Tag Archives: Old Testament

Christian

Convenient Context

According to many Christians including pastors, preachers, and teachers you don’t need most of the Holy Bible.

We are no longer under the Old Testament. (True, but it is published bound together with the New Testament for a reason. There is much to learn from the Old Testament and parts of it including the Ten Commandments are incorporated into the New.) So, cut the Old Testament out of your Bible.

The New Testament doesn’t begin until Christ died. So, cut the four gospels out of your Bible.

Letters such as the Corinthians were written only to the Church at Corinth and any Commandments were only for them at that time. So, cut out the Letters to the Churches.

All these cuts make for a very, very light Holy Bible. In the end the only cut that will last is your name from the Book of Life.

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Christian

Changing Covenants

I once said there were two major changes to the law from the Old Testament to the New.

  • The dietary requirements ended with Peter’s dream opening salvation to the Gentiles.
  • Animal sacrifice for sin ended with Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, his own life given on the cross.

I forgot to mention under the New Covenant circumcision is no longer required. It was part of the Old Covenant in the Old Testament. Additionally, Jesus taught us we may do good works on the Sabbath.

In this present day when preachers teach the law of Christ beginning with The Nine Commandments ( no Sabbath) it is important for us to read the Bible and discover these changes between covenants ourselves.

When your writing God’s laws on your heart. I hope you will begin with the TEN Commandments in Exodus 20. They were indeed part of the law of Moses, but they have been incorporated into the New Testament. All ten can be found in the New and are part of that covenant. With Jesus’ help we overcome sin. Learning the law comes with reading the Holy Bible. What you hear as true comes from God. Therefore write upon your heart the command you have heard from the beginning.

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Christian, Inspirational

Context is Key II

I have heard it said that the Ten Commandments were Mosaic law (given to Moses in the Old Testament) and we no longer need to follow them since we are now under the New Testament.

I have heard it said we don’t need to follow the laws and precepts of Corinthians because Paul wrote them only to the Church of Corinth.

I have heard people claim promises throughout the Old Testament which were specific only to Israel at a specific time.

Context does matter. Discernment and rightly dividing the word of God requires us to first look at the Holy Bible as a whole. It was written for us. It is directed at the modern day reader. Things written to others in times past are lively and directed at us today.

1 John 2:7 KJV
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Is not the law that which we have heard from the beginning, whether by faithful preaching or by our own reading of the Bible?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

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Christian, Inspirational

One for You and One for Me

There is only one law of God. It does need to be correctly discerned, but most do not rightly divide the word of God, they simply divide.

They say the Ten Commandments is under Mosaic law or under the Old Testament. They say the laws in Corinthians were only for the Corinthians. Do they not know the Holy Bible was written to you and to me?

There have been changes to the law which should be noted by every Christian. Animal sacrifice for sin came to an end at the death and resurrection of Christ. He is the ultimate sacrifice for sin and now there can be none other. The dietary code of the Old Testament came to an end with Peter’s dream opening Christianity to the gentiles. God cleansed all animals to be eaten with thanksgiving.

Whatever law or precept you find in the Old or New Testament is good and most likely meant to be followed. There is one law. It applies equally to you and to me.

You might ask yourself a few questions when reading the law. Do I love the Lord enough to keep it? Why does God want me to keep it? Why was it written in the Bible, in any particular part or chapter? Knowing the law do I feel guilty if I break it? What blessings come with obedience?

It doesn’t hurt to ask questions. The truth will not be offended and there are eternal blessings in the answers.

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Christian, Inspirational

Stuck

In Revelation 2:25 KJV, the Lord warned the church in Thyatira, But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

The problem is most denominations today heed this advice not discerning the truth. Their preachers cling to what they were taught in seminary or preaching school. I once heard someone jokingly call it cemetery – and I’m not sure that’s far off the mark.

Which is a commandment of God:

A. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

Or

B. Thou shall not use musical instruments in a worship service.

The correct answer is A. All the Ten Commandments are still valid and even reiterated in the New Testament. What theologians who divide the law argue is that the law of Moses has ended while we are now under the law of Christ and the New Testament. To which I say read the New Testament correctly and you will see Jesus and his disciples keeping the Sabbath. Read the Old Testament correctly and you will see Moses received the law from Christ.

In Matthew 5:17 KJV, Jesus says, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

There are plenty of examples of musical instruments in the Old Testament being used to worship the Lord. If you’re holiness is composed only of singing acapella in church services, I point out, Matthew 5:20 KJV For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Cling to the truth. If you have problems discerning it while you’re in school or reading the Bible at home, pray to the Lord for understanding.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Christian, Inspirational

Show and Tell

I’ve heard people say that the God of the Old Testament isn’t the same as the God of the New Testament.

Is there a difference? And what is it?

I think the difference is this: In the Old Testament God told us what to do. In the New Testament he asks us to follow his will and he even provided us with an example to show us the way.

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

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Christian, Inspirational

Choosing Culture

Psalm 45:6 KJV
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Israel has chosen culture over God.

They are a nation once again. They have revived the Jewish language and traditions, but when will they choose their God over the past?

Only by recognizing Jesus as the Christ, our Messiah, will they come to God. Living under the Old Testament they falsely believe they can approach God the Father directly. We who live under the New Testament know better. 1 Timothy 2:5 KJV For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

In the days of Esther, the King extended his scepter granting life to those unbidden before him. Jesus is the royal scepter extending life from Jehovah to those that seek him.

May Israel choose Jesus and the New Testament over their culture, soon.

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