“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.” –The Apostle Paul (Galatians 1:6-7)
The word “gospel” means “good news.” But at some point, the Apostle Paul says, this good news can be turned on its head to become worthless, bad news. When Paul wrote to the church of Galatia, he was angered by the fact that some false teachers (often referred to by biblical scholars as “Judaizers”[1]) were preaching an entirely different gospel than the good news of grace. On the surface, they claimed to be followers of Jesus Christ, but they also taught that the ceremonial law, brought alongside salvation by grace, would provide many benefits to believers.
As Leon Morris explains, “The gospel Paul had preached was all right as a beginning, [these false teachers] apparently said, but to be mature Christians the law in all its fullness must be followed…. Apparently the teachers Paul was opposing placed the keeping of the law revealed in Scripture as at the heart of the Christian way, whereas Paul saw the gospel as emphasizing the reception of God’s free gift.”[2] In essence these Judaizers would take some of the “best” aspects of the ceremonial law, like circumcision[3] and observing special calendar days[4], and over-emphasize their value in the Christian life. In Paul’s mind, to add anything to the gospel of grace was not to be tolerated, as it eroded the entire foundation of the gospel, turning it into no gospel at all.
Paul was furious with these efforts to “enhance” the gospel with the law!
“Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?”[5]
In other words he’s saying, “Are you kidding me?! How in the world could you believe that faith alone saves you, but following the law after salvation earns you spiritual points with God?” The essence of the gospel is that once we are in Christ, there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do to make Him love us less.
In Paul’s teaching, grace is inextricably woven into the message of the gospel. Without grace, there is no gospel, no “good news.” A gospel without grace simply becomes a series of self-help principles and rules which, apart from grace, have no lasting effect on the heart.[6] Bill Gothard’s rejection of the biblical definition of “grace” has changed the entire meaning and practical outworking of the gospel. No longer is it about God’s unmerited favor bestowed upon the least deserving, but grace is defined in the Institute in Basic Life Principles’ Basic Seminar as “the desire and power that God gives us to do His will.”[7] So think about it—Is it really by the desire and power that God gives us to do His will that you are saved through faith? No! “It is by God’s unmerited favor you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”[8]
If we are trying to live our Spiritual life by a list of rules and principles, apart from an understanding of God’s unmerited favor and a dependence on the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul is firm in saying that we will alienate ourselves from Christ. “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”[9]
Why would Paul state this so strongly? Because a relationship with Christ is NOT ultimately about following the right rules, or about how spiritual we look to others, or even how much we’re showcasing God to the watching world. God doesn’t want us to pretend that we’re His model children so that we can make Him look good to the world. Many of us can relate to the often spoken or unspoken family rule that says, “Whatever you do, don’t say or do anything to make our family look bad.” God is not this type of parent! He wants an authentic, close relationship with us in the midst of our brokenness.
The Christian life is not ultimately about our spiritual achievements, or how we get through this world in one piece so that we can be the “perfect witness” without our hearts and lives ever being hurt or broken. But the gospel of grace is all about how perfectly God loves us through our imperfection and brokenness and how much He longs for a relationship with us in the midst of our weakness. Psalm 34:18 has been a verse I have clung to often through some difficult seasons of my life: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He doesn’t simply hold us at arm’s length until we get past our brokenness, but he holds us closely to his heart, choosing to enter into our pain and experience our hurts with us. Isn’t that why Jesus came? He entered into our world, allowing Himself to be hurt as we are hurt, so that He could carry our sorrows.[10]
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God’s throne is a throne of grace. Free, undeserved and unmerited grace! Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”[11] As we boldly approach God in a loving, unfearful relationship with Him, we are reminded of our undeserved mercy and His amazing grace time and time again.
This is the gospel of grace. It’s not a gospel of do’s and don’ts, a series of principles to be followed which if followed perfectly will always lead to success, and if followed imperfectly will bring God’s judgment. The gospel of grace proclaims that God’s un-worked for, undeserved favor is always extended to us, not just at the moment of salvation, but for the rest of our lives as we continue to walk with Him. Jesus has accomplished everything for us. There’s nothing left to do that He hasn’t already done for us. We are free to live our lives in joyous abandon, our obedience simply an overflow out of our love for Him and appreciation for His amazing grace.
This is truly “good news”!
[1] BibleGateway.com, Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary, http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionaries/dict_meaning.php?source=1&wid=T0001413(July 2011)
[2] Leon Morris, Galatians: Paul’s Charter of Freedom (InterVaristy Press, 1996) 26-27
[3] Galatians 5:2
[4] Galatians 4:10
[5] Galatians 3:3-5
[6] Colossians 2:20-23
[7] http://billgothard.com/teaching/grace/
[8] Ephesians 2:8-9
[9] Galatians 5:4
[10] Isaiah 53:4
[11] Hebrews 4:16
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Great post. I grew up in ATI as well, and I think Mr. Gothard's definition of grace is one of the biggest problems with his ministry. I think you explained why rather well.
beautifully written!
thank you Bev :D
Beverly, this is beautiful! Thank you for writing and posting. I long one day to bask in the full understanding of grace!
Amen! "Assuming" the Gospel is a very dangerous habit...
Very well written! Thank you!
I love this. You present the truth so clearly here!
This is such a good summation of the whole problem and solution!
God's amazing grace just gets sweeter everyday! Your article explains grace beautifully.
This was an excellent article!!!
Thank you, Beverly!
"The gospel of grace proclaims that God’s un-worked for, undeserved favor is always extended to us, not just at the moment of salvation, but for the rest of our lives as we continue to walk with Him."
Why is it so hard for believers to accept this?
If we are not too proud to accept the gift of eternal life, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God by GRACE... then how do we so quickly accept a lifestyle of "pleasing God/doing our part/keeping salvation" that is so man-centered and works-based?
It just seems so contradictory to me, but I hear it Sunday after Sunday.
Yes!!! Thank you!
I have been trying to reconsile God's grace with 1st John 3: 4-10 "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or knows him.
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are; Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
Great thoughts, Bev!
I truly believe that a lot of people have been damaged by well-intentioned teachings that end up being "no gospel at all." I love your paraphrase, “Are you kidding me?! How in the world could you believe that faith alone saves you, but following the law after salvation earns you spiritual points with God?”
John,
I think the New King James Version gives a hint -- its version of verse 4 begins "Everyone *who makes a practice* of sinning...". But even the one you quote says "No one who lives in Him *keeps on sinning*... *continues to sin*." Remember that John begins the letter with "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1:8) 1 John 3 can't be saying that we won't and don't sin, or he'd be contradicting himself.
It seems to me that, while we are judicially freed of sin when we're saved, there is a sense where God does a much slower work on us, focusing on different sins with different people at different times. For example, even when He frees someone instantly of their addiction to illegal drugs, getting free of their pornography addiction is a much more drawn out process. Christians are not instantly sinless, but from the time they are saved they are heading in the right direction. It may be a three steps forward, two steps back kind of thing, but they have turned toward Christ and away from sin.
It's not about being sinless. It's about whether you're heading toward heaven (saved) or not. It's also not about being well-behaved. You can give away everything you have up to an including your life, but if you're doing it out of pride or for some reason other than God's love working through you, you're still heading in the wrong direction. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
"If we are trying to live our Spiritual life by a list of rules and principles, apart from an understanding of God’s unmerited favor and a dependence on the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul is firm in saying that we will alienate ourselves from Christ" -Being saved by grace through faith is only part of the equation. He wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him beyond salvation. In John 15:14, Jesus makes it clear that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. And again in 1 John 2:3-4 we see that we can be assured that we know Him if we keep G-d's commandments. "The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;"
Also remember when someone went to Jesus and asked Lord, what are the work's of God? Jesus said' beleive on HIM who He has sent' This is the work's of God.
We do not live a life pleasing to God through our own efforts. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. (John 15:5) Our job is to be filled with Christ, so that He can work in us to enable us to do the work he has called us to. (Ephesians 3:19&20)
Notice how often our orders are in the passive voice: "be filled," "be transformed" "be strong." In the Greek it is even more clear that these are things don't *to* us, not *by* us. It is not our job to transform ourselves; our job is to look to Christ to transform us. When we are trying to "do good works," we are not looking to Christ.
Our obedience is evidence that we are listening to Christ. We keep His commandments because he *enables* us to keep them, not because we "try really hard." When we are within Christ, keeping his commands is no hardship, because it is what we want to do! Jesus said his "yoke was easy and burden light", and the reason it is so easy is that He has already done the heavy lifting, if you will.
Nothing we do of our own effort is of any merit. We obey Christ, not because we fear the law, and not because we are earning anything in so doing, but because nothing gives us more joy than hearing His voice and following it. To obey, in the Hebrew, in the Greek, and in the English, is rooted in the word for hearing. To obey is to hear, and to act on what you're hearing.
Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), and by the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). Just as our faith requires the work of the Holy Spirit, so does our obedience. If we have the one, we will have the other. A believer will demonstrate good works. But good works, as man defines them, are not alone evidence of God's presence. Only if the good works are done in Christ do they demonstrate true belief. If the good works are done through man's efforts, then they may benefit others, but they do not benefit self. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Good works are not good enough. Good works that result from Christ's love in us are the good works that John is talking about.
So in essence, what you are saying is that everywhere G-d instructs us to keep, do and observe His commandments; those are not actual commands that are applicable for us to obey and do today because we now have Christ living within us "doing the heavy-lifting" aka "keeping the commands for us?"
Not at all. The Law is still pertinent in terms of guidelines; what has changed is that we are not UNDER the Law -- we have been freed of it in a judicial sense. "In Christ there is no condemnation" (Romans 8:1), meaning no judicial punishment. The fear we have been freed of is the fear of punishment. (1 John 4) Legally, we have "kept" those commandments in the sense that Christ kept them and we are in Christ. He has paid that price, so punishment is no longer part of the whole scheme. It is in that sense we are not under the law.
But practically, we obey Christ because we love Christ, and because He is part of us. He has done the heavy lifting in paying the punishment, but the Holy Spirit also does the heavy lifting in making serving Christ a joy. Obedience is the fruit of the Spirit *living in us*. Obedience is a *gift*, just as love, peace, patience and all the rest are. We obey because the Holy Spirit gives us the self-control to do so, not because we make a great and heroic effort. The only effort we have to make is to remain within Christ, to keep on being filled with the Spirit so the Spirit may work within us.
When you are in Christ, obeying is no effort at all. The challenge is remaining in Christ, and not letting fear or the world turn you away from Him. Obeying Christ is not what the world wants you to do, and sometimes not what fellow Christians want you to do, either. Christian parents and friends can make demands or try to limit you out of fear or otherwise be outside of Christ in their advice to you or claims on you.
Gothard-following parents, for instance, might try to discourage their child from adopting, when the adoption is what God calls that child to be doing. Someone following Ezzo might feel they were sinning in cradling a sick child who is "resisting" his nap time when in reality, the parent is doing what God calls them to do. Etc.
While every Christian has direct access to the Holy Spirit, when we fear (or someone tells us) that we're "hearing the wrong spirit", often we can turn to the Law and know for sure what is right to do. And when we fail, we can trust that God will make it right (Romans 8:28).
People who have been raised in a legalistic system like Gothard's are often terrified of failure and have an inaccurate understanding of the Law, so they can feel they are most sinning when in reality they are most serving. The truth is, God calls us to obey while knowing full well we will sometimes fail, and he can handle that and work with that. Which, all together, means that when we seem to be most failing in a worldly sense -- in prison, unable to resist abuse, etc. -- can be when God does his greatest work through us. We succeed when our heart is in Christ, not when we "look good." Some people who look really good, who seem really successful at following God's word because they're rich and don't overtly sin and the like, may not be doing God's work at all, or only inadvertently.
The former drug addict who hasn't kicked his smoking habit, barely supports his family, is a bit of a slob, swears sometimes and doesn't dress well -- but knows he is a sinner saved only by the blood of Christ -- is a lot closer to God than the college grad raised in a Christian family who married as a virgin, supports his family's comfortable lifestyle and tithes regularly, but believes he does so well because he "tries harder." Guy number two is denying all that God has given him through his early environment and family support system, just for starts.
Anything we accomplish, whether it's following God's laws or making a good income, we accomplish because of what God has given us, not because of how hard we try. We obey God because He enables us to.
I'm not saying that we should strive to keep His commandments, in our own strength. As believers we are called to keep His commandments everyday, just as He kept His Father's commandments. "Legally, we have "kept" those commandments in the sense that Christ kept them and we are in Christ. He has paid that price, so punishment is no longer part of the whole scheme. It is in that sense we are not under the law." So are you saying that we no longer have to honor our parents? Because Christ kept them and we are now in Christ? or that we no longer have to keep the seventh day set apart? because Christ fulfilled that command for us?
"So are you saying that we no longer have to honor our parents? Because Christ kept them and we are now in Christ?"
No, I am saying we will honor our parents because we are in Christ, grounded in His love. Once we are saved, God continues to work in us to enable us to do good.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12 & 13
God enables us to *want* to do His work ("to will") and he enables us to *do* his work. It is God's doing, in us, every step of the way. Our job is to keep in Christ.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 2:17
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Jesus does not just "comfort our hearts" -- He enables us to do good works. The good works we do are His, in that He is doing them in us, and through us. Our job, insofar as we have a job, is to look to Christ. He does the rest.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5
The fruit we bear is good works, and we cannot bear that fruit except Christ gives it to us. It is Christ, beginning to end. He fulfilled the commands of the Law *for* us, and He will fulfill the commands of the Law *in* us. We cannot fulfill the commands of the law in any way, shape, or form. Only Christ in us can fulfill those commands. We cannot do anything *for* Christ. Christ does it all.
The Law of love is not identical to Mosaic law. It does not include any of the stuff pointing forward to Christ -- the sacrifices, the ritual cleansings, etc. And it does not include much of the stuff that served to set the Israelites apart from other peoples -- the circumcision, the food laws, never wearing blended fabrics and the like. What it includes is that summarized in Leviticus 19:18b, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD." It includes all the ten commandments except the Sabbath.
In Galatians 4:10, Paul scolds the Galatians for observing "days and months and times and years," which many commentators take to include the Sabbath, particularly when you consider that the Christians met on the first day of the week, not the last. Christians should attend church, of course (Hebrews 10:25), but we are not under the Sabbath laws. The rest of the Ten Commandments, however, are specifically repeated in the New Testament as applying to Christians.
God does not change, but how He interacts with His people has changed at times, and changed enormously. Part of that change is that we do not follow Mosaic Law. Neither did the believers before Moses, for that matter -- many of Adam and Eve's descendents had to have married sisters and other close blood relatives, in violation of the Laws of Moses. But they were not in violation of God's laws, since that was exactly what He intended them to do.
Even in the Old Testament, the most foundational "good work" was faith -- we know that many of the individuals listed in Hebrews 11 as a great believer was also a great sinner. But they trusted to the mercy of God, and they were saved by the grace of God, just as Christians are today. No one, at any time, has been saved by their own efforts. We are saved by the grace of God, and, while on earth, we are continually changed and brought closer to Christ by that same grace.
Have I mentioned Acts 15 under this particular article yet? Hmm, lemme mention Acts 15. This is where the church elders determined it was NOT necessary for NT believers to keep the OT law as a part of Christianity (especially if they were not Jewish). You mention the passage where Jesus states, "If you love me, keep my commandment(s)." If you read just a little further in that very same passage, Jesus clarifies: "This is my comandment, that you love one another." I believe this is specifically what he was referring to by "commandments". In a broader sense, it could possibly apply to all of Christ's teachings, which certainly did not include the entire OT law. If anything, Jesus eschewed the keeping of rules and statutes, requesting true heart worship, instead.
Paul later expounds upon both Jesus' teachings and the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15, in which only a few basic rules are given to believers. Paul explains that the law was intended to bring us to Christ, to show us our need for a Savior. Not necessarily to be kept, and certainly not by NT believers, but to bring us to Christ.
However, the Jews, and especially the Pharisees, missed the point they were blinded. Somehow, they decided it was all about keeping the law, vs. a relationship with God. Rather than realizing they could never perfectly keep the law, they decided to go even further, and add extra rules that weren't even in the law! Surely, this would give them merit with God!
WRONG! When the Messiah did come, a man with a blatant disregard for established customs and willfully ignorant of the proper way to keep the law, they knew such a man could not be of God. The Cornerstone became instead a stumbling stone to them, and they died in their sins.
Take a lesson from the Pharisees, and cease from your own striving. Enter into Christ's rest.
As I've mentioned before, Acts 15 contained only a few rules Christians were supposed to live by, in conjunction with Christ's law of love. Neither God, Paul, nor Church precedent dictates any more than that. It should be enough for us today. To add to that very short list is to entangled ourselves again with the yoke of bondage from which Christ has set us free. And that's not me talking, it was the Apostle Paul who said as much.
1 Tim. 1:6-11
"Some have departed from these (faith+love,vv3-5) and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
9 We also know that the law is made NOT FOR THE RIGHTEOUS
...but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel..."
Ah, and in reply to the inevitable question of "well, just who are the righteous?"
Rom.3:21-22
"...now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to ALL WHO BELIEVE..."
Also, I would point out that the Israelites specifically were commanded to keep the OT law. Not all of mankind in general. So, unless you are Jewish, I don't know why you would expect the OT law to apply to you. An important part of understanding Scripture is recognizing which parts apply to you, and which don't. Who was this particular instruction or promise originally addressed to?
Hannah: You assume that Jesus was only referring to the commandment which He just stated, which coincidentally is an “OT” commandment (Leviticus 19:18, 34)
Not only does he say commandments (PLURAL), but states that we should keep His commandments just as He kept His Father’s commandments. (Which commandments are those?)
You also state; “it could possibly apply to all of Christ’s teachings” –He states Himself in John 8:28, 38, 12:49-50, 14:10 that He didn’t come to speak or do anything on His own initiative, but only what the Father taught Him. “But the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.” To assume that Jesus was not only coming up with His own commandments and teachings, but also state that they did not include “OT” Law is a dangerous assumption to make. Jesus makes it clear that not even the smallest stroke of a letter of the law will be annulled until heaven and earth pass and all is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17-19) (Deuteronomy 4:2) Christ did not come to do away, abolish, suspend, change, annul or abrogate anything G-d the Father ordained, but rather establish, confirm and fulfill it. Furthermore, everything He taught was based and had the “Old Testament” Scriptures as its foundation, as that was the only written Scriptures and known Scriptures at the time. (Perfect example of this, is when he was tempted in Matthew 4 – all of his Scriptural rebuttals where based from Deuteronomy.) Although I agree that Jesus, brought to life, and taught what was at the heart of G-d’s instructions, it would be an error to assume that He brought a new “religion” or “new teachings”. In order for Jesus to bring “new teachings”, He would have to disregard, annul or suspend His Father’s own teachings. This is obviously not the case. G-d doesn’t change. His Word does not change either. (Malachi 3:6)
In Isaiah 2:3, Isaiah 5:24, Jeremiah 18:18 and especially Micah 4:2 we see that G-d’s law (i.e. “Torah” or instruction) is synonymous with His Word. G-d’s Word is eternal. (Psalm 105:8-9, Psalm 119:89, Isaiah 40:8, Isaiah 59:21, 1 Peter 1:24-25.) His laws are eternal. (Deuteronomy 5:29, Deuteronomy 12:28, 12: 32, 2 Kings 17:37, Psalm 119:44)
David: the Law is wonderful, eternal, delightful, truth, righteousness, perfect, right, pure (Psalm 119:18, 44, 70, 142, 151, 172, 19:7-8.)
Solomon: Commandment is a lamp and the law is light. (Proverbs 6:23)
Paul: the Law is holy, the commandment is holy, righteous and good. (Romans 7:12, 16) (1 Timothy 1:8) Walked orderly keeping the law (Acts 21:24) “according to the Way which they call a sect, I do serve G-d of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.” (Acts 24:14) “What matters is the keeping of the commandments of G-d.” (1 Corinthians 7:19) Keep the commandment without stain or reproach. (1 Timothy 6:14)
First Century Believers: “were zealous of the law” Acts 21:20. Ananias: “devout by the standard of the Law”
James: perfect law of liberty (James 1:25)
Peter: holy commandment (2 Peter 2:21) (2 Peter 3:2)
John: keep His commandments (1 John 2:3-8) (1 John 3:22) “love G-d and observe His commandments. His commandments are not burdensome.”(1 John 5:2-3) 2 John 1:6 “walk according to His commandments, the ones heard from the beginning”
The Commandments, Law, Torah were never meant to bring salvation, EVER. This is exactly what the sect of Pharisees were trying to impose in Acts 15:1. Not that a believer had to remain faithful to G-d’s Torah after salvation, but rather that they couldn’t be saved, or added to G-d’s people unless they underwent the ritual of conversion to Judaism. This is obviously against G-d’s Word. Salvation was by grace through faith, then just as it still is today. This is why Peter declares in verse 9 that there was no distinction between Gentile believers and Jewish believers; they were both cleansed by faith. And again verse 11, “we believe that we are saved through the grace of the L-rd Jesus, the same way as they also are.” This was always about salvation, not about the outworking of our faith through obedience. Abraham, the father of our faith; The ONE true faith (Ephesians 4:5 and Jude 1:3) was not justified by works of the Law but by faith. (Romans 4:3) He received the sign of circumcision, the seal of righteousness of the faith without being circumcised. (Romans 4:11) Now did Abraham stop keeping G-d’s commandments after He was justified and believed? Of course not! Genesis 26:5 “because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.” Paul reaffirms this in Romans 3:31 stating “do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.”
G-d’s Law was never intended to justify and bring salvation. His Torah is the only holy instruction for righteous living. It is the manual for the believer. And this manual was being taught every Sabbath in the synagogues. That is where believing Gentiles and ‘Jews’ alike heard and learned the Torah every Sabbath. (Acts 15:21) All the first century believers (Jews and Gentiles) continued meeting and worshipping in the Temple on Sabbaths. Acts 13:14-15, 43-44, Acts 14:1, 16:13, 17:2-4, 18:4, 19:8-10. Just as they did before Jesus’ death; Jesus Himself the chief example of this: Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, John 18:20, Luke 4:16.
Isn’t great to know He is the same yesterday, today and forever?! He didn’t decide His past teaching was wrong and messed up- so He’d have to come and correct/change it! His initial Word could stand forever! Torah does not mean “law”, it means “teaching/instruction” and is still good for reproof, correction & instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16.
In Acts 15, the church elders were NOT discussing the requirements for Salvation. That was already understood. They were discussing whether or not a Christian, once saved, would then have to be circumcised and keep the ot law. IF they had been discussing Salvation, it would then follow that the instructions given for all believers in Acts 15, are now a requirement for Salvation. The elders would have just added faith plus works to the Salvation equation.
Jesus did much more than bring in a new teaching (although he did that, too). He ushered in a New COVENANT! EVERYTHING changed at the foot of the cross.
Jesus did not annull the law, he fulfilled it. On the cross, he said, "It is FINISHED!" He did not say, "It is partially completed." The veil of the temple was ripped from top to bottom, symbolizing that man now had access to God!
To understand the Bible, you must understand it as one large story, and that story is the redemption of man. When you understand the law in context, that it had a specific purpose to serve, and it accomplished that, it makes much more sense.
I suggest you check out the book of Galatians. Here, Paul condemns the practice of beginning in the Spirit (Salvation through grace), but then trying to perfect your Christianity through the works of the law. According to Paul, this was no longer the Gospel. In fact, you are denying the blood of Christ which bought you! (Paul's words)
We now positionally enter into Christ's righteousness and perfect fulfillment of the law at Salvation.
I would submit to you, that not only are we saved by grace, but that we are also sanctified by grace. I believe it is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we yield to him, not something accomplished in our own human effort.
Again, I bring you back to Acts 15. There are only a few instructions for Christians in this passage, and these instructions were NOT for the purpose of Salvation. Salvation is a free gift, apart from us keeping any set of instructions.
Galatians calls what you are proposing, heresy.
Thank you, Hannah!
....but this might be a pointless conversation, y'know. =)
I find it very dangerous ground you tread, Hannah. For you to claim -and use your false understanding of Galations to "back you up"- that what Albertini is stating from the Word of the Almighty to be heresy, you are making a claim that we need to choose to follow either the Father or the Son. I think it is basic understanding that the two cannot contradict each other, as they are one, hence there is no way Jesus brought a "new teaching," or a new salvation as you claim.
However, I agree that the route this conversation is taking seems to be unprofitable, and time will be better spent in more study and understanding of the Word and the heart of our Father and Messiah.
Well, I am not alone :) The original church elders tread here, too.
Galatians 2:14 NLT
When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, "Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?
Way to go, Paul! And again, Paul is the one who called this "another gospel". Those are not my words.
Thanx Will. Point taken ;)
BTW, I'm not claiming Jesus brought a "new" Salvation. I'm claiming he brought Salvation. And yes, the appearance of Messiah, in and of itself, was a new revelation of God. It was "part two: what you didn't know about God up to this point", if you will.
Albertini, you gave us some verses/passages to think about. Here's a few for you, but surely you've seen them? =)
The Law = "the ministration of death" (2cor.3:7)
-Rom.3:20 "...through the law cometh the knowledge of sin."
-Rom.5:20 "...the law entered, that the offence might abound."
-Rom.6:14 "...sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
-Rom.7:4,6 "...you also have become dead to the law...now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."
-2Cor.3:6 "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
-Eph. 2:13-15 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Christ Our Peace, for He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace"
-Gal.3:2-3 "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?"
-Gal.3:10 "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
-Gal.3:12 "The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
-Gal.3:13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law..."
-Gal. 3:19 "What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come..."
-Gal.4:9-11 "now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain."
-Gal. 5:1-4 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace."
I could add more. But isn't this enough food for thought? =)
All of this is addressed to born-again children of God - and the issue is the Christian life, a life of sanctification - that is NOT lived under the Law as the rule of life.
"...for you are not under the law, but under grace."
First things first. One’s concept of “the Law” or Torah of G-d definitely affects one’s perception and outlook on the entire Bible.
All the believers in the ‘NT’ used the Scriptures (‘Old Testament’), and especially the Torah to back up anything they were teaching. [So did the Bereans, so did Jesus, so did any ‘NT’ writers. The ‘Old Testament’ is the foundation that reflects upon everything in the ‘New Testament’ Many use only the ‘New Testament’ Scriptures as the foundation for their faith. For example how many churches take a newly converted sinner and begin to disciple him about sin, repentance, faith and the ‘born-again experience’ from the Torah? Not many. Yet everyone would mentally agree that the Torah is the foundation for understanding the rest of the ‘OT’ and the “NT’. The Torah and the "OT” are a shadow of good things to come. Just as the Torah can’t be fully understood without the illumination of the ‘NT’ Scriptures, so too it is impossible to fully understand ‘NT’ Scriptures without the proper foundation from the Torah. They go hand in hand, but they must go in the proper order. The Torah as the foundation goes first, then the rest of the ‘OT’ and then the ‘NT’ Scriptures. The goal of Torah was to point to Christ. Without the Torah we can not properly understand the person, work of the Messiah or the Kingdom of G-d. (Romans 10:4) Jesus Himself used the Torah and the Prophets to teach others about Himself. (Luke 24:27 and verses 44-45, John 5:46, John 5:39) So instead of trying to back up ‘New Testament Scriptures’ with the ‘NT’ or understand the ‘NT’ only using the ‘NT’, we should do what Jesus, and the ‘New Testament’ believers did; always point their listeners to the Torah as the source of their teaching.
And as always, let’s be sure to check the context of each verse.
The Law = "the ministration of death" (2Cor.3:7)
This is but one purpose of the Law of G-d. The ministry that condemns men. This part of the law relates to a function of G-d’s Torah for the unredeemed/unsaved. Those who have yet to recognize the Messiah can largely only be condemned by G-d’s Torah, as it points out their sins and its penalty. (Romans 6:23)
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-Rom.3:20 "...through the law cometh the knowledge of sin."
Without Law, there is no knowledge of sin. Sin is the transgression of the Torah. (1 John 3:4) This is another part of the law, to bring conviction of sin. (Romans 7:7) Without Torah, Paul would not have even known that coveting was a sin.
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-Rom.5:20 "...the law entered, that the offence might abound."
Following up on verse 13 “sin is not inputed, without the law, so now that the law has entered, sins (transgressing of the law 1 John 3:4) increased.
---These verses are all dealing with one aspect of G-d’s Holy Law, in this case – bringing the knowledge of sin, hence brining the knowledge of the condemnation of said sin. G-d’s law is not one-dimensional. Torah is the Word of G-d (Isaiah 2:3, Micah 4:2). Torah is the revelation of G-d concerning our sin. Torah reveals man’s need for a Messiah. (Romans 10:4) Torah is G-d’s instruction manual to live our lives. (Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16) (just to name a few)
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-Rom.6:14 "...sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Here is a perfect verse that outlines the danger in assuming everywhere “law” is translated from the Greek “nomos” it must be talking about the Torah of G-d. The context of Romans 6 is speaking about sin and our relationship to it. Verse 1: “shall we continue in sin that grace may abound, G-d forbid!” In this passage sin is addressed in verses 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16-20, 22, and 23. And in Romans 8:2 we see that the law of the spirit of life…hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Verse 14 is not talking about G-d’s Torah, but rather the law of sin and death. Under G-d’s grace, we are no longer under the law of sin and death that was against us. In fact believing that because we are no longer under the Torah of G-d = we are no longer under the dominion of sin is faulty in itself, for we wouldn’t even know what sin was if it weren’t for His Torah. Don’t forget sin=lawlessness. 1 John 3:4. How’s that for a statement: sin =having no law.
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-Rom.7:4,6 "...you also have become dead to the law...now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."
At face value, this verse definitely seems to suggest that we were made to die to the Torah of G-d through the body of Christ. Now how’s that for an erroneous statement. Christians have died to the Law of G-d, through the body (death) of His Son, so that we should be joined to another. Another law? Another what? To Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for G-d. So in a nutshell, we have died to G-d’s perfect and holy Law, through the body of His Son, in order to bear fruit for G-d. That sounds wrong…because it is wrong. Especially when only 8 more verses ahead Paul calls the law, holy, righteous and good.
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-2Cor.3:6 "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Before we even get to the meaning of what this verse means, I’d like to submit to you a question; If the old covenant was made with Israel, the descendants of Abraham, how is it that you’re claiming new covenant promises, being a Gentile? Jeremiah 31:31 makes it clear that the new covenant will be made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. (same as Hebrews 8:8) How does the ‘Gentile Christian’ claim those promises?
-Notice again the correlation between Spirit and letter, just as Romans 8:2 states that the law of the spirit of life has made me free from the law of sin and death. The Torah (Law) of the New Covenant written on the hearts of the believer is none other than the same Torah from the Old Covenant. That’s what verse 2 Corinthians 3:3 is stating. Hebrews 8:10 “I will put MY laws into their minds and write them on their hearts.” The same Torah of G-d; not written on tablets of stone, but on the hearts.
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-Eph. 2:13-15 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Christ Our Peace, for He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace"
Right of the bat, you should notice that this translation does not make sense. “The law of commandments, contained in ordinances?” Sounds like a russian doll to me. (If it were indeed talking about G-d’s Torah. The Torah of G-d’s commandments, contained in His ordinances. Again to understand this verse, we must look at the context of Ephesians 2. Paul is arguing the oneness of Jew and Gentile as united in the Messiah. The Mystery of the Gentiles (Romans 11:25, Eph 3:3-8, Col 1:26-27), is that gentiles now can become fellow-members, fellow-partakers, not in a separate community, not through proselytizing, but by being grafted into the ancient community of G-d. (Ephesians 2:19, 3:6) Christ’s death, established the means of unity, for by it was by His death that the enmity between Jew and Gentiles was destroyed. At face value it seems that Paul is stating that the Messiah abolished the Torah by His sacrificial death, and that the Torah was the instrument of hostility that erected a dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. First question that must be asked here is “Did Jesus come to abolish the law ?” Matthew 5:17-19 is clear on that. I’m sure we can all agree that He didn’t come to abolish His Torah. So what IS being abolished in verse 15? If you look at the Greek word for ordinances, it is the word “dogma”. Dogma never means G-d’s commandments, rather means the decrees, traditions and teachings of men. So He came to abolish the law of the commandments contained in man-made traditions. Sound familiar? It should, Jesus constantly dealt with men who upheld man’s tradition at the cost of G-d’s commandments. Jesus abolished the rabbinic laws which set aside the Torah of G-d by separating Jew and Gentile which G-d intended to make one in Messiah. The Rabbis set a legal fence, separating the Jews and Gentile. This man-made tradition went against His Torah, which called for “one body, one Spirit, one hope, One L-rd, One faith, one baptism one G-d and Father of all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6)
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-Gal.3:2-3 "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?"
Very similar to the Acts 15 council, how did they receive the spirit, through works of the Law or by the hearing of faith? Justification has always come by faith, and faith alone. Apart from works of the law, so that no one would boast. Salvation 101. If justification was by the works of the law, then Christ’s death would be in vain. Not sure why this verse is in here. We agree on it J Abraham was justified by faith, believing. Now if you claim that now that he is justified by faith, he no longer has to keep G-d’s commandments, then I would have a problem. Not only me, but Genesis 26:5.
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-Gal.3:10 "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Again this verse flows right into verse 11, “No one is justified by the Law.” It’s quite ironic for someone to use Galatians 3:10 to state that the Torah is something that is passing away, or someone questioning the authority of Torah or the ‘OT’, when in the very next verse, Paul using Torah to back up his statement; “The righteous will live by faith.”
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-Gal.3:12 "The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
Interesting you put this one up. Paul is literally stating that Torah is an instruction manual, teaching us how to live a life that pleases G-d. (Leviticus 18:6 “so you shall keep MY statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them.” Deuteronomy 33:5, Deuteronomy 8:1 “All the commandments which I command thee this day, shall ye observe to do, that y may live.” Deuteronomy 30:16.) Not only that, but again Paul is using the Torah to back up his statements. (quite counterproductive if he was trying to prove that the Torah was no longer relevant if you ask me.)
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-Gal.3:13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law..."
Now it’s getting interesting. Christ the Son redeemed/ saved us from the curse of G-d’s Holy Law. Wow. Again the second part of this verse Paul is quoting Torah (Deuteronomy 21:23) What is the curse of the law? You would say, the fact that we have to carry the heavy burden of the law? Or the law itself is the curse? The curse of the Law is the idea that Torah shows us what sin is and sets the standard of perfection that we cannot meet, incurring the death penalty.
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-Gal. 3:19 "What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come..."
Here’s an interesting verse. It states that the Law (the part of the Law that brings knowledge of sin) was added because of transgressions, (or sins). The verses leading up to 19 are equally crucial to understand. Verse 16 states that G-d’s promise was only given to Abraham’s seed. Not many seeds, but one, Abraham’s, which is Christ’s. (Galatians 3:29) And verse 17-18 simply re-iterate again that the promises of the inheritance are not based on the law (or the keeping of the law), but rather on the promise, and on faith. The entire book of Galatians is reiterates, again and again and again, that there’s no justification, no claiming of the promise, no becoming Abraham’s seed and part of the Body of Christ by keeping the law. Same as Acts 15, it is only through faith. Verse 19, states that the law came because of sin, to give us the knowledge of sin, to show us the penalty of sin, and point us to the Messiah. (Romans 10:4)
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-Gal.4:9-11 "now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain."
I see no reference to G-d’s Law in this verse. If for one second you are calling G-d’s Holy Laws---weak and beggarly elements and bondage, you are gravely mistaken. Unless you have no concept of G-d’s Torah, His commandments and instructions you cannot possibly equate His Laws as weak and beggarly. So I do not make this any longer than it already is, I will try to streamline it. Context, context, context, verse 8 “you knew NOT G-d, and you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.” Verse 9 “But now AFTER ye have known G-d, How is it that you turn back again to the weak…etc.” Unless you’re really set on trying to make His Torah weak and beggarly, it is clear here that the context specifically states that they were returning to things which by nature are no gods. G-d’s feasts, G-d’s Laws, G-d’s commandments are all His. Leviticus 23 makes it clear that G-d personally claims the 7 feasts as His own. Paul is concerned that the Galatians are turning to things that are NOT of G-d and being enslaved to them. Without the proper understanding and concept of G-d’s Law and His Word, causes Christians to equate the very Word of G-d to “weak and beggarly elements.” May G-d continue to bless you with wisdom from above to understand His Word from His point of view. 1. Paul was talking to Gentile converts. 2.they used to serve other gods. 3. Now they know the one True G-d. 4. even so, they go BACK to the weak and beggarly elements and bondage. A complete counter to this assumption of G-d’s law is 1 John 2:3-4. “By this we know that we Know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him” and does not keep His commandments, he is a liar and the truth is not in him.”
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-Gal. 5:1-4 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace."
I don’t know why it’s so hard to see Paul’s message throughout all of Galatians. You CANNOT be justified by ANYTHING but faith. Period. End of story. Judaizers who were imposing circumcision, and proselytizing, keeping the Law + adding fences to the law were seeking justification through these acts. Paul is making it clear in verse 4 “You have been severed from Christ” Who has been severed from Christ? Believers who are keeping G-d’s laws out of obedience? No. Those seeking justification by and through the Law? Yes! You have fallen from grace. Romans 3:20: because by the works of the law NO flesh will be justified in His sight. Verse 28, for we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Abraham, the father of our faith, was not justified by His works, or his keeping of the Law. He was justified by faith!
No one will ever be justified by the law. We both agree on that. Our disagreement lies after salvation; as you claim that Jesus did away with the Torah of G-d, and we are no longer required to obey G-d’s commandments. I submit to you that G-d’s commandments were never intended to save, or justify. They were given as Righteous instructions for Set Apart living.
G-d’s Torah is spiritual. (Romans 7:14) The Torah is holy, righteous and good. (Romans 7:12) “So then, the law is holy and commandment is holy, righteous and good.” Torah is better than gold and silver, faithful, settled in heaven, sweeter than honey, a lamp unto our path, a heritage, strength, wonderful, pure, truth, eternal, endures forever. (Psalm 119) ‘He tells us to hide it in our hearts, don’t let us wander from it, rejoice in them, meditate on them, delight in them, keep them, obey them, long for them, use them to walk in liberty, tell others about them, comfort in them, write them in our hearts, sing them, thank G-d for them, love them, don’t forget them, esteem them highly, lose sleep meditating on them.’ Jesus and the ‘NT” apostles knew that the entire Torah was perfect. They said that the entire Torah taught two things. Love G-d with your entire being and love your neighbor as yourself. (Romans 13:8-10) (Galatians 5:14) “all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 27:37-40) That is the Biblical view on the characteristics of Torah and its relationship to the believer. Based on what’s written above, have you detected that the Torah was negative in any way evil, sinful, old and outdated, needing to be replaced, temporary, something that needed to be “broken down”, “abolished”, “blotted out,” “nailed to the cross,” “taken away,” “a rudiment of the world,” “something that’s going to perish with using?”
How can Acts 15 not be about salvation when the very first verse says “unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved”? The first verse, which is the launching pad of the council, states rather clearly that the men of Judea believed that Gentile believer’s weren’t saved until they were “circumcised according to the custom of Moses.” The issue was whether or not someone who was not a Jew could be saved. Verse 7 “hear the word of the gospel and believe.” (salvation) Verse 8 and 9 “testified to them….cleansing their hearts by faith.” (salvation)
Verse 10, “placing a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear” Is this verse stating that the written Torah was yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” Yes you say? Absolutely Not–This is definitely NOT talking about keeping the G-d’s Torah, because as Deuteronomy 30:11 clearly states (and echoed by Paul in Romans 10:6-8) “this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach…but the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.” John makes it even more blatant when he says “His commandments are not burdensome.” (I John 5:3) David also claims in Psalm 19:7-11 that “by them your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” Not to mention a score of verses describing G-d’s laws as good, righteous, perfect, truth, wonderful, holy and spiritual. So you see this council was never about whether or not ‘Christians’ should keep the Torah once saved.
You claim that only a few basic rules were given to the believers “in conjunction with Christ’s law of love. And further claim that the Torah is the “yoke of bondage from which Christ has set us free.” Do you realize that if we were to lay aside the pretty words, you are basically claiming the following:
- G-d’s Holy commandments, (His Written Torah) perfect, holy, spiritual, truth, wonderful, pure, righteous are a yoke of bondage, and a curse.
- G-d’s Torah is an unbearable yoke that no one could bear; accusing G-d of choosing a special people to bless, but saddling them instead with an unbearable yoke for dozens of generations and also imposing punishments and curses on the people whenever they failed to follow unbearable laws. What kind of a god would do that?
- Christ the Son, came and died on the cross to do away with G-d’s perfect and holy law, nailing it to the cross, and setting us free from G-d’s yoke of bondage.
With all the “theological phrases and coating” aside, the above statements are rather grievous and dangerous. Not to mention, completely against what the Scriptures teach.
Hi Albertini,
This is a side note, but I'm just curious why you don't spell out God's name?? I'm not trying to pick an argument--I'm genuinely wondering! I can't say I've ever encountered this before. Thanks!
Hi Beverly, I don't believe he responded. I believe the habit of leaving out the vowels when spelling God's name is an ancient Jewish habit (still in use today by Orthadox Jews). The name of God was considered so holy you ought not say all of it, and take out the vowels.. Yaweh or Jehovah therefore became 'Y-w-h' and 'JHVH'... with or without the dashes.
Oddly enough, I believe I learned that in a Wisdom Book somewhere.. if I'm not mistaken. I could've learned it elsewhere. anyway, I think that is what he is doing here. It's a very interesting thing, I think.
Yes, I am saying that Christ sets us free from the law. He did not abolish it, he fulfilled it. I don't understand how you can directly contradict the apostles words in Acts 15, as though you have a greater understanding than they did. Acts 15 was this very debate we are having, here. Should NT Christians be required to keep OT law (for any reason)? The answer was an emphatic "no", and was repeatedly reiterated throughout the rest of the NT. The instructions in Acts 15 became the new guidelines for the church. Paul spent much of his ministry battling and condemning the very legalism you propose. If you choose to keep the law or certain aspects of it in your own life, that is between you and God. But to try to impose a standard on all believers that God does not? I don't think so.
The OT was NOT God's final revelation to man. Jesus was.
So yes, you heard me right.
Hannah, it is impossible for Christ the Son to set us free from something the Father commanded. He would not be G-d, because He does not change, and neither does His Word. G-d’s Torah = His Word. My question is this; where in Acts 15 do you see the apostles stating that NT Christians should not keep OT Law (for any reason)? Where is this “emphatic NO”?
First of all, do you realize that Scripture proves that justification was the same for both “OT” believers and “NT” believers? By grace through faith. It was never through keeping the Law. Ever. Why did the “OT” believers (and as I have shown above “NT” believers), keep the Law of G-d? It was not for justification or salvation, but simply because G-d commanded them to, (and more importantly, NeveR commanded them to stop), because G-d promised to bless them if they did, because it was G-d’s instruction manual for believers, because they love Him (John 14:15), and another often forgotten reason; because the Torah IS a shadow of good things to come (Colosians 2:17). There are still plenty of things that have not yet been fulfilled, prophesied and revealed in the Torah. They continue being a shadow until everything is fulfilled.
“The instructions in Acts 15 became the new guidelines for the church… Acts 15 contained only a few rules Christians were supposed to live by, in conjunction with Christ’s law of love.” Do you realize that if all Christians were to use your conclusion of Acts 15 as a basis for Christian living, they would no longer have to honor their parents, tithe, keep the Sabbath, and could now murder, steal, lie, cheat on their wives and practice all sorts of sexual perversion? After all, on your basis, none of these are contained in the council of Acts 15, or Jesus’ "law of love." Do you see what I’m getting at? There was a reason G-d gave mankind His instructions. I am definitely not trying to impose Torah on all believers, I am simply challenging your assumption that His Holy Law is done away with and replaced with new guidelines, new teachings, new laws brought on by His very Son. So instead of trying to impose a standard on all believers that G-d does not, I am rather asking you to prove when G-d changed His only standard of righteous living (which cannot change, just like its Author cannot change) and brought a new standard in its stead. The “OT” was not G-d’s final revelation to man, but it was not replaced by His Son, Romans 10:4 – Jesus was the goal of Torah, and until heaven and earth pass, and all is fulfilled, not one yot or tittle will be removed from it.
I think you misunderstand me. I never said that the law was abolished. I said it was fulfilled. I recognize the Law as God showing us what righteousness looks like, and that it was impossible for mere man to attain it.
Acts 15:28 NLT
"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements:
^That is
^ That is where it is stated. If you then read through the "few requirements", one of them prohibits cheating on your wife. Christ's law of love prohibits bringing harm to your fellow man (I.e., murder). I do not see tithing or "keeping the Sabbath" reiterated in the NT. If you feel you should do these things, I wouldn't tell you not to. I don't believe all Christians are required to, though.
Galatians 3:19 NLT
Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.
^Here's an "emphatic no" for you.
I only desire to point you away from legalism to true grace. It may be that you and I will never find common ground, and will just have to agree to disagree. I only share with you the footprints of my own feeble journey.
Be careful not to elevate the law of God above the Son of God :) God is more concerned about a relationship with us, than about us keeping a list of rules. Jesus is the Word of God personified. Love the person, not the lifeless scroll.
Albertini,
May I respectfully ask how you identify your religion or beliefs? (Judaism, etc.)
Honest question: Do you have a background with Mr. Gothard's teachings? I am very curious if you do.
The piece here is meant to push against Gothard's teachings which are neither fish nor foul in terms of evangelical Christianity vs. any form of Judaism or Messianic Judaism. I'm asking in part because I get the sense you are writing from a place of respect for the Torah rather than defending Gothard.
●I believe that there is only one true and living G-d. (Deut 6:4) ● I believe in the deity of the Messiah, His sinless, life, atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His future return in power and glory. ●I believe that the whole Bible – consisting of both the TaNakh (‘OT’) and the Apostolic Scriptures (‘NT’) is the one and only inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of G-d. ●I believe in G-d’s eternal covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and with Jacob’s descendants forever. ●I believe the Bible, recognize its divine inspiration and authority, and accept its teachings as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (Deut 6:4-9; Prov. 3:1-6; Psalm 119:89; 105, Isa. 48:12-16; Rom. 8:14-17; II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17) ●I believe that the Creator has one, and only one, standard of righteousness, the Torah, by which the conduct of all humankind will be judged.
●I believe that salvation is the free gift of G-d brought to sinful man by His unconditional grace and received solely by personal faith in the completed redemptive work of the Messiah. Salvation comes by faith in the Person and completed work of Yeshua, plus nothing else!
Matthew, my family has been involved with ATI for over 14 years, so I am very familiar with IBLP’s teachings, standards and “convictions”. As many of you, I have my share of disagreements with Bill Gothard’s teachings, particularly the ones where man-made traditions and rules and imposed on believers in the name of ‘Biblical authority’. I definitely have a high respect and reverence for the Torah, and I am simply challenging the notion that G-d’s Torah is irrelevant and done away with our day and age; replaced with ‘Jesus law of love’ or Jesus Himself. Bill Gothard has a habit of picking and choosing which commandments he deems applicable (i.e. circumcision, relations during women’s cycle, kosher eating, etc.), whereas I see G-d’s commandments as a united and complete package that serves as a guide for Set Apart living. (Then and now)
So you would basically consider yourself a Messianic Jew, if not ethnically, at least as far as your relationship to and understanding God is concerned?
Thank you, Albertini. As Will said, I take it most people would consider you to be a follower of Messianic Judaism? Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with Derek Leman? http://derekleman.com/Derek_Leman/HOME.html
I was curious if your disagreements with Mr. Gothard might be exactly as you said, namely, the added traditions and rules (and I would suspect that Gothard also removes some aspects of the Torah that you would hold).
If I understand correctly, you would have broad disagreement with evangelical Christianity on issues that they term faith vs. law, or grace vs. law, or Spirit vs. flesh, etc. While you might find points of agreement with Charles Swindoll ("The Grace Awakening") or Philip Yancey ("What's So Amazing About Grace?") or Jerry Bridges ("Transforming Grace") you would have serious disagreements with them on the issues of . Is that a fair statement?
Right, Matthew - thank you, clarification is needed here.=)
Oh, and I while I quite agree that Gothard's teachings are neither fish nor foWl, I would venture to say that much of could easily be called FoUl... =)
oh, darn! I meant Fowl. Fish nor Fowl. Thanks, Will!
Oh I thought that was a perfect description, Matthew! I wasn't going to correct a thing! LOL
i see a propencity in albertini to create problems where there are none. im going by the WORD when i say this, we are not to add or delete from the WORD OF GOD. that being said, we need to truly see JESUS as the WORD when we talk about someones teachings. what RG is doing here is showing all of us what has been added or taken away in the teachings of bill gothard, also RG has showed where he will schew the truth to fit his purpose and rarely uses a whole chapter of the Bible to show us what he believes. bg relys on a little scripture here and a little scripture there to get his point across. this is a big mistake and has been proved over and over in peoples lives and the breaking of the promises that bg has given-if you do this and that, then you will have success. GOD cannot be put in a box and HE can and does move the way that HE sees fit. we have HIS grace to be able to keep HIS commandments, not those that are made up and put in a book. if they arnt in the BIBLE then they arnt from HIM, simple as that.
Mr Albertini,
The law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ Gal 3:24
This makes sense. Consider the purpose of it:
The law... Was made for pagans to recognize their need of Christ (paraphrasing 1 Tim 1:6-11)
And....
Christ is the END of the Law to all who believe!!!! Rom 10:4
Why?
Because, if we LOVE Him with the kins of love He loved us with, we are FREED to obey far beyond mere laws in a sprit of LOVE.
I give an offering out of a sense of Love, not duty.
Beverly,
Thank you for your beautifully sound, in context, observations about the interwoven, inseparable connection between the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Grace of Jesus, and our being justified through and in Him (Acts 20:24, 32; Rom. ). Grace teaches us to let Christ's love abound in good works - but such is never in the heart or spirit of meritorious works (Titus 2:11-15; 3:1-8). It is the way His love moves from Christ's heart through ours. The "gospel of grace teaches us to surrender our self-will to his will. Thus, we free willingly submit to Christ. What freedom! What unmerited favor, salvation and zeal for serving our Lord and others. Notice that we as Christians have a stewardship responsibility concerning God's Grace. In Eph. 3:1-7, Paul focuses on "the dispensation (Greek: stewardship) of the Grace of God which was given to me for you... NKJV) In Eph. 3:8-10, he continues this focus on God's Grace and stresses the stewardship responsibility/privilege Christ's Church/one body/family has in making knows this grace (unsearchable riches of Christ/manifold wisdom of God). "this grace was given, that I should preach....to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church...." The Apostle Paul clearly taught that the gospel he preached and penned as N.T. Scripture was synonymous with God's grace. In Rom. 1:5, Paul credits Jesus with entrusting Paul and all who share the gospel for the purpose of Christians being "obedient to the faith." "Jesus Christ our Lord... through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name."(Rom 1:1-5). This all makes sense to those who read their Bible with as much unbiased influence as possible. For Paul declared that the "gospel" he preached was "the gospel of Christ" and "the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." (Rom. 1:14-17) Paul opened and closed the book of Romans with harmonious emphasis upon this unmerited "gospel of grace" and its power of God to work in us "obedience to the faith (the fruit of the gospel of grace)" (Rom. 1:5, 16:24-27). No gospel, no grace, no grace, no gospel. Grace is God's gift to man. Obeying the gospel is opening the package (Jack Exum). Let us open our hearts and Bibles so as to experience this unmerited, soul-saving gift from heaven - in all its glory! We are no longer condemned. We are justified by grace through our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ ("through Whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand..." (Rom. 5:1, 2, 6-21; 6:1-23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." vs. 26).
I would also like to thank all the others who posted their own views - especially the passionate Missionary Will Hunsucker. Keep up the good work Will. I enjoyed your family blog. Your work is encouraging.