SPELLING EDITED R-16. HOW to WITNESS the TRUTH to SABBATH-KEEPERS!
The first thing that we must always remember is that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. That means that the war we are fighting is a spiritual war, and, therefore, PEOPLE are not our enemy. It is the deceiving spirits working in people that are our enemy. So RESIST the devil who is the one deceiving Torah-keeping Christians and every other Christians who keep ANY DAY and he WILL flee from you. Plead the blood of Jesus over the seventh DAY of the week, Sabbath-keeping Christian, which you desire to be set free from the oppression of cancer by Satan. Plead the blood of Jesus over your children, and yourself, your wife, your husband, and anyone else who you may know that has been subverted by Sabbath-DAY-keeping Christians or who might be around Torah-keeping Christians, lest you be deceived as well while you are helping your husband escape the snare of Satan. In other words, COMMIT the keeping of your soul and spirit and the souls and spirits of your family members and friends into the hands of God who is able to keep us and make ALL Christians stand fast in the TRUE gospel to be found worthy on the day of our Lord's coming. All of what I just said is based on Scripture which you can lookup by the words that sound familiar to you. For example, read the first sentence. Does the Holy Spirit bring any words to your remembrance? If so, and you want to know what verse is saying in its context then look those words up in a concordance. The Scripture that I am standing on is in the first sentence is Ephesians 6:12 and its context. Then in the following words and sentences, I am standing on the following verses found in Revelation 12:9; James 4:7; Acts 20:28; Galatians 6:1 with 1 Timothy 3:7 and 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Timothy 1:12. Not knowing how much Scripture each and every one of my readers know is why I give you this first paragraph with no Scriptures written out for you. I want you to know that even when I do not actually quote Scriptures written out for you that I am, nonetheless, quoting the TEACHING of the Scriptures. And if I give my own opinion then I will say things like in my own opinion, to ME this means, or I MYSELF believe. Now, from the information in the emails that I receive from my readers who have loved ones that have been snared by Sabbath-keeping ministries and church denominations that have SUBVERTED them to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY, it appears to me that my NON-Sabbath-DAY-keeping Christian readers are at the end of their rope so to speak. It seems that you have already done all that you know to do to reach your loved ones who have been deceived by ministries such as the Hebrew Roots Movement, the 119 Ministries, the Seventh Day Adventist, and all other weekly Sabbath DAY-keeping church denominations. You have already shown the verses of Scripture that you yourself know in your own heart prove to you beyond any shadow of a doubt that the 119 Ministry, the Hebrew Roots Movement, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and EVERY other weekly Sabbath DAY-keeping churches have been deceived by Satan to teach another gospel that is not the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ. And after you have shared those verses with your loved ones who are presently putting their trust in the teachings of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping church denominations OVER the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ written in the New Testament under the New Covenant, you are wondering what more can you do? Some of you have even asked me what to do NOW seeing that your sharing the truth with them has caused STRIFE between them and you. Some of you are struggling with your very marriage being on the line and you do not want to give up on your spouse. Here is what I do with my hard core Sabbath-keeping Christians readers when they become “angry” or in strife with me over my teaching them the truth. And by angry, I mean that they tell us who KNOW the TRUTH that they do not want to hear what we have to say because to THEM we are the ones who are twisting the Scriptures and they ALONE have the correct interpretation. So here is what I do. First, I commit them into the hands of the Holy Spirit. What I mean by this is that I pray a prayer to God standing on the Scriptures. By doing this I put MY trust in God to make them stand. I then keep planting the seeds of God's word when they take the first step to keep trying to subvert ME to believe as they believe. I stand FIRM in what I KNOW to be the truth by showing them that I have complete PEACE that I am NOT sinning by not keeping the Sabbath-DAY. I share with them Romans chapter 14 that we, as Christians, are NOT to esteem ANY day of the week, month, or year ABOVE any other DAY of the week, month, or year. And yes, some will argue that the word “Sabbath” day and “feast” days is not even in that chapter and that is alright. For you see, we must TRUST in the Holy Spirit to open their eyes that we are to esteem EVERY day the SAME. I then asked God to show me something SIMPLE to share with them that even a small child could comprehend. I pray for my words to be anointed. I pray for God to wake them up every morning by morning to OPEN their ear of understanding to hear the TRUTH of the whole word of Almighty God that is correctly interpreted in the LIGHT of the whole word of God. And with all that being said, when it comes to the weekly Sabbath-DAY-keeping Christians, I keep showing them over and over Acts 15:7-24. For you see, there is NO INTERPRETATION needed to understand the TRUE meaning of Acts chapter 15. But before I give you some pointers from Acts chapter 15 that some Christians read right over not thinking that these simple words have any importance let me say that after praying and committing them to God to open their eyes of understanding I share a simple truth with them. And that simple truth is that Jesus did NOT abolish the FOURTH commandment ITSELF. But rather, Jesus abolished ONLY the ORDINANCES that are CONTAINED IN the fourth commandment. And NOW, under the New Covenant, we, as Christians ARE keeping the FOURTH commandment BY our FAITH in Jesus. Get them to see that the SIGN of the fourth commandment points to the New PERPETUAL COVENANT that can only be entered into by FAITH in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. So in truth, a person must keep the TRUE MEANING of why the fourth commandment was given in the first place in order to be saved. Jesus said to the Jews to come unto him who are heavy laden and he will give them REST. Jesus said his yoke is EASY and his burden is LIGHT. Now, to Gentile Christians who have never been under the Law of Moses they wrongly ASSUME that Jesus is talking about the burdens of the world. But, in truth, Jesus is talking about the burdens of the Law of Moses. That is why Jesus gives us only TWO commandments under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. And by our keeping just those TWO commandments we ARE keeping ALL the Law of God that Yahweh requires us to obey in order to be saved and to receive eternal life in the world to come. Also, be sure to tell them that Christians MUST keep all of the MORAL commandments and that the fourth commandment is NOT a moral law of God. But rather, the fourth commandment is a CEREMONIAL commandment unto or TO Yahweh. And that is why Yahweh says MY Sabbaths, as opposed to your Sabbaths. Christians have only ONE Sabbath day to keep in the future and that is the Seventh 1000 year long day of Yahweh's Sabbath REST in the world to come. And Genesis 2:1-3 is a PROPHECY of the seventh 1000 year long day called ANOTHER DAY that remains as a REST for the people of God in Hebrews chapter 4. Please read the study “WHAT DOES HEBREWS 4:1-11 TRULY MEAN?” But for now, let us read those key words in Acts chapter 15 that some Christians read right over nit seeing there importance of teaching us the TRUTH that the weekly Sabbath DAY is NOT binding on Christians.
Please read Acts 15:7-24.
“And when there had been much disputing, (The mere FACT that there was, indeed, DISPUTING proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the Apostle Paul was NOT teaching the Gentile Christians to KEEP any of the Law of Moses for ANY reason. For if he did, then there would have been NO DISPUTING. This may not sound significant now, but Sabbath-DAY-keeping Christians will twist the teachings of Paul to their own destruction and then they will turn around and accuse NON-Sabbath-DAY-keeping Christians that we are the ones who are twisting Paul's teachings to OUR own destruction. But they are LYING to themselves because they are being DECEIVED. So be PATIENT) Peter rose up,(This is important because SOME Sabbath Christians finally do see the truth that Paul is, INDEED, teaching AGAINST keeping the Law of Moses for ANY reason. BUT, rather than turning back to the TRUE Gospel, they become Paul HATERS and claim that Paul is a FALSE teacher and a false self-appointed Apostle. So make sure your family member or close friend knows and understands that this is PETER speaking the following words and NOT the Apostle Paul speaking) and (PETER) said unto them, Men and brethren, you 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. 8. And God, which knows the hearts, bare them, witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10. Now, THEREFORE, (Or FOR this VERY REASON of Yahweh Himself saving the Gentiles BY FAITH in the gospel ALONE, then) why TEMPT YOU, God, to put a YOKE upon the neck of the disciples, which NEITHER our fathers NOR WE were able to BEAR? (Remember that the YOKE that NONE of the Jews could BEAR is the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. This was what all the DISPUTING was about between the Apostle Paul AGAINST the Judaizing Jewish Christians subverting the Gentile Christians to KEEP the Law of Moses to be saved. In other words, Peter is AGREEING with Paul to put an END to any Christian subverting, troubling, or compelling other Christians to KEEP the Law of Moses for any reason because NONE of the Jews could BEAR that YOKE of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES) 11. But WE (Speaking of Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and ALL the Apostles of Jesus) believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12. Then ALL the multitude kept silence, (NO MORE DISPUTING! No more troubling, subverting and compelling the Gentile Christians to KEEP the Law of Moses for any reason. Now, Sabbath-DAY Christians will argue that the Jews kept right on keeping every jot and tittle of the Law of Moses but they are LYING to themselves not knowing that they have fallen into a SNARE of Satan that blinds their minds to the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ. So point out to your Sabbath-keeping loved one that this verse does NOT say that they compromised. It does NOT say that we should at least keep the weekly Sabbath day to PLEASE God. But rather it says they ALL kept SILENCE) and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: (This is also important. For you see, the Apostle Paul did NOT hearken unto James's WEAK faith. Please read Galatians 2:5. “To whom we gave place by subjection, NO, NOT for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” In other words, for the MOST part, James agreed with everything Peter and Paul were saying. BUT, for some reason that is not specifically stated in the Scriptures, James felt the need to at LEAST place the yoke of FOUR THINGS in the Law of Moses upon the Gentile Christians. So then, Sabbath-DAY Christians will jump all over that verse of Scripture in verse 20 and they argue that all the Jewish Christians kept ALL the Law of Moses. And SOME Sabbath-day-keeping churches teach that all the Law of Moses MUST be kept, INCLUDING circumcision. I remember that the 119 Ministries taught their followers to be circumcised but I am not sure if they still do this now or not? My point is that ALL Sabbath-day-keeping Christians will use verses like Acts 15:20 for the Gentiles to abstain from four things and Acts 16:3 where Paul took Timothy and had him circumcised. But they are taking those verses OUT of their CONTEXT. Paul said that he became a Jew to WIN the Jews. So, Paul, had Timothy circumcised to keep the Jews for KILLING Timothy. For you see, while the DISPUTING CEASED at Jerusalem it was not yet known by the REST of the churches in other cities as yet. But as they preached the TRUTH showing the LETTERS of DECREE that they were sent from Jerusalem to present to all the churches then these other churches in other cities grew in FAITH just as the CONTEXT says in Acts 16:4,5. “And AS they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.” [Saying the DECREE found verse 24, “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom WE gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENT. Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established IN the FAITH, [NOT to keep the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES] and increased in number daily.” So be patient, gentle, and kind when you share with your Sabbath-keeping loved one that he or she is TROUBLING you with their words that the very Apostles and elders of the church at Jerusalem SETTLED once and for all time that they gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENT to KEEP the Law of Moses) 14. Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15. And to this, agree with the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16. 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: 17. 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. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble NOT them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from the blood. 21. FOR (Or BECAUSE) Moses of old time has in every city those that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (In other words, if these Gentile Christians come preaching the gospel of salvation in any city in this region of the world and they teach like Paul teaches that Christians are free to eat meat sacrificed to idols, then the Jews will kill them and not believe a word they preach. OR, another possible interpretation is that James was still yet WEAK in his faith in the New Covenant. For you see, Paul did NOT hearken unto James in this matter. See Galatians 2:5. “To whom we gave place by subjection, NO, NOT for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”) 22. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23. And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom WE gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENTS:” Again, Sabbath-DAY Christians will argue that they are NOT keeping the Law of Moses to be SAVED. But they are LYING to you and themselves. And they LOVE making this LIE (Revelation 22:14) but they are not even aware that they are teaching false doctrine. They sincerely believe that they are teaching the truth and all other Christians are teaching a FALSE gospel. So how do we know for sure that they are lying when they say they are NOT keeping the Law of Moses to be SAVED? It is because they are in FEAR that all other Christians are living in SIN by NOT keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY. Ask your Sabbath-DAY of the week-keeping loved one if it is a sin to break ANY of the TEN Commandments? He or she will say YES! Absolutely! If we do NOT keep the TEN Commandments then we are sinning. Then remind him or her of the LIE that all seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians make when they DECEIVE themselves and others by saying that they are NOT keeping the Law of Moses to be SAVED. For you see, if you live in a lifestyle of SIN and you do not REPENT and confess the lifestyle of living in sin, then you will NOT receive eternal life in the world to come. And that is what Seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians are living in FEAR for YOU who do NOT keep the weekly Sabbath DAY. Their eyes have been BLINDED to the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ. They can not even understand what a NEW COVENANT even means. So it is our job to show them the true gospel by first getting them to THINK for themselves. In other words, get your loved one to PONDER on the verses that their Sabbath-keeping church does NOT show them. And as you show them these verses they will twist the true meaning to try and explain them away. So then you have to untwist those verses FOR them by correctly interpreting them in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. And the way you do this is to get them to think for themselves by asking them questions. For you see, they have already been brainwashed to believe ONLY what their Sabbath-keeping church is teaching them. Here are some sample questions that you need to ask first.
#1. Is the Apostle Paul’s teaching TRUE? For you see, Some Sabbath-keeping Christians sincerely believe that the Apostle Paul is a false teacher and a self-appointed Apostle. So you need to find out first if they believe the teachings of the Apostle Paul.
#2. If they do believe the teachings of the Apostle Paul, then here is one such question that you can ask your Sabbath-keeping loved one. Ask him or her if Paul is teaching Christians in Colossians 2:16 to not allow other Christians to judge any Christian FOR KEEPING the weekly Sabbath days, the feast days, the new moon festivals and the dietary laws? In other words, ask them if Paul is teaching Christians TO KEEP the dietary Law of Moses? If they say yes, then have them read Colossians 2:16 and ask them what this verse means to THEM.
Please have them read Colossians 2:16.
“Let no man, therefore, judge you in MEAT, or in drink, (Speaking of all the dietary Law of Moses) or in respect of a holy day, (Speaking of the yearly feast days) or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: (Speaking of the WEEKLY Sabbath days)” This is one of their favorite verses to TWIST to their own destruction. But again, they will argue tooth and nail that YOU are the one INCORRECTLY interpreting these words of Paul. In other words, they will say that Paul is teaching Christians to KEEP the Law of Moses and for those who do keep the Law of Moses, in order to PLEASE God, are not to worry about other Christians judging them FOR KEEPING the Law of Moses. So rather than debating with them about the CONTEXT, simply ask them ANOTHER very simple question, for example, “Would the Apostle Paul teach a gospel that he himself did NOT obey?” #3. In other words, ask if Paul would teach Christians to KEEP the dietary Law of Moses in Colossians 2:16 and then teach the exact opposite in another verse of Scripture? Their answer will be NO! Absolutely NOT! Paul clearly teaches us to OBEY the TRUE Gospel. And in THEIR minds the true gospel is to keep the Law of Moses to SHOW that you truly love God. And, therefore, to them, they feel that they must keep the weekly Sabbath days, the monthly new moon festivals, the yearly feast days, and the dietary Law of Moses. #4. Before you go any further you must have them re-affirm that Paul is definitely teaching Christians in Colossians 2:16 to KEEP all the Sabbath days and the dietary Law of Moses. Then ask them if Paul teaches that Christians should keep the dietary Law of Moses, then would that mean that Paul himself would have kept the dietary Law of Moses? And then after asking them all these questions show them all the verses where the Apostle Paul does NOT keep any dietary Laws of Moses. Show them where the Apostle Paul does NOT keep ANY Sabbath DAY or ANY feast DAY. First, take them to John 16:12 where Jesus tells his disciples that he has yet many things to say unto them but they were not able to bear those things as yet. John 16:12. “I have YET MANY THINGS to say unto you, but you cannot BEAR THEM NOW.”
In other words, Jesus had many more things to teach his all Jewish Apostles and disciples which they would not have been able to BEAR if Jesus had told them before God turned the gospel to the Gentiles. Then take them to Peter's VISION where the Holy Spirit is teaching Peter NEW THINGS. Have them read that passage of Scripture and then point out how Peter absolutely REFUSES to eat unclean meat. This was NEW to every saved Jew and, at first, it was HARD for them to BEAR. I mean, at first, Peter flat out refused to BEAR. Have them read Acts 10:9-28 first and then come back to verse 15. Acts 10:15. “And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God has CLEANSED, that call NOT you common.”
Now, some Sabbath-keepers will argue that this verse has nothing to do with God cleansing the unclean meat and foods. They will argue tooth and nail saying that God only cleansed the Gentiles. Do not argue with them and do not agree with them. Simply explain that God was showing Peter NEW things. Show them that Peter DOUBTED at first but then he obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit. You can go back to John 16:12 and remind them the Jesus said he had much more to teach them that he knew they would NOT BEAR and that it would be HARD for them to believe at first. Then remind them of Acts 10:28 and that it was ALSO unlawful for a Jew to keep company with the Gentiles. But reluctantly Peter obeyed. Explain to them that the church was still yet LEARNING. Then take them to Acts 11:1-18 and have them read that passage of Scripture. And then come back to verse 3 where Peter ATE with the Gentiles. Acts 11:2,3. “And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3. Saying, You went in unto men uncircumcised, and did EAT with them.” Acts 11:9-12. “But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God has cleansed, that call not thou common. 10. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12. And the Spirit bade me go with them, doubting NOTHING. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:”
Now, it was the Holy Spirit which gave Peter this vision THREE times saying the same thing to kill and eat unclean meat which God himself cleansed and to no longer call it common or unclean. Keep in mind that Peter was already breaking the Law of Moses just by keeping company with them. But Peter knew that it was the Holy Spirit leading him. So when the Gentiles asked them to stay and eat with them there is no doubt in my mind that the Holy Spirit REMINDED Peter to doubt NOTHING and to NOT call that food common our unclean which these Gentiles, who just received the Holy Spirit, are serving you to eat. Sit down, give thanks, and eat the pork loin roast which I have CLEANSED. Keep reminding them that the all-Jewish church was STILL YET LEARNING! And Acts 15 was the turning point in the teaching of the church to NOT give any instructions for Christians to keep the Law of Moses. Have them read Acts 15:24 again. Acts 15:24. “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom WE gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENTS:”
Surely, by this time, anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear can see that the Apostle Peter OBEYED the leading of the Holy Spirit to BREAK the Law of Moses to keep company with the uncircumcised Gentiles. Peter went into an uncircumcised Gentile house and ATE with them. It was HARD for Peter to BEAR this at first. And that is what Peter wrote that the teachings of the Apostle Paul were HARD to BEAR. Please read 2 Peter 3:16-18. “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things HARD to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable WRESTLE WITH as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their OWN DESTRUCTION. 17. You, therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you ALSO, being led AWAY with the ERROR of the wicked, FALL from your own steadfastness. 18. But GROW in GRACE, and in the KNOWLEDGE OF our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”
Please notice that Peter does NOT say to grow in the knowledge of the keeping of the Law of Moses. Rather, Peter says BUT grow in GRACE which is the exact opposite of the WORKS of the Law of Moses. We are saved by Grace and NOT by works, speaking of the works of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. So then, the ERROR of the wicked is the keeping of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES which Jesus nailed to the cross just like Paul teaches us in the CONTEXT of Colossians 2:16 which we read at the very beginning of this study in God’s word. But before you go back to Colossians 2:16 have them read Ephesians 2:15. Ephesians 2:15. “Having abolished in his flesh the ENMITY, EVEN THE LAW of commandments contained in ORDINANCES; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” Jesus did not abolish the MORAL Law of Commandments. But Jesus did, indeed, ABOLISH the Law of Moses CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES. The word “ENMITY” means something in opposition or that which is against you. And the word “ORDINANCES” means the handwriting of Moses on HOW to keep the Law of God. In other words, the ENMITY that Jesus abolished on the cross was the handwriting of the ordinances in the Law of Moses which were the INSTRUCTIONS on HOW to keep the ceremonial Law of Moses. The Commandments were the “WHAT to do and not do”. While the ordinances were the detailed INSTRUCTIONS. Plain and simple, the fourth commandment is a STATEMENT which says REMEMBER the Sabbath, to keep it Holy. And the ORDINANCES are all the INSTRUCTIONS on HOW to OBSERVE the Sabbath. Let us read Exodus 20:7,8 from the KJV first and then I want you to read that same two verses from a LITERAL translation. Verse 7 is the third command which gives a WARNING to NOT take Yahweh’s NAME in VAIN. And verse 8 is the actual statement of the fourth commandment to REMEMBER something, Oh yea, REMEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it Holy. Exodus 20:7,8. “You shall not take the NAME of the LORD your God in VAIN; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his NAME in VAIN. 8. REMEMBER the sabbath day, to keep IT Holy.” Now, let us read the LITERAL translation of Exodus 20:7,8. “NOT you shall take UP (ALEPH-TAV) NAME of Yahweh Elohim of you FOR FUTILITY that no he shall hold innocent Yahweh (ALEPH-TAV) who is taking UP (ALEPH-TAV) NAME of him FOR FUTILITY. 8. To REMEMBER (ALEPH-TAV) day of Sabbath TO HALLOW HIM.” Let me read the literal translation again in more modern English so you can see the TRUE Sabbath and WHY the weekly Sabbath DAY was given to the children of Israel as a SIGN to REMEMBER, to observe, to watch FOR their Messiah. Exodus 20:7,8. From my paraphrased version. “Do NOT take UP or do not RECEIVE the (ALEPH-TAV) NAME of your God Yahweh in VAIN because (ALEPH-TAV) Yahweh will not hold those of you INNOCENT who RECEIVE (ALEPH-TAV) NAME of Yahweh in VAIN. (But rather be absolutely SURE) 8. To REMEMBER (ALEPH-TAV) during the world to come on the TRUE 1000 year long DAY of REST so you can HALLOW or praise HIM your TRUE Sabbath rest.” For those of you who have never heard of the Aleph-Tav verses of hidden prophecy please read the study “WHAT DO THE ALEPH-TAVE MEAN?” But for now, the Hebrew word that is translated as “TAKE” in verse 7 in the phrase “Do not take the Lord’s NAME in VAIN” actually means to not RECEIVE Jesus in VAIN. And for those who do receive Jesus in VAIN, then Jesus will NOT hold them INNOCENT for BELIEVING in his NAME in VAIN. Here is how E-Sword defines this Hebrew word. H5375 נָסָה נָשָׂא nâśâ' nâsâh naw-saw', naw-saw' A primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, absolutely and relatively: - accept, advance, arise, (able to, [armor], suffer to) bear (-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield. So, then, HOW does a Christian RECEIVE the name of Jesus in VAIN? Please read the following verses of Scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:1,2. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have RECEIVED, and wherein you stand; 2. By which also you are saved IF you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in VAIN.” In other words, we receive the promise of eternal life in the world to come the very moment we believe the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul preaches. But IF a Christian turns to ANOTHER gospel that ADDS the keeping of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES to please God then THEIR faith in Jesus is in VAIN. They have taken the Lords NAME in VAIN by keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY as a DAY of OBLIGATION lest they SIN. 2 Corinthians 6:1. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the GRACE of God in VAIN.” Ephesians 2:8-10, in the LIGHT of the whole word of God, teaches us that by GRACE we are saved through BELIEVING the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ and NOT by the works of the Law of Moses. And IF a Christian tries to keep the part of the Law of Moses that Jesus NAILED to the cross so that they can please God, then they are actually DISPLEASING Almighty God and his Son by REJECTING the GRACE of God under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. Galatians 2:11-21.
“But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. (WHY? Why was Peter to be blamed?) 12. FOR (Or BECAUSE) before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they had come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (In other words, BEFORE Peter was intimidated by the Judaizing Jewish Christians, Peter OBEYED the vision he received from God to EAT with the Gentiles and to not call the meat that God cleansed common and unclean meat) 13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (And because other Jewish Christians saw Peter submit himself to the Judaizing Jewish Christians then other Jewish Christians went back to keeping the dietary Law of Moses) 14. But when I saw that THEY walked NOT uprightly according to the TRUTH of the GOSPEL, I said unto Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles, and NOT as do the Jews, why compel you the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Paul is saying to the natural-born Jews who RECEIVED Jesus by faith who are now living after the manner of Gentiles who never had the Law of Moses to offer animal sacrifices for their sins. So Paul is saying to them, WHY are you COMPELLING the Gentiles to keep the Law of Moses in every other point of the Law of Moses contained in ordinances except the animal sacrifices which Jesus NAILED to the cross by FULFILLING those SHADOWS in the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES) 15. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, (Meaning that the Jews had the animal sacrifices but the Gentile had no means of having their sins forgiven before Jesus came) 16. Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, (Meaning that the SAVED Jews knew that God no longer accepts animal sacrifices for the covering of their sins) BUT by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we (Who are JEWS by nature) have believed in Jesus Christ, that we (Who are JEWS by nature) 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. (And THIS is what Ephesians 2:8-10 TRULY means in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God) 17. But if, WHILE we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is, therefore, Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. (In other words, Paul is saying to NOT FEAR those who are COMPELLING you to keep the Law of Moses contained in ordinances accusing you of being sinners like the Gentiles who do not keep the Law of Moses. For you see, Jesus set us FREE from the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that were AGAINST us which none of our father could keep and neither any of us could keep) 18. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (Or and if I were to teach any Christian, Jew or Gentile, to keep the Law of Moses contained in ordinances, then I would be a sinner for teaching Christians to keep that which Jesus ABOLISHED on the cross) 19. For I, through the law (That teaches us that the law was ADDED UNTIL Christ) am dead to the law, (That was ADDED UNTIL Christ came) that I might live unto God. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Paul preached AGAINST keeping the Law of Moses contained in ordinances to both the Gentiles and to the Jews) 21. I do not frustrate the GRACE of God: for IF righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in VAIN.” So then, any Christian who keeps the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that Jesus ABOLISHED on the cross is frustrating the GRACE of God and the sacrifice Jesus made for you is in VAIN. For you see you are not TRULY believing that Jesus ABOLISHED the Law of commandments CONTAINED in ORDINANCES as Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:6-17 clearly teaches us. Galatians 3:2-5. “This ONLY would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3. Are you so FOOLISH? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? 4. Have you suffered so many things in VAIN? If it is yet in vain. (Paul is talking to both Gentile and Jewish Christians who are keeping the Law of Moses contained in ordinances except for the animal sacrifices. Paul is reminding them of all the PERSECUTION they suffered from the unsaved Jews. Paul is saying all that persecution you suffered for your faith in the New Covenant is all in VAIN unless you come back to trusting in the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ) 5. He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Paul is teaching us that the New Covenant is NOT the Old Covenant. When the Jews did not believe the WORDS of Jesus then Jesus said to at least believe the WORKS of healing and miracles to know that God COMMISSIONED me to teach you the way to eternal life. And Paul is saying that same thing. If you want eternal life in the world to come then obey the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. Galatians 4:1-21. “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he is lord of all; 2. But is under tutors and governors UNTIL the time appointed of the father. 3. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: (Paul is speaking to the Jewish Christians who were once in BONDAGE to the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that were ADDED UNTIL the appointed time of the coming of the Messiah by the Father) 4. BUT when the fulness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Again, Paul is talking to the Jewish Christians to whom the gospel was preached to FIRST before God turned to the Gentiles) 6. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, (To the Law of Moses) but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Then in the following verses of Scripture, Paul turns his attention to the Gentile Christians who used to worship false gods with ceremonial services of rituals) 8. Howbeit then, when you knew not God, you did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9. But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? (Paul is NOT saying that these Gentile Christians are turning BACK to their “PAGAN” ceremonial services to their false pagan gods. But rather, Paul is saying that just as your old pagan services to your false gods were BONDAGE, and God freed you from that old pagan bondage. Then why do you desire to be under the BONDAGE of the Law of Moses which none of the fathers of the Jews could bear and none of us who are natural-born Jews today can bear?) 10. You observe days, and months, and times, and years. (Speaking of the yearly feast days, the new moons and the weekly Sabbath days written in the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that Jesus nailed to the cross) 11. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in VAIN. 12. Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; (Paul is saying to do as he does as he is following Jesus. And when we look to see what Paul did we find that Paul was not living in fear of eating meat that God CLEANSED. Paul teaches us that we are free to even eat meat that has been sacrificed to IDOLS) for I am as ye are: you have not injured me at all. 13. You know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14. And my temptation which was in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15. Where is then the blessedness you spake of? For I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. (This is speaking of Paul’s conversion from doing EVIL by killing Christians before his conversion to Christianity. And some of these same Christians were there seeing the blindness in Paul, both the spiritual blindness and the blindness from the light of the vision as one smitten of God. But yet they looked past all of those experiences that Paul went through and accepted him as their brother in the Lord even as a true MESSENGER of God. Early in Paul’s ministry, he was not an eloquent speaker which he considered to be a weakness in himself) 16. Am I, therefore, become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17. They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that you might affect them. (In other words, you who are strong in faith they will warn their follower to not keep company with you for fear that they would lose their followers) 18. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. (And believing in ANOTHER gospel that is NOT the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT a good thing. And for that reason, I believe that all NON-Sabbath-keeping churches need to be more zealous in teaching the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ by showing the ERRORS of INTERPRETATION made by Christians who are teaching a DIFFERENT Gospel than what Paul teaches us in SIMPLICITY) 19. My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (I believe that Paul is teaching us that at times we need to travail in the Spirit praying in other tongues to BIRTH people into the kingdom of God. And at other times it may be necessary to travail in the Spirit AGAIN to birth them again back into the faith of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ) 20. I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. (Paul is saying that he desires to see them in person to see if they truly understand how serious their error of keeping the Law of Moses truly is. And right now he has some serious doubts about them wondering if they will come back to the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ) 21. Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?” So Paul in his doubting says is it true that what I am hearing about you desiring to be under the LAW of Moses contained in ordinances that Jesus abolish and nailed to the cross? Do you not HEAR the Law that if you break even ONE point you break the WHOLE Law of Moses? Do you not hear or UNDERSTAND that things written in the writings of Moses in the first five books, called the law, were ALLEGORIES? Let us continue to read the CONTEXT of Galatians 4:21. Which some Sabbath-keepers TWIST to their OWN DESTRUCTION to claim that Paul is teaching us to keep the Law of Moses. Galatians 4:22-31. “For it is written, (In other words, do you Sabbath-keeping Christians not HEAR and UNDERSTAND the LAW? Do you not understand that we, as Christians, are under the New Covenant written in the New Testament? Do you not understand that we are no longer children of the BOND woman to SERVE the Law of Moses contained in ordinances? LISTEN and UNDERSTAND what is WRITTEN in the LAW, the first five books of the Bible. It is WRITTEN) that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh, but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24. Which things are an ALLEGORY: for these are the TWO COVENANTS; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar. 25. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26. BUT Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (In other words, there is a NEW Jerusalem that is under the New Covenant which is the mother of us ALL who are IN Jesus Christ to have been made to sit in heavenly places. Please read Ephesians 2:4-6. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [while we were yet sinners] Eph 2:5. Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;) Eph 2:6. And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Meaning that IN Jesus Christ we are ABOVE, in power and authority, to the principalities and powers of darkness in the air) 27. For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bear not; break forth and cry, you that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she which has a husband. 28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, ARE the children of promise. 29. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so, it is now. (Or as it was back then when the seed of Hagar persecuted the seed of Isaac, so it is even to this day that the children of the FLESH fight against the children of the PROMISE) 30. Nevertheless, what says the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. (And this is what Jesus means when he said to cut off the hand that OFFENDS you. And or pluck out the eye that OFFENDS you. In other words, it is better to lose a brother or sister in the Lord who is a friend than it is for a little leaven to leaven the whole body of Jesus Christ. So if you cannot get your Christian friend to see that they are deceiving other Christians then cut them out of your life. Now, if it happens to be your wife or you husband, I am NOT talking about getting a divorce but rather refuse to be deceived by their false teaching) 31. So then, brethren, we are NOT children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”
So I want you to THINK for yourselves and ask yourself the following questions. #1. Why would Paul PRETEND to be a Christian and SUFFER such SEVERE persecution by the Jews all the way to the laying down of his life for the SAKE of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if so be that Paul was a FAKE Christian? #2. Why would Paul teach AGAINST the Jewish sacred Law of CIRCUMCISION in the flesh if Paul was a so-called self-appointed apostle of Jesus Christ? #3. Why would Peter side WITH the apostle Paul to warn Christians that some of what Paul teaches is HARD to understand if so be that Paul is a so-called FALSE teacher by some Sabbath-keeping Christians? Let us continue with the teachings of Paul in the book of Galatians and in his other letters to the churches. Galatians 5:18-26. “But if you be LED of the Spirit, you are not under the law. (I have heard Sabbath-keeping Christians argue tooth and nail that I am NOT being LED by the Holy Spirit because if I was led by the TRUE Holy Spirit then I would KEEP the LAW of Moses. So ask yourself the question WHO is being led by the WRONG spirit? The Apostle Paul clearly teaches us in SIMPLICITY that IF you are being LED by the Holy Spirit then the Holy Spirit will NOT lead you to keep the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES which Jesus took out of the way nailing those ordinances of keeping the Sabbath days and the dietary Law of Moses to the cross. BUT the Holy Spirit will lead us to NOT obey the works of the FLESH, as in, we are led to keep the MORAL laws of God to not obey the lust of the FLESH) 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, (The word manifest means clearly already KNOWN and understood) which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Now the reason that I pointed out the meaning of the word manifest is that I hear the argument from Sabbath-keeping Christians that the reason the weekly Sabbath day is not specifically taught in the New Testament under the New Covenant is that everyone already KNEW to keep the Sabbath days. Well, it was ALREADY known to the Jews to not break the MORAL commandments of God as well. But yet all the MORAL commandments are repeated over and over in the New Testament under the New Covenant. And yet there is not even a HINT for Christians to keep ANY of the feast days, the dietary Law of Moses or the weekly Sabbath day IN the New Testament under the New Covenant) 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26. Let us not be desirous of VAIN glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” So what is VAIN glory in the LIGHT of what Paul is teaching us under the New Covenant written in the New Testament? That will have to wait for another study but I can tell you this much, desiring to be TEACHERS of the TORAH is what Paul is teaching us NOT to desire. For in the keeping of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES to PLEASE God opens the satanic door to BOASTING and seeing the glory of men, comparing men with men. And it causes BONDAGE in Christians whom Jesus has made FREE from the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES which none of the fathers, not the apostles of Jesus, could BEAR according to the teaching of the Apostle Peter in Acts 15:7-24. When you are sharing the TRUTH with Sabbath-keeping Christians keep in mind that they sincerely believe that YOU are the one twisting the Scriptures and the teachings of the Apostle Paul to YOUR own destruction. Understand that the seed of wanting to be MORE pleasing to God has been planted deep into their heart and that they sincerely believe that they are BETTER pleasing to God by keeping the Law of Moses then the Christians who do NOT keep the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. Now, some of you may have no clue what the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES even means. In SIMPLE terms, the law of commandments contained in ordinances are the INSTRUCTIONS of HOW to keep the STATEMENTS in the law of commandments. In other words, ALL Christians ARE keeping the law of sacrifice to shed blood for the atonement of sins BUT we are keeping the law of the sacrifice of the shedding of blood in a DIFFERENT WAY under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. So when Sabbath-keeping Christians use verses of Scripture OUT of their context like Romans 3:31 where Paul says we ESTABLISH the law. Then explain what that verse truly means in the LIGHT of ALL that is taught under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. The word translated in Romans 3:31 as “establish” means to stand up the law, to support the law, to SUSTAIN the law.
Romans 3:31.
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we ESTABLISH the law.”
In other words, Jesus did not come to ABOLISH the law, but rather Jesus came to FULFILL the law. You see, he did not ABOLISH the shedding of blood for the atonement for sins. But rather, Jesus FULFILLED the law. So when we believe in Jesus we ARE KEEPING the law. We are UPHOLDING the law by our FAITH in Jesus. We ESTABLISH the law. BUT, we are keeping the law in a DIFFERENT WAY. In other words, under the New Covenant written in the New Testament, we no longer keep the law of SACRIFICE in the SAME WAY that the children of Israel did under the Old Covenant written in the Old Testament. BUT, we ARE keeping that law of sacrifice by our FAITH IN Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. We ESTABLISH the TRUE meaning for WHY the Law of Moses was ADDED UNTIL the Messiah came. We still KEEP the law of circumcision. BUT, we keep the law of circumcision in a DIFFERENT WAY under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. We simply BELIEVE that Jesus is the FULFILLMENT of the SIGN of circumcision to be in a COVENANT relationship with God. The very REASON for the law of circumcision was for a SIGN or a token showing you are in a COVENANT with God. And our faith in Jesus shows that we are under the New Covenant. Romans 2:29 teaches us that God circumcises our HEART. And Colossians 2:11 teaches us that we ARE circumcised by being IN Jesus with the circumcision NOT made with human hands to the putting off or to the “cutting” off of sins. And thus, since we are under the New Covenant then all the commandments under the New Covenant are written in the New Testament. We are KEEPING the feast of Passover every day of our lives WHILE we REST IN Jesus as the TRUE Passover Lamb. We are KEEPING the fourth commandment by our FAITH in Jesus as our TRUE Sabbath REST. The weekly Sabbath day was given to the children of Israel for THEM to keep throughout THEIR generations as a SIGN for them to REMEMBER that Yahweh is their DELIVERER. Please read the studies “IS JESUS OUR SABBATH REST?” and “THE SABBATH REST IS A SIGN!” So then, now that you have at least some understanding of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES being ABOLISHED as not being DONE AWAY with but rather, being FULFILLED by Jesus then you can understand that the ceremonial laws were SHADOWS pointing to their TRUE fulfillment. Let us now read Colossians 2:16 in the light of the CONTEXT in which it is found.
Please read Colossians 2:6-17.
“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him: (So how does the Bible itself say we RECEIVE Jesus? It is by FAITH? Or is it by keeping the Law of Moses? We received Jesus by faith and NOT by the works of the Law of Moses, so let us walk by faith and not by the keeping of the Law of Moses. Let us keep the TWO commandments under the New Covenant written in the New Testament) 7. Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8. BEWARE lest any man spoils you through philosophy and VAIN DECEIT, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (The traditions of men here in this CONTEXT is the Jewish tradition of keeping the Sabbath days and the dietary laws WRITTEN in the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that some Christians compelling other Christians to keep and NOT after Christ) 9. For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (In other words, ALL that Yahweh requires of us to be saved and to receive eternal life in the world to come is found IN Jesus. To say this another way, Jesus if the BODY or the reason FOR why the Scriptures were written. Jesus is the FULFILLMENT of PROPHECY. And everything needed for salvation is IN Jesus under the New Covenant written in the New Testament) 10. And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11. In whom also you ARE CIRCUMCISED with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you have risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead. 13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took IT out of the way, nailing IT to his cross; (So then, BY the circumcision of Jesus made without hands that cut away all you sins. Jesus BLOTTED OUT not just your sins but also the HANDWRITING of Moses contained in ORDINANCES that was against us because it was a YOKE of BONDAGE that none of the father could bear, According to Acts 15:7-24.) 15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in IT. (Speaking of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES which Satan brought AGAINST the children of Israel accusing them before God. Jesus did what no other MAN could do. Jesus triumphed over the accuser of the brethren by keeping all the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES for the purpose of taking those ORDINANCES written on the Law of Moses OUT of the WAY. Jesus said take my yoke upon you for my burden is LIGHT. Jesus gave us just TWO commandments as compared to over 600 commandments writing in the handwriting of ORDINANCES in the law of commandments under the Old Covenant) 16. Let no man, THEREFORE, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, 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.” Some Sabbath-keeping Christians argue that the Sabbath days is NOT the WEEKLY Sabbath day. But if this were true, then why does Paul speak of the YEARLY Sabbaths, the MONTHLY Sabbath’s and the WEEKLY Sabbaths and all the dietary law of Moses? Other Sabbath-keeping Christians argue that the ordinances that Jesus nailed to the cross are all the SINS we committed that are written down which were against us. And if that is true, then why did Paul say THEREFORE right after telling us that the handwriting of ordinances was nailed to the cross. The word “THEREFORE” means for this very reason, so let us use the INTERPRETATION of the ordinances being our sins. Here is how that would sound, verse 16 would read, so then, for this very reason that Jesus nailed your SINS to the cross, let no man judge you IN meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, 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.” And that makes no sense whatsoever. But if we interpret verse 14 through verse 16 in the CONTEXT between Jesus now being our TRUE CIRCUMCISION and the Sabbath days being a SHADOW of things to come then we can clearly see that the ordinances against us are NOT some ordinances of sins. We can also see Jesus is the BODY of those SHADOWS showing us a PICTURE of WHY those ordinances were written in the first place by the hand of Moses and placed in the SIDE of the Ark to be a SCHOOLMASTER to lead the children of Israel to Jesus. Now you can argue that this is my own personal interpretation and hold fast to your gospel of Sabbath-keeping by claiming that Paul is actually teaching Christians to KEEP the Law of Moses here in Colossians 2:14-17. So again, I ask the question. Would Paul teach Christians to keep the Law of Moses in this passage of Scripture, then teach Christians the exact OPPOSITE in Ephesians 2:15 and in the entire book of Galatians? We have already covered the book of Galatians so let us take a close look at Ephesians 2:15. Ephesians 2:15. “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” Now read Deuteronomy 31:24-26. “And it came to pass when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book until they were finished, 25. That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, 26. Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that IT (Speaking of the handwriting of Moses contained in ORDINANCES that Moses had the Levites place in the side of the Ark that IT) may be there for a witness AGAINST you.” Colossians 2:14. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was AGAINST us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Therefore, do not let any man JUDGE you for NOT keeping the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES which Jesus FULFILLED and NAILED to the cross taking those ordinances, EVEN the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES on HOW to keep the commandments. For you see, you ARE KEEPING every law of God BY your FAITH in Jesus to obey the commandment to walk in LOVE and thereby fulfill ALL the law of God. If the loved ones you are sharing the true gospel to are still having trouble seeing the TRUTH then you will find other helpful ways to share the true gospel to them in the studies under the heading >>>WHAT IS THE TRUE SABBATH?<<< Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark. RETURN TO HOMEPAGE AT |
|
|