If you have a request for a study on any particular subject, or on any particular question, please leave your suggestions here. I will do my best to answer it for you. Thank you for your request, in advance.
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Bible things in Bible ways 
Just wanted to say thank you; your site is very good and I’m looking forward to reading some of your library recommendations. God bless and keep you.
Tim
Thank you for the encouraging words… May you be a blessing to all around you!!
Obviously the written of this site is NOT a believer. This is mostly false teaching and the words of a woman who should read the Holy Bible more before saying anything.
Dear Brother/Sister,
I am a Husband and a Father. I am not sure which of the studies you consider a false teaching. I am always open to seeing new evidence from the Scriptures if you are willing to show it. And I do appreciate it if you have proper respect towards men and women alike.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Since I do not see my reply, I cannot say what I wrote, but I did misspell the word writing. People cannot reply to what is not seen. God bless.
I could not find that person’s post either.
You wrote:
“Mark 7:19 … King James Version “Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?”
Why didn’t the KJV, one of the earliest translations into English done in 1611, not contain this portion? And why did the rest of the versions carry it within brackets? As I dug into the issue, I found out an interesting piece of information.
The Original Greek Manuscripts do not even carry “(In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean)” which is in Mark 7:19. You can check this for yourself here, in The Codex Sinaiticus.”
Reply:
The last three words of Mark 7:19 the KJV says, “purging all meats” = cleansing all meats, the KJV does have this phrase in it, but it is an archaic/old way of saying the same basic idea, “Thus He declared all foods clean” (“Thus He” should be italicized, but your web page is not allowing this function to me as I type:-). Jesus did purge or cleans all meats.
Secondly, look again at the Sinaiticus, because it is plainly there in verse 19. These same 4 Greek words are not only in the Sinaiticus and the other early manuscripts, but in almost all late mansucripts as well as the Textus Receptus.
Perhaps you need to acknowledge that the text does have his phrase, but you simply missed it.
Thanks for listening,
Dan
Hi Dan,
Thank you for commenting on this all important matter, but I would like to make a few clarifications.
In the post, i have not said that “purging all meats” is not found in the original manuscripts. Rather, what I wrote was that the words “Jesus declared all foods clean” is not there.
Now I do understand where you are coming from, because I was there too… believing this verse gave us the right to eat all meats. Because of this one verse, many Christians believe that Jesus purged or cleansed all meats including Pork, Prawns, Crab, etc which are prohibited by God’s own Words.
You must admit that there is a difference between “the stomach cleaning out the meat by putting it out of the body into the gutter” and “Jesus declaring that all meats are clean henceforth”.
Read Codex Sinaiticus again my friend – it says “because it goes not into his heart, but into his belly, and is cast out into the sink, making all meats clean.
What makes all meats clean? “Christ” or “the belly”?
Nowhere does it say that “Thus He declared all meats clean. Please go to link below to see it for yourself
http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/manuscript.aspx?dir=prev&folioNo=7&lid=en&quireNo=76&side=r&zoomSlider=0
But I believe, that we are digressing off the point of the post in the first place, if we stop here. The whole point was to find out the true meaning of this verse. What did He mean? Did He mean that all meats are clean, and can be eaten henceforth. Or is there something all of us miss when reading this verse with the “distortion” – (Thus Jesus declared) all meats clean.
I hope you did try to read further down through the post, as I make this clear when I explain Mat 15:20. Yeshua is very clear when he says “These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man”. This was the whole context of this chapter “Eating with unwashed hands”.
If we move from the context of what He is saying, and make it about “being able to eat anything we want” (which is exactly what the translators have done by separating a few words into a declaration) we will be literally putting words in Christ’s mouth.
Hope this helps clarify the questions raised by you.
May you be a blessing to all around you!
Ramesh
Hi. I’d like to add that if all meats were declared clean, why is it that Peter was insistent on differentiating between clean and unclean meat in his vision, much later on and after Jesus had ascended? It is obvious Jesus had not declared all meats clean. And the vision Peter had was explained to represent that non Jews were not to be seen as unclean. Nowhere in the Bible were unclean meats declared clean.
I actually only wanted to comment to ask if you’re on Facebook but thought I’d just add that while I’m here…
So, do you have a Facebook page?
Dear Rachel,
It looks so simple for some while for others it is not. I read Mark 7 & Matthew 15 and see how it is not about clean/unclean foods, rather eating with unwashed hands. I read Acts 10 and see that the vision is not about clean/unclean foods, rather calling people unclean. This was not always the case. I like most Christians grew up being taught the opposite. So I do understand how one can read these verses the way they do. We have to lovingly try to explain our view with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
ORIGINAL SIN PROOF-TEXT BY STEVE FINNELL
The original proof-text for original sin is Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. (NASB)
Was David a sinner at conception? No. Was David a guilty of sin at his birth? No. David was a sinner only after he broke God’s commandments.
Psalm 51: 1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to your compassion blot out my transgressions. (NASB)
David asked God to blot out his transgressions. David did not asked God to blot out the guilt that he inherited from Adam. He did not ask God to block out the guilt of sins that he inherited from his mother and father.
Psalm 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. (NKJV)
David wanted to be cleansed from his sin. David did not ask God to cleanse him from original sin.
Psalm 51:3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. (NASB)
David did not transgress one of God’s laws by being conceived. David did not commit sin by being born.
Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. (NKJV)
David did not do evil by being conceived and being born.
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. (NASB)
David was conceived in a sinful world. David was born into a world filled with sinner’s. David was not guilty of the false teaching of original sin.
Psalms 139:13-14 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. (NASB)
God formed David in his mothers womb. God did not create David guilty of Adam’s sin nor guilty of anyones sin. God does not create sin. How could a sinner be wonderfully made?
Genesis 1:27 God created man in His own image , in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (NASB)
God created David in His own image. Is God’s image that of a sinner? David was created innocent of sin just like every person that God creates today. All men are created in God’s image.
Mark 10:14 …”Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (NASB)
Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to children. Did Jesus mean the kingdom belongs to dirty little sinners who were guilty of Adam’s sin at conception. Did Jesus mean that children who were sinners at birth belong in God’s kingdom.
If the false doctrine of original sin is true how did these children have their sins wash away. Jesus gave this command after His death. Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved…). Small children and infants are not guilty of sin.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,(NASB)
Men will go hell because of the unforgiven sins they commit. Men will not go to hell because they were sinners at conception. Men will not go to hell because they were sinners at their birth.
Men will not go to hell because they are guilty of Adam’s sin.
Men will not go to hell because they are guilty of a false sin.
The doctrine of original sin is a false doctrine invented by man and perpetuated by the uninformed.
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
Hi Steve,
I believe that our Father had settled this matter in the days of Ezekiel. He speaks through Ezekiel and explains the error in believing the doctrine of original sin – “where one pays for the sins of the ancestors” close to 2500 years ago, far before Paul, when He says –
Eze 18:1-20 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD. If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour’s wife, Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like, That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour’s wife, Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity. Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
I hope you haven’t directed this point at any of the studies that are there on this blog, as I do not believe I have ever agreed with the doctrine of Original Sin.
Be a blessing to all around you!
Please read Genesis 3:15. All humanbeings are descendants of Adam and Eve. Adam was NOT born but created by God as a MAN and later Eve as a mate – both sinless and partaking of the Tree of Life. They were both warned by God NOT to go near the Tree of knowledge of good and evil. But they disobeyed and thus became rebels and the SEED of Satan. We are all from the seed of Satan. It is written twice that every imagination of the thoughts of the heart of man is ONLY EVIL continually from his YOUTH . So you and I are evil and need a Saviour. …
Dear Sebastian, I do believe the inclination of all humans (at least in our flesh) is to sin. Was there a question behind the comment you have made?
Be a blessing to all around you!
Actually God never changed unclean meat to clean meat at all and as always the scripture above that you have presented to declare that all foods have been declared clean has been taken out of context. This can be backed up with sound scripture and science of this scriptural truth. http://biblelight.net/unclean-foods-jesus.htm There are also other parts of the New Testament declaring that we shouldn’t be eating the blood of animals and more for a very explicit reason. https://youtu.be/uSjkpiV8xUA
Dear Mrs Godfrey,
I am a bit confused by your comment… Are you saying that I have presented Scripture to prove God’s Law of unclean meats are no more? God forbid! His word is unchanging… His Laws stand till Heaven and Earth exist. In the post on Mark 7:19, I have merely argued that Christ did not change God’s Law of clean/unclean.
I hope you have read the post
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Thanks for your response. I was just reading a comment on original sin of the human race and then it came to my mind the Word of God in Genesis.
Every human being born is having the inherent problem of sin and will manifest from his YOUTH and all parants know this. There is no perfect child on earth. We need a second birth ie to be born again or born of God. The expected standard of the Heavenly Father is so high. ” Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect ” again -“Walk before Me and be thou perfect ” God told to Abraham
I’m studying on whether we need to observe the Mosaic Law, and came across your blog, thank you for sharing your insights. A question I couldn’t find an answer regarding Acts 15, I wonder if you have looked into it too:
Acts 15:5: But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
…
Act 15:24: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment
…
Act 15:28: For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29: That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
My first question is, does the scripture “Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment” means they don’t need to keep both the circumcision and the Mosaic Law, or just the circumcision. (I suppose if that’s what they mean by no greater burden)
And if they mean the gentiles don’t need to be circumcised, isn’t that an example the apostles can instruct how Christians observe God’s law when “it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to (them)” (Act 15:28)?
Dear Amy, Thank you for this question. Acts 15 is definitely one of the most debated topics when it comes to God’s Law.
I wonder whether you have read my post on this topic? see link below
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/gentiles-have-to-obey-only-4-commandments-misunderstandings-regarding-acts-15/
As far as I can understand, the whole argument was about whether new believers should be circumcised to receive salvation. As we all know Circumcision was not a requirement for salvation and not even part of Mosaic Law. This command was given to Abraham as a covenant – between him, his children and YHVH. (Not that circumcision is of no value). Circumcision is a big topic that I have not delved into yet.
Coming back to Acts 15 – the context from the chapter before, is that certain individuals taught new believers that they have to get circumcised to be saved. God’s Law needs to be kept by all believers, but who can make a beleiver keep God’s Law? The whole point is to obey it willingly – not because it is forced on you. Hence I believe, James did not want anyone to be forced into adhering God’s Law. He knew that every new believer would hear the law on the sabbath being read at the synagogues everywhere(Acts 15:21). No one is forced into circumcision or obeying God’s Law – it is totally upto them to do or not do. The 4 laws of Acts 15:29 taken from Lev 17 & 18 were serious to the extent that it was specific in saying anyone who did these would be cut off from God’s people. Hence the new believers were asked to let go of these 4 things before they came into the faith.
Please write to me again if anything is unclear or you have more questions.
Be a blessing!
Shalom and good morning. I’m writing to yo from Hudson,Fl. This is the first time I have heard from you and this is my first contact.
I just finished reading one of your articles about the different names that the first Jewish believers where called.
Jewish believers in Yeshua where recognized as such during time by different names like Christian Jews, Hebrew Christians, Jews for Jesus and lately also Messianic Jews as the Messianic Movement is growing around the world.
” Can you tell me what were the Jewish believers called after the name “Christians” came into the picture? ”
I’m sure that you already guessed that I’m a Jewish believer and call myself a Messianic Jew and use the Hebrew name of Yeshua instead of Jesus and Messianic Congregation instead of Church, etc. and by doing so I feel more closely to the Jewish roots and try to honor their correct name. Kindly understand that I don’t think of myself above my Gentile brothers believers.
Many blessings to you,
Gerhard
Dear brother Gerhard,
Delighted to hear from you. According to Luke’s writings, we know that believers were called “Christians ” for the first time in Antioch. Since you have read the post, you must know that the word Christian was used only 3 times in the whole New Testament. Once when Luke mentions it being used in Antioch. Once at Paul’s trial by Agrippa, and once by Peter. I believe “Christian” was a derogatory term used by Gentiles to refer to ones who believed in Christ. Reading 1Pet 4:16, this should become clear as Peter says that when you suffer as a “Christian” – don’t be ashamed!
I believe that the 1st century congregations never called themselves Christians. Paul introduces himself as being part of “The Way”. The Nazarenes was the other title as believers of Messiah were regarded only as a sect of Judaism and not a new religion.
I would not call our belief a religion at all. As far as I can tell brother, these are the only words titles that are provided in the New testament writings.
As Paul said both Gentile & Jew together are one in Yeshua. I consider myself a Gentile who has been grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel. I am a gentile no more. I am part of our Heavenly Father’s people – Israel.
Lovely speaking with you… please keep in touch!
May you be a blessing to all around you!
Hi Ramesh
I am so blessed to read your blog, which I found last Sunday. You seem to have a good understanding of God’s Word. Can you please share your thoughts on the writings on this link captioned Through The Needle’s Eye?
http://www.heavensfamily.org/ss/ttne/ttne_intro
I will greatly value your input on this topic.
Blessings,
Sandya
Dear Sandya,
Thank you for your encouraging words. I have read the introduction section of the link you shared, called “Through the needle’s eye”. The author is discussing a very important topic – one which I myself have grappled with at times. This is how I see it.
First of all let me say, that I do not disagree with this author. Let me explain my view through the very story he uses – the rich young ruler.
The question put forth to Yeshua by this rich man was “what should I do to enter into eternal life”? to which Yeshua answers “Keep the Commandments”. The rich man asks again “which ones”? to which Yeshua answers by listing 5 out of the 10 Commandments followed by the “Golden rule” from Lev 19:18 – “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. (For some reason He left out all the commandments pertaining to God, the last commandment on covetousness and the 1st part of the golden rule – Love God with all your mind, strength & soul. That is a question in itself, which needs pondering on) Coming back to the story, the rich man answers that “I have observed all these things… what do I lack”?
Here Yeshua says again “IF YOU WANT TO BE PERFECT” then “sell all you have, give to the poor, so that you will have riches in heaven… and follow me”
What I noticed here was that Yeshua never asked the rich man to “sell all he had to obtain eternal life” – He simply said, keep the commandments. The “selling and giving to the poor” was connected to being perfect. It was going the extra mile.
Also, what I understood was that if you “love your neighbor as yourself” truly, you would share all you have with them, till you are no different to him/her in all aspects of life including riches. Basically you would not be rich, and the neighbor would not be poor, as everyone has the same amount of riches (like the 1st century church in Acts 2:44,45) This was definitely a high standard that Yeshua taught us.
I believe we need to strive towards such a life, where we care for others as much as ourselves. Where we do not gather riches for ourselves and try to build bigger houses, get better cars and the like. Don’t get me wrong, we need to take care of our families, our spouses and our children… but our care must reach out first towards our congregations and beyond – just like the 1st century congregation had everything in common. Is such a thing possible today? I am not sure. But it all starts with each of us. Being perfect before Him is not an easy act.
Hope I have been of help… and thank you for posing this question. If you think you haven’t received an adequate answer, or if you have some other questions, please don’t hesitate to write again.
Be a blessing to all around you!
Ramesh
Dear Ramesh,
Thank you, you indeed are helping me.
I am still pondering on this, so I do have two queries:
1) You say: The “selling and giving to the poor” was connected to being perfect. It was going the extra mile.”
My Query: Can you please tell me why you say the context is being ‘perfect’? In V 17 the context is how to inherit eternal life; v 23 Jesus then tells the disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God; in v 24 Jesus reiterates it again; in v 25 Jesus then gives an analogy, again the context is entering the kingdom of heaven; v 26 shows the disciples’ confusion “who then can be saved?”, so the context once again is salvation; v 27 Jesus then says “with God this (a rich man’s salvation/inheriting eternal life/ entering the kingdom of heaven) is possible”; vv 28-29 dialogue shows that those who leave home and loved ones for Jesus and the gospel will receive more in this eon and persecutions, and eternal life in the eon to come. Therefore the context of the whole story is “inheriting eternal life/ entering the kingdom of heaven/salvation”. Can you please tell me why you say the context is being ‘perfect’ before God?
2) You say: For some reason He left out all the commandments pertaining to God, the last commandment on covetousness and the 1st part of the golden rule – Love God with all your mind, strength & soul.
My thoughts are that: V 21 says Jesus loved him, and that’s because HE saw this man’s heart to please God, and his love for God, so he indeed kept the 1st golden rule, and that was why Jesus pointed out the one issue the man had, i.e. greed. Jesus said to sell all he has, give to the poor, “and come, take up the cross, and follow me. i.e. deny your ‘self’, take up the cross, then follow me, literally what he asks all of us do.
Given that Jesus referred to 6 commandments, I think they must be the ones that cover the 2nd part of the golden rule- love your neighbour as yourself. So I am more inclined to think that the words ‘defraud not’ in v 19 must be akin to covetousness. Greek word apostereo (Strong’s No 650) is what’s been translated as defraud here. Does this then mean that when we indulge in excess of what we need, we are defrauding (coveting) what must belong to others?
My Query: What are your thoughts on my thoughts above, please?
3. My query: the last but not the least, Ramesh, if the context is “inheriting eternal life/ entering the kingdom of heaven/salvation”, which it seems to me, then does greed oust one from “inheriting eternal life/ entering the kingdom of heaven/ one’s salvation”?
May you be richly blessed for your tireless endeavour of sharing your understanding of Scripture.
Sandya
Dear Sandya,
1)We know that it is Our Heavenly Father’s Grace and Messiah’s Sacrifice that allows us to be part of His Kingdom eternal. So why did Yeshua tell this rich man to do the commandments to inherit eternal life? The answer I believe is that no one can do anything by their own power to achieve eternal life – but what we can do, is to figure out what position we will have in the Kingdom. Basically we can be part of the ruled, or part of the rulers. We can have many crowns or none. Simply put, Grace saves us… but our position in the kingdom will depend on our works(obedience to God). This is what I mean by “perfection”. There are levels of authority in the Kingdom, which will be handed over to ones who are deemed worthy by the one true Judge.
We cannot save ourselves. As we are not perfect and many of us can’t keep His Laws perfect, let alone sell everything and give to the poor. But with God “Salvation” is possible, as it is given free to people with pure hearts even though they might be weak in flesh. As Yeshua said. a rich man will have a harder time getting into the Kingdom, as his heart is in his riches and not in God. But people who can do the minimum and at least be obedient, but not perfect can enter into the Kingdom through God’s Grace – with God it is possible.
People who have given up everything on top of being obedient to His Commandments, are the true followers who have loved God with their whole heart, strength and soul as well as loved their neighbors as themselves. They have achieved a perfection which will be highly rewarded. And they will be the ones with many crowns ruling in places of authority with Messiah.
2) I am in no way saying that the commandments which he left out are of no importance. For example I believe keeping the Sabbath is as important as not committing adultery. I am inclined to agree with your thoughts that he would have been keeping the 1st part of the Golden rule. I do not know if he was a greedy person… but his riches had a hold on him, so that he could not achieve perfection, above obedience.
I am not sure defrauding is the same as covetousness. I believe he had not obtained his riches illegally or by deception (which is defraud). And since he had riches he might have not even need to covet other peoples riches, as he would have had enough and more. Defraud is not seen in the same story mentioned by Matthew, but it is definitely not covetousness(G1937 from LXX). I believe defauding and covetousness to be different to each other. Desiring riches of other people (covetousness) can lead to obtaining it illegally (defraud). A good example would be David, who coveted Batsheba and defrauded Uriah.
3) I believe Greed cannot be part of a Christian’s life. We cannot covet riches or defraud anyone to get them. These are all part of basic obedience. Does that mean we will never have thoughts of covetousness? Does it mean we will never have thoughts of defrauding others? We must try our best not to act on those fleshly desires. I believe what Yeshua asked of the rich man is beyond covetousness and defraud. It is to give away all you have to the poor. To love his neighbour unconditionally and without measure – something Yeshua showed us by example. The more riches you have, the harder it will be to let go. The rich man chose riches over unconditional love to his neighbor. He chose a life of luxury than life of servanthood. I odn’t know how many of us can achieve this sort of perfection. The disciples of the 1st century church lived such a life. It was not a life of earthly riches, but heavenly riches. The more you shed on earth, the more you achieve perfection and higher you move up in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I believe when Yeshua said “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” he wasn’t specifically speaking of the rich man, and that he would not enter. What He was saying is that how hard it is for rich people to come into eternal life, as they are worried and occupied with this life. If you are occupied with this life, and the riches you have here, you have no reason for a life beyond. That is why the sick, poor, slaves, prisoners and such accepted the gospel so willingly, while people in power such as the pharisees had a hard time thinking of the life beyond.
Hope all this makes sense… and please understand that this is my reading and view. I may be wrong in some regards – we are all learning and hopefully moving past obedience towards perfection, so that we can sit with Him and rule as His Bride!
Be a blessing to all around you
Ramesh
Dear brother Ramesh,
Thank you so much for the work you have done on this site. I find it very insightful and very much inline with some work I have been called to do. The work that you have put into this as well as the sound information that you are sharing with others is indeed impressive, and I have no doubt you will be abundantly blessed. I also have no doubt that this good work you are doing will indeed produce excellent fruit. I certainly believe our Heavenly Father is well pleased with you and will call you faithfu servant. So, I just wanted to stop in and tell you to be encouraged, brother. Stand strong. Please, never grow weary in well doing. This is a work that is much needed especially in a time such as this.
Kathy
PS: I work to help bring the Body back into echad. As soon as my site is “ready for prime time”, I will try to remember to come back here and make it available to you and your dear readers.
Dear Kathy,
Thank you for the encouraging words. I have been truly blessed to have had my eyes opened to our Father’s Word, so I can share what I find with everyone around the world. How unworthy are we, to receive His Favour, but He has still given it freely. I look forward to visiting your site. I am truly thankful to YHVH for giving me a family from around the world.
May you be a blessing to everyone around you
Love and Shalom
Ramesh
My friend… I am so glad to have found this site of yours. I also have a primitive blog in its infancy stages…having been exposed to the truth thru actual bible study with no western theology guidance, and having had the chance to hear Nehemia Gordon and his Methodist pastor friend which further inspired me…I have been trying to express my views as they develop. It is so neat to hear you echo so many of my views and this is really inspiring to me because you are far more progressed in your writings and study
If you ever have a chance to leave me some input at my site it would be well received.
Shalom to you
“As YeHoVaH lives”
noothernamegiven.wordpress.com
Will surely visit! Be a blessing to all around you! Love and Shalom!
Shalom
Best explanatipns! Let us keep in contact, for the sake of present and future generations.
I have been reading your articles and want to thank you so much for putting up the website to present the truth in so many ways. I want to send these links; please, I am not trying to argue I only want to share. I understand there is a difference between Biblical “Judaism” and Rabinnical/Orthodox Judaism. I noticed that you have the Holy Days in accordance with Rabinnical Judaism, but please consider this. May you continue to be a blessing to those around you!
http://blog.therefinersfire.org/2015/09/2016-calendar-craziness.html
http://blog.therefinersfire.org/2015/02/why-is-hebrew-calendar-not-certain-part_9.html
http://www.therefinersfire.org/barley.htm
http://www.therefinersfire.org/aviv_search.htm
Dear Lynn,
Thank you for this. I do read this blog occasionally, and do agree with a lot of things they say. Regarding the Biblical Calendar, I do not follow the calculated Hillel Calendar – rather depend on God’s signs shown through both sun and moon. Hence, as I understand, the Biblical New year is calculated using 2 signs/witnesses. The Abib Barley and the New Moon. While I understand about the adding of the 13th month, this year Abib Barley was not found in Israel till April. (I follow the Karaites closely on this regard, as they do a Abib search around the fields of Israel). So somehow, this year the Hillel Calendar agreed with the 2 witnesses. That is why I celebrated Passover a month later than some. I would not call the others who celebrated it a month before wrong. I still believe we need to do our best in trying to figure out these things… as we are so removed from His ways. So “God-willing” He will look at our obedience in trying to do the best with the information we have. Thank you for being thoughtful! appreciate it. We have a whatsapp group of people from around the world who have contacted me, so that we can stay in touch and share thoughts and ask questions. Please let me know if you would like to join us. We would be deeply benefited by believers such as you.
May you be a blessing to everyone around you!
Yes, we are all trying to figure things out, esp. not coming from a Jewish background!
Is the whatsapp used on an iphone or smart phone? If so, I don’t have that kind of phone, only a simple flip phone. I do all my written corresponding via PC. But I will read more on your website and if I have questions I can write in. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Please do! Love and Shalom
I was doing some research and found this, two articles that you might be interested in. I certainly would not agree with most of this website, but it is interesting that they have these two related articles about the Law that sound as if they could have been written by Hebrew Roots/Messianic believers. It refers to the Reformers and Puritans obeying God (as if they really did in the way we understand now), but I think it does a great job of explaining the Law and our relationship with God/Messiah. Check it out and please, let me know what you think: http://vftonline.org/VFTINC/theonomy/worshlaw.htm
http://vftonline.org/VFTINC/theonomy/omni_law.htm#note23
Shalom & Keep up the Good Work
Interesting… Thank you for sharing!
Yes, I thought it was very interesting…if you mentally edit some of the errors and unnecessary parts like dominion theology references, and mentioning the US was not necessary (though true). It’s kind of strange that they can articulate the Law is the Word is Yeshua in the flesh so well, but fail to see that they are not actually doing it (keeping Sunday worship and other things the Reformers kept that was passed to them from the RCC). You have so many good articles on your website, all very articulate. I thought this article might give you some ideas for a future article(s), unless you already have one similar to it that I have missed. For myself, I always thought/believed in the back of my mind what the gist of the article is saying, but then being brought up in a Baptist church and Gentile world, it is not only watered down but outright denied, and I lost sight of it. For all the reading and studying from various Messianic websites, I don’t recall an article this specific that could help newcomers understand better. Just a thought ;-). Keep up the good work.
From: Bible things in Bible ways To: sunflowers777@ymail.com Sent: Friday, June 24, 2016 11:03 AM Subject: [New comment] Contact #yiv6713359137 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv6713359137 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv6713359137 a.yiv6713359137primaryactionlink:link, #yiv6713359137 a.yiv6713359137primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv6713359137 a.yiv6713359137primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv6713359137 a.yiv6713359137primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv6713359137 WordPress.com rameshdesilva commented: “Interesting… Thank you for sharing!” | |
Hi! We have emailed before on another subject. I love your blog and have learned a lot from it. I am still struggling with what most Sabbath Day keepers say the beginning of a new day is. There is no way that I could ever explain in my own words, mostly because I am still learning. But I was wondering if you would look at this site and tell me your thoughts on his take of understanding a new day, etc. His “logic” seems to be proven in Scripture as I understand it. Anyway, here is the link… http://www.isawthelightministries.com/daystarts.html
Dear Rebecca,
I read this article and a have also read a few other articles like this one before. But I am still not 100% convinced whether these conclusions are right… I have a feeling that the 24 Hour Day is sometimes mixed up with Daytime (I don’t know whether you understand what I am saying) as when we say “Day” it can stand for “Daytime” (Sunrise to Sunset) as well as a “24hr day” (Full revolution of the Earth). I am not saying that I am right and they are wrong… but I am not convinced yet – particularly because of 2 reasons – 1) Yeshua died around the 9th Hour (3pm) and was buried the same eve… Luk 23:54,55 says that the Sabbath drew on… meaning it was about to start… so it seems the Sabbath started in the eve. 2) The month is reckoned by the visible Moon Sliver which can be spotted properly only in the eve. So it makes sense that a 24hour day starts in the eve (just as our Gregorian Day starts at Midnight). Daytime starts with the Sunrise… there is no debate on that. But whether the 24hour day starts with a sunrise – I am not 100% sure. I will keep searching… and if I do find evidence towards changing my current understanding… I surely will. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
I’m afraid that I can’t agree with you on… well, anything really. Partially because Paul speaks directly counter to this philosophy many, many times and partially because if you actually READ the OT laws, they specifically state that they’re for the Hebrews looking to live in/keep the promised land. Context. And I see you have an article explaining how Hebrews doesn’t mean what people tend to think it means, but a similar look at Galatians is absent… which is odd since that’s the book where Paul REALLY blasts the people trying to impose Judaic law onto Gentile believers.
This is basically what the Pharisee Christians were saying, pretty much down to the letter. That is, you seem to be under the impression that all Christians are under the whole law of Moses, which you should know includes and involves circumcision. Again, Paul had a lot to say on this matter, including to Peter (who apparently ended up going over to Paul’s side of it). You literally have to throw out the writings of Paul if you want to follow this philosophy.
Dear Justin,
If you do have the time to read, please go through the following studies that I have done as well before you disagree with me.
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/examining-pauls-letter-to-the-galatians/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2015/08/01/paul-falsely-accused-of-breaking-gods-law/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/paul-the-misunderstood-apostle/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/paul-and-his-use-of-greek-philosophy/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/gentiles-have-to-obey-only-4-commandments-misunderstandings-regarding-acts-15/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2016/01/22/what-did-christ-his-disciples-paul-consider-as-scripture/
Be a blessing to all around you!
I’m afraid I still have to disagree with you. For one thing, if we do not need to follow Jewish laws in order to be saved, what is the reason to (since many are clerical in nature and, in a point you haven’t addressed, directed explicitly and directly at Jews living in the Promised Land)?
You said:
“Turning God’s Law/Word into a set of rules that can be obeyed to achieve righteousness/salvation was what Paul stood against, calling it “Works of the Law”. ”
What else, exactly, is the point of taking the view that you take? You acknowledge that salvation is only of Christ, yet insist that we should follow HIGHLY contextual Jewish laws. This makes no sense to me… especially since I’ve READ Leviticus and Deuteronomy, and I understand their context. You said it yourself:
“The Holy Spirit, was the guarantee of this fact. Paul explains that the Galatians who had seen the power of the Holy Spirit were to know that they had already received justification/son-ship through Faith, and had no need to justify themselves through the Law – especially Circumcision.”
You’re right about that. That is what Paul meant. So, then, I really do not understand why you take the stand that you do, that we are to obey laws not meant for us that do nothing beside lay a burden on those brothers who are prone to legalism. Colossians 2:16-17 is another issue for the Jewish-izing of the Christian faith: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Whether or not we observe Jewish laws and traditions are a matter of choice. As Paul said in Galatians, 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” The fact is, even if it applied to us (it doesn’t), the Mosaic law has little to do with what really matters: loving the Lord, and loving our brothers, and loving everyone above ourselves.
I’m afraid I still have to disagree with you. For one thing, if we do not need to follow Jewish laws in order to be saved, what is the reason to (since many are clerical in nature and, in a point you haven’t addressed, directed explicitly and directly at Jews living in the Promised Land)?
You said:
“Turning God’s Law/Word into a set of rules that can be obeyed to achieve righteousness/salvation was what Paul stood against, calling it “Works of the Law”. ”
What else, exactly, is the point of taking the view that you take? You acknowledge that salvation is only of Christ, yet insist that we should follow HIGHLY contextual Jewish laws. This makes no sense to me… especially since I’ve READ Leviticus and Deuteronomy, and I understand their context. You said it yourself:
“The Holy Spirit, was the guarantee of this fact. Paul explains that the Galatians who had seen the power of the Holy Spirit were to know that they had already received justification/son-ship through Faith, and had no need to justify themselves through the Law – especially Circumcision.”
You’re right about that. That is what Paul meant. So, then, I really do not understand why you take the stand that you do, that we are to obey laws not meant for us that do nothing beside lay a burden on those brothers who are prone to legalism. Colossians 2:16-17 is another issue for the Jewish-izing of the Christian faith: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Whether or not we observe Jewish laws and traditions are a matter of choice. As Paul said in Galatians, 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” The fact is, even if it applied to us (it doesn’t), the Mosaic law has little to do with what really matters: loving the Lord, and loving our brothers, and loving everyone above ourselves.
Dear Justin,
It is completely ok to disagree with me. 🙂
Let me answer your questions.
1.if we do not need to follow Jewish laws in order to be saved, what is the reason to? In one word – SIN. Sin is defined as transgression of the Law(1Jn 3:4). Meaning whoever breaks God’s Law is in Sin. Without the Law we would not know what sin is(Rom 7:7). Yes we are saved through the matchless blood of Christ… but after that if we don’t want to continue in sin, (as i see it) we must follow God’s Law.
2. Jewish Laws – I don’t see these as Jewish Laws. The Law is God’s Law. Yes it was given to Israel… but the Law was the terms of the Covenant for anyone who wanted to belong to it. Now the New Covenant is the Law of God written in our minds and heart. So I regard we must internalize the Law of God instead of removing it.
3.obey laws not meant for us that do nothing beside lay a burden on those brothers who are prone to legalism.
The Law (as you may very well know) in Yeshua’s time had morphed into a burdensome affair because of the Pharisaic Oral Law (also called the Traditions of the Fathers/elders). This is continued by the orthodox Jews to this day now written down in the mishnah. Legalism was “trying to earn salvation through obeying the law”. this is the difference – whether we do it to save ourselves or do it out of love for the person who gave us salvation.
4. Col 2:16-17
We all read this verse as if Paul is saying “don’t let anyone judge you because you ARE NOT adhering to laws of food/drink/festivals/new moon/Sabbath”. But could he be saying “don’t let anyone judge you because you ARE adhering to laws of food/drink/festivals/new moon/Sabbath”. If these are shadows of things to come in the future.. and not things done away in the past.. just my understanding
5. the Mosaic law has little to do with what really matters: loving the Lord, and loving our brothers, and loving everyone above ourselves – The Mosaic Law contains the Golden rule “Love your neigbour/ Love God”. In fact this was not something Yeshua created but something which was known by the scribes as we see in Luk 10:27. Also read – https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/is-love-all-that-matters-was-the-ten-old-commandments-overuled-by-two-new-commandments/
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
See, the thing is, you might not SEE them as Jewish laws… but that’s what they are. Deuteronomy is a matter of actual, legal, state-style law, and in Deuteronomy 4 it explicitly states that these are the laws that the Hebrews are to follow IN THIS LAND, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHOWING THEIR NEIGHBORS THE VALUE OF GOD. It is the Mosaic covenant. A covenant is a PROMISE. The promise, here, was “follow this law, and God will show you favor and help you to conquer and live in this land.”
It’s all about context, and you’re blatantly ignoring that. It seems to me that you’re advocating following the old laws despite not really getting what they are or what they’re for. Deuteronomy is a matter of actual, clerical laws to be followed as a nation. It involves crime and punishment, often by the entire community.
And you also say we should follow the Levitical laws, which tells me that you don’t get what those are for, either. They’re ceremonial; it’s a matter of clean vs unclean. Jesus makes us clean; clean or unclean is a matter involving worshiping at a physical gathering, a tabernacle which is the sanctuary of God among His people.
Do you really want to be “clean” as defined by the Levitical laws? Where do you draw the line? Eating pork is unclean, but touching a woman on her period (or anything said woman touched) also makes you unclean. As does having a wound that leaks puss. Which of these will you follow, and which will you conveniently ignore? How much money do you have to spend every year sacrificing grain and animals, and to what wilderness do you bring your goat to set it free carrying the sins of the people? Actually, the better question is, in this day and age how do you find a priest of the house of Levi to lay hands on the previously mentioned goat to confess the sins of the community onto, and to make the various sacrifices?
The same law that bans eating pigs and shrimp says all these things. Which still applies? The ones that are convenient for us to do? Because honestly, a woman just NOT TOUCHING ANYTHING WHATSOEVER for an entire week out of every month is TECHNICALLY possible to do in the modern world.
Either the laws still apply or they were for certain people at certain times. And no, you can’t say that the same laws that speaks against eating pigs also apply to sexual immorality; the former was penalized by uncleanness, while the latter was often punishable by death.
What I’m saying is, you’re laying a burden of Jewish ceremonial law on people who don’t participate in Jewish ceremonies. And yeah, clean vs unclean is a ceremonial matter.
God bless you, sir.
Dear Justin,
I don’t wish to argue you over these matters, as you seem to be convinced on what you understand. But let me answer your questions one last time (to the best of my ability).
Jewish Laws? I don’t think these are Jewish Laws or Israeli Laws as they are God’s Law. If we are not to obey His Law, then we must abandon the 10 commands as well. The 10 Commands IS the Mosaic Covenant – and if the Mosaic Covenant is not valid over our lives so is the 10 commands… and also the Golden rule written as part of the Mosaic Covenant.
Ignoring context – Was the law only for the land? If so, why would James have given instructions on following 4 laws from the Mosaic Covenant for the New Gentile believers who lived outside the land? Not eating food sacrificed for idols, not eating blood, not eating meat of strangled animals & Adultery are the contents of Lev 17 & 18 and were also over ones who are not native born. Hopefully you have read the link for this study that i shared with you before.
Deutronomy and clerical laws – true that there are judgements and punishments to be taken as a nation (which we cannot do without a system which runs under God) but there are many instructions which are personal in nature (not eating blood for example which is in Leviticus and in Acts 15)
Levitical and ceremonial laws – true that there are instructions for Levites and instructions for priests. instructions for the service of the temple. instructions for sacrifices(which cannot be done if there is no temple in Jerusalem). But there are some instructions for the common man as well… for example what i mentioned which is repeated in Acts 15.
Ignoring and picking and choosing – I believe we cannot pick and choose on God’s Law, nor can we force anyone to adhere to it. It is a personal decision which everyone makes. Sacrifices cannot be made similar to the time of Daniel where there was no temple. no levites. But that doesn’t mean we throw all of the instructions out. We do what we can do. What can be done.
Laying a burden – May God’s Law never be a burden. May the Law, the very words spoken by the mouth of God never be a burden to anyone. Since eating sacrifices made to idols, eating blood, eating strangled animals and Adultery as mentioned in Lev 17&18 are all advocated by the 1st Century church – if they are ceremonial in nature… are they not binding on us today? will that be picking and choosing? I am simply asking you to lay aside your pre-conceived ideas/notions/teachings and look at the entirety again. If you still disagree afterwards. that is OK. as long as you are convinced in your own heart. But please don’t pass judgement on other views that differ yours. There are things we agree on. And there surely will be things we disagree on. I see Paul as a person who edhered to God’s Law according to Acts 21:24. Many see him as a person who taught against the law (Acts 21:21). If clean vs unclean matters to God then, I believe it matters to Him today – that is if He truly does not change.
Be a blessing to everyone around you.
P.S. – Dear Justin, I will not post any more comments on this thread as I don’t want it to be a place where there are long arguments carried on. Please do write to me on my personal mail, if you do want to carry on this conversation. thank you for your thoughts.
Dear Ramesh
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5)
People will not understand your explanation especially when what their intention is not to clarify things but to insists they are the right one…
I do pray you keep the good works and it is a helpful matter to each and every one like me who believe the truthfulness of your thoughts…
May the good Lord keep blessing you!
Dan
שלוםwe are from Horeb the biblical Hebrew school India we are Hebrew lovers thorah observers and messianic we have visually challenged and hearing impaired students learning biblical Hebrew we love srilanka we know the importance of the land tharsh we pray the country srilanka
Dear Felishia,
Shalom! May you be a blessing to everyone around you!
We are from Horeb biblical Hebrew school India we are Hebrew lovers thorah observers and messianic we have visually challenged and hearing impaired students learning biblical Hebrew thank you for your wonderful awesome messagesיברכך השם
How about a study on the millenium, concentrated on the Historical Pre mil idea and amillenial.
Dear Leon,
The Millennium is such a vast subject along with prophecy that I have yet to really do a deep dive on it. But will surely do… Thank you for the request. Shalom
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Dear author,
I spotted a inaccuracy in your article
“2000 years of Christianity : what happened? – Part I – 30AD – 300AD”
It is reported that Origen was excommunicated by Western church but not from the Easter and so he gain reputation as father of Orthodoxy.
This is quite wrong, as the official statement of the Eastern Orthodox church is that Origen is not a father of the church, but also anathematized his teaching from the fifth ecumenical councils (553), and him personally at the seventh ecumenical council (787), that both of them are recognized and accepted.
He maybe had an enormous underground influence in both west and east church, but he was not recognized as father of the church.
Thank you Konstantinos,
I have taken parts of this study from several books and this particular one is from a book called “The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History” by A. Kenneth Curtis, J. Stephen Lang & Randy Petersen. They produce Willet Studios, Philadelphia PA as the source for the information. But I will do some more study into this particular part and revise accordingly. Thank you for bringing this to my notice and hope there were no other errors in the article.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Hello, love all your work brother, very biblical and challenging and I love how you present it. You have certainly challenged me in beautiful ways. I have messaged you before awhile ago but this time I have a request, if you are able to please do an article in Hebrews 4 when it talks about entering His rest please.
Love you and God bless.
Dear Tim,
Thank you for your encouraging words. While I have not done a separate study on Hebrews 4, there is a study on the blog covering the full book of Hebrews. Please see https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/old-covenant-abolished-by-new-covenant-part-ii-does-the-book-of-hebrews-prove-that-the-old-covenant-is-no-more/
Question, why “Yeh” when we have so so many examples of “YaH”?
Dear RM,
The short answer is that the vowel that accompanies the Yod is a sheva and not a qamets. This is what makes the difference. Also the vowel that accompanies the Vaw is qamets. So with those pronunciations we can conclude “Ye” at the start and “VaH” at the end. Yahweh has no scriptural basis according to Hebrew. But the most important thing is not to argue on these matters, but to inform others that God does have a name.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Question, why “Yeh” when we have so so many examples of “YaH”?
Dear Brother/Sister,
The short answer is that the vowel that accompanies the Yod is a sheva and not a qamets. This is what makes the difference. Also the vowel that accompanies the Vaw is qamets. So with those pronunciations we can conclude “Ye” at the start and “VaH” at the end. Yahweh has no scriptural/textual basis according to Hebrew. But the most important thing is not to argue on these matters, but to inform others that God does have a name.
And also remember that there are so many names in the Scriptures that start with “Yeho”.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Hey, very nice site. For me, currently, the most difficult passage in the scriptures is 1 Corinthians 15:28: *[1Cor 15:25, 28 KJV] 25 For he must reign, **till** he hath put all enemies under his feet. … 28 **And when** all things shall be subdued unto him, **then** shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, **that** God may be all in all.* It isn’t that it is that hard to understand but to my knowledge there isn’t any information in the scriptures about what happens when God is “all in all”. And to complicate matters further, as a preterist, the last enemy has already been destroyed so as far as I understand things, the “all in all” time has arrived and there are no instructions. I’m actually wondering if the denouement of the scriptures is universalism after all. If Hades has been emptied and death has been destroyed then perhaps there is no need for instructions because all will ultimately be saved! At any rate, if you have the courage I would love to hear your honest thoughts about the passage. To date I have been unsuccessful in locating a person of mental fortitude sufficient to even seriously ponder it.
Hi,
I believe Paul is drawing on the Old Testament Scriptures heavily in this section. Verse 25 is a conflation of Psalms 110:1 and 8:6… this is then quoted in verse 27 and expounded on.
Verse 26 speaks of the last enemy that is yet to be destroyed…. death
Verse 27-28 then draws on Zech 14:9 (God will be one) and Dan 7:14(His dominion will not pass away). In the coming Kingdom of Christ everything will be fulfilled. His Eternal Rulership with His people will ultimately merge with God the Father. This maybe the 8th Day spoken in Revelations. This sums up the Resurrection, leading Paul to the next area fighting for the idea of resurrection.
I believe there maybe much more meaning… but this is what I have understood of his words.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
The Zech 14:9 passage sounds interesting, thanks!
Can you send me updates on your teaching
Dear Andrew,
Please click the follow button on the right hand side of the page and leave your email to subscribe. You will get an email when there is a new study/post.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Good night brother in Yeshua. I’m a follower of your page. As you volunteered to elucidate biblical doubts I am sending you one of them that is in the passage of Matthew 11: 12-14, the question is: – what would it take to take the Kingdom of Heaven by force?
– How is John the Baptist Elijah to come?
For many years I have been studying the Scriptures self-taught. My family comes from Catholic tradition, but then I went through Protestantism, Adventism and finally I came to the movement that seeks the restoration of the roots of faith that was in the first century and that was in the “Way.” I believe that Yeshua did not come to revoke the Torah or the Prophets as many believe. But confirm obedience to your Father. And much less create new doctrines, dogmas, traditions and human commandments. On the contrary He fought such things when they transgressed the written Torah. Well, I will be very glad if you can count on your help in this purpose. Peace and may the Lord continue to bless you for your work. Thank you.
Dear Raymundo,
I believe these verses are misunderstood for the most part as the Greek is a little difficult here. The Greek words for violent happens to be here and in Luke 16:16 where the same verse appears. And I believe it is mistranslated. If you read the Hebrew Gospel of Matthew and it’s translation, this is how it shows the same few verses:
From his days until now the kingdom of heaven has been oppressed (and senseless persons) have been rending it. For all the prophets and the law spoke concerning John. If you wish to receive it, he is Elijah who is going to come.
Hope this provides some sort of path in your research…
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Good evening dear Rameshdesilva, Here I am, bringing more doubts about the scriptures. I would like to know your understanding and interpretation regarding the passages in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30 and Luke 21:32. It seems that there is some translation misunderstanding when he seems to say that that generation would witness all the facts that would occur at the second coming of the Messiah. In fact it seems that this fact is one of many reasons for criticism of those who did not receive it as anointed by the Eternal since that prophecy was not fulfilled. If you already have any article written about it just let me know the link. Thanks again. Shalom.
Dear Raymundo,
I think the question lies on the meaning of “Generation”. The word used here is Genea (Please see the meanings of the word below) I think it may have referred to the Jews as a people (a race)… that the Jewish nation will not die off till all of this comes to pass.
G1074
γενεά
genea
Thayer Definition:
1) fathered, birth, nativity
2) that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
2a) the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
2b) metaphorically a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
2b1) especially in a bad sense, a perverse nation
3) the whole multitude of men living at the same time
4) an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a space of 30 – 33 years
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Thank you.
The most helpful and convincing passages I have found that explain what Matthew 24 et al are speaking about starts in the promise God made long, long ago to punish Israel for their sins. He said “their doom comes swiftly”:
[Deu 32:32-36 ESV] (32) For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison; their clusters are bitter; (33) their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps. (34) **”‘Is not this laid up in store with me, sealed up in my treasuries? (35) Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’** (36) For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.
It was this promise to which Peter refers:
[2Pe 3:8-10 ESV] (8) But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9) The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Jesus said that his own generation would not completely pass away until the “stored up” wrath would finally be administered:
[Mat 23:33-38 NLT] (33) Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell? (34) “Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. (35) As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time–from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar. (36) I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation. (37) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. (38) And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate.
[Luk 21:20-24 ESV] (20) “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. (21) Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, (22) for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. (23) Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. (24) They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
This all occurred almost precisely forty years later when Rome destroyed the Jewish temple (effectively ending the Sinai covenant), destroyed Jerusalem and killed over a million Jews.
The day of the Lord was the end of the age, not the end of the planet:
[Mat 13:39-40, 49 ESV] (39) and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is **the end of the age**, and the reapers are angels. (40) Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. … (49) So it will be at **the end of the age**. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
[Mat 24:3 ESV] (3) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming **and of the end of the age**?”
[Mat 28:20 ESV] (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, **to the end of the age**.”
For more information I highly recommend “The Preterist Research Institute”:
http://www.privideos.com/search/?q=olivet+discourse+%231
Thank you too.
Hello, I went to the website you noted below, and listened to the first video #1 Response and Refutation of Brock Hollett and he says that the Temple in 70 AD ended the Mosaic Law. I didn’t think that is what you teach since you observe the Sabbath (unless I am getting you mixed you with someone else)?. Do you teach that the Law has ended or not?
Dear M,
I don’t believe I have posted the video you have mentioned. Think it is another person in reply to some question. Have not seen the video myself.
And no I don’t believe the Law was ended with the destruction of the temple, as there is no Biblical basis for that view. One may say the laws regarding the Temple have temporarily halted…. I would agree with that view. But not the rest of the Law for sure… It will be in effect till the end of days.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
ramesh, I notice that you appeal to the KJV of 1 John 3:4 which “defines” sin as “transgression of the law”. I would argue that that is only true for those who are under (beholden to) the law. In other words, when Cain killed Abel he was sinning but, since he was not under (beholden to) the law his sin was not a transgression of the law.
In fact, Paul argues that the law was given specifically to turn “sins” into “transgressions”. A “transgression” is a violation of law but a “sin” is only a “transgression” if there is an applicable law. Law is the power of sin.
This is Paul’s very argument here:
LEB Romans 5:
12 Because of this, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned. 13 **For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not charged to one’s account when there* is no law. 14 But death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who is to come.**
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Ro 5:12–14). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
In fact, Paul says that the law was given specifically to increase transgressions (by turning sins into transgressions)!:
>[Gal 3:19 CSB] (19) Why then was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.
So gentiles have, like Adam and because of Adam only one transgression:
LEB Romans 5:
14 But death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who is to come. 15 ⌊But the gift is not like the trespass⌋, for if **by the trespass of the one, the many died**, by much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, multiply to the many.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Ro 5:14–15). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
So one trespass/transgression of the command “Thou shalt not eat…” was countered in Christ by one obedience.
But Paul says that law was added to multiply transgressions so that grace is, for those under the law (the Jews from Sinai until the end of the age in 70ad only), they had many, many transgressions and so the one gracious act of obedience by Christ “super-abounded” over many, many transgressions.
So they typology of Paul goes like this:
* one transgression (by Adam) was countered by one obedience (by Christ, to God, all the way to death)
* one obedience countered many transgressions (for those under the law)
LEB Romans 5:
16 And the gift is not as through **the one** who sinned, for on the one hand, judgment **from the one sin** led to condemnation, **but the gift, from many trespasses, led to justification**. 17 For if **by the trespass of the one man**, death reigned **through the one man**, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life **through the one**, Jesus Christ. 18 Consequently therefore, as **through one trespass** came condemnation to all people, so also **through one righteous deed** came justification of life to all people. 19 For just as through **the disobedience of the one man**, the **many** were made sinners, so also through **the obedience of the one**, the **many** will be made righteous. 20 Now **the law came in as a side issue, in order that the trespass [IE: “transgression”] could increase**, but where sin increased, grace was present in greater abundance, 21 so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Ro 5:16–21). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Paul then feels compelled to clarify that the goal of the law was not to increase sins but rather:
* to reveal mankind’s hopeless addiction to the cravings of their body and mind
* to illustrate the grace of God’s power even in the face of many transgressions
* to create despair that drives the sinner to seek the metaphorical “washing in blood” at the throne of grace, where sins are forgiven and righteousness is produced by the “breath of life”:
LEB Romans 7:
5 For when we were in the flesh, sinful desires were working through the law in our members, to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the law, because we* have died to that by which we were bound, **so that we may serve in newness of the Spirit** and not in oldness of the letter of the law.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Ro 7:4–6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Dear Brother/Sister,
Yes. I Believe that Sin is transgression of the Law and everything you mentioned on Paul’s explanation. The Law is what describes a Sin to be wrong. In fact the Law is there for us to know wrong from right. For us to know what is Sin. (Rom 7:7). And everyone who calls him/herself a part of God’s Covenant, has to live their life according to God’s Law.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
My views about the new covenant are more difficult for some. The new covenant, like the Sinai covenant was made only with the Jews. God has no covenants with gentiles. And the new covenant ended along with the old covenant circa 70ad.
The Sinai covenant was made with the Jews at mount Sinai in the wilderness on their way from Egypt to the promised land. Of course, they immediately broke the commands and ever the physical tablets!
The new covenant was also made with the Jews only, to deal with the transgressions committed under the first covenant:
[Rom 9:4 YLT] (4) who are **Israelites, whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the lawgiving**, and the service, and the promises,
[Rom 3:19 YLT] (19) And we have known that as many things as the law saith, to those in the law it doth speak, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may come under judgment to God;
[1Co 9:20 YLT] (20) and I became to the Jews as a Jew, that Jews I might gain; to those under law as under law, that those under law I might gain;
[Gal 3:10, 23 YLT] (10) for as many as are of works of law are under a curse, for it hath been written, ‘Cursed is every one who is not remaining in all things that have been written in the Book of the Law — to do them,’ … (23) And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed,
[Gal 4:4 YLT] (4) and when the fulness of time did come, God sent forth His Son, come of a woman, come under law,
[Jer 31:31 ESV] (31) “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
[Heb 8:8, 13 ESV] (8) For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, … (13) In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
[Heb 9:15 ESV] (15) Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since **a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant**.
Both the old and new covenants ended at the end of the Jewish theocracy:
[Heb 8:8, 13 ESV] (8) For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, … (13) In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And **what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away**.
[1Co 10:11 ESV] (11) Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, **on whom the end of the ages has come**.
[Heb 9:26 ESV] (26) for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all **at the end of the ages** to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
This is why the new covenant meal was to continue only until Jesus returned to visit judgment upon the temple, Jerusalem and the unbelieving Jews:
[1Co 11:26 KJV] (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death **till he come**.
Now that the Sinai covenant is destroyed there is no more need for the new covenant. The gentiles (including Jews) are justified by faith apart from Torah altogether:
[Act 13:38-39 KJV] (38) Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (39) And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
The Covenants were made with Israel, but remember that there were a mixed multitude of people who left Egypt to become part of the people of God. These people lived and adhered to God’s Command written under the second set of tablets.
There are quite a few posts on the Law on the blog:
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2017/02/25/was-the-law-changed-misunderstandings-regarding-hebrews-712/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2015/12/26/was-gods-law-blotted-out-and-nailed-to-the-cross-misunderstandings-regarding-col-211-17/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/law-of-god-law-of-moses-2-laws-or-1/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2015/08/01/paul-falsely-accused-of-breaking-gods-law/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/should-we-stone-sinners-if-we-obey-gods-law/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/is-gods-law-a-curse/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/10/26/is-it-law-vs-grace-and-faith-vs-works/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/defining-the-terms-sin-law-grace/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/how-can-the-old-covenant-be-abolished-if-the-ten-commandments-are-not/
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/can-god-his-word-or-his-covenants-change/
for a start…
Hi dear Rameshdesilva, Shalom !!
One question that has always intrigued me is the satisfactory interpretation in Luke 16: 19-31. I think this is one of the most important teachings of the Messiah because it is directly linked to the message of the good news. But first I want to record some weights. I believe that our soul is the junction of the breath of life, the spirit that gives life, and the dust, the body or the visible physical part of our soul. And that after our death the body returns to dust and the spirit to its Creator (Ecclesiastes 12: 7). So we undo what we know as a living soul. We know that God is spirit (John 4:24). And before forming us from the dust (Genesis 2: 7), He created us His image after His likeness (Genesis 1:26). Well, and God being spirit implies that we were created with spiritual attributes (not shown and similar to God) as the ability to create, feel, reason and remember (Exodus 2:24) among others. After his death, Lazarus was taken by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. If the dust returns to the dust, it is understood that this part was essentially spiritual, with a memory of our existence, which was carried by the angels. Yeshua says that he who listens to his word and believes him who sent him, has eternal life, does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24). And confirms the words of God Himself to Moses when he said “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that is God of the living and not the dead” (Matthew 22: 31-32). I believe that these two messages are related to the destiny of the righteous before God succeeding thus with them what happened with the example of Lazarus. I think that in the teachings of Yeshua there is no room for untruthful facts or fictions as many try to suggest as it is only a parable. See, I am speaking of a spiritual resurrection, of the salvation of the righteous after his death, which I believe harmonizes with the message of the good news of Yeshua. I await your wise thoughts on this simple personal opinion of a subject so complex and comprehensive and not exhaustive here. Thank you.
Dear Raymundo,
Have you read below:
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/the-parable-of-the-rich-man-and-lazarus/
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
The Bible tells us that there are 12 tribes of Israel, that is Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebbulun, Joseph and Benjamin. It also shows us that the tribe of Joseph is made up of 2 half tribes, that is Manasseh and Ephraim. This shows that if you count the tribes of Israel and count the tribe of Joseph, you already counted it half tribe Manasseh, but if you read the book of Revelation in chapter 7 ,the Bible is having the counting of the 12 000 in each tribe of Israel and Manasseh is counted as a tribe and Joseph is counted as another tribe and the tribe of Israel called Dan is not counted. Can you please tell me why is it like this if you know?
I have seen an informative video on this by 119 Ministries:
Is it true that the word amen comes from the Egyptian god Amun-ra, can you please give me some knowledge if you can?
Dear Ayanda,
I don’t believe we can say they are connected just because they sound alike. 2 different countries and 2 different languages may have words that sound similar which have no connection at all. If it was from an Egyptian God and should not be uttered, I don’t believe Messiah Yeshua would have done so in Mat 6:13.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
My wife and I are in Ecuador teaching from the US and wanted to know if you have a Spanish version of your teachings or website.
Thanks, David
Dear David,
May YHVH help you both in your service. Sadly, I do not have anything in Spanish, But you are more than welcome to use any of the materials provided.
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Good morning sir!
Reconcile exodus 4 Israel is my first born and 1 cor 15 Yeshua is my first born. What does it intend?
Dear Michael,
Israel is the Firstborn in regards to all of the nations of the earth while Paul is speaking of Yeshua being the firstborn from all who have tasted death.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom!
I would like to get your lessons we are from Horeb the biblical Hebrew school in India
Dear Felicia,
All of the resources on this blog is free to be used.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom
Please What is the duration of YESHUA’S ministry on earth?
Hi Michael,
Even though many believe it was 3.5years, my understanding is that He served for 70 weeks as mentioned in Daniel 9. I believe He started His ministry after the Elul fast of 40 days and read the scroll of Isaiah at the coming of the Jubilee year and served for 16-17 months which puts His death right on Passover.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom
May you and your family be safe and stay healthy at this time. I have been blessed to find your blog.
Shalom!
May you be a blessing to everyone around you
1. Just personal curiosity are you a Hebrew by blood?
2. Have you written anything about Matthew 16:28?
Dear Leon,
No to both.
🙂
May you be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom
*Shalom just having a conversation with someone concerning *Bastrad*
*Even the Bible said their 10th Generation shall not enter into the congregation of the lord. *
Deuteronomy 23:2.*
Then please who’s a *Bastard*
And please Explain the quotation above.
Dear Michael,
The word “Bastard” is used in a bad way today. But this is the definition given in the Hebrew dictionary for the word used here:
H4464
ממזר
mamzêr
BDB Definition:
1) bastard, child of incest, illegitimate child
1a) bastard
1b) mixed population (figuratively)
1c) born of a Jewish father and a heathen mother or visa versa
I believe that this must be referring to sons born out of wedlock, because Gentiles who obey God are mentioned to be given a name and a place in the House of Yah in Isaiah 56.
May you be a blessing to everyone around you!
Shalom!
Is cannibalism and human sacrifice against the Law of Moses?
Hi Ayanda,
Cannibalism is eating of Unclean food according to Lev 11. There is a clear difference between birds, fish and land animals with Humans.
Human Sacrifice is also against God’s Law. Only the Ox, Sheep & Goat were part of the sacrifices made to God.
Compared to these Yeshua’s sacrifice is not a human sacrifice as no one is offering him against His will. Also, He is taking your place personally, and dying the death that should be rightfully yours because of your sin. This is applicable for all of us.
One could argue that the Catholics are eating the Flesh and drinking blood of Christ (both of which are against Torah) when they participate in communion. This was given as a remembrance and does not physically turn bread to flesh and wine to blood according to Catholic doctrine.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom
What if someone objects and says, “couldn’t the Most High forgive our sins and just give us the Holy Spirit instead of a substitute?”
What does dog mean in Exodus 11:7 and Matthew 15:26?
Hi Ayanda,
Dog in Exodus 11 is an expression to say that no one will say anything against the Israelites leaving Egypt and that there will be no objections against them leaving.
In Matthew 15 Yeshua is speaking of Gentiles. The dog is seen as an unclean animal similar to the Gentiles who live in uncleanness according to God’s Commands. This metaphor is seen again in the Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom
Hi, I made a post on Facebook concerning Matthew 5 – where it says to “love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” I proved that the Messiah was not abolishing Torah and that he was actually bringing people’s attention back to Torah.
Someone commented on the post and says the commands to be baptized, sell one’s possession and give to the poor, forgive one’s brother seventy times seven are new and are not in Torah. Says “all sins – even blasphemy against son of man – will be forgiven except for blasphemy of the holy spirit ( in the law there are several unforgivable sins – sins without a sacrifice).”
Baptism probably isn’t a new thing, as the Pharisees could not have come to be baptized if it was new. Also, the command to sell one’s possession isn’t a law, is it? Also, he says circumcision is a requirement if one wants to keep old testament laws, one has to be circumcised. Do you think some things have changed in the law? Or transposed?
Shalom,
Baptism as you have said, did not start with John “the baptist”. Baptism was a part of the life of any person living in Judea and even anyone who
visited the temple. No one could enter the temple grounds without being baptised in a Mikveh. Mikveh’s (Baptism pools) dating way before Yeshua
have been found in Israel. This means every Jew who had come to celebrate Pentecost as mentioned in Lev 23 were baptised before entering the Temple
premises. Baptism was also a main ritual that was a sign to say I walk according to the person I am baptizing under – a way of making disciples, in
other words. I have a study on this separately.
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/is-baptism-a-new-testament-ritual/
Selling one’s possession was spoken to specifically the young ruler in Mat 19. It was not a command as we see Peter clearly saying this in Acts. In
the 1st century church written in the book of Acts, we see many selling their possessions and sharing it with the community. But this was not a
commandment, as we see Peter explaining to Ananias in Acts 5:4 – It was his land and the money was his when he sold it. His sin was trying to look
like he had sold the land and brought the money to the church when he really kept some of it for himself. He was basically trying to look holy and
be praised in front of others and trying to compete with Barnabas as we read in Acts 4:34-37. This was never a command, but people did it
proactively. I wonder whether the person who is arguing that this was a command of Yeshua has sold all his possessions and given it to the poor?
Forgiving one’s brother seventy times seven – means to forgive someone who has true repentence. Look at the parable He tells right afterwards in
Mat 18:23-35. If we forgive others, God will also forgive us 70×7. If we do not do acts of repentance, that forgiveness is unavailable to us. There
are countless passages in the Tanak(Old Testament) of how God abundantly pardons the iniquity of His people who repent (Isa 55:7, Mic 7:18)
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – Many people think that this is some verbal abuse that we direct at the Holy Spirit. Maybe I should do an
article on this. Blaspheming the Spirit is defiant sin against God. Sin that you do knowing well that it is Sin. For such sin, there was no sacrifice or forgiveness in the Old Testament as is in the New Testament. Remember no one was forgiven because of sacrifices in the Old Testament(Heb 10:4), forgiveness was a free gift from God even in the Old Testament.
On Circumcision; remember who circumcision was handed over to… the Parents! Circumcision was a command which was done on the 8th day to a newborn boy. In addition, remember that physical circumcision always came after circumcision of the heart. (We see this in Abraham and the Israelites who entered the land).
Luk 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Nothing has changed with He who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. You can help a person hear if they have ears to hear. If they are deaf and blind to what God speaks in His word, what we can only do is to pray for them.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom
Thanks, I really appreciate this. Your articles have been helpful! May you increase in favour with the Most High.
I have always thought until now that all animals were good to eat but now after having this verse revealed to me in a whole new way I do not know and I am still confused our way to only eat certain animals?
As in my confusion I seem to find versus that point to yes you can and Some that point To no you can’t and for different reasons
Dear Vondalee,
I was in the exact place you were in once some verses were revealed to me as well. List down the ones that seem to go against God’s teaching and then try looking at the context of those verses. Once I understood the context and what “food” meant for the people like Yeshua and Paul, it makes a whole lot of sense. For example, when you say “food” you don’t immediately think of “Dog” or “Snake” or “Frog” or “Snail”. But if you live in a society that has those animals are in their menu, for them it’s food. In other words, we have come to look at food according to what we see in our society, rather than what the Word says. When Yeshua or Paul says food, they are not thinking of “Dog, Snake, Frog, Snail, Pig, Lobster, Crab, etc.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom
Hi Ramesh,
May God bless you and this blog.
Amen,
Greetings from a Brazilian in Finland.
Thaysa
Shalom Thaysa,
May you be a blessing to everyone around you
You have been a great blessing for my walk in loving Yeshua more and growing in knowledge.
I’m very curious brother Ramesh, what is your view of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will? On what basis does God choose people? I don’t suspect that you can give a satisfying view that do not derive from Molinism, Calvinism, or Arminianism… what do you think the word of God teaches clearly?
Thank you brother…
Dear Mac,
I believe Romans 9 gives us the best answer for this question. God is Sovereign and the Pharaoh is in His hands, and would not be able to lift a finger if God did not allow him to. But Pharaoh decides on his own to defy God. His defiance is used for the work of salvation to those who do come to God. I believe God holds his hand out to everyone as Paul mentions in Rom 10:21, if they choose not to take His hand, it is their own choice.
Be a blessing to everyone around you
Shalom!
Wow, the last exchange was almost a year ago, so I hope you still interacting here.
Recently, I’ve had a lot of trouble reconciling Lev 11 with Mt 15:11, which presents as Messiah saying, “A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth.” and Rom 14:14, where Shaul says, ” … NOTHING (not ‘no food’) is unclean in itself. …”
If you’ve addressed this on your site already, will you please direct me. If not (already discussed on your site), I’d really appreciate feedback/your thoughts about the apparent conflict between these areas of the Bible.
Thank you kindly!
Dear Eddie,
Your question reminded me to do a post on Matthew 15. Read through it and you will understand what it’s all about. I have done a post on Romans 14 as well.
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2015/07/15/food-laws-or-fasting-misunderstandings-regarding-romans-14/
Romans 14:14 actually should read “there is nothing common in itself”. If you want to know the difference between common and unclean, you can read the article below:
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2017/08/05/does-peters-vision-prove-we-can-eat-anything-the-difference-between-common-unclean/
Be a blessing to everyone around you!
Shalom
Amazing studies
Love to receive more
Am blessed through your lessons
From Horeb biblical Hebrew school in India