will be done. Thanks in advance for all prayers and may Yah bless (Psalm 68:4).
Ernest Andrews
Charlotte
If by "false teaching" you mean the inspired writings of the Apostle Paul to the church as recorded in the New Testament, you certainly are asking a lot from those who hold the BIBLE as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Gal 3:22-25 (KJV)
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Gal 5:1-4 (KJV)
Galatians 5:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Gal 6:11-15 (KJV)
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
How difficult is it to understand that believers in Christ are called to "walk in the Spirit" and are never commanded to "keep the Sabbath" or the Law of Moses.
John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:15-17 (KJV)
Friends, stick with the Word of God, not the opinions and conjectures of mortal men.
Sincerely,
Brett Jones
Those who refuse to see the fact that the "church" is not Israel and "Israel" is not the church will be both confusing and confused in all their attempts to explain the Word of God.
Note the fact that Paul mentions three groups of people in 1 Corinthians 10:32 "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
In the church family Paul states that "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (KJV)
Believers in Christ do not become Jewish when they trust the Lord Jesus as their Savior.
Consider the Apostle Paul's statement in Romans 9:1-5. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Note if you would that he is referring to the Jewish people collectively(Israel). Also note that he specifically states that it was to "them" that "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" pertains to and not to the church. God's promises to Israel are still valid to Israel. The LORD'S plan and promises are quite different for Israel than they are for His bride the Church. A failure to understand this fact causes much confusion to many.
The church was a mystery in the Old Testament scriptures and only began following the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the good news of His death and resurrection as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
There have been many who would try to make place a believer in Christ under the Law of Moses but the apostles would not let them as stated in Acts 15:5 "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world."
If Peter, Paul,James and the entire Jewish nation could not keep the Law of Moses, why would any one think that they could today.
The believer in Christ is commanded to be "filled (under the control) of the Spirit" ; he is never commanded to "keep the Law of Moses."
Paul commanded the believers in Galatia to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Galatians 5:6-9
Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus
Galatians 3:23-28
Friends, watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees!
Sincerely, Brett Jones
Jeremiah/Yirmeyahu 31:31-33 "See, the days are coming, declares Yahuweh, when I shall make a renewed covenant with the house of Yisra'el and with the house of Yahudah, (that includes all true believers who call on His Name, Yahuweh and Yahushua, keep His commandments including the fourth, and keep His festivals/feasts) not like the old covenant I made with their fathers in the day when I strengthened their hand to bring them out of the land of Mitsrayim/Egypt, My covenant which THEY BROKE,(emphasis) though I was a husband to them, declares Yahuweh. For this is he covenant I shall make with the house of Yisra'el after those days, declares Yahuweh: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts, and I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people."
"How can your eyes be open when your mind is closed."--Steve Robb
On a another note, I just wanted to say to Mr. Andrews that I am sorry to hear of your wife's condition and that I will be praying for her, you, and your entire family.
To Joseph, Mary & His family Jesus was known as Yeshua ben Yosef but in the Scriptures He is given many Names and titles. Jesus is known as Son (Matthew 11:27), Son of God (John 9:35), and Son of man (Matt 8:20), Messiah (John 1:41), Lord (Rom 14:8), Word (John 1:1), Wisdom
(1 Corinthians 1:30), Bridegroom (Mark 2:19), Shepherd (John 10:11), Vine (John 15:1), Light (John 1:9), and "I AM" (John 8:12). The Last Adam , The Alpha and Omega, The Bread of Life, The Chief Cornerstone, The Chief Shepherd, The Firstborn from the Dead, The Good Shepherd, The Great Shepherd of the Sheep, The High Priest, The Holy One of God, Immanuel (God With Us), The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, The Lamb of God, The Light of the World, The Lord of Glory The Mediator, The Only Begotten of the Father, The Prophet, The Savior, The Seed of Abraham, The Son of Man, The Son of God, The Son of David, The Word made flesh, To the Jewish people of His day He was called “Yeshua” which is Hebrew, He was called by the Greek speaking world (̇Ιησου̂ς) Yesous which is Greek. In the English language He is referred to by the Name “Jesus.” All of these Names refer to the same Person, the Eternal Son of God, Immanuel, God with us! As with all names, His Name represents His Person, those who by faith call on His Name will be saved by His grace through His finished work on the cross of Calvary. The Law of Moses condemns the sinner; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ alone can save the sinner who believes on Him. No one will ever be saved through their attempts to keep the Law of Moses as stated in Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Nor is the believer who has been saved by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ever told to keep the Law of Moses. Believers are under the “Law of Christ” and are commanded to “walk in the Spirit” and “love one another.” Consider the words of the LORD Jesus in John 17:1-4 “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” Peter told the religious leaders of Israel in Acts 4:8-12 “ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." While he did not state this in English at the time, if he was speaking to an English speaking audience, it would have been translated into these exact words. Those who fail to see the necessity for translating documents from one language to another so that the world may be able to read and comprehend the information will also fail to see the rules of grammar as they relate to the text itself. This failure leads to false teaching, heresy and confusion. Such as we have witnessed and continue to do so in these and other postings. The words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4 sum up my feelings on this matter. “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Friends, it is my prayer that you call on Him either by His Hebrew Name, His Greek Name or His English Name, but call on Him today and ask Him to be your Savior. 1 Timothy 1:15-17 “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 2:5-7 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle — I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying — a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Sincerely, Brett Jones
,to be done away with,to be abolished ,terminated,now longer required sacrifices,old law still leading his people Yisrael who call on his name and those strangers who have beeen grafted in by believing on his name.He is not the prime minister of Yisrael Nethanyahu,He is Yah-Psalms 68-4,He rides upon the wind.He is everywhere you are,he is in you,he is the word in the mind of man.What is his name ( YHWH>YAH.WHAT IS MY SONS NAME .Yah-u sha, I and MY FATHER ARE ONE (YAH &YAH )I put my name in my city>Yah-ushalayim (ancient name of THE CITY OF PEACE).It was Je=Rome who translated the Greek into latin.It was the Greeks who destroyed Sus on the altar Temple by sacrificing an SUS(LATIN PIG) upon the Altar.The Messiah is our Altar.His name in Hebrew Yahusha ,not all preachers are false,some in the world are telling others his name,YAHUSHA.If the law has been done away with,why does the church sign say the 10 commands is not 10 suggestions.Preachers really confuse me,thats why I do Mathew 18-20where two or three are gathered in my name I am there in the midst of them,He is in each of us whether two,three,or 10,000,is this not true ??????Matt.28-20>teaching them to observe all things,that "I" HAVE COMMANDED YOU (NOT CONSTANTINE )AND LO,I am with you always,even to the end of the age.Get the name right Mr.Jones,it could be today.
For anyone to suggest that "the contents of the New Covenant is the same as the Old Covenant" is astonishing to me. If one cannot see the great differences between the Law of Moses given to Israel and the eternal blessings of the New Covenant secured for all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile, truly they will be both confused and confusing in all their attempts to explain the Word of God.
Has not the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus accomplished anything? Has not the ministry and indwelling of the Holy Spirit resulted in a new and living relationship and walk with God?
Where in the New Testament is it stated following the death and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ that believers in Christ are to keep the Sabbath day? Are not believers rather told to "walk in the Spirit"; love one another and proclaim the Gospel of Christ to all?
In Jeremiah 31:31 the LORD Himself states that the New Covenant is "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: (Jer 31:32)"
The Apostle Paul states in Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:19-29 (KJV)
In Romans 10:1 the Apostle Paul spoke of his fellow Jews by stating "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth Romans 10:1-4
Personally, it is a great honor for me to be called a liar beause of my stand on the amazing grace and Gospel of Christ Jesus. To do so is to follow the example of the Apostle Paul who defended the Gospel of Christ from the assaults of those who would pervert it in his day. Speaking of them, he stated the following.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-9 (KJV)
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
Galatians 6:11 Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you. 12 These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ's suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. 13 They themselves don't keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible! 14 For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. 15 Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! Gal 6:11-15
1 Corinthians 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:21-31 (KJV)
So friends, remember, "Let those who glory, glory in the LORD." He is the only ONE to brag about.
I stand with the Apostle Paul who said in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Yes, the just shall live by faith, not by the law of Moses....
Sincerely, Brett Jones
While you are calling all the preachers "liars" , most of us will be praying for you and your wife during this difficult time.
May you truly find that His grace is sufficient.
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17
Sincerely, Brett Jones