Confusion about what Jesus Said

[pescador]

First of all, Jesus was a Jew send to the House of Israel, teaching his audience to keep the full Law of Moses (= not just the Ten Words) (Matthew 5:17-20). And keep in mind that the early Jewish believers in Jesus as the Messiah zealously kept the Law as well (again, the full law, not just the Ten Words/Commandments); read e.g.:

Acts 21:20

And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, ...​

Now the Gentile believers were not held to keep the full Mosaic Law, but only the four rules as decided during the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). Those rules were a very small sub-set of the Mosaic Law, and did not even contain a requirement to keep the Sabbath (=Saturday as day of rest).

Generally it is understood that also the summary of Mosaic Law (~the Greatest commandments) would apply to Gentile believers as it concerns our attitude and general behaviour; Jesus deals with that in Matthew 22:35-40 based on:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

You shall love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.​

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am YHWH.​

Applying that in our lives as Gentiles causes us to please God in all we do; without keeping all of the Law of Moses.

One is free to do so of course; generally e.g. it's probably wise to have a resting day every week.

But strictly speaking Sunday (1st day) observance is not Sabbath (7th day) observance. Don't think you're keeping the Ten Words/Commandments if you're not resting on the Sabbath (= Saturday).

(disclaimer: I am not SDA affiliated )

You're either under law or under grace; there is no middle ground. If you don't understand this read Galatians.

Here is a single verse summary: "For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." Galatians 5:17-18

That's only one verse but it expresses the concept that's all through the epistle.

 

[timothyu]

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Which is simply saying you have a desire not to follow the ways of the flesh, rather than not following those ways because someone put up sign saying don't. It's like some people don't speed because they see the foolishness in it while other obey the limit because the sign says so and there may be a penalty if caught. Both ways lead to the same path. Some need the signs, some don't.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You're either under law or under grace; there is no middle ground. If you don't understand this read Galatians.

Here is a single verse summary: "For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." Galatians 5:17-18

That's only one verse but it expresses the concept that's all through the epistle.

Which Law is Paul talking about? If you were to read Galatians 5:2, Paul says,

“Behold, I Paul say unto you,
that if ye be circumcised,
Christ shall profit you nothing.”
(Galatians 5:2).
​

Circumcision is a command given to Abraham and also for the Mosaic Law. Circumcision is no longer required for the New Covenant. For the early Christians were fighting against a heresy that said that you had to first be circumcised in order to be saved (See: Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24). So Paul was referring to the Old Mosaic Law (or the 613 Laws of Moses as a whole package deal or contract). Paul was not referring to the Law of Christ (See: Galatians 6:2, Romans 8:2, and 1 Corinthians 9:21). For if a person thought they had to be circumcised to be saved initially, they would be making a Law or Work the foundation of their salvation instead of being initially saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Paul was not advocating disobedience to God's laws as a way of salvation after we are saved by God's grace. For God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (See: Titus 2:11-12). Paul also lists various sins in Galatians 5:19-21 and says that they which do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul also says that in Galatians 5:24 that they that are Christ's have crucified the affections and lusts. Most Belief Alone Proponents I encounter do not really believe Galatians 5:24 in what it says. For while we are saved by the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), we also need to heed the call of the gospel which is.... God has chosen us to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth (See: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). This Sanctification of the Spirit is clearly in reference to living holy by the Spirit as mentioned in the latter half of Romans 8:13 because verse 12 is the polar opposite contrast of what 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says, and 2 Thessalonians 2:15-16 mentions both faith and works. For we are to follow after holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). So Paul was referring to “Works ALONE Salvationism” (Which at that time was by the Old Mosaic Law that today is no more as a whole or contract - despite certain commands being repeated in the New Covenant or New Testament).