Dear Editor,
The fourth commandment is about being set-apart. He is set-apart, his Sabbath is set-apart as all his commandments are, and we are to be set-apart. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18/Isaiah 52:11
“Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says Yahuweh, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you. And I shall be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says Yahuweh the Almighty.” Exodus 20:8-11
“Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart. Six days you labour (work for wages, physical or mental exertion, toil), and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of Yahuweh your Elohim. You do not do any work-you, nor your son, nor your daughter. For in six days Yahuweh made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh days.
Therefore Yahuweh blessed the Sabbath day (verse 11 refers back to Genesis 2:1-3) and set it apart.” Isaiah 66:22-24 “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make stand before me, declares Yahuweh, so your seed and your name shall stand. And it shall be that from New Moon to New Moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship me, declares Yahuweh. If we are to observe the Sabbath in the new heavens and new earth should we not be doing so now?
There is no clear command anywhere in the scriptures by Yahushua, who has supreme authority, that changes or abolishes his set-apart Sabbath. Man has usurped that authority and we had no right to do that. “Remember” has not changed.
Ernest Andrews
Rockingham
Normally, replacement theology is one component of the larger system of covenant theology. On the other hand, the foundational doctrine of Dispensationalism is belief in the continued distinction between Israel and the New Testament believers (commonly called the church). “There is no Hebrew (qahal) or Greek (ekklesia) word for church. Ekklesia mean a meeting or gathering and is equivalent to the Hebrew qahal, which means assembly or congregation, not a building. The word church is derived from paganism, kuriakon (which means a building, the house of Kurios=Lord, and circe the goddess, daughter of Helios the Sun-deity, see The New Bible Dictionary, First edition, pages 228-229.” Proponents of replacement theology have several proof texts such as Romans 2:28-29, Romans 9:6-8, Philippians 3:3, Galatians 6:16. And, when these scriptures are taken exclusive of many other scriptures, they can be very convincing. Those who teach replacement theology use these verses to "establish" the concept that Israel is now the church and then go to all the scriptures about Israel and read it as referring to the church.
However, the verses in question do not teach the replacement of Israel by the New Testament believers. They teach several important concepts; such as the truth that the real Jew is one who is not simply a Jew outwardly but also one inwardly, and the spiritual kinship of the believer today with Abraham, and the spiritual circumcision of New Testament believers. But there are several reasons to reject the idea that the physical Jews have been rejected and their promises have been transferred to the church.
First, this teaching ignores many other New Testament teachings which restate the promises given to the Jewish people. Romans 11:11-29
goes into great detail describing how the physical Jews have been blinded while the Gentiles have been grafted in. Yet, this passage shows that the tables will be turned again in the future. Verse 25 states, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." The following verses tell how Israel will be saved and her sins forgiven.
Second, many of the promises to Israel were unconditional promises. They were not based on whether or not Israel remained faithful. They were based on the faithfulness of God. The passage cited above (Romans 11:11-29) states in verse 29: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." This verse is often applied to other things, but in context it refers to God's promises to Israel. We need to understand this, if God could take back His unconditional promises to Israel, He can take them back from us. Our very eternity is at stake.
Third, though this is not the purpose of its teachers, replacement theology makes a mockery of the Old Testament promises. Some promises seem to spiritualize quite well, but others do not. In Genesis 15, God confirmed once again His promise to Abraham of land for his descendants. It is to go from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates (Genesis 15:18). Though David subdued most if not all of this land, it was never all part of Israel. After the Babylonian captivity, Ezekiel reconfirmed a future possession of this land (Ezekiel 48:1-35). How does one transfer such a promise to the New Testament believers? The answers found in many commentaries are quite amusing. And this is just one example. There are many, many more.
For these reasons and more, I cannot accept replacement theology. God has not replaced Israel. The Jewish people will be brought back to God as taught in the book of Revelation and other scriptures. Also, the New Testament believers will receive the promises given to them. And, in the end, we will all be brought together under God's sovereign rule in the kingdom of God. Truly, His gifts and callings are without repentance.
David Reagan
Our Savior was a Hebrew then, a Hebrew now, and a Hebrew forever. He probably spoke Greek and Roman (Latin) but His predominate language was Hebrew and Aramaic. In John 19:19-20 we find these words "And Pilate wrote a title too, and put it on the stake (the word used here is stauros meaning stake not crux), and it was written Yahushua (that is His Hebrew name, not a Greek name) of Natsareth, the sovereign og the Yahudim (Judeans). Many of the Yahudim therefore read this title, for the place where Yahushua was impaled was near the city, and it was writen in Hebrew (first), in Greek (second), in Roman (third). In Acts 26:14 we find these words "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew (not Greek or Roman) language..."
Matthew16:18 translated from the Hebrew (or Aramaic) reads "And I say to you that you are Kepha (Peter), and on this rock (Kepha means stone not rock, so who is our rock?) I shall build My assembly (not church-I will submit a letter on this subject in the near future unless Bill, Gary or Roland beat me to it, go for it guys)."
Shalom to all True (Yisra'el) Israel (all True believers).
The declaration of the LORD Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18 is of the greatest importance in understanding the Word of God.
To His disciples He stated the following:
"I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"
I - God in the flesh, Immanuel - Jesus
will - a prophetic declaration of a future event.
build - over time by the preaching of the Gospel.
My - The Church is His family, His body, His bride.
Church - NOT ISRAEL, but both Jews and Gentiles who believe on Him to the salvation of their souls.
The Bible is not a hard book to understand. God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:15-18,36.
Ask the LORD to save you today, He will, by His great grace through the finished work of Christ on the cross. 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Brett Jones
Who do you think we will stand before at the Great White Throne Judgment? The Greek or Hebrew Messiah? There can only be one!
The Scriptures don't say "Depart from Me, you who work the Torah (His Law which includes the ten commandments). It says in Matthew 7:23 (read 12-13) "...I shall declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work LAWLESSNESS! (Psalm 6:8)." Verse 12 says "Therefore, whatever you wish men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Torah and the Prophets."
I don't care how many Scriptures you quote they do not change Isaiah 66:22-24 "For as the new heavens and the new earth (see Rev. 21:1-3)...it shall be from New Moon (begins a Hebrew month) to New Moon, and 'FROM SABBATH TO SABBATH,' all flesh shall come to worship before Me, declares Yahuweh. From Sabbath to Sabbath (every week on the Sabbath in the new heavens and the new earth. That can't be more clear. Shavua Tov, Ahava and Shalom.
"I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH" are the words of The LORD Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18
Friend, if you cannot see the difference between the "church" and "Israel" you will never understand the Word of God.
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:13-18 (KJV)
I know you'll understand as well, that I will, by God grace, never, ever, stop quoting Scripture and in its proper context as well.
Brett Jones
The Apostle John.
Brett Jones
Imagine: to form a mental image of, to think. Just: lawful. Justify: to demonstrate to be just "lawful."
Romans 10:3-4 "For not knowing the righteousness of Elohim, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not subject themselves to (or did not obey) the righteousness of Elohim. For Messiah is the goal (or end purpose; not termination) of the 'Torah unto righteousness' to everyone who believes." From the Hebrew or Aramaic (translated over a ten year period of time, by Daniel Gabriel Roth, from an ancient N.T. written in Aramaic) Scriptures.
1 Peter 2:6-10 "...See, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, chosen, precious, and he who believes on Him shall by no means be put to shame (Isaiah 28:16). This preciousness, then is for you who believe; but to those who are disobedient (do not obey), 'the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner-stone' (Psalm 118:22-24), and 'a stone of stumbling and a rock that makes for falling' (Isaiah 8:14), who stumble because they are disobedient (John 3:36, Hebrews 3:18) to the Word (John 1:1-3), to which they were also were appointed. But you are a chosen race (Deuteronomy 10:15, Isaiah 43:20), a royal priesthood (Isaiah 61:6, Isaiah 66:21), a set-apart nation (Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 7:6), a people for a possession (Isaiah 43:21, Exodus 19:5), that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light..."
Messiah told the man with the withered hand and the woman caught in adultery to "go and sin no more." In Romans 6:5-6 we are told to serve sin no longer (no longer be a slave to sin). See also James 2:9-18. I agree that we cannot be saved by the Torah (or law). "Show me your belief (faith) without your works (of Torah), and I shall show you my belief (faith) by my works (of Torah)." If we have belief (faith) but do not have works (of Torah) then this belief is unable to save us. We must first have belief and obedience will follow. This is not that difficult to understand but first we must put aside all of man's traditions that we have been taught all of our lives. With the Set-apart Spirit's help it can be done.
Grace comes to us from the Greek word “charis” but in the Hebrew of the Old Testament the word “chen,” which simply means “favour (unmerited favour),” This word was correctly rendered in the O.T. of the American Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, New World Translation, and the New English Bible. In the N.T. “chen” is translated as “charis” from the Greek. Why was “chen” not used? The N.T. is based on the O.T., is it not? The N.T. is a continuation of the O.T., is it not? It’s authors were Hebrew and spoke Aramaic and/or Hebrew, just as the authors of the O.T. “Charis,” translated as “grace,” “Charis” was the wife of Vulcan, a Greek pagan deity (Bell‘s New Pantheon, John Bell, 1790 and was recently published in America again). This Greek deity’s name is found in the Greek N.T. no less than 127 times, translated as “grace” instead of “favour,” as it should have been, and was correctly translated as “favour” in 6 places in the KJV N.T., Luke 1:30, Luke 2:52, Acts 2:47, Acts 7:10, Acts 7:46, and Acts 25:3. In the plural form, “charities,” we find the commonly known “three charities” or “three graces,” three pretty young female pagan deities, either stark naked or very scantily dressed (W.H. Roscher, Ausfuhrliches Lexikon…, vol. 1, pages 873-884), being the three daughters of the Greek pagan deity Helios, the Sun-deity (also W.H. Roscher).
Acts 20:7 (one verse does not qualify as context-read verses 6-16 for context). In verse 6 we find that Paul had just recently left Philippi after observing the Days of Unleavened Bread. Paul observed the festivals, why don’t we? (Myself and my family and other began about two years ago). A day began a sundown and ended the next sundown and breaking bread (a common meal in Hebrew). He talked until daybreak and then left to sail (on the first day of the week) past Ephesos to attend the Day of the festival Shabu’ot (Pentecost). This in no way implies a command changing the Sabbath. What is it about “command (a direct order)” that many don’t understand? What is it about context that some don’t understand? Context (American Heritage Dictionary) is the part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning and/or the circumstances in which an event occurs.
1 Corinthians 16:2 (another single verse-read 1-8) On the first day of the week they set aside, storing up whatever he has prospered, so there will be no collections when I come. If Paul was speaking of a bag of money why would he bring others with him? Must have been a huge bag of money (verses 3-4). The first day of the week is a common work day therefore they would collect, not money, but food and clothing for the poor among the Set-apart ones in Jerusalem (Romans 15:24-26). Verse 8-the festival of Shabu’ot (Pentecost) again.
Colossians 2:16-18 “I will let no one judge me in the eating of clean foods (Leviticus 11) or in drinking, or in respect of a festival (Leviticus 23) or a new moon or the Sabbath (This is not “a doing away with” any of these-nowhere do these passages say they are done away with but to let no one “judge“ us in these matters because we keep them)-which are a shadow of what is to come-but the Body of the Messiah (which is to give ruling on all matters, not outsiders who do not believe and obey).
Philippians 3-14-21 “…As many, then, as are perfect (meaning upright), should have this mind. And if you think differently in any respect, Elohim shall also reveal this to you…Become joint imitators of me (Paul, as was his custom kept the Sabbath)…”
Never, ever, once, no, not once are believers in Yahushua Messiah, following his death and resurrection, ever commanded (a direct order) to keep Sunday. “Remember the “Sabbath day” (I want everyone to understand “Sabbath day”…but the “seventh day” is a Sabbath of Yahuweh your Elohim…” This is the fourth commandment (command) and His commands are forever. Messiah said “you have hear that it was said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that everyone looking at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” “You have heard it said to those of old, you shall not murder, and whoever murders shall be liable to judgment. But I say to you that whoever is wroth (angry-American Heritage Dictionary) with his brother without out a cause shall be liable to judgment.” What else could He add to, change, make more complete, or correctly interpret the first four commands. You have heard that it was said to those of old, “remember the Sabbath day. But I say remember the first day? Nowhere in the N.T. does it even hint of such a command.
There are those who will continue to do as Kepha (Peter) said of them in 2 Peter 3:16-18. Remember, brothers and sisters, those same people will try to turn the tables and accuse believers of do the same thing they are doing. This is an old Jedi (I mean Jesuit) mind trick.
The Sabbath:
1. Yah established it.
2. The Patriarchs kept it.
3. Moses declared it and obeyed it
4. Our Savior (who has all authority), commanded, declared and obeyed it.
5. His followers kept it (for example: Acts 13-14; 13:27; 13:42, 44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4)
6. Some one else changed it.
The Sabbath matters.
Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:7-9.
1. Number of times that the New Testament mentions Sabbath keeping? Answer: More than 88 times.
2. Number of times that the New Testament mentions Sun-god-day (first day of the week) keeping or any other day other than the Sabbath? Answer: None.
3. Scriptural commandment authorizing man to change the day of rest and worship from the Sabbath to Sun-god-day? Answer: None.
Sabbath (Shabbat) means to cease or rest. We are commanded to work six days and rest on the Sabbath (7th day of the week). Seventh day, not seventh Messiah!
I offer this for your consideration, brothers and sisters. Shalom
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim , and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. To say that the Sabbath "day" is, figuratively or otherwise, no longer a day but our Messiah. If one Scripture says one thing and we take another Scripture and "MAKE" it say something else, that is contradictory. I don't believe Yahushua and His Father would contradict themselves.
Revelation 1:10 is the only verse in the KJV that "the Lord's day" is even mentioned. Yet many base their belief in Sunday worship on this one mistranslated verse. In the Hebrew it is "the day of Yahuweh." If Messiah is our Sabbath then He would not be the Lord's day, would He. This is a contradiction, is it not?
"Christ is the END of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believes."
Romans 10:1-4 " Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
Since the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus is "finished" those who come to Him by faith and trust Him for their salvation, find not only forgiveness and eternal life, but "rest" from the mistaken pursuits of attempting to win or gain God's acceptance through their own efforts. A pursuit while attempted by the masses is achieved by no one.
Ernest, what is it about God's grace that you do not understand?
Also, the Book of Revelation was not written in Hebrew and the custom of meeting on Sunday is not based on one verse in Revelation 1.
There is a reason believers worship on Sunday, it is the day the Savior rose from the dead. John 20:1-2 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb."
Psalm 118:22-24 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight."
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
What part of Colossians 2:16-18 do you not understand? "So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
No one was more devoted to the Law than the Apostle Paul before he met the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not his words carry any weight with you? They are inspired of God, are they not?
Philippians 3:1-14 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Never, ever, once, no, not once, are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, following His death and resurrection, commanded to keep the Law of Moses or the Sabbath Day. We are given many commands such as to love one another and to walk in dependence upon the Spirit but never once are we told to "keep the Sabbath."
Ernest, there is no contradiction; God's Word is plain and clear.
Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
All a sinner needs in the LORD Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
Let those who glory, glory in the LORD!
Brett Jones
Right. Well expressed replies.
Matt 12:7-8 "But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Matt 11:28-29 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Figuratively, Jesus is our Sabbath.
Kindest regards,
Gary
I say again, please explain Isaiah 66:22-24. Then we can address your other issues.
Ernest
Revelation 12:17 (KJV) “…the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, ‘which keep the commandments of God,’ and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
(“The Scriptures”) “…the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to fight with the remnant of her seed, ‘those guarding the commands of Elohim’ and possessing the witness of Yahushua Messiah.”
Psalm 119:115 “Depart from me, ye evil-doers: for ‘I will keep the commandments of my God.’ ”
“Turn away from me, you evil-doers, for ‘I observe the commands of my Elohim!’ ”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, ‘and keep his commandments:’ for this is the whole duty of man.
Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: fear Elohim ‘and guard His commands,’ for this applies to ‘all mankind!’ ”
1 Corinthians 7:19 “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, ‘but the keeping of the commandments of God.’ ”
“The circumcision is naught, and the uncircumcision is naught, ‘but the guarding of the commands of Elohim does matter!’ ”
1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, ‘and keep his commandments…’ ”
“By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim ‘and guard His commands.’ For this is the love of Elohim, ‘that we guard His commands,…’ ”
Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they ‘that keep the commandments of God,...’ ”
“Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are ‘those guarding the commands of Elohim...’ ”
Isaiah 24:5
Hebrews 13:20
Also explain all of the above.
The LORD Jesus stated in answering the question posed to Him in John 6 "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" that the "work of God was to believe in Him Whom He has sent." Should not His answer be sufficient? The Scripture could not be more clear in its declaration that no one, ever, has been saved by works or trying to keep the Law of Moses (Romans 3:20). Salvation is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:1-10) and works never precede the gift of eternal life but rather follow it. Ernest, why are you so bound and determined to get rid of God's amazing grace? Why must you minimize the great love of God and the immeasurable gift of His Son? (John 3:15-18)
Truly, you make much of your own efforts and little of the "finished work" of our "great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Come to your senses man! Titus 3:3-8 "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. NKJV
John 6:22-40 " On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone —23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks — 24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" 26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." 28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." 30 Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
"Let those who glory, glory in the LORD!"
Brett Jones
Your "guesses" are not supported by Biblical truth. Truly you twist the scripture just as Peter warned men would do (2 Peter 3:16).
"If you love Me, keep My commandments" The LORD Jesus Christ. John 14:15
Never, once, ever, did He command N.T. believers to "keep the Sabbath" or to keep the Law of Moses.
This reminds me of what the LORD Jesus told another group that thought they could keep the LAW and make themselves acceptable to God. "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. " Matt 23:24-26 (KJV)"
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus....."By the works of the LAW shall no flesh be justified in His sight for by the Law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20
There is a reason God sent His Son, He alone could do for us what the LAW could never do and what we were powerless to do, atone for our sin. Romans 5:6-10. ( See John 3:15-18; 20:30-31)
Friend, have you asked the LORD JESUS CHRIST to save you? He will, when you call on His Name. Romans 10:9-13.
"Let those who glory, glory in the LORD!"
Brett Jones
The seventh day is a Sabbath of Yahuweh your Elohim. It is the Almighty's Sabbath and He has not changed it. This is not what Ernest Andrews or any of my friends say. Mark 2:27:28 The Sabbath was made for man, (notice the comma) and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Adam is also Master of the Sabbath. He was the Master of the Sabbath then, He's Master of the Sabbath now, and will be Master of the Sabbath when He returns. Therefore we should be keeping His Sabbath now. John 10:17-18 "Because of this the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, in order to receive it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to receive it again. This command I have received from My Father." "I and My Father are one." If we are true believers then we are true Israel. John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:9 "...do not think to say to yourselves, we have Abraham as father. For I say to you that Elohim is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." Romans 4:16 "On account of this it is of belief, that it be according to favor, for the promise to be made certain to all the seed, not only to those who of the Torah, but also to those of the belief of Abraham, who is the father of us all-" Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief? Let it not be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah. Becoming true believers and keepers of His commands we are grafted into true Israel. So what have we learned. The Sabbath will be kept in the new heaven and the new earth and only those doing His commands will have the authority to enter through the gates of the city. It is the Sabbath of Yahuweh your Elohim and our Savior is the Master of the Sabbath. He and the Father are one so only Father or Messiah has the authority to change it. Anything other than that is simply mans's tradition.
Ernest Andrews
Charlotte, NC
formerly of Richmond county
Those who fail to distinguish the "church" and the Children of Israel are both confused and confusing in all their attempts to explain or teach the Word of God. The LORD Jesus said in Matthew 16 that He would "build His church" This great work of God was not revealed in the O.T. Scriptures and that is why the Apostle Paul referred to it "the church" as a mystery in his writings. In 1 Corinthians 10:32 Paul writes that believers are not to give any offence to "the Jew, the Greek (gentiles) or the church of God."
Those who seek to make the church Israel and Israel the church are perverting Scripture beyond belief. This is why Paul wrote to Timothy to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" for he knew that many in his day and in the future would be prone to twisting it to their own detriment and the detriment of others as he told Titus in 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Titus 3:9-11
How difficult is it to see that believers in Christ are commanded to "walk in the Spirit" and are never commanded, no not once, to "keep the Law of Moses" or "keep the Sabbath."
Believers in Christ are given many commands in the New Testament such as: "love one another as I have loved you"; be not drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit" ; love not the world neither the things that are in the world; and many others. We are, however, never, no never, commanded to keep the Law of Moses or to keep the Sabbath day. Beware of those who seek to rob you of your freedom in Christ and place you under a yoke of bondage as Paul warned the believers at Colosse in 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: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."
Trying to keep the Law makes these men feel good about themselves and gives them a sense of pride and superiority. Convincing you to join them simply boosts those feelings and so they keep trying.
We, like Paul, place no confidence in the flesh but make our boast only in our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:1-10 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death..."
Let those who glory, glory in the LORD!
Brett Jones
The amazing fact to consider in this regard is that none of the Apostles ever wrote or stated that believers in the LORD Jesus Christ were to keep the O.T. Law of Moses. There is no command written or stated in the New Testament to "keep the Sabbath." Ernest and his friends command it but the Apostle Peter, Paul, James and John never did, not once! Why is it so hard for some to understand that the Mosaic Law was given to Israel and not the church? Some want to force upon the "church", the bride of Christ, that which was given to Israel at Sinai or to Israel through the Prophets not realizing that these are two different groups of God's people. The Apostle Paul dealt with the same types of false teaching and addressed it in his book of Galatians. Following him were Judaizers who were telling people they had to keep the Law of Moses, be circumcised, etc. in order to be a true Christian. He denounced them in the strongest of terms, rebuked Peter for waffling on the issue at Antioch as stated in Galatians 2. Does not the word of the Apostle mean anything when he stated in 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."
Friend, if you are going to "keep the Sabbath" something never spoken of in the Scriptures following the resurrection of Christ as a requirement for believers, then you are also bound to keep the whole LAW, something that no one has ever done other than God's own perfect Son.
What joy awaits the believing sinner when they realize that "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law." Galatians 3:10-13 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. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 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:
This issue has already been dealt with Peter, James, Paul and John in Acts 15. Why not take a moment to read the conclusion they came to as documented in Acts 15:1-11. " And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
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. 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.
Do you want the LAW or Jesus? One condemns you the OTHER died to save you and give you life eternal {Romans 3-4}. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 "And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Do you want the LAW or the Savior Who died for your sins and rose again, the LORD Jesus Christ?
"The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17
Galatians 2:20-21 I have been crucified with Christ; 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 gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Galatians 5:1-6 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Sincerely,
Brett Jones
If Christians are no longer bound to keep the law, and the law is clear that the Sabbath is Saturday, does that mean it doesn't really matter to god what day of the week Christians worship and honor the Sabbath? And is it important to honor the Sabbath at all? If so, why? If not, why not?
Worship is far more than an hour at a church building, it is a way of life that flows from a heart of love for the ONE who died for us and rose again. Worship is the natural response of the condemned criminal (me) to the ONE who not only pardoned their sin but died for their punishment.
God loves all people and gave His Son to die for the sins of the world. Yet, many refuse to acknowledge their sin and so they reject God's gift of His Son and the forgiveness He alone can provide. (John 3:15-18 ; 36)
Believers have met to worship on Sunday for two thousand years because Sunday is the day the Lord Jesus arose from the dead. It is the "day the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it." Sunday worship is not compulsory for any believer, yet, it is the joy of believers to meet together whenever they can to praise and magnify the ONE who died for them and rose again.
The words of the hymn writer capture this well when he stated "awake my soul and sing of Him who died for thee, and crown Him as thy matchless King, throughout eternity."
Hope to see you this winter! Brett