Dd-43. MUST Christians KEEP the DIETARY LAWS? DOWNLOAD to SAVE as a PDF Doc to read OFFLINE.
Dd-43. MUST Christians KEEP the DIETARY LAWS? This question has been asked of me many times. Must we as Christians keep the DIETARY laws written in the Old Testament? The short answer is NO! For all the verses that prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that we as Christians are NOT taught in the NEW Testament, under the NEW covenant, to keep ANY of the dietary laws given to the children of Israel to keep under the OLD covenant. Please read the following in-depth study in God's word of truth under the heading >>>Dd-0. What is the TRUE Sabbath?<<< Let us begin this study in God's word by reading Galatians chapter 5. Please read Galatians 5:1-10 where Paul is CLEARLY and PLAINLY teaching us that we as Christians are to STAND FAST in our faith to NOT be brought under the yoke of BONDAGE, which is obviously speaking of the bondage of the LAW written in the Old Testament contained in ordinances.
Galatians 5:1-10.
“Stand fast therefore in the LIBERTY wherewith Christ has made us FREE, and be NOT entangled again with the yoke of BONDAGE. 2. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that IF you are circumcised, (Speaking of that which is written in the Old Testament, which would also include if you keep the law contained in ordinances concerning what to EAT) Christ shall profit you NOTHING. (In other words, IF a Christians tries to keep BOTH covenants, then they are not TRULY keeping the NEW COVENANT. And thus, they are weak in their faith in the New Covenant and their faith in Jesus Christ does NOT PROFIT them. They are showing UNBELIEF in the New Covenant by trying to keep the Old Covenant) 3. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, (Or let me make sure you heard what I just said by saying it again. Understand that anyone that seeks to be justified by the LAW by obeying the Law of Moses to be circumcised in the FLESH) that he is a DEBTOR to do the WHOLE law. (Meaning if you seek to keep even one part of the law, including keeping JUST the weekly Sabbath DAY as a day of OBLIGATION to REST, then you are OBLIGATED to keep the WHOLE ENTIRE LAW because) 4. Christ is become of NO EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the LAW; you are FALLEN from GRACE. (So all Seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians need to REPENT and confess your sin of doubt in the New Covenant to God and return to OBEYING what is taught in the New Testament under the NEW COVENANT. And all Roman Catholic Christians need to repent for making going to Mass on Sunday a mortal sin. And even Protestant Sunday keeping Christians need to repent for GUILTING Christians to never miss going to church on Sunday as IF it is a SIN to miss going to church every now and then) 5. For we, through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by FAITH. 6. For IN Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but FAITH which works by LOVE. (All of the law required by Almighty God under the New Covenant is FAITH in Jesus and for us to walk in LOVE toward one another. Since this study is focused upon the dietary portion of the LAW, as opposed to the circumcision portion of the LAW, we could also put the DIETARY portion of the LAW where circumcision and uncircumcision are being used by Paul. In other words, it would be equally true to say, neither the eating of UNCLEAN meat of animals that were called UNCLEAN UNDER the LAW avails anything, nor the eating of CLEAN meat of animal’s avails anything. And thus, the only thing that matters is FAITH IN Jesus Christ that works by walking in LOVE toward one another. And if we truly believe in Jesus, then we will OBEY his words to WALK in LOVE. And by walking in LOVE we fulfill the keeping of all the MORAL laws of God) 7. You did run well; who did HINDER you that you should NOT OBEY the TRUTH? (It was the Jewish Judaizing Christians, who hindered Christians. And it was SOME of the JEWS before they became Christians, or Jewish Christians. Paul knew that the unsaved Jews were HINDERING the Jewish Christians. And then a certain sect of the Jewish Christians then HINDERED the Gentile Christians by compelling them AND ALSO the OTHER Jewish Christians to be entangled under the yoke of BONDAGE of being UNDER the LAW of Moses contained in ordinances. And Paul was setting things straight by teaching the TRUTH that, IF SO BE, that anyone seeks to be justified by the LAW, then they are FALLEN from GRACE. WHY would this argument even be in the NEW Testament, if so be, that the early church KEPT the OLD Testament covenant as the JEWS? When I say the early church, I mean the ENTIRE span of the New Testament. You see dear children of God, while it is true that the very FIRST Christians, who were indeed JEWS who believed in Jesus as their Messiah, did keep the Law of Moses as was their custom early on. HOWEVER, they were still yet being TAUGHT by the Holy Spirit leading and guiding them into all truth. Peter was being TAUGHT by a VISION of unclean meat to NOT call it unclean anymore because what God has cleansed is NO LONGER to be called unclean. But the JEWS were HINDERING the teaching of the Holy Spirit to Peter, Paul, and the other disciples of Jesus to NOT OBEY the TRUTH of the gospel. Some were compelling others to keep the dietary laws and even to be circumcised. The TRUTH was a hard saying for them to understand. And they were twisting the words of Paul to their own destruction. They were questioning how could this be that we no longer have to keep the dietary laws of Moses? How can this be that the Gentiles do not need to be CIRCUMCISED in the flesh? So they reasoned away the LIBERTY of the NEW COVENANT to keep the whole Law of Moses. And they were compelling and persuading other Christians to do the same) 8. This persuasion (Coming from those who are trying to bring you under the BONDAGE of the Law of Moses contained in ordinances from which you have been made FREE) comes NOT of him that calls you. (In other words, those who are trying to PERSUADE or CONVINCE you that you, as a Christian, are to KEEP the WHOLE LAW of Moses, under the LAW of the OLD covenant, including the dietary laws written in the Old Testament, does NOT come from Almighty God the Father and his Son Jesus) 9. A little leaven will leaven the whole lump. (Or beware lest you are falsely persuaded to obey a LITTLE of the law contained in ordinances. For you see, keeping ANY of the law contained in ordinances, even one point of the law contained in ordinances will lead you to be persuaded to keep MORE of the law contained in ordinances. And that will lead you to be brought under bondage to keep the WHOLE LAW. You see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, any movement that seduces Christians to discover their HEBREW ROOTS will always BEGIN their seduction with the KEEPING of the weekly SABBATH DAY, as opposed to worshiping God on Sunday. Then as soon as one becomes convinced that they MUST KEEP the weekly Sabbath day on Saturday, then these Hebrew roots groups or Sabbath-keeping Christians will next move onto falsely teaching you that you MUST KEEP ALL the DIETARY LAWS under the law of the OLD COVENANT. Then some continue to compel how one dresses and so forth and so on. A little leaven will begin to leaven the whole lump. Also, if one brother or sister becomes convinced or is persuaded to keep the Law of Moses, then this false teaching will spread to other brothers and sisters in the Lord. This is why it is so important to remove that bad apple of false teaching before it spoils the rest of the gospel of Jesus Christ) 10. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be NONE otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.”
So then, my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, do NOT be TROUBLE by those of the 119 Ministries or the Hebrew Roots Movement or any other group of Sabbath keeping believers. They are SEDUCING you to be UNDER the LAW contained in ordinances by trying to PERSUADE you to KEEP the WHOLE LAW written in the Old Testament beginning with the KEEPING of the SEVENTH DAY SABBATH and the DIETARY LAWS. Stand FAST in your LIBERTY as Paul admonishes us so that you are NOT deceived to be entangled under the BONDAGE of the law contained in ordinances from which Jesus Christ has made you FREE. For you see, if you seek to be justified by keeping the DIETARY LAWS and keeping the Sabbath and feast days written in the Old Testament, then you are FALLEN from GRACE and Jesus Christ profits you NOTHING.
Galatians 5:1.
“Stand fast, therefore, in the LIBERTY wherewith Christ has made us FREE, and be NOT entangled again with the yoke of BONDAGE”
Now, these are not my words, but rather these are the words of the Apostle Paul saying that the Law of Moses that is contained in ORDINANCES is a yoke of BONDAGE. Paul is NOT speaking about the MORAL law being a yoke of bondage. The Christians that CLAIM that Jesus kept the law FOR us so we do not have to keep any of the law are in ERROR as well. But that is another study which I cover under the heading >>>F-0. Can we LOSE ETERNAL LIFE?<<< So then, the TRUTH of what the New Testament teaches us is that we MUST keep all the MORAL law of God that was indeed written in the Old Testament in the Law of Moses. BUT we have been set FREE from all of the ceremonial laws and the DIETARY laws contained in ordinances in the OLD Covenant. Please read the study Dd-5. What Does Contained in ORDINANCES Mean? Just briefly, for now, ORDINANCES are the INSTRUCTIONS on HOW TO commandments of God that were written by Moses and placed in the side of the ark, more on this later. But for now, please understand that Paul is NOT saying that the MORAL laws of God are a yoke of bondage. But rather that the law contained in ORDINANCES was a yoke of bondage, which none of the fathers of Israel nor the disciples of Jesus could keep.
Please read Acts 15:10.
“Now, therefore, why TEMPT YOU God, to put a YOKE upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”
Peter is saying that neither they nor their Jewish fathers before them were able to keep the Law of Moses. Now, the main argument in this particular case here in Acts chapter 15 was that of circumcision in the FLESH, but the whole Law of Moses is also included in the context. Again, it is NOT the MORAL law that is being called the YOKE of bondage, but rather it was the ceremonial laws contained in ORDINANCES. And among the ceremonial laws were also all of the DIETARY laws written in the handwriting of ORDINANCES written in Old Testament under the OLD covenant. So then, to put this YOKE of the bondage of trying to keep ANY of the law contained in ORDINANCES, including the DIETARY laws on you yourself or to impose on others is to TEMPT God. So are you absolutely sure that you want to continue to TEMPT Almighty God by keeping the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES? Have you not read the Scriptures that teach us in SIMPLICITY that to FORBID the eating of meat is a doctrine of DEVILS?
Please read 1 Timothy 4:1-6.
“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be RECEIVED with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the TRUTH. 4. For EVERY CREATURE of God is good, and NOTHING to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5. For it is sanctified (Or CLEANSED) by the word of God and prayer. 6. IF you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained.”
So start being a GOOD minister of Jesus Christ rooted and grounded in GOOD sound Biblical doctrine and help seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians to see the TRUTH of the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us now move on to the verses that specifically speak on things we eat. We are not going to go read those verses in the OLD Testament under the OLD covenant, because we are NOT UNDER the OLD covenant. The words of the NEW covenant are in the NEW Testament and Almighty God HIMSELF declared.
Matthew 17:5b.
“This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, HEAR YOU HIM.”
Jesus taught his disciples and his disciples taught us by way of what they recorded in the NEW Testament. With that being said, please read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13.
“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity (Or LOVE) edifies. 2. And if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3. But if any man loves God, the same is known of him. 4. As concerning therefore the EATING of those things that are offered in SACRIFICE unto IDOLS, we KNOW that an idol is NOTHING in the world, and that there is none other God but one. (In this passage of Scripture, Paul is SPECIFICALLY stating as fact that we, as Christians, who are strong in faith, are free to even eat meat that we KNOW was sacrificed to IDOLS. For you see, we ourselves know that WE did NOT sacrifice that meat to idols and that we do NOT worship any idols) 5. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6. But to us there is but ONE God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (And did you know that God MADE the Son of MAN, Jesus both Lord and Christ AFTER the cross, according to Acts 2:36? Please read the study called O-13. What does Firstborn of every Creature mean? ) 7. Howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with CONSCIENCE of the idol unto this hour eat it AS a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (In other words, there are some who are WEAK in faith, who sincerely believe with all their heart that it is a sin to eat meat offered to an idol. Therefore, if so be that THEY eat meat that THEY KNOW was offered to an idol, then to THEM it is sin, because all things NOT of FAITH is a sin. Now the main point being made here is that the food offered to idols, whether it be considered CLEAN or UNCLEAN by the Jews is NOT the point. But rather, the core issue is that EVEN if meat that is called CLEAN, by the Jews and that CLEAN meat was offered to idols. So then, if the one EATING that meat considered the meat AS being offered to idols, then it would be a sin to that person. For you see, it was KNOWN to THEM that it was offered to idols and their faith is weak. It is weak because they have not been taught that God CLEANSED all manners of meat, even meat offered to idols. And on the other side of the coin, so to speak, if meat, as is considered by Jews under the OLD covenant as being UNCLEAN meat, was offered to idols and the Christian EATING that so-called UNCLEAN meat, that he or she KNOWS was offered to IDOLS, but they THEMSELVES know that an idol is nothing and meat is nothing, then they are NOT sinning by eating ANY kind of meat, EVEN if that meat was offered to an IDOL by someone ELSE. For you see, Christians do not OFFER sacrifices to idols because we know that an idol is NOTHING. And it is EQUALLY true about DAYS that OTHERS esteem to be sacred days to THEIR false gods. Those days are NOTHING to us as Christians because WE do not worship false gods. In other words, Christians celebrate the DAY called EASTER, but we do NOT celebrate it as unto pagan gods. And the same is true with Halloween. We do not celebrate Halloween as unto idols and false pagan gods. We celebrate GIVING to the children. There is no sin in GIVING kindness to others. Please read the study Dd-94. Is CHRISTMAS a PAGAN Ritual in DISGUISE. But for now, please keep reading this and you will see that the word of TRUTH teaches us God has CLEANSED all manners of meat) 8. BUT meat commends us NOT to God: for neither, if we EAT, are we the better; neither, if we eat NOT, are we the worse. (Here we learn that MEAT is NOTHING and in God's eyes it does not matter whether we EAT MEAT or do NOT eat MEAT. For you see, EATING meat or not eating meat does NOT COMMEND us to God, because God has CLEANSED all manner of meat. And thus, we are NOT to call unclean what God has CLEANSED. But Paul says that the knowledge of the law contained in ordinances, under the OLD Covenant, PUFFS up and fills Christians with PRIDE to look down upon and JUDGE those of us, who do NOT keep the dietary laws contained in ordinances under the OLD covenant. So then, we who do not keep the dietary laws of the OLD Covenant must walk in LOVE to do our best to EDIFY and build up those who are STRUGGLING with what to do or not to do) 9. But take heed lest by any means this LIBERTY of yours. (Of being free in Jesus to EAT even MEAT that is even SACRIFICED unto IDOLS) becomes a stumbling block to them that are weak (In their FAITH in the New Covenant and the Law of LIBERTY and they do not having this knowledge of their freedom IN Jesus Christ to EVEN eat meat offered to IDOLS) 10. For if any man see you which HAS knowledge (Of sin offering to IDOLS and they see you) sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of HIM which is WEAK be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; (In other words, if a Christian who knows that it is sin for UNSAVED pagan to offer meat unto idols. BUT those Christians are WEAK in the faith then to us an idol is NOTHING, then to those Christians it would be sin in their eyes if they ate meat that they know was sacrificed to idols. But to us who know the TRUTH it is just MEAT that God has CLEANSED) 11. And through YOUR knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12. But when you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13. Wherefore, if meat makes my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend.”
Now some take these last three verses to mean that Paul is teaching us that even though we are FREE to eat all manner of meat we should NOT eat meat lest we offend a weak brother or sister in the Lord. And thus, to THEM, this PROVES that we as Christians MUST keep ALL the DIETARY laws written in the OLD Testament under the OLD Covenant. This is NOT what Paul is saying. Paul is saying that IF our freedom to eat meat that was ONCE called UNCLEAN meat, under the OLD covenant, that is EVEN sacrificed unto idols CAUSES a brother or sister in the Lord to eat pork, BEFORE he or she is FULLY PERSUADED in his or her OWN mind, then we should not eat pork in their presence. In other words, if you are invited to eat supper at a brother or sister in the Lord’s home, then you are to eat what is set before you and NOT ask, hey where is the pork? And if you invite a brother or sister in the Lord over to eat supper and you KNOW that they are Sabbath-keeping Christians, who are trying to keep all the DIETARY laws written in the OLD Testament under the OLD covenant, then you should NOT serve them pork. NOR should you eat pork in their presence. This may sound like you are being a hypocrite, but it is not. Most likely they already know that you eat pork. This is just being respectful of their weak faith in the New Covenant. So know that in time, God will open their eyes to the truth and they will see that God has CLEANSED all manner of meat and that we are NO LONGER to call unclean what God Himself has CLEANSED. Paul himself said that he became AS a Jew so he could win some Jews to Jesus and Paul became AS a Gentile, not being lawless to break the MORAL laws of God, so he could win some Gentiles to Jesus. To show you that this is indeed what Paul means please read 1 Corinthians 10:25-33.
1 Corinthians 10:25-33.
“Whatsoever is sold in the shambles (This word “SHAMBLES” means meat that is sold in the PUBLIC market places, which the JEWS would never dare to eat because it may have been offered to idols), THAT EAT, asking no question for conscience sake: 26. For (Or BECAUSE) the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. (This means every animal that Gentiles eat, we as Christians, are free to eat. A pig, swine, or hog is NOT unclean meat in the eyes of Almighty God under the NEW covenant. ALL the law contained in ORDINANCES was BLOTTED OUT and taken out of the way being nailed to the cross. God has CLEANSED all manner of meat and we are NOT to call any meat unclean under the NEW covenant.) 27. If any of them that believe NOT bid you to a feast, and you are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, EAT, asking no question for the sake of (Their) conscience. (In other words, if a pagan, a NON-believer, who sacrifices to IDOLS invites you to dinner, then you give thanks to God what he or she sets before you to eat. And EAT it asking no questions of whether or not that meat was sacrificed to his or her IDOL. It does not MATTER to God for YOU, who are strong in faith KNOWING that MEAT is nothing in this world and that all manner of meat has been CLEANSED by God) 28. But if any man says unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for HIS SAKE that showed it, and for the sake of (Their) conscience: FOR (Or BECAUSE) the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof: 29. Conscience, I say, NOT YOUR OWN (Conscience) but of the other (Or but rather, for the sake of HIS or HER conscience, who does not have this KNOWLEDGE of being made free in Jesus): for why is my liberty JUDGED of another man's conscience? 30. For if I BY GRACE be a PARTAKER, (Or if I by the grace of God I am made FREE in Jesus to EAT whatsoever meat that Gentiles eat which God has CLEANSED by His Son Jesus at the cross, then) why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31. Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
So, one of the things that Paul is saying is for us to do our best to be as he is by becoming AS a Jew WHEN we are invited to a Jewish person's home in order that we may persuade them to become Christians. But NOT in a “hypocritical” way. In other words, do not pretend that you NEVER eat meat that your Jewish friend considers unclean meat. And when we are with Gentile people, Gentile Christians and non-Christians alike, we are free to eat whatever Gentiles eat KNOWING that God has CLEANSED all manner of meat. And also know that we are free to eat meat EVEN OFFERED in SACRIFICE to IDOLS, because we know that an idol is NOTHING in this world to us as Christians. So then, we who have this knowledge of God's word written in the NEW Testament under the NEW Covenant that God has CLEANSED all meat, we are NO LONGER to call unclean what God has cleansed any more. For you see, we are made FREE to EAT all manner of MEAT and EVEN meat offered in SACRIFICE to IDOLS. But when we are in the PRESENCE of those who are weak in faith not being FULLY PERSUADED in their OWN minds that THEY are free to eat pork, then we should fast from eating pork while IN their presence as quests in their house. We are to walk in LOVE to do our best to EDIFY them of their freedom to eat pork, but never push them to eat before they are fully persuaded in their own minds. Nonetheless, we must never back down from exposing the false teaching doctrine of devils forbidding and commanding Christians to abstain from eating meat that was once called unclean under the OLD Covenant writing in the Old Testament. Now let us read Colossians 2:8-17.
Colossians 2:8-17.
“BEWARE lest any man spoil you through philosophy and VAIN DECEIT, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and NOT after Christ. (It is VAIN deception because obeying what is false teaching does not BENEFIT those who are deceived to THINK that they are PLEASING God. In other words, Paul USED to think he was pleasing God by persecuting the church. And thus, his thinking he was PLEASING God was in VAIN. In fact, he was DISPLEASING God while he THOUGHT he was PLEASING God. And the SAME is true with ALL seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians. They THINK they are PLEASING God. But in TRUTH, they are actually DISPLEASING God by trying to keep what Jesus FULFILLED and ABOLISHED on the cross) 9. For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 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:(These two verses mean that we are COMPLETE, being IN Jesus. This means that not only has Jesus become our CIRCUMCISION, Jesus has ALSO become our TRUE SABBATH REST. Can you not see that Jesus became our true PASSOVER Lamb? ALL the Sabbaths and every part of the CEREMONIAL law of God contained in ordinances are SHADOWS pointing to Jesus. And we are COMPLETE in Jesus) 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are 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; (Keep in mind the CONTEXT we just read about the law of the commandment of circumcision in the flesh made with hands contained in ORDINANCES was FULFILLED by Jesus on the cross. And thus, those handwriting of ORDINANCES contained in the law of COMMANDMENTS were taken OUT of the WAY to God, according to Ephesians 2:8-15) 15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (The accusers of God's people. Please read the study Q-1. UNDERSTANDING WHY?) 16. Let NO MAN (Jew, Christian, or Jewish Christian) THEREFORE (Or for this very REASON of ALL the CEREMONIAL laws being taken OUT of our way being NAILED to the CROSS of Jesus let NO man) JUDGE you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the SABBATH days: 17. Which are a SHADOW of things to come; but the BODY is of Christ.”
In other words dear children of God, do NOT be brought under conviction by ANY MAN who is compelling you to KEEP ANY Jewish DIETARY law, any Jewish FEAST day, any Jewish new moon festival or ANY of Jewish SABBATH DAYS whether they are the WEEKLY Seventh-day Sabbath, or they are a yearly high Sabbath day or any other Sabbath festival day for they ALL are a SHADOW pointing to the TRUE. For you see, the law was ADDED to the children of Israel ONLY for THEM to keep throughout THEIR generations as a SIGN and as a SCHOOLMASTER to lead them to Jesus. Think this through for yourself, HOW can the law be ADDED if the law had already been existing since the time of Adam? You can NOT ADD the law that already existed since Adam. So the law that was ADDED was the ceremonial laws and the dietary laws contained in ORDINANCES. And Jesus FULFILLED all those laws contained in ordinances to ABOLISH them to give us LEAST commandments, which are just TWO commandments under the New Covenant. Jesus is our true PASSOVER lamb. Jesus is our true CIRCUMCISION. Jesus is our true SABBATH of REST. And ALL manner of MEAT has been CLEANSED by Almighty God HIMSELF. And we as Christians are NOT to call anything or anyone that God has CLEANSED as being UNCLEAN. Keep in mind that in Colossians 2:16, FOUR things are listed specifically and in these FOUR things are TWO things, which are EATING and DAYS. This is exactly what we see in Romans chapter 14 as well. We see EATING and DAYS being taught to us as what WE as Christians must do and not do.
Please read Romans 14:1-23.
“Him that is weak in the faith, receive you, but NOT to doubtful disputations. (This means those strong in faith, who do NOT esteem any day above any other day of the week, month or year should RECEIVE those who are weak in faith, who do esteem a day above another day. BUT NOT disputing over the matter, as in, accepting their weak faith, as being the truth, that caused them to be brought under the yoke of bondage of keeping a day in order to be saved or keeping a day in order to receive eternal life in the world to come. The Bible teaches us that when we reach out to help a brother or sister in sin, to be careful lest we also become entangled in that sin. You see dear child of God there is an evil spirit behind that sin and there is also an evil spirit behind bringing Christians captive under the yoke of bondage of the law contained in ordinances) 2. For (Or because) one believes that he may eat ALL things: another, who is WEAK, eats herbs. 3. Let NOT him that eats (ALL things meant for food) despise him that eats NOT; and let NOT him which EATS NOT JUDGE him that eats (In other words him or her, who keeps all the dietary laws of the OLD covenant let them NOT JUDGE any Christian, who does NOT KEEP the dietary laws written in the Old Testament under the OLD covenant): FOR (Or because) God has received him. 4. Who are YOU that judges another man's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Yea, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand. (In other words, God will make the strong in faith stand or receive the end of our salvation, eternal life in the world to come. This is the food part #1, of the FOUR different things listed in Colossians 2:16, which we will cover again shortly. Now Paul speaks on the remaining three parts of the groups of DAYS that Israel was commanded to keep throughout their generations by showing that SOME esteem a certain DAY above other days. In other words, one may esteem a certain day or days of the YEAR above all other days of the YEAR. One may esteem a certain day of the MONTH above all other days of the MONTH. And one may esteem a certain day of the WEEK above all other days of the week) 5. One man esteems one day ABOVE another (Each YEARLY feast DAY is by some esteemed ABOVE other days of the year. Each MONTHLY festival DAY is by some esteemed ABOVE other days of the month AND each SEVENTH day of the week is esteemed by SOME Christians to be ABOVE every other day of the week) another esteems every day ALIKE. (Meaning that to many Christians we esteem every day of the year, month and week all the same where NO day is esteemed above any other day) Let every man be fully persuaded in his OWN mind. (In other words, dear child of God, OBEY these words of the NEW Testament, and do NOT try and force or compel YOUR PERSUASION on other Christians. This means BOTH ways. The weak in faith should not JUDGE the strong in faith, who do NOT esteem any day above another as a day that MUST be kept. And the strong in faith should receive the weak in faith and allow God to teach them, being patient, knowing that God is ABLE to make them stand as well as to make you stand. Remember that we are under the NEW covenant and that Almighty God himself said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased HEAR YOU HIM) 6. He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks. (In other words, you eat what YOU are fully persuaded in your OWN mind to eat and give grace to others to eat what they KNOW that they are FREE to eat.) 7. For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. 8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. (In other words, FOOD profits nothing in the matter of receiving eternal life in the world to come and the keeping of DAYS profits nothing in the matter of receiving eternal life in the world to come) 9. For to this end, Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10. But why do you JUDGE your brother? Or why do you set at naught your brother? (Set at naught means to consider your brothers or sisters in the Lord as NOTHING. In other words, they are not even saved just because they do not believe the exact same way that you do in the matter of what they EAT or do NOT EAT and on the matter of KEEPING DAYS or NOT keeping days above other days. Set at naught also means to cause to fall away or sin. If you COMPEL someone to do something they have DOUBTS about doing, then YOU cause them to SIN. For you see, anything NOT of FAITH is a sin. So do NOT JUDGE one another) For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12. So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. 13. Let us NOT, therefore, JUDGE one another ANY MORE: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14. I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is NOTHING unclean of itself: (Which by the CONTEXT we must conclude that nothing here means NO kind of food is unclean of itself. AND no DAY is holier than any other day of the week, month or year. Again Paul teaches us in other places as we have already seen that we are free to even eat meat sacrificed to idols) but to him, that esteems anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (SOME Sabbath keeping Christian’s esteem worshiping God on SUNDAY a SIN and even the taking of the MARK of the beast. So to THEM, Sunday is an UNCLEAN day to worship God upon. And we, who are strong in faith, should not force or compel the weak in faith to do what THEY are fully persuaded in their OWN minds is sin or unclean. So, give them grace and allow God to teach them by your STRONG FIRM faith in God's word, and allow his Holy Spirit to work in them. And the same is true with DIET. We who know the TRUTH know that we are free to eat ANY kind of meat and even meat offered to idols. But we must not use our liberty in Jesus Christ to cause those who are not yet fully persuaded that God has cleansed all manners of meat. For you see, SOME of them are still persuaded in their OWN minds to follow all the dietary laws written in the Old Testament for the children of Israel to follow under the OLD COVENANT. They must see the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God for THEMSELVES and then God will lead them out of Sabbatarianism) 15. But if your brother is grieved with your meat, then walk in LOVE toward him. Do NOT destroy him with your (LIBERTY to eat all manners of) meat, for whom Christ died. (Again, we are NOT to try and FORCE our freedom to eat all kinds of meat upon the weak in faith. But rather, we are to allow God to teach them, being patient and apt to TEACH them in love. When you are invited to their house for dinner, then eat what they serve you. And when you invite them to your house and you KNOW that they do NOT eat pork, then you FAST from eating pork that meal. This is NOT being a hypocrite for they KNOW that you do indeed eat pork. But rather, it is being RESPECTFUL to their unbelief, which THEY sincerely believe is the truth. You, who are strong in faith, are not sinning by what you eat or do not eat. But to the one who is fully persuaded in their OWN mind to NOT eat pork and they eat pork to show respect for you, then they are sinning. For you see, they are fully persuaded in their OWN minds that it is a SIN to eat pork. Now, if you are at a “neutral” place like at a restaurant, then eat what you NORMALLY eat and do not judge them for eating what they normally eat. And if they ask WHY you eat pork then be BOLD to tell them the TRUTH) 16. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17. For the kingdom of God is NOT meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18. For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (In other words, our focus should be on living Godly righteous lives, keeping all the MORAL laws and doing good deeds for others, having peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, which are things acceptable to God. To say this another way, it is NOT acceptable to God to fuss and argue over what we should eat or not eat. And it is NOT acceptable to God to JUDGE a brother or sister in the Lord for NOT esteeming ANY day above another day. And the STRONG in faith are instructed to NOT ALLOW this JUDGING of others to bring condemnation upon you. You cannot STOP anyone from JUDGING you, but you can stop the condemnation that they are trying to force on you. And this is WHY I write these studies in God's word to help those, who are STRUGGLING in their faith. I do NOT go around trying to straighten everyone out to believe exactly as I believe. But rather, I simply share with my readers that God leads to AMatterOfTruth.com what God has shown to me. And the things that God has shown to me bring me PEACE and REST in Jesus ASSURING me that I am living a life PLEASING to God and his Son Jesus. I know that I am free of all condemnation brought about by the false teachings of man) 19. Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for PEACE, and things wherewith one may EDIFY another. (One of the meanings of following things that make for peace can mean to follow what brings YOU peace in your OWN mind. But make for peace also means to NOT fuss and argue over these things. One of the meanings of edify is to charge up like a battery, to energize and build up their faith. Telling someone that they are not good enough is NOT edifying that person. And many Sabbath keepers look down on anyone, who does not keep the Sabbath day as them or who do not follow all the dietary laws under the old covenant as them. So keep peace and edify one another.) 20. For (Or because) meat destroys NOT the work of God. All things indeed are PURE; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense. (In other words, those who are strong in faith should NOT take pork and purposely walk up to Sabbath keeping Christians, who do NOT eat pork and boast of your liberty eating pork right in front of their face just to OFFEND them) 21. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. (Again, show some respect to your fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord even when they consider you to be an unsaved heathen just because you eat pork and you do NOT keep the Sabbath day of rest or any of the feast days. Be gentle and kind and apt to teach and edify them in the truth of the whole word of God. And if they REJECT the word of truth, then trust and believe God that he will open their eyes of understanding) 22. Have you FAITH? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he that condemns NOT himself in that thing which he allows. (Having faith in ourselves before God, again means that we are not to BOAST about our liberty to those who are weak in faith in the New Covenant. And at the same time, we should HIDE our faith keeping it a SECRET. We should let our light SHINE and NOT be ashamed to follow what God himself has shown us to follow. Also, those of you coming out of the Hebrew Roots Movement do not condemn yourself or allow yourself to be condemned by others for obeying the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ) 23. And he that DOUBTS is damned if he EAT, because he eats NOT of FAITH: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
This means to WAIT until you are FULLY PERSUADED by God's WORD and His Holy Spirit in your OWN mind before you eat pork and before you stop keeping the Sabbath day. This is why I always point all my readers to the WORD of God. It is so that they can see the truth for THEMSELVES directly from God's word. Meditate on God's word day and night or over and over in your mind. Prayerfully consider what I teach but ALWAYS search the word of God on your OWN allowing the Holy Spirit himself to teach you HIS truth. Here is an interesting verse to me, which some skim right over. Jesus is teaching us to keep HIS commandments and if we do, then we shall abide or remain in his LOVE, even as HE kept his God and Father's commandment to abide and remain in his Father's LOVE.
Please read John 15:10.
“If you keep MY commandments, (Then) you shall abide in MY love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in HIS love.”
So then, Jesus obeyed to do all his God and Father's WILL and WE are to obey all the teachings of Jesus and his disciples as being the WILL of Almighty God Yahweh himself. Jesus makes a DISTINCTION between HIS commandments that he gives to us in the New Testament from the commandments that were given ONLY to the children of Israel by God in the Old Testament. Remember that Jesus is the ONLY man, who lived his life keeping ALL the Father's WILL without SIN. Jesus even suffered and died on the cross as an INNOCENT man not worthy of death FOR our sins in order to make redemption possible for mankind to be brought back to God. So then, WHOSOEVER of ANY person in the entire world who BELIEVES on the NAME of Jesus as being the Christ, the SON OF the living God, shall be saved. Now, some Sabbath-keeping Christians INTERPRET the atonement of Jesus as some sort of proof that we are now able to keep all the Law of Moses the same as Jesus. While the hyper-grace believing Christians INTERPRET the atonement of Jesus as doing EVERYTHING FOR us. And they wrongly conclude that Christians can never lose their salvation no matter what they do or do not do. But the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God is in the middle between those two EXTREME teachings of doing NOTHING to the keeping of ALL the Law of Moses. Also, Remember that Jesus gave us, who believe, a NEW COMMANDMENT to LOVE one another even as he has loved us. And Jesus also said that on TWO commandments hangs ALL the law of God, which is to love God with every fiber of our being and to love one another even as we love ourselves. We have already covered those verses so I will not quote them again here. I believe you can now see that Jesus kept ALL of God's law FOR us. And now, under the New Covenant, we MUST KEEP the NEW commandments OF Jesus written in the New Testament. Now, here is another interesting verse to me where Jesus gives his disciples MORE COMMANDMENTS to follow AFTER Jesus had ascended into heaven on the mount of Olive, and Jesus gave these INSTRUCTIONS or TEACHINGS through the Holy Spirit.
Please read Acts 1:2.
“Until the day in which he was TAKEN UP (Or Jesus taught his disciples in person until the day Jesus ascended into heaven), AFTER THAT he (Jesus) THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments (Or instructions or teachings) unto the apostles whom he had chosen:”
This shows us that the disciples of Jesus were STILL YET LEARNING AFTER Jesus ascended into heaven. And this explains WHY Peter still yet would NOT eat anything unclean UNTIL he was taught by the Holy Spirit in a vision that God had CLEANSED ALL things and we as Christians are no longer to call unclean what God himself has CLEANSED. The early church was STILL YET LEARNING from Jesus THROUGH the Holy Spirit leading and guiding them into all truth. Now, we today are still learning, but the Holy Spirit will NOT lead us BEYOND what is ALREADY written in the Holy Bible. Rather, He REVEALS the hidden meanings in verses written in the Bible. And these revelations given by the Holy Spirit will NOT contradict any other part of God's word. So then, any INTERPRETATION that one feels was given to them by the Holy Spirit MUST AGREE with the REST of God's word. And if an interpretation does NOT agree with the WHOLE word of God, then that interpretation is NOT OF the Holy Spirit. We know that Peter did indeed EAT with the Gentiles and this was a CONTENTION with the Jews, who believed in Jesus. And that contention remained with the Jewish Christians who were at Jerusalem UNTIL they HEARD the WHOLE matter of what God had DONE. And then AFTER they heard the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ they held their peace and they NO LONGER CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles. So then, you need to ask yourself WHY it was no longer an ISSUE to the early church for Christians to EAT with the Gentiles the SAME foods that Gentiles eat? Again, some Christians may argue that the ISSUE was not EATING with the Gentiles, but rather the issue was merely being in the COMPANY of the Gentiles. WHY then was EATING even mentioned if it was supposedly not alright to EAT what the Gentiles ATE, and IF SO BE that the real ISSUE was supposedly just merely being in the COMPANY of the Gentiles? The TRUTH of the matter is that EATING with the Gentiles, the same meats that Gentile ate, was the TRUE ISSUE that was being CONTENDED. Please read Galatians 2:1-21 where Paul REBUKES Peter to his face for backsliding, so to speak, because Peter had indeed been OBEYING the TRUE GOSPEL to EAT with the GENTILES, whatever Gentiles ate but when some JEWS started to JUDGE him for EATING with the Gentiles. But Peter DREW BACK from eating with the Gentiles for FEAR of the JEWS, who were COMPELLING him to be brought back and be placed back under the yoke of BONDAGE of the LAW contained in ORDINANCES.
Galatians 2:1-21.
“Then fourteen years after I (Paul) went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2. And I went up by revelation and communicated unto them that GOSPEL which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of REPUTATION, (Speaking of the JEWS) lest by any means I should run, or had run, in VAIN. 3. But NEITHER Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be CIRCUMCISED: (In other words, these JEWS of the reputation, who came in unaware as spies, were COMPELLING these Gentile Christians to be CIRCUMCISED and to follow the LAW of Moses contained in ordinances, but they did NOT succeed, because Paul says that NEITHER Titus was COMPELLED to be CIRCUMCISED) 4. And that because of FALSE brethren unaware brought in, who came in privily to SPY out our liberty which we have IN Christ Jesus, THAT (Or so that, or IN ORDER THAT) they (Speaking of those of the reputation, the JEWS, these FALSE brethren whoever they were) might bring us into BONDAGE: (Speaking of being brought back into the bondage of the LAW contained in ORDINANCES that were ABOLISHED, SLAIN, NAILED to the CROSS and BLOTTED OUT by FAITH in Jesus Christ) 5. To whom (Speaking of these SPIES, these FALSE teachers pretending to be our brethren) we gave place by subjection, NO, NOT for an hour; that the TRUTH of the GOSPEL might CONTINUE with you. (Now IF SO BE that the early church did indeed KEEP ALL the LAW as the Jews, then WHY all the CONTENTION between the Jews and the Christians over what they ATE? This passage of Scripture makes it absolutely clear without a doubt that the early church did NOT KEEP the LAW contained in ordinances under the OLD covenant, among which were the DIETARY laws) 6. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, [whether they be GNOSTIC Jews, or Scribes, or Pharisees or just plain JEWS, whatsoever they were] it makes no matter to me: God accepts no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7. But contrariwise (Or on the contrary, or quite the opposite), when they SAW that the GOSPEL of the uncircumcision was COMMITTED unto me, AS (Or in the SAME WAY AS) the GOSPEL of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8. (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the SAME was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9. And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the GRACE that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen and they unto the circumcision. 10. Only they would be sure that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11. But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be BLAMED. 12. For BEFORE that certain came from James, he (Speaking of Peter) DID EAT with the Gentiles: (Or BEFORE those certain Jewish Christians of the sect of Pharisees came in to judge and compel Peter to be brought under the BONDAGE of the LAW, Peter was indeed EATING MEAT with the GENTILES. And Peter KNEW that the JEWS would JUDGE him as being a transgressor of the LAW, but Peter ATE with the Gentiles anyway. Peter knew that God had CLEANSED all manners of meat and he was FREE to eat what the Gentiles ate. So Peter ate all manners of meat with the Gentiles BEFORE those Jews of reputation came in unto him) BUT when they (Speaking of those of reputation, the JEWS and the Judaizing Jewish Christians) were come, he (Peter) withdrew and separated himself, FEARING them which were of the CIRCUMCISION. (In other words, Peter was being a hypocrite by first EATING with the Gentiles and now he WITHDREW and he stopped EATING with the Gentiles because he FEARED the JEWS) 13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was CARRIED AWAY with their dissimulation. (Now, HOW can Christians be CARRIED AWAY to KEEP the LAW under the OLD covenant IF SO BE the early church was ALREADY keeping all the law of the OLD covenant? Now in this case EATING IS SPECIFICALLY named as the point of CONTENTION. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that there would have been NO CONTENTION whatsoever IF SO BE that the early church did indeed KEEP ALL the LAW of the OLD Testament as the JEWS. The mere FACT that there was CONTENTION between the Jews and the Christians proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the early church did NOT keep all the Law of Moses contained in ordinances including NOT keeping the DIETARY laws of the OLD Covenant) 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 (Or if you Peter being a natural born Jew, who was before taught in all manner of JEWISH laws, but now being IN Jesus Christ), LIVE AFTER the MANNER of Gentiles, and NOT as do the Jews, WHY COMPEL you the Gentiles to LIVE AS DO THE JEWS? (You see, it was NOT that Peter was actually TEACHING or PREACHING to the Gentiles to live as the Jews. But rather, it was the ACTIONS of Peter withdrawing himself from LIVING AFTER the MANNER of the GENTILES, for FEAR of the JEWS, that was the COMPELLING factor that was causing some of the Gentiles Christians to FOLLOW Peter's EXAMPLE to RETURN back to live like the Jews. And by doing so, Peter did NOT OBEY the TRUTH of the Gospel. You see by WITHDRAWING from living in his liberty IN Jesus Christ Peter compelled some of these Gentile believers to live as the JEWS because they SAW Peter going back to living like the Jews. And Paul WITHSTOOD Peter to his face for NOT OBEYING the TRUTH of the GOSPEL. This passage of Scripture CLEARLY teaches us that BEFORE the Jews of reputation came into Peter and put FEAR in Peter, he OBEYED the TRUTH of the gospel and lived AFTER the MANNER of the Gentiles to EAT what the Gentiles ATE. For you see, Peter BELIEVED the VISION that God had indeed CLEANSED ALL manner of ANIMALS as well as ALL of mankind. And that which was ONCE unclean God had NOW made CLEAN, but AFTER FEAR entered Peter, because of the JEWS COMPELLING and SEDUCING Peter, he drew back and became DISOBEDIENT to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew Roots Movement uses FEAR to compel Christians to live as the JEWS live, keeping all the law contained in ordinances under the OLD Covenant. But the TRUTH of the whole matter is that) 15. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 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. 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, some of the judaizing Christians sincerely believed that it was God who was PERSUADING them to keep the Law of Moses to be more PLEASING to God. They believed that it was God MINISTERING to them to keep BOTH covenants as a SHOWING of their faith of being saved by grace. So how could obeying God be a SIN was their argument and Paul answers their argument in the next verse of Scripture) 18. For IF I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (Paul is saying in these two verses that Peter and those who followed Peter's WRONG COWARDLY EXAMPLE to turn back to following the DIETARY laws are SINNERS. Please understand that one is sinning ONLY AFTER they have become FULLY PERSUADED in their OWN minds that they are FREE to eat pork and THEN they are deceived to do BACK under bondage, because of PEER pressure from their fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord COMPELLING to keep all the DIETARY laws contained in ORDINANCES) 19. For I, through the law I am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (In other words, there is no way that Paul is teaching in Colossians 2:16 for Christian to KEEP the holy days, or to KEEP the feasts days, or the new moon festivals, or to KEEP the Sabbath days, or to KEEP the dietary laws of the OLD TESTAMENT. For you see, that would be building AGAIN these things that Paul destroyed by the preaching the TRUTH of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ) 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. 21. I do NOT frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the LAW, then Christ is dead in VAIN.”
So you see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, there is NO WAY that Paul was teaching in Colossians 2:16 for these Christians to KEEP the LAW contained in ORDINANCES, to observe the holy days, the feast days, the Sabbath days, or the DIETARY laws written in the OLD TESTAMENT to the children of Israel to keep throughout THEIR generations under the OLD covenant. This does NOT mean that we as Christians are free to break the MORAL laws of God. In fact, Jesus made all the MORAL laws even stricter where NOW hating our fellow brothers and sisters is considered equal to murder. But rather, Paul was clearly and plainly teaching us, as Christians, who do NOT keep the CEREMONIAL laws contained in ORDINANCES, to NOT let the Jews, the Jewish Christians nor the Gentile Christians in the Hebrews Root movement groups JUDGE us for NOT KEEPING the ceremonial law of God contained in ORDINANCES. I mean, think about this for a moment, WHY would the Jews and the Jewish Christians be JUDGING these Gentile Christians, if so be, they were truly being taught by Paul to KEEP the LAW as they themselves were teaching the KEEPING of the LAW to their fellow JEWS under the OLD covenant? This makes no sense whatsoever for Paul to be teaching these Christians to NOT let these Jews JUDGE them in the matters of the LAW, IF SO BE, that Paul was TRULY teaching these Christians to KEEP the LAW as the JEWS under the OLD covenant. Therefore, according to the teachings of the NEW Testament, which Jesus taught his disciples to teach us, we are made free to eat whatsoever the earth provides for food with the giving of THANKS to the Lord. For or BECAUSE the earth is the Lord's and the FULLNESS of the earth is also the Lord's and what God HIMSELF has CLEANSED we are NOT to ever again call UNCLEAN. This is made BLATANTLY clear in 1Timothy 4:1-6.
Here is 1 Timothy 4:1-6 again.
“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be RECEIVED with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the TRUTH. 4. For EVERY CREATURE of God is good, and NOTHING to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5. For it is sanctified (Or CLEANSED) by the word of God and prayer. 6. IF you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained.”
So again, start being a GOOD minister of Jesus Christ rooted and grounded in GOOD sound Biblical doctrine. And help the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians to see the TRUTH of the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that the early church taught that we as Christians are NOT UNDER the LAW that is contained in ORDINANCES? And the law that contains ordinance includes ALL the DIETARY laws written in the OLD Testament under the OLD covenant to the children of Israel for THEM to keep throughout THEIR generations. We ALL AGREE that God will HIMSELF never break ANY of HIS covenants of which there are more than just two covenants that God made with man, but that is another study in and of itself. Rather, it was the children of Israel who kept breaking the first covenant made with them. This is something that God knew that they would do even before he made this first covenant with them. God promised that he would make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. The house of Judah is a SHADOW pointing to the church where Jesus was in the lineage of Judah. For now, we are only focusing on the NEW covenant that God made with us as Gentile Christians. God did not BREAK the first covenant that he made with the children of Israel in Exodus chapter 31. NOR will God break his NEW covenant, which God Himself promised to make with the house of Israel and the house of Judah in Jeremiah 31:31. God gave His human Son, Jesus, to be the NEW Covenant of the NEW Testament. The New Covenant was established in the shed blood of God's Son Jesus. Now I know that you may have read this verse that I am about to quote a hundred times before. And you may THINK you know what it says, but I implore you to humor me and please read it again with your eyes open TRUSTING that the Holy Spirit will REVEAL the TRUE meaning of this passage of Scripture to you. In fact, take a moment right now and ask God in prayer saying,
“I only want to know YOUR truth Lord, so as I read your word I thank you in the name of your Son Jesus for opening my eyes to the truth of your whole word.”
Now please read Colossians 2:1-22.
“For I would that you KNEW what great conflict I have for YOU (My dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ), and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Even though I have never seen all of you face to face, my heart yearns that you all come into the UNITY of faith being rooted and grounded in HIS word of truth and not in man-made church doctrine, which has deceived SOME of you) 2. That their hearts might be comforted (Some of you are STRUGGLING in your faith not knowing what to believe and you ONLY want to believe the TRUTH, the WHOLE truth and nothing but the TRUTH. If this is you then you WILL be comforted), being knit together in LOVE, and unto all riches of the FULL ASSURANCE of UNDERSTANDING, to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the MYSTERY of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3. IN whom are HID all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4. And this I say, lest (Or the REASON that I am teaching you this is for concern that) any man should beguile you with enticing words. (Or with words that are persuasive and compelling or even coercive words using intimidation or fear by dogmatic demanding teaching) 5. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6. As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you IN HIM: 7. Rooted and built up IN HIM, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, (By the gospel that Paul preaches) abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8. BEWARE lest any man spoil you through philosophy and VAIN DECEIT (This means beware of false teaching that profits you nothing, but rather these deceitful teachings move you away from what God himself wants for you), after the tradition of men, after the RUDIMENTS of the world, and NOT after Christ. 9. For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 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: (So the RUDIMENTS of the world and the TRADITION of men in verse 8 are speaking of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. The law of circumcision made with hands in the handwriting of ORDINANCES in the Law of Moses. And Paul is teaching us that Jesus FULFILLED the LAW and ABOLISHED those handwriting of ordinances. And thus, the SHADOW of circumcision points to Jesus as our TRUE circumcision) 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are 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 (Also DEAD in) the circumcision of your FLESH, (So then, ONE doctrine of VAIN DECEIT is the wrong teaching by Jewish Christians that Gentile Christians MUST be circumcised in the FLESH made with hands and keep all the Law of Moses CONTAINED in ORDINANCES in order to be SAVED. For you see, we who know the TRUTH know that circumcision in the FLESH profits us NOTHING under the NEW Covenant. Thus those of you, who are yet TRUSTING in your FLESH are in truth still dead in your sins, whom) 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, the handwriting of ORDINANCE that was placed in the SIDE of the ark of the covenant was NAILED to the cross being blotted out and taken away being FULFILLED by the shed blood of Jesus) 15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16. Let no man THEREFORE JUDGE you in (#1.) MEAT, or in drink, or in (#2.) respect of a holy day, or of (#3.) the new moon, or of (#4.) the Sabbath days: 17. Which are a SHADOW of things to come; but the BODY is of Christ. 18. Let no man BEGUILE you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (There are some who claim to have seen angels, who have revealed things to them, who have esteemed their visitation, vision, or dream above the very word of God itself. So this verse is saying, do not be deceived by those, who claim that they have had visitations by angels, who told them to teach what they are teaching) 19. And NOT holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase OF God. 20. Wherefore (Or for this very reason of) if you be dead with Christ FROM the RUDIMENTS of the world, WHY, as though living in the world, are you SUBJECT to ORDINANCES, (Which have been nailed to the cross, blotted out and taken out of the way by being FULFILLED by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross?) 21. (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22. Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23. Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.”
The meaning of the phrase “after the RUDIMENTS of the world” means that being IN Jesus Christ we have been set FREE from ALL the RUDIMENTS of worldly services to God or all the carnal works of the flesh that were indeed ORDINANCES or AUTHORITATIVE COMMANDS of God given to the CHILDREN of ISRAEL for THEM to keep throughout THEIR generations. Again ordinances mean the HOW TO INSTRUCTIONS of the manner in which the law of God is to be kept. All of the feast days, Sabbath days, new moon festivals, and dietary laws are SHADOWS, rudiments, traditions, and even doctrines in the Old Covenant, but they were given as a SCHOOLMASTER to SHOW us Jesus. The word “RUDIMENT” means a fundamental principle as of a field of LEARNING, something that is in an INCIPIENT or UNDEVELOPED form, the BEGINNINGS of something, an IMPERFECT or INCOMPLETE something. Incipient means an initial or an early stage of something, which will be completed later. The word rudimentary means relating to basic facts or principles that MUST be LEARNED, something that is not completely developed, but rather is in the BEGINNING stage of development. So then, to define the RUDIMENTS in a Biblical way, or in a way that relates to the Biblical subject at hand, is to simply say that ALL the ORDINANCES. And that means all the AUTHORITATIVE commandments of God in detailed instructions, also called RUDIMENTS of worldly or carnal WORKS of the flesh. Those ORDINANCES were indeed COMMANDED by God for the CHILDREN of ISRAEL to keep, and they were SHADOWS pointing to the TRUE. That means that the ORDINANCES MUST be LEARNED as to understand their TRUE meaning of WHO or what these shadows of ordinances or rudiments were pointing to. This word rudimentary also means VESTIGE, which has evidence or a sign of existing, but no longer exists or appears NO MORE. Again when related to the Bible this means that ALL of the CEREMONIAL laws contained in ORDINANCES are NO MORE. They were, as in PAST tense, authoritative commands given to the children of Israel to be kept under the OLD covenant, but under the NEW Covenant, they are NO MORE authoritative commands that must be kept by Christians as RUDIMENTS of PHYSICAL carnal works of worldly service to God. But rather we, as Christians, ARE keeping the TRUE SPIRITUAL meaning of the SHADOWS being believers IN God's SON Jesus, the CHRIST. In a nutshell, the first covenant was part ONE of a two-stage plan of God to save mankind where God's salvation would be COMPLETED in stage TWO. We are COMPLETE being IN Jesus, in that we have now become God's workmanship and we are to CEASE from all carnal ceremonial WORKS of our OWN hands that are contained in the handwriting of ORDINANCES. In the OLD Testament, PHYSICAL circumcision has now been FULFILLED in Jesus to now become our TRUE SPIRITUAL circumcision not made with our own physical hands. And thus physical circumcision is NOTHING and uncircumcision is NOTHING because we as believers ARE keeping the law of circumcision by our FAITH is God's Son Jesus. The same is true with all the feast days. Jesus has become our true Passover Lamb. Jesus has become our true Sabbath REST. And God has CLEANSED all manner of meat being a SHADOW of the unclean Gentile, which God has cleansed by his Son Jesus dying on the cross as an innocent man. Now if simple words mean anything at all, then we all MUST agree that the handwriting of ORDINANCES is indeed NAILED to the cross of Jesus. And thus, they have been BLOTTED OUT and taken away by being FULFILLED in Jesus. Therefore, we NO LONGER KEEP those ORDINANCES that were placed in the SIDE of the ark of the covenant which was the RUDIMENTS of worldly ceremonial service that God gave as authoritative commandments for the CHILDREN of ISRAEL to keep throughout THEIR generations. And the REASON that God gave the children of Israel the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES was for them to LEARN their TRUE meaning as to WHY God commanded for THEM to keep these ORDINANCES. This is WHY the REMNANT of the children of Israel will NOT enter into the world to come, to REST by being given ETERNAL LIFE. But rather, they will go into the SEVENTH 1000 year long day of the Lord in their mortal bodies to LEARN the TRUE meaning of the SHADOWS pointing to their MESSIAH. Jesus said in John 6:55 in the King James Version that his flesh was MEAT indeed and his blood was DRINK indeed. Many other translations say that the flesh of Jesus is the REAL and TRUE meat to eat and that his blood is the REAL and TRUE drink to drink.
In the Complete Jewish Bible John 6:55 says.
“For my flesh is TRUE food, and my blood is TRUE drink.”
And the New International Version reads.
“For my flesh is REAL food and my blood is REAL drink.”
Food, like bread in the Bible, is used as an analogy of TRUE DOCTRINE or TRUE teaching. In the Old Testament God rained down PHYSICAL bread from heaven that the children of Israel named “Manna”. And in the NEW Testament Jesus says that he is the TRUE bread that came down from heaven. This means that the “Manna” was a SHADOW pointing to the TRUE bread, which was yet to come. Jesus IS the TRUE bread from heaven or the TRUE to whom the SHADOWS of the Old Testament were pointing. Jesus is not a literal loaf of bread, but rather the TRUE TEACHING came down from heaven, which the SHADOWS of the OLD Testament were pointing to. Again Almighty God said HEAR YOU HIM. The UNCLEAN meat of the unclean animals was a SHADOW pointing to Jesus CLEANSING the unclean GENTILES. Now that the TRUE is here we NO LONGER observe the SHADOWS, because we KNOW their TRUE meaning of WHAT they were given to those in the OLD Testament under the OLD covenants. Now we know and understand that we are no longer to call UNCLEAN what God has CLEANSED.
Please read Acts 10:1-48.
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. 3. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming into him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Your prayers and your alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6. He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall TELL you WHAT you ought to do. 7. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8. And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. 9. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12. Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14. But Peter said, NOT SO, Lord; FOR (Or because) I have NEVER EATEN ANY THING that is common or unclean. 15. And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has CLEANSED, that call NOT you common. 16. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17. Now while Peter DOUBTED in himself what this vision which he had seen should MEAN, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19. While Peter THOUGHT on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek you. 20. Arise therefore, and get you down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom you seek: What is the CAUSE wherefore you are come? 22. And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for you into his house, and TO HEAR WORDS of you. 23. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. 26. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28. And he said unto them, You know how that it is an UNLAWFUL THING for a man that is a JEW to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; BUT God has shown me that I should not call any MAN common or unclean. (And then God ALSO revealed to Peter and the WHOLE church that Almighty God has CLEANSED all manners of meat and NOTHING is to be refused. Now, this TRUTH was HARD to get a hold of for a Jew to fully receive after being taught by Moses that it was a sin. So SOME wrestle with the teachings of the Apostle Paul to their OWN DESTRUCTION) 29. Therefore, came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what INTENT you have sent for me? 30. And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31. And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he comes, shall SPEAK unto you. 33. Immediately therefore I sent to you; and you have well done that you are come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to HEAR all things that are COMMANDED you of God. 34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth, I PERCEIVE (Or I am beginning to understand) that God is no respecter of persons: 35. But in every nation, he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. (In other words, Peter now understands at least PART of what the vision that God gave him means. After Peter sees the Gentiles being filled with the Holy Spirit is when I personally believe that Peter comes to understand that God has cleansed all manner of MEAT that was called UNCLEAN in the Old Testament under the OLD covenant.) 36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37. That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached ; 38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins. 44. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Now, some Sabbath-keeping churches like the Seventh Day Adventist, the World Wide Church of God, the 119 Ministries, and other Hebrew Roots Movement groups FOCUS ONLY on verse 14, which says.
“14. But Peter said, NOT SO, Lord; FOR (Or because) I have NEVER EATEN ANYTHING that is common or unclean.”
And then they INTERPRET this one verse to mean that the EARLY CHURCH, AFTER God turned to the Gentiles, kept the WHOLE LAW contained in ordinances written in the Old Testament BECAUSE Peter told the Lord NO and that he would NOT EAT that which was called common and unclean. Put yourself in Peter’s place. Try to imagine being taught all your life to not eat pork because God commanded you to not eat pork. And then God gives you a vision and tells you to eat pork. Your first response would be the same as Peter because this would be something that you would have never thought that God would ever say. This is why Jesus held back from teaching them everything all at once. Jesus knew that they could not bear such changes all at once. Think back to how many disciples walked away from believing that Jesus is the Christ when Jesus told them that they must eat his flesh. So the truth of that matter is that the early ALL Jewish church was still yet LEARNING what God requires of us under the New Covenant. So again, I ask you, is this INTERPRETATION that is given by the 119 Ministries, the Hebrew Roots Movement, and most all Sabbath keeping Christians AGREE with the WHOLE word of God? Please keep in mind that we have already seen in Galatians 5:1-10 and other passages of Scriptures in the NEW Testament, under the NEW covenant, that their interpretation does NOT agree with the teachings of Jesus and his disciples under the NEW covenant and therefore should be rejected as FALSE teaching. But some of you may be thinking that their reasoning is very good and that it makes a lot of sense because there is no denying that Peter did, in fact, say that he had NEVER EATEN anything that was common or unclean, which surely sounds like Peter was KEEPING the LAW. And Peter said that he had NEVER EATEN that which is common or unclean AFTER the church age had already begun, so therefore, it would certainly SEEM that the early church KEPT the LAW contained in ordinances. YES, there is NO DENYING that Peter did, in fact, say that he had NEVER EATEN ANYTHING that was common or unclean UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME. In other words, God gives us VISIONS to REVEAL something to us that we PREVIOUSLY did NOT KNOW. So then, UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME that Almighty God gave Peter this REVELATION. Peter did NOT KNOW, at this point in time, that Almighty God had even CLEANSED the Gentiles. But rather, God was teaching Peter and us that he had not ONLY cleansed the Gentiles but ALSO that the FOOD, which was once called common or unclean, has now been CLEANSED by his Son Jesus on the cross. By the mere fact that God TOLD Peter to kill and EAT God was showing Peter ALL manner of animals, BOTH clean and UNCLEAN, have been CLEANSED and that we are no longer to call unclean what God has cleansed. Now Peter could not believe his ears and responded to God saying NOT SO Lord for I have NEVER EATEN any UNCLEAN thing. So God showed Peter this same vision THREE times in all saying, DO NOT call what I have CLEANED to be unclean. Meaning that God had CLEANED the UNCLEAN animals, AND God had also CLEANSED all of MANKIND. God CLEANSED every creature of the earth. And he SPECIFICALLY told Peter to rise and EAT all manner of meat that was once called unclean, because NOW God has CLEANSED all that was called unclean and we are to NOT call unclean what God has cleansed. Now, those Sabbath keeping Christians, who SEDUCE you to KEEP the WHOLE LAW under the OLD covenant, have CONCLUDED and have INTERPRETED that this passage of Scripture has nothing whatsoever to do with God CLEANING the ANIMALS. But rather, they argue that this passage of Scripture ONLY means that God has cleansed MAN or MANKIND. Please keep in mind that ANY INTERPRETATION of any one verse or one passage of Scripture must AGREE with the REST of God's word or that INTERPRETATION is NOT a CORRECT interpretation and therefore must be rejected as FALSE teaching. We have ALREADY seen that Galatians 5:1-10 and many other passages of Scripture in the New Testament CONTRADICT the INTERPRETATION of those, who are SEDUCING you to keep the Sabbath day and all the DIETARY LAWS under the OLD covenant. Therefore, Sabbath keeping Christians and those in the Hebrew Roots movement are FALSE teachers, when it comes to compelling their flock to keep the law of God contained in ORDINANCES, which are all the CEREMONIAL laws and the DIETARY laws.
So then, if you interpret Acts chapter 10 to mean that Almighty God cleansed BOTH mankind AND the UNCLEAN ANIMALS as well, then we have NO CONTRADICTIONS with the REST of God's word.
If you read Acts chapters 1 through chapters 9 you will find that the gospel was preached ONLY to the JEWS. You see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ it was not UNTIL Acts chapter 10, that is to say, it was not until AFTER Almighty God REVEALED to Peter what God had CLEANSED to no longer call common or unclean that Peter was sent to the GENTILES to preach Jesus. So then again, up to this point in time, Peter did not even KNOW that God had cleansed the Gentiles and likewise or in the same way, up to this point in time, Peter did not KNOW that God had CLEANSED the UNCLEAN ANIMALS as well. Peter did not yet understand that what was ONCE called common and unclean is NO LONGER considered by Almighty God to be common or unclean. Peter was still LEARNING that God has CLEANSED all manner of FOOD just as he showed Peter in the VISION by telling Peter to KILL and EAT these FOODS that were ONCE considered common and unclean BEFORE God CLEANSED them. God gave this vision to TEACH Peter and the rest of the church. Why would God give Peter a vision concerning FOOD if the vision had NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with God cleansing FOOD as well as the Gentiles? You see those of the 119 Ministries, the Hebrew Roots Movement, and Sabbath keeping churches make the CLAIM that this vision that God gave Peter has NOTHING whatsoever to do with FOOD and that the meaning of this vision deals ONLY with the GENTILES being cleansed by God. And yet their INTERPRETATION does NOT AGREE with the REST of God's word as we have already seen in Galatians 5:1-10 and other passages of Scripture where we are free to EVEN eat meat sacrificed unto IDOLS. For some, this would be enough evidence from God's word to clearly show that Christians are NOT UNDER the LAW of the OLD covenant contained in ordinances. But for others, they may need more SOUND BIBLICAL evidence based upon the WHOLE word of God. So let us continue this study in God's word. If this were true that Acts chapter 10 has NOTHING whatsoever to do with FOOD, then what does God mean by this vision when he tells Peter to KILL and EAT if indeed this vision truly means that God has cleansed ONLY the Gentiles and NOT the FOOD? Does God want us to go KILL and EAT the GENTILES? Absolutely NOT! The TRUTH of the matter is that God has cleansed the FOOD as well as the Gentiles and neither is to be called common or unclean any longer. Please read Acts 10:9-15 again and notice that FOOD was on Peter's mind when God gave him this vision.
Acts 10:9-15.
“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10. And he became VERY HUNGRY, and would have EATEN: but while they made ready (Or while they were preparing the FOOD to eat), he fell into a trance, 11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12. Wherein were ALL manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; KILL, and EAT. (KILL and EAT WHAT? The GENTILES? Absolutely NOT! God is REVEALING to Peter and the church that he has CLEANSED the FOOD as well as having cleansed the Gentiles) 14. But Peter said, NOT SO, Lord; FOR (Or because) I have NEVER EATEN ANY THING that is common or unclean. 15. And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has CLEANSED, that call NOT you common.”
Verse 15 is like God saying, Yes, I know that you have been obedient to obey my laws and NOW I want you to obey my NEW laws and do NOT call anything unclean anymore for I have CLEANSED everything that was unclean. Again, please keep in mind that if you dogmatically demand and insist that Acts chapter 10 must without fail means that the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW contained in ordinances that were written to the JEWS in the Old Testament, then this INTERPRETATION cannot CONTRADICT any other part of God's word in the REST of the New Testament. And if it does, then we must REJECT this INTERPRETATION of the 119 Ministries, the Hebrew Roots Movement, and the Sabbath-keeping churches as being FALSE teaching. Also, keep in mind that we have ALREADY examined the passage of Scripture in Galatians 5:1-10 as well as other passages of Scripture that CLEARLY and PLAINLY, without a doubt, CONTRADICTS this INTERPRETATION of the 119 Ministries, the Hebrew Roots Movement, and all Sabbath-keeping churches. For you see, they WRONGLY interpret that the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW of Moses contained in ordinances that were written to ONLY the JEWS in the Old Testament based on the argument that Peter said that he had NEVER EATEN anything that was common or unclean. But what they failed to understand was that, UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME, God REVEALED to Peter in the vision that he had CLEANSED that which was ONCE called COMMON and UNCLEAN. Remember to TEST EVERYTHING. We all know and agree that God cleansed the GENTILES, but UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME none of the early church KNEW that God had CLEANSED the GENTILES. And NEITHER did they KNOW that God had CLEANSED the UNCLEAN ANIMALS, up to this point in time, UNTIL God gave Peter REVELATION through a vision of ALL manner of animals that God had CLEANSED telling Peter to kill and EAT. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that it would have been easy for God to show the early church that he had cleansed the Gentiles WITHOUT any vision at all? In other words, God did not NEED a vision that SPECIFICALLY dealt with Peter slaying and eating UNCLEAN animals, which God has NOW cleansed. But God chose that SPECIFIC vision of unclean animals for a DUAL reason. The CONTEXT clearly shows us that Peter did not understand what the vision meant UNTIL he saw the Gentiles being saved by being FILLED with the Holy Spirit. You see, if Peter was to simply TELL the rest of the church that God had cleansed the Gentiles and all manners of meat based on the VISION ALONE, then to me, there would be no doubt that they would NOT have BELIEVED Peter. And if Peter had told the rest of the church that God had CLEANSED the UNCLEAN ANIMALS and that they are now FREE to eat ALL manner of animals based upon the VISION ALONE, then the rest of the church would NOT have BELIEVED him either, because all the church up to this point in time were all JEWS. So then, it was EASY for God to prove to Peter and the rest of the church by the EVIDENCE of the Gentiles being FILLED with the Holy Spirit. THIS EVIDENCE was something they could SEE and therefore KNOW that God had CLEANSED the Gentiles. But what EVIDENCE could God give the church other than a VISION that he had cleansed BOTH the Gentiles AND ALL manner of ANIMALS? This is why God specifically chose the vision of UNCLEAN animals. You see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, by God giving Peter the EVIDENCE of FILLING the Gentiles with his Holy Spirit, then this evidence would ALSO PROVE to Peter and the rest of the church that God had CLEANSED ALL manner of ANIMALS as well. We can clearly see from Peter's response that he was NOT going to EAT any UNCLEAN animal UNTIL he had PROOF that this VISION was from God. So Peter thought and pondered on the vision while he followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to go with the three men sent from Cornelius to bring Peter to preach the gospel. The King James Version says that Peter DOUBTED the vision. So once again to summarize, UNTIL THAT POINT IN TIME, it appears that the early church had indeed kept SOME of the Old Testament law such as the dietary laws, but AFTER this REVELATION knowledge we start seeing more and more SEPARATION between the CHURCH and the JEWS in how they OBEYED God. The Jews REMAINED totally UNDER the LAW, while the CHURCH gradually received REVELATION knowledge from Almighty God as to what he wanted his Church to do and not do. Let us now take a closer look at God's word to see if the early church kept the whole law contained in ordinances AFTER the time of this vision that God gave to Peter in Acts chapter 10. Keep in mind that it would have taken some time for this NEW REVELATION to have been taught to the church. Also know that it would not have necessarily been written down specifically in the New Testament. For you see, other laws of the Old Testament like CIRCUMCISION seemed to take precedence. The law of circumcision was a really big deal, so much so, that if the eighth day fell on the seventh day Sabbath the law of circumcision was kept OVER the keeping of the seventh day Sabbath day. So, it is understandable that not ALL and every point of the Old Testament LAW was dealt with specifically and individually. However, the New Testament does offer more EVIDENCE that the church did NOT keep the dietary laws of the Old Testament AFTER the VISION and REVELATION knowledge that Almighty God gave Peter of CLEANSING that which was ONCE UNCLEAN under the OLD covenant. Please read Acts 11:1-4 where the JEWS, who had accepted Jesus as their savior, CONTEND with Peter when they found out that Peter ATE with these GENTILES. You see, these particular JEWS who were now Christians had NOT YET received this NEW REVELATION from God that Peter received in his vision. But Peter DEFENDS himself telling them what God had done, and then AFTER they heard Peter's testimony, they held their peace, obviously agreeing with Peter when he said, Who am I, that I should fight AGAINST God? In other words, if God wants to make CHANGES in his law by FULFILLING the law and the prophets, then who am I to fight AGAINST God.
Acts 11:1-4.
“And the Apostles and brethren that were in Judaea HEARD that the Gentiles had ALSO received the word of God. 2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision (Speaking of the Jews, who had become Christians and or Jews who were not Christians) CONTENDED with him, 3. Saying, You went into men UNCIRCUMCISED, and did EAT with them. (BOTH keep company with AND EATING with the Gentiles was wrong or breaking the Law of Moses to a Jew. And therefore, UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME, not ALL the JEWS, who became Christians, had HEARD of the REVELATION KNOWLEDGE that God gave to Peter in a VISION of CLEANSING what had ONCE been unclean) 4. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,”
Some have tried to REASON AWAY this passage of Scripture by saying that these Gentile Christians prepared a SPECIAL meal for the Jewish Christians, who you must remember were the only Christians BEFORE this point in time. But in truth, God was SHOWING the CHURCH that he had CLEANSED that which was ONCE UNCLEAN. Again one can INTERPRET that God ONLY cleansed MANKIND, as opposed to God cleansing BOTH mankind AND ALL manner of ANIMALS as well. But whichever INTERPRETATION one chooses it MUST AGREE with the REST of God's word. And we have already seen that the INTERPRETATION of those who are trying to SEDUCE you to KEEP ALL the DIETARY laws, under the OLD covenant, does NOT AGREE with the rest of God's word. So, in my opinion, to try and reason away the above passage of Scripture by saying that the Gentile Christians prepared a SPECIAL meal for the Jewish Christians is making a lie to try and support their own personal interpretation of Scripture. Now, do you really think that these UNCIRCUMCISED GENTILES prepared a special meal for these JEWISH Christians with food that they themselves did NOT EAT? I mean what would be the point of even mentioning that these Jews, who have accepted Jesus as their savior, that were in Jerusalem, of CONTENDING with Peter for EATING with these new Gentile Christians. If so be, that these Gentile Christians were eating the SAME kinds of FOOD that the JEWS eat by preparing a SPECIAL meal, which Gentiles did NOT eat? You see verse 1 tells us that the brethren in Jerusalem had ALREADY HEARD that these Gentiles had received the word of God. So the CONTENDING was not the keeping company with the Gentiles, but rather the contending was over EATING with the Gentiles, as in, WHAT they were eating. Obviously, to me, the Gentiles were eating that which was forbidden for the JEWS to EAT, under the OLD Covenant. And when they heard that Peter ATE with the Gentiles they CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles that which is called UNCLEAN under the OLD covenant. So then, WHY would Peter EAT with the Gentiles knowing that it was against the LAW contained in ordinances? Remember that the Holy Spirit spoke to Peter and told him to doubt NOTHING? God gave this vision to Peter THREE times telling him to NOT call unclean what God has CLEANSED. Peter had ALREADY SEEN these Gentiles be ACCEPTED by Almighty God by SEEING them being FILLED with the Holy Spirit. The word says that Peter PERCEIVED when he SAW God FILLING these GENTILES with his Holy Spirit that God NO LONGER had RESPECT of person and NOW God ACCEPTED that which was ONCE UNCLEAN. And when these new Gentile Christians asked Peter to EAT with them I am quite sure that the Holy Spirit brought to Peter's REMEMBRANCE to doubt NOTHING. So Peter obviously OBEYED the Holy Spirit and ATE with these new Gentile Christians. Again there would have been no point to even mention the CONTENDING with Peter IF SO BE that Peter ate only that which was PERMITTED UNDER the LAW. I am convinced that Peter ATE whatever was set before him doubting NOTHING as God had told him to do. And this AGREES with the rest of the New Testament that FOLLOWS as the church grew in understanding of what the WILL of the Lord is. This is WHY God gave Peter the vision of ALL manner of FOOD and told Peter to KILL and EAT because God was showing Peter that he had CLEANSED the FOOD as well as the Gentiles. Otherwise, if Peter did not understand this vision to mean that God cleansed the FOOD also, then surely Peter would have NEVER had EATEN with the Gentiles. And if so be that Peter ate ONLY that which was permitted UNDER the LAW, then there would be no need to mention the CONTENTION of Peter EATING with the Gentiles. But the facts are that Peter DID INDEED EAT with the Gentiles and the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem did indeed CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles, UNTIL they HEARD the vision that God had CLEANSED that which was once called common and unclean. And then they left off contending with Peter, because they now understood that God had CLEANSED the FOOD as well as the Gentiles. You see, in Acts 11:15-18 we read where these Jews who believed in Jesus CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles because they did NOT KNOW that God had CLEANSED the Gentiles and the FOOD, UNTIL Peter told them what God had done, the WHOLE matter. Then AFTER they HEARD what God had done from the beginning to the end, then they held their peace and NO LONGER CONTENDED with Peter about EATING with these UNCIRCUMCISED GENTILES. In Acts 11:15-18 Peter expounds the WHOLE matter to the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem who were CONTENDING with Peter for EATING with the Gentile Christians, whom they HEARD had received the word of God.
Acts 11:15-18.
“And as I (Peter) began to speak (To these Gentiles about Jesus), the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16. THEN I REMEMBERED the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17. For as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could WITHSTAND God? (And who are you that you should TEMPT God by teaching Christians to ABSTAIN from eating meat the God has CLEANSED?) 18. When they (Speaking of the JEWISH Christians at Jerusalem who were CONTENDING with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles who had received the word of God) HEARD these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
Here we see that some MORE Jewish Christians accepted and BELIEVED the VISION and REVELATION knowledge that God had CLEANSED that which was ONCE unclean by hearing the EVIDENCE of Almighty God FILLING the Gentiles who received his word with his Holy Spirit. Yes, they did not mention food specifically, because the greater emphasis of importance is the salvation of man. Remember when the disciples came to Jesus and said even the devils obey us in your name and Jesus answered them in Luke 10:20.
Luke 10:20.
“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus was not saying that we should not rejoice whatsoever at all in what God is doing, but rather our greatest joy should be on the salvation of others. So then, we should not be surprised that every single detail is not told to us as to what God is doing. We know that Peter did indeed EAT with the Gentiles and this was a CONTENTION with the Jews, who believed in Jesus, who were at Jerusalem, UNTIL they HEARD the WHOLE matter of what God had DONE. And then they held their peace to NO LONGER CONTENDED with Peter for EATING with the Gentiles. You have to ask yourself WHY it was no longer an ISSUE to the early church for Christians to EAT with the Gentiles. Some again may argue that the ISSUE was not EATING with the Gentiles, but rather was merely being in the COMPANY of the Gentiles. WHY then was EATING even mentioned if it was alright to EAT what the Gentiles ATE IF SO BE that the real ISSUE was supposedly just merely being in the COMPANY of the Gentiles? The TRUTH of the matter is that EATING with the Gentiles was the TRUE ISSUE that was being CONTENDED. Please read Galatians 2:1-21 where Paul REBUKES Peter to his face for backsliding, so to speak. For you see, Peter had indeed been OBEYING the TRUE GOSPEL to EAT with the GENTILES, but when some JEWS started to JUDGE him for EATING with the Gentiles Peter DREW BACK from eating with the Gentiles for FEAR of the JEWS who were COMPELLING him to be brought back and be placed back under the BONDAGE of the LAW contained in ORDINANCES.
Galatians 2:1-21.
“Then fourteen years after I (Paul) went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2. And I went up by revelation and communicated unto them that GOSPEL which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of REPUTATION, (Speaking of the JEWS) lest by any means I should run, or had run, in VAIN. 3. But NEITHER Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be CIRCUMCISED: (In other words, these JEWS of the reputation who came in unaware as spies were COMPELLING these Gentile Christians to be CIRCUMCISED and to follow the LAW of Moses contained in ordinances. But they did NOT succeed, because Paul says that NEITHER Titus was COMPELLED to be CIRCUMCISED) 4. And that because of FALSE brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to SPY out our liberty which we have IN Christ Jesus, THAT (Or so that, or IN ORDER THAT) they (Speaking of those of the reputation, the JEWS, these FALSE brethren whoever they were) might bring us into BONDAGE: (Speaking of being brought back into the bondage of the LAW contained in ORDINANCES that were ABOLISHED, SLAIN, NAILED to the CROSS and BLOTTED OUT by FAITH in Jesus Christ) 5. To whom (Speaking of these SPIES, these FALSE teachers pretending to be our brethren) we gave place by subjection, NO, NOT for an hour; that the TRUTH of the GOSPEL might CONTINUE with you. (Now, IF SO BE that the early church did indeed KEEP ALL the LAW, like the Jews, then WHY all the CONTENTION between the Jews and the Christians? This passage of Scripture makes it absolutely clear, without a doubt, that the early church did NOT KEEP the LAW contained in ordinances under the OLD covenant) 6. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were [whether they be GNOSTIC Jews, or Scribes, or Pharisees or just plain JEWS, whatsoever they were], it makes no matter to me: God accepts no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7. But contrariwise (Or on the contrary, or quite the opposite), when they SAW that the GOSPEL of the uncircumcision was COMMITTED unto me, AS (Or in the SAME WAY AS) the GOSPEL of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8. (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the SAME was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9. And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the GRACE that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be BLAMED. 12. For BEFORE that certain came from James, he (Speaking of Peter) did EAT with the Gentiles: (Or BEFORE these JEWS came in to judge and compel Peter to be brought under the BONDAGE of the LAW Peter was EATING MEAT with the GENTILES, which Peter KNEW that the JEWS, of course, would JUDGE him as being a transgressor of the LAW. But Peter ATE with the Gentiles anyway knowing that they would judge him BEFORE those Jews of reputation came in unto him.) BUT when they (Speaking of those of reputation, the JEWS) were come, he (Peter) withdrew and separated himself, FEARING them which were of the CIRCUMCISION. (In other words, Peter was being a hypocrite by first EATING with the Gentiles and now he WITHDREW and he stopped EATING with the Gentiles because he FEARED the JEWS) 13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was CARRIED AWAY with their dissimulation. (Now HOW can Christians be CARRIED AWAY to KEEP the LAW under the OLD covenant IF SO BE the early church was ALREADY keeping all the law of the OLD covenant? Now in this case EATING IS SPECIFICALLY named as the point of CONTENTION. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that there would have been NO CONTENTION whatsoever IF SO BE that the early church did indeed KEEP ALL the LAW of the OLD Testament as the JEWS. The mere FACT that there was CONTENTION between the Jews and the Christians proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the early church did NOT keep all the Law of Moses contained in ordinances including NOT keeping the dietary laws of the OLD Covenant.) 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 (Or if you Peter being a natural born Jew who was before taught in all manner of JEWISH laws, but now being IN Jesus Christ) LIVE AFTER the MANNER of Gentiles, and NOT as do the Jews, WHY COMPEL you the Gentiles to LIVE AS DO THE JEWS? (You see, it was NOT that Peter was actually TEACHING or PREACHING to the Gentiles to live as the Jews, but rather it was the ACTIONS of Peter withdrawing himself from LIVING AFTER the MANNER of the GENTILES for FEAR of the JEWS that was the COMPELLING factor that was causing some of the Gentles Christians to FOLLOW Peter's EXAMPLE to RETURN back to live like the Jews. And by doing so, Peter did NOT OBEY the TRUTH of the Gospel. You see by WITHDRAWING from living in his liberty IN Jesus Christ, Peter compelled some of these Gentile believers to live as the JEWS because they SAW Peter going back to live like the Jews. And Paul WITHSTOOD Peter to his face for NOT OBEYING the TRUTH of the GOSPEL. This passage of Scripture CLEARLY teaches us that BEFORE the Jews of reputation came into Peter and put FEAR in Peter, he OBEYED the TRUTH of the gospel and lived AFTER the MANNER of the Gentiles. In other words, Peter ATE what the Gentiles ATE because Peter BELIEVED the VISION that God had indeed CLEANSED ALL manner of ANIMALS as well as ALL of mankind and that which was ONCE unclean, God had NOW made CLEAN. But AFTER FEAR entered Peter because of the JEWS COMPELLING and SEDUCING Peter, he drew back and became DISOBEDIENT to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew Roots Movement uses FEAR to compel Christians to live as the JEWS live, keeping all the law contained in ordinances, under the OLD Covenant. But the TRUTH of the whole matter is) 15. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 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. 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. 18. For IF I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (Paul is saying in these two verses that Peter and those who followed Peter's WRONG COWARDLY EXAMPLE to turn back to following the DIETARY laws are SINNERS) 19. For I, through the law I am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (In other words, there is no way that Paul is teaching in Colossians 2:16 for Christians to KEEP the holy days, or to KEEP the feasts days, or the new moon festivals, or to KEEP the Sabbath days, or to KEEP the dietary laws of the OLD TESTAMENT. For you see, that would be building AGAIN those things that Paul destroyed by preaching the TRUTH of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ) 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. 21. I do NOT frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the LAW, then Christ is dead in VAIN.”
So you see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, there is NO WAY that Paul was teaching in Colossians 2:16 for these Christians to KEEP the LAW and ORDINANCES to observe the holy days, the feast days, the Sabbath days, or the dietary laws of the OLD TESTAMENT. But rather Paul was clearly and plainly teaching us, as Christians, NOT to keep the law and to NOT let the Jews or the Hebrews Root movement groups JUDGE us for NOT KEEPING the LAW. I mean think about this for a moment, WHY would the Jews be JUDGING these Gentile Christians if they were truly being taught by Paul to KEEP the LAW, as they themselves were teaching the KEEPING of the LAW to their fellow JEWS? This makes no sense whatsoever for Paul to be teaching these Christians to NOT let these Jews JUDGE them in the matters of the LAW IF SO BE, that Paul was TRULY teaching these Christians to KEEP the LAW. Can you not see how the 119 Ministry, the Hebrew Roots Movement and all Saturday, seventh day of the week Sabbath keeping churches have ERRED in their INTERPRETATION of the Scriptures? Nevertheless, we shall continue looking at some other arguments used by the 119 Ministry to TRY and support their FALSE interpretation that Paul was teaching us to KEEP ALL the LAW of Moses given in the OLD TESTAMENT by picking up where they left off teaching that the CONTEXT is what determines the meaning of the verse for us. Jesus taught us that it is NOT what goes INTO the belly that DEFILES a man.
Please read Matthew 15:10,11.
“And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11. NOT that which goes INTO the mouth DEFILES a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
The heart of this message can be easier understood by reading Luke 6:45, which teaches us the importance of the words we speak out of our mouth.
Luke 6:45.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth SPEAKS.”
So then, Jesus is teaching us that out of the abundance of the evil treasures of the heart DEFILES the man, because this man SPEAKS forth or brings forth by SPEAKING what is in his or her HEART. Jesus is saying that it is not so much a matter of what is eaten that DEFILES a person, but rather it is the evil that is brought forth by the spoken WORDS of a person which defiles a person. For a deeper understanding on this subject please read the study G-4. THE POWER OF OUR WORDS! But for now, let us continue this study in God's word to see if the early church KEPT the WHOLE LAW contained in ORDINANCES that were given to the JEWS under the OLD Testament. Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to read ALL the studies that I gave links to throughout this study concerning this subject on Sabbath TRUTH. My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
To learn more TRUTH, then please return to
If you have any questions, please feel free to write to me. My contact email is MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail .com. Some Sabbath-keeping Christians CLAIM that the early church kept the Sabbath as the Jews, but I assure you that the early first-century church was accustomed to gathering together BEFORE the light of daybreak on the FIRST day of the week that THEY called the Lord's day. Please read all the studies linked within this study and all the studies linked below. This study was just the TIP of the iceberg of exposing the ERRORS of interpretation made by the Saturday seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping churches, and the Sunday first day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians. All of the studies listed under the subject heading >>>Dd-0. What is the TRUE Sabbath?<<< And also read Dd-20. Did The Early Church KEEP the Sabbath day to learn the truth of what the early church believed. Thanks again 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.
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